to make sure that it is centered in the frame and clears the brake pads; then squeeze the brake lever and make sure that the brakes are operating correctly.

B. Seatpost Quick Release

Some bikes are equipped with a quick-release seat post binder. The seatpost quick-release binder works exactly like the wheel quick-release (Appendix B. A. 1.) While a quick release looks like a long bolt with a lever on one end and a nut on the other, the quick release uses a cam action to firmly clamp the seat post (see fig. 19).

!WARNING: Riding with an improperly tightened seat post can allow the saddle to turn or move and cause you to lose control and fall. Therefore:

1.Ask your dealer to help you make sure you know how to correctly clamp your seat post.

2.Understand and apply the correct technique for clamping your seat post quick release.

3.Before you ride the bike, first check that the seatpost is securely clamped.

1.Adjusting the seatpost quick release mechanism

The action of the quick release cam squeezes the seat collar around the seat post to hold the seat post securely in place. The amount of clamping force is controlled by the tension adjusting nut. Turning the tension adjusting nut clockwise while keeping the cam lever from rotating increases clamping force; turning it counterclockwise while keeping the cam lever from rotating reduces clamping force. Less than half a turn of the tension adjusting nut can make the difference between safe and unsafe clamping force.

!WARNING: The full force of the cam action is needed to clamp the seatpost securely. Holding the nut with one hand and turning the lever like a wing nut with the other hand until everything is as tight as you can get it will not clamp the seatpost safely.

!WARNING: If you can fully close the quick release without wrapping your fingers around a frame tube for leverage, and the lever does not leave a clear imprint in the palm of your hand, the tension is insufficient. Open the lever; turn the tension adjusting nut clockwise a quarter turn; then try again.

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Raleigh 2008 manual Seatpost Quick Release