Gocycle GX - Page 31

Gocycle
®
Owner’s Manual for GX, April 2019
© Karbon Kinetics Limited. All Rights Reserved. 31
lighter weight over longevity. So, if you choose lightweight, high performance equipment, be sure to
have it inspected frequently.
You should have your Gocycle and its components checked periodically as recommended by the
Gocycle service interval by your Gocycle dealer or qualified person for indicators of stress and/or
potential failure, including cracks, deformation, corrosion, paint peeling, dents, and any other
indicators of potential problems, inappropriate use or abuse. These are important safety checks and
very important to help prevent accidents, bodily injury to the rider and shortened product life.
7.4.2 Perspective
Today’s high-performance electric bicycles require frequent and careful inspection and service. In this
Appendix we try to explain some underlying material science basics and how they relate to your
Gocycle. We discuss some of the trade-offs made in designing your Gocycle and what you can
expect from your Gocycle; and we provide important, basic guidelines on how to maintain and inspect
it. We cannot teach you everything you need to know to properly inspect and service your Gocycle;
and that is why we repeatedly urge you to take your Gocycle to your Gocycle dealer or seek
appropriate assistance from Gocycle or a qualified bicycle mechanic for professional care and
attention.
WARNING: Frequent inspection of your Gocycle is important to your safety. Follow the
Pre-Ride Checks in Section 2 of this manual before every ride.
Periodic, more detailed inspection of your Gocycle is important. How often this more detailed
inspection is needed depends upon you.
You, the rider/owner, have control and knowledge of how often you use your bike, how hard you use it
and where you use it. Because your Gocycle dealer or Gocycle cannot track your use, you must take
responsibility for periodically bringing your bike to your Gocycle dealer or returning it to Gocycle for
inspection and service. Your Gocycle dealer will help you decide what frequency of inspection and
service is appropriate for how and where you use your bike.
For your safety, understanding and communication with your Gocycle dealer or Gocycle, we urge you
to read this Appendix in its entirety. The materials used to make your Gocycle determine how and
how frequently to inspect.
Ignoring this WARNING can lead to frame, fork or other component failure, which can
result in serious injury or death.
7.4.3 Understanding metals
Steel is the traditional material for building bicycle frames. It has good characteristics, but in high
performance bicycles, steel has been largely replaced by aluminium and some titanium and
magnesium. The main factor driving this change is interest in lighter electric bicycles by cycling
enthusiasts.
7.4.4 Properties of Metals
Please understand that there is no simple statement that can be made that characterizes the use of
different metals for bicycles. What is true is how the metal chosen is applied is much more important
than the material alone. One must look at the way the bike is designed, tested, manufactured,
supported along with the characteristics of the metal rather than seeking a simplistic answer.
Metals vary widely in their resistance to corrosion. Steel must be protected or rust will attack it.
Aluminium and Titanium and magnesium quickly develop an oxide film that protects the metal from
further corrosion. Both are therefore quite resistant to corrosion. Aluminium and magnesium is not
perfectly corrosion resistant, and particular care must be used where it contacts other metals and
galvanic corrosion can occur.