Operation Manual

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PART II
SECTION G.
PRE-RIDE CHECKLIST
WARNING
FOLLOW THIS CHECKLIST BEFORE
EVERY RIDE. IF YOU HAVE ANY REASON
TO SUSPECT THAT YOUR BICYCLE IS
NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY, DO
NOT RIDE IT.
Have it inspected by an Authorized GT Dealer
To locate your nearest Authorized GT Dealer call
1-800-BIKE-USA. Failure to follow this checklist
and to have any potential problem inspected could
lead to an accident, with risk of serious injury,
paralysis or death.
Are you wearing a helmet and other
appropriate equipment and clothing, such as
protective glasses and gloves? Do not wear loose
clothing that could become entangled in the bicycle
(See PART I, Section 2.A The Basics).
Are your seatpost and stem securely fastened?
Twist the handlebars rmly from side to side while
holding the front wheel between your knees. The
stem must not move in the steering tube. Similarly, the
seatpost must be secure in the seat tube (See PART I,
Section 3. Fit).
Are you visible to motorists? If you are riding at
dusk, dawn or at night, you must make yourself visible
to motorists. Use front and rear lights and a strobe
or blinker. Reectors alone do not provide adequate
visibility. Wear reective clothing (See PART I, Section
2.E Night Riding and PART II, A. Important Safety
Information).
Is it raining or wet? If so, be more cautious. Your
braking distances will increase, and your tires’ grip
on the road will decrease. Remember that motorists’
visibility decreases with bad weather (See PART I,
Section 2.D Wet Weather Riding and PART II, A.
Important Safety Information)
Are your tires properly inated? Tires must
inated to the recommended pressure.
(See PART I, Section 4.G Tires and Tubes).
Are your wheels true? Lift each end of the bike
and spin each wheel. Does the space between the rim
and the brake pads, or the tire and the frame, remain
nearly the same size as the wheel turns? Are your
spokes tight? (See PART I, Section 1.C Mechanical
Safety Check).
Are your wheels’ quick-releases properly
fastened? Be sure to read the section on proper
operation of quick-release skewers (See PART I,
Section 4.A Wheels).
Are your front and rear brakes functioning
properly? With V-brakes, the quick release “noodle”
must be properly installed. With cantilever brakes, the
quick release straddle cable must be properly attached.
With caliper brakes the quick release lever must be
closed. With any rim brake, the brake pads must make
rm contact with the rim without the brake levers
hitting the handlebar grip (See PART I, Section 4.C
Brakes).
With hydraulic disc brakes, check that the lever feels
rm, does not move too close to the handlebar grip,
and there is no evidence of leaking brake uid. With
cable actuated disc brakes, check that the lever feels
rm and does not move too close to the handlebar
grip. With any disc brakes, the brake pads must make
rm contact with the rotor without the brake levers
hitting the handlebar grip (See PART I, Section 4.C
Brakes).
How do your clipless pedals work today?
Clip in and out of your pedals before you begin.
Experienced cyclists do. The connection between cleat
and pedal is aected by dozens of factors including
dirt, mud, lubrication, spring tension and wear. By
clipping in and out you will check the function and
have a fresh memory of how they feel (See PART I,
Section 4.E Pedals).
How recently were your frame, fork and
components inspected? Never ride a frame, fork
or components with any crack or damage. (See PART
II, - Section D. Inspect For Safety)