Operation Manual

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WARNING:Neverinateatirebeyondthemaximumpressure
marked on the tire’s sidewall or the wheel rim. If the maximum
pressure rating for the wheel rim is lower than the maximum pressure
shown on the tire, always use the lower rating. Exceeding the
recommended maximum pressure may blow the tire off the rim or damage
the wheel rim, which could cause damage to the bike and injury to the rider
and bystanders.
The best and safest way to inate a bicycle tire to the correct pressure is with
a bicycle pump which has a built-in pressure gauge.
WARNING: There is a safety risk in using gas station air hoses or
other air compressors. They are not made for bicycle tires. They
move a large volume of air very rapidly, and will raise the pressure in
your tire very rapidly, which could cause the tube to explode.
Tire pressure is given either as maximum pressure or as a pressure range.
How a tire performs under different terrain or weather conditions depends largely
on tire pressure. Inating the tire to near its maximum recommended pressure
gives the lowest rolling resistance; but also produces the harshest ride.
High pressures work best on smooth, dry pavement.
Very low pressures, at the bottom of the recommended pressure
range, give the best performance on smooth, slick terrain such as hard-
packed clay, and on deep, loose surfaces such as deep, dry sand.
Tire pressure that is too low for your weight and the riding conditions
can cause a puncture of the tube by allowing the tire to deform sufciently to
pinch the inner tube between the rim and the riding surface.
CAUTION: Pencil type automotive tire gauges can be
inaccurate and should not be relied upon for consistent,
accurate pressure readings. Instead, use a high quality dial
gauge.
Ask your dealer to recommend the best tire pressure for the kind
of riding you will most often do, and have the dealer inate your tires to that
pressure. Then, check ination as described in Section 1.C so you’ll know how
correctly inated tires should look and feel when you don’t have access to a
gauge. Some tires may need to be brought up to pressure every week or two, so
it is important to check your tire pressures before every ride.
Some special high-performance tires have unidirectional treads: their tread
pattern is designed to work better in one direction than in the other. The sidewall
marking of a unidirectional tire will have an arrow showing the correct rotation
direction. If your bike has unidirectional tires, be sure that they are mounted to
rotate in the correct direction.
2. Tire Valves
There are primarily two kinds of bicycle tire valves: The Schraeder Valve and
the Presta Valve. The bicycle pump you use must have the tting appropriate to