WARNING: Improper care, maintenance, and
adjustment of a suspension system can result in damage,
which can cause you to lose control and fall.
If your bicycle has suspension, the increased speed you may
develop also increases the risks. For example, when braking,
the front of a suspended bicycle dips a little. This could cause
you to lose control and fall. Learn to ride your suspended
bicycle safely (see also section 5.C).
CAUTION: Changing suspension adjustment can
change the handling and braking characteristics of your
bicycle. Never change the suspension adjustment unless
you are thoroughly familiar with the suspension system
manufacturer’s instructions and recommendations, and
always check for changes in the handling and braking
characteristics of the bicycle after a suspension adjustment
by taking a careful test ride in a safe area.
Suspension can increase both comfort and control of the
bicycle by allowing the wheels better to follow the terrain. This
enhanced capability may allow you to ride faster over different
terrain types. But you must not confuse the capabilities of the
bicycle with your own capabilities. Ride carefully until you have
learned to handle the full capabilities of your bicycle.
CAUTION: Not all bicycles can be safely retrofitted
with some types of suspension systems. Before retrofitting
a bicycle with any suspension, check with the bicycle’s
manufacturer to make sure that the suspension system is
compatible with the bicycle’s design and that you will still
enjoy the warranty.
G) FRONT SUSPENSION ADJUSTMENT
ALPINE ELEMENT 2013 bicycles come equipped with various
suspension forks. Depending on the model, their travel ranges
between 1.2” and 4.0” (30–100 mm). For optimal fork operation,
adjust the sag. Fork manufacturers recommend sag of about 1/4 of
the full travel. The sag is best measured like this:
1. Make sure that the protective rubber boots do not interfere
with the adjustment process. You can remove them or clamp
them to the upper part of the leg, right under the fork crown.
2. Install a plastic clamp around one of the inner fork “legs”
and lower it down as far as the dust cap on the top part of an
outer fork “leg.”
3. Mount the bicycle and put your feet on the pedals. Lean
against the wall. Do not make the bicycle swing by pressing the
pedals or saddle down sharply.
4. Get off the bicycle without making it swing and
compressing the suspension.
5. Measure the distance between the clamp and the dust cap—this
will be the sag. To reduce the sag, increase the preload by turning
the adjuster knob clockwise (for air forks, by increasing the
pressure), and to increase it, decrease the preload by turning the
adjuster knob counterclockwise (reducing the air pressure).
H) TUBES AND TYRES
1. TYRES
Bicycle tyres are available with numerous tread designs and for
various purposes, ranging from general-purpose
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