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O W N E R ’ S M A N U A L
properly adjust the suspension system may result
in suspension malfunction, which may cause you to
lose control and fall.
Changing suspension adjustment can change the
handling and braking characteristics of your bicycle.
Do not change suspension adjustment unless you
are thoroughly familiar with the suspension system
manufacturer’s instructions and recommendations.
Always check for changes in the handling and braking
characteristics of the bicycle after a suspension
adjustment by taking a careful test ride in a hazard-
free area.
Suspension can increase control and comfort by
allowing the wheels to better follow the terrain. This
enhanced capability may allow you to ride faster;
but you must not confuse the enhanced capabilities
of the bicycle with your own capabilities as a rider.
Increasing your skill will take time and practice.
Tires & Tubes
The size and pressure rating are clearly marked
on the sidewall of your IDEAL bicycle tires. Tire
pressure is the most important piece of information.
Never inflate your tires beyond the maximum
pressure marked on their sidewall. Exceeding this
maximum pressure may blow the tire off the rim.
This may cause damage to the bike and injury to you
and bystanders. The best way to inflate your tires
is with a bicycle pump which has a built-in pressure
gauge. Using petrol station air hoses or other air
compressors is not recommended for bicycle tires,
since they may rapidly increase the tire pressure
causing the tube to explode.
Usually tire pressure is given on the tire sidewall as a
pressure range. This is because the tire performance
on different terrains and weather conditions depends
on the tire pressure. Inflating the tire near its
maximum pressure minimizes rolling resistance, but
only works properly on smooth, dry pavement. Near
the minimum allowed pressure the tire behaves very
well on smooth, slick terrain like hard-packed clay, or
on deep, loose surfaces like sand. But if tire pressure
is too low for your weight, the possibility for pinch
flats increases. This happens when the tire deforms
enough to block the tube between the rim and the
riding surface. The tube then punctures. A common,
simplified rule of thumb requires higher pressure for
heavier riders and smoother tracks, lower pressure
for better shock absorption and harder terrains.
Sometimes on the tire sidewall there is another
marking showing the rotation direction. This is
most common on high end tires whose tread is best
designed for unidirectional use, i.e. performs better
when rotating in one direction only. Make sure your
tires are always mounted according to the rotation
direction marked on their sidewall.
Most bicycles nowadays use two kinds of bicycle tube
valves, the Schraeder and the Presta. The Schraeder
valve is like the car tire valve.
To inflate it you need to remove the cap and clamp
the pump fitting onto the end of the valve stem. To
let air out you need to press the pin in the middle of
the valve stem with a sharp object.
The Presta valve is narrower. To inflate it
remove the cap, unscrew the valve stem lock-nut
counterclockwise and push down on the valve stem
to help it move freely. Apply the pump head on the
valve head and inflate. To let air out you need to
unscrew the lock nut and press the valve stem. If your
pump does not have a Presta specific head, you need
an adaptor which screws on the Presta valve once
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