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C. BRAKES
NOTE: For most effective braking, use both
brakes and apply them simultaneously.
WARNING: Sudden or excessive application of the front brake may
pitch the rider over the handlebars, causing serious injury or death.
1. How brakes work
It's important to your safety that you instinctively know which brake lever
controls which brake on your bike. In the U.S., bikes are required to be
set up with the
right
brake lever controlling the
rear
brake, and the
left
lever controlling the
front
brake.
The braking action of a bicycle is a function of the friction between the
brake surfaces -- usually the brake shoes and the wheel rim. To make
sure that you have maximum friction available, keep your wheel rims
and brake shoes clean and free of lubricants, waxes or polishes.
Make sure that your hands can reach and squeeze the brake levers com-
fortably. If your hands are too small to operate the levers comfortably,
!
fig. 16A
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2000 owner's manual 10/27/99 10/27/99 11:16 AM Page 48