Operation Manual

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PART II
3. UNDERSTANDING
COMPONENTS
It is often necessary to remove and disassemble
components in order to properly and carefully inspect
them. Most customers will use this component
list as a checklist. The intention here is to tell
you what parts, and what area of each part, most
need inspection. Insist that your mechanic do such
inspections. Our intention is denitely not to teach
bicycle mechanics.
WARNING
FAILURE TO DISASSEMBLE OR
REASSEMBLE BICYCLE COMPONENTS
PROPERLY COULD RESULT IN AN
ACCIDENT, WITH RISK OF SERIOUS
INJURY, PARALYSIS OR DEATH.
There are many special tools and techniques
required. Unless you are a very experienced and
skilled bicycle mechanic, we urge you to have this
work done by a professional bicycle retailer.
IF YOU SEE ANY CRACK, OR ANYTHING
YOU ARE UNSURE OF, PLEASE TAKE YOUR
BICYCLE TO A RETAILER. IF YOU RIDE
A DELAMINATED OR CRACKED FRAME/
FORK/COMPONENT IT MAY COMPLETELY
BREAK APART WITH RISK OF ACCIDENT,
SERIOUS INJURY, PARALYSIS OR DEATH.
IF YOU HAVE CARBON FIBER
COMPONENTS, YOU MUST READ PART
II, SECTION D. 2. UNDERSTANDING
COMPOSITES.
DO NOT ride any component with a crack, even
a small one. Replace the component before riding.
Break or saw in half any component you replace so
that no one uses it again.
■ Aftermarket “Super Light”
Components
Think carefully about your rider prole as outlined
above. The more you t the “shorten product life”
prole, the more you must question the use of super
light components. The more you t the “lengthen
product life” prole, the more likely it is that lighter
components may be suitable for you.
Discuss your needs and your prole very honestly
with your retailer. Take these choices seriously and
understand that you are responsible for the changes.
A great slogan to discuss with your retailer as you
consider changing components: “Strong, Light, Cheap
– Pick two.”
■ Original Equipment Components
GT tests the fatigue life of many of the components
that are original equipment on your bike. This means
that the designs many original equipment components
have met our test criteria and have reasonable fatigue
life. It does not mean that the original equipment
components will last forever. They will not.
■ Stem
Clean and inspect carefully for cracks. Pay particular
attention to the underside of the stem. If the stem is
of welded construction, examine the edges of each
weld. See also the closely related handlebar section
below.
■ Handlebars
Remove from stem. With road bars, you will need to
remove the handlebar tape. Remove any handlebar
mounted components. Clean and inspect carefully
for cracks. Pay particular attention to the area where
the handlebar emerges from the stem. This is the area
where virtually all handlebars will eventually break.
Periodic replacement of all handlebars is strongly
recommended. How often they need to be replaced
depends upon the many factors outlined above.
Be sure that you do not scratch or score the surface
of the handlebars with either the stem or the brake
or shifter levers. As noted above, any such damage
will reduce the life of the handlebar and could lead to
breakage.
If you nd that there is a sharp edge or burr on the
inside of the stem, right where the handlebars emerge,
it must be smoothed out with ne sandpaper (220
grit or ner) before the new handlebars are installed.
Such a sharp edge or burr could cause a scratching
or scoring of the handlebar. As noted above, any such
damage will reduce the life of the handlebar and
could lead to breakage.