48 49
Appendix B
The lifespan of your bike and its components
1. Nothing Lasts Forever, Including Your Bike.
When the useful life of your bike or its components is over, continued use is hazardous.
Every bicycle and its component parts have a finite, limited useful life. The length of that life will vary with the construction and materials used in
the frame and components; the maintenance and care the frame and components receive over their life; and the type and amount of use to which
the frame and components are subjected. Use in competitive events, trick riding, ramp riding, jumping, aggressive riding, riding on severe terrain,
riding in severe climates, riding with heavy loads, commercial activities and other types of non-standard use can dramatically shorten the life of
the frame and components. Any one or a combination of these conditions may result in an unpredictable failure.
All aspects of use being identical, lightweight bicycles and their components will usually have a shorter life than heavier bicycles and their
components. In selecting a lightweight bicycle or components you are making a tradeoff, favoring the higher performance that comes with lighter
weight over longevity. So, If you choose lightweight, high performance equipment, be sure to have it inspected frequently.
You should have your bicycle and its components checked periodically by your dealer 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.
2. Perspective
Today’s high-performance 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 bicycle. We discuss some of the trade-offs made in designing your bicycle and what you can
expect from your bicycle; 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 bicycle; and that is why we repeatedly urge you to take your bicycle to your dealer for professional
care and attention.
WARNING: Frequent inspection of your bike is important to your safety. Follow the Mechanical Safety Check in Section 1.C of this
Manual before every ride.
Road Tandems
CONDITION 1
Bikes designed for riding on a paved surface where the tires do not lose ground contact.
INTENDED Are designed to be ridden on paved roads only. They are not designed for mountain biking or off-road use.
NOT INTENDED Road tandem should not be taken off-road or used as a mountain tandem.
MAXIMUM WEIGHT LIMIT
RIDER LUGGAGE TOTAL
lbs / kg lbs / kg lbs / kg
500 / 227 75 / 34 575 / 261
Mountain Tandems
CONDITION 2
Bikes designed for riding Condition 1, plus smooth gravel roads and improved trails with moderate grades where the tires do
not lose ground contact.
INTENDED The challenges of mountain biking are obvious. The added challenges of tandem riding mean that you should
limit off-road tandem riding to easy-moderate terrain.
NOT INTENDED For very aggressive mountain bike riding. Mountain tandems are most definitely NOT for Downhill,
Freeriding, North Shore. Choose terrain with the abilities of both the Tandem’s captain and stoker in mind.
MAXIMUM WEIGHT LIMIT
RIDER LUGGAGE TOTAL
lbs / kg lbs / kg lbs / kg
500 / 227 75 / 34 575 / 261
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