Focus Bikes bicycle - Service; Service Intervals

46 Focus Bicycles - Bicycle Owner’s Manual
Service 47
Your Mechanical Safety Check (Section 1.C) will help you identify some things
that need readjustment. But even if everything seems ne to you, it’s best to
take your bike back to the dealer for a checkup. Dealers typically suggest you
bring the bike in for a 30 day checkup. Another way to judge when it’s time
for the rst checkup is to bring the bike in after three to ve hours of hard
off-road use, or about 10 to 15 hours of on-road or more casual off-road use.
But if you think something is wrong with the bike, take it to your dealer before
riding it again.
2. Before every ride: Mechanical Safety Check (Section 1.C)
3. After every long or hard ride; if the bike has been exposed to water or grit; or
at least every 100 miles: Clean the bike and lightly lubricate the chain’s rollers
with a good quality bicycle chain lubricant. Wipe off excess lubricant with a
lint-free cloth. Lubrication is a function of climate. Talk to your dealer about
the best lubricants and the recommended lubrication frequency for your area.
4. After every long or hard ride or after every 10 to 20 hours of riding:
 •Squeezethefrontbrakeandrockthebikeforwardandback.Everythingfeel
solid? If you feel a clunk with each forward or backward movement of the
bike, you probably have a loose headset. Have your dealer check it.
 •Liftthefrontwheeloffthegroundandswingitfromsidetoside.Feel
smooth? If you feel any binding or roughness in the steering, you may have
a tight headset. Have your dealer check it.
 •Grabonepedalandrockittowardandawayfromthecenterlineofthebike;
then do the same with the other pedal. Anything feel loose? If so, have your
dealer check it.
 •Takealookatthebrakepads.Startingtolookwornornothittingthewheel
rim squarely? Time to have the dealer adjust or replace them.
 •Carefullycheckthecontrolcablesandcablehousings.Anyrust?Kinks?
Fraying? If so, have your dealer replace them.
 •Squeezeeachadjoiningpairofspokesoneithersideofeachwheel
between your thumb and index nger. Do they all feel about the same? If
any feel loose, have your dealer check the wheel for tension and trueness.
 •Checkthetiresforexcesswear,cutsorbruises.Haveyourdealerreplace
them if necessary.
 •checkthewheelrimsforexcesswear,dings,dentsandscratches.Consult
your dealer if you see any rim damage.
 •Checktomakesurethatallpartsandaccessoriesarestillsecure,and
tighten any which are not.
 •Checktheframe,particularlyintheareaaroundalltubejoints;the
handlebars; the stem; and the seatpost for any deep scratches, cracks or
discoloration. These are signs of stress-caused fatigue and indicate that
a part is at the end of its useful life and needs to be replaced. See also
Appendix B.
5. Service
WARNING: Technological advances have made bicycles and bicycle
components more complex, and the pace of innovation is increasing.
It is impossible for this manual to provide all the information required
to properly repair and/or maintain your bicycle. In order to help
minimize the chances of an accident and possible injury, it is critical
that you have any repair or maintenance which is not specifically
described in this manual performed by your dealer. Equally important
is that your individual maintenance requirements will be determined
by everything from your riding style to geographic location. Consult
your dealer for help in determining your maintenance requirements.
WARNING: Many bicycle service and repair tasks require special
knowledge and tools. Do not begin any adjustments or service on
your bicycle until you have learned from your dealer how to properly
complete them. Improper adjustment or service may result in damage
to the bicycle or in an accident which can cause serious injury or death.
If you want to learn to do major service and repair work on your bike:
1. Ask your dealer for copies of the manufacturer’s installation and service
instructions for the components on your bike, or contact the component
manufacturer.
2. Ask your dealer to recommend a book on bicycle repair.
3. Ask your dealer about the availability of bicycle repair courses in your area.
We recommend that you ask your dealer to check the quality of your work the
rst time you work on something and before you ride the bike, just to make sure
that you did everything correctly. Since that will require the time of a mechanic,
there may be a modest charge for this service.
We also recommend that you ask your dealer for guidance on what spare
parts, such as inner tubes, light bulbs, etc. it would be appropriate for you
to have once you have learned how to replace such parts when they require
replacement.
A. Service Intervals
Some service and maintenance can and should be performed by the owner, and
require no special tools or knowledge beyond what is presented in this manual.
The following are examples of the type of service you should perform yourself.
All other service, maintenance and repair should be performed in a properly
equipped facility by a qualied bicycle mechanic using the correct tools and
procedures specied by the manufacturer.
1. Break-in Period: Your bike will last longer and work better if you break it in
before riding it hard. Control cables and wheel spokes may stretch or “seat”
when a new bike is rst used and may require readjustment by your dealer.