Raleigh 2008 manual Handlebar and saddle alignment Make sure the saddle, First ride

Tires & Wheels: Make sure tires are correctly inflated (see Section 4.G.1). Check by putting one hand on the saddle, one on the intersection of the handlebars and stem, then bouncing your weight on the bike while looking at tire deflection. Compare what you see with how it looks when you know the tires are correctly inflated; and adjust if necessary.

Tires in good shape? Spin each wheel slowly and look for cuts in the tread and sidewall. Replace damaged tires before riding the bike.

Wheels true? Spin each wheel and check for brake clearance and side-to-side wobble. If a wheel wobbles side to side even slightly, or rubs against or hits the brake pads, take the bike to a qualified bike shop to have the wheel trued.

!CAUTION: Wheels must be true for the brakes to work effectively. Wheel truing is a skill which requires special tools and experience. Do not attempt to true a wheel unless you have the knowledge, experience and tools needed to do the job correctly.

Brakes: Check the brakes for proper operation (see Section

4.A). Squeeze the brake levers. Are the brake quick-releases closed? All control cables seated and securely engaged? Do the brake pads contact the wheel rim squarely and make full contact with the rim? Do the brake pads touch the wheel rim within an inch of brake lever movement? Can you apply full braking force at the levers without having them touch the handlebar? If not, your brakes need adjustment. Do not ride the bike until the brakes are properly adjusted.

Quick Releases: If your bike has front wheel, rear wheel or seat post quick releases, make sure they are properly adjusted and in the locked position. See Section Appendix B.

Handlebar and saddle alignment: Make sure the saddle

and handlebar stem are parallel to the bike’s center line and clamped tight enough so that you can’t twist them out of alignment. See Section 3.B and 3.C. If not, align and tighten them.

Handlebar ends: Make sure the handlebar grips are secure and in good condition. If not, replace them. Make sure the handlebar ends are plugged. If not, plug them before you ride.

!WARNING: Loose or damaged handlebar grips can cause you to lose control and fall. Unplugged handlebars can cut your body, and can cause serious injury in an otherwise minor accident.

D.First ride

When you buckle on your helmet and go for your first familiarization ride on your new bicycle, be sure to pick a controlled environment, away from cars, other cyclists, obstacles or other hazards. Ride to become familiar with the controls, features and performance of your new bike.

Familiarize yourself with the braking action of the bike (see Section 4.C). Test the brakes at slow speed, putting your weight toward the rear and gently applying the brakes, rear brake first. Sudden or excessive application of the front brake, if your bicycle has one, could pitch you over the handlebars. Applying brakes too hard can lock up a wheel, which could cause you to lose control and fall. Skidding is an example of what can happen when a wheel locks up.

If your bicycle has clipless pedals, practice getting in and out of the pedals. See paragraph B.4 above and Section 4.C.3.

If your bike has suspension, familiarize yourself with how

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