// MANUAL
HIGH-PERFORMANCE ROAD
• CONDITION 1: Bikes designed for riding on a paved surface
where the tires do not lose ground contact.
• INTENDED: To be ridden on paved roads only.
• NOT INTENDED: For off-road, cyclocross, or touring with
racks or panniers.
• TRADE OFF: Material use is optimized to deliver both light weight and specic perfor-man-
ce. You must understand that (1) these types of bikes are intended to give an aggres-sive racer
or competitive cyclist a performance advantage over a relatively short product life, (2) a less
aggressive rider will enjoy longer frame life, (3) you are choosing light weight (shorter frame
life) over more frame weight and a longer frame life, (4) you are choosing light weight over
more dent resistant or rug-ged frames that weigh more. All frames that are very light need
frequent inspection. These frames are likely to be damaged or broken in a crash. They are not
designed to take abuse or be a rugged workhorse. See also Appendix C.
• CONDITION 2: Bikes designed for riding Condition 1, plus smooth gravel roads and impro-
ved trails with moderate grades where the tires do not lose ground contact.
GENERAL PURPOSE RIDING
• INTENDED: For paved roads, gravel or dirt roads that are in
good condition, and bike paths.
• NOT INTENDED: For off-road or mountain bike use, or for any
kind of jumping. Some of these bikes have suspension features,
but these features are designed to add comfort, not off-road capability. Some come with
relatively wide tires that are well suited to gravel or dirt paths. Some come with relatively
narrow tires that are best suited to faster riding on pavement. If you ride on gravel or dirt
paths, carry heavier loads or want more tire durability talk to PROPAIN about wider tires.
CROSS-COUNTRY, MARATHON, HARDTAILS
• CONDITION 3: Bikes designed for riding Conditions 1 and 2,
plus rough trails, small obstacles, and smooth technical areas,
in-cluding areas where momentary loss of tire contact with the
ground may occur. NOT jumping. All mountain bikes without rear
suspension are Condition 3, and so are some lightweight rear
suspension models.
• INTENDED: For cross-country riding and racing which ranges from mild to aggres-sive
over intermediate terrain (e.g., hilly with small obstacles like roots, rocks, loose surfaces
and hard pack and depressions). Cross-country and marathon equipment (tires, shocks,
frames, drive trains) are light-weight, favoring nimble speed over brute force. Suspension
travel is relatively short since the bike is intended to move quickly on the ground.
• NOT INTENDED: For Hardcore Freeriding, Extreme Downhill, Dirt Jumping, Slope-style, or
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