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wheel is removed or reinstalled. When the brake quick release
is in the released position, the brakes are inoperative. Ask your
dealerwhetheryouhaveaquickreleaseonyourbrakes;and
if you do, make sure that you understand the way the brake
quick release works, and check each time to make sure both
brakes work correctly before you get on the bike.
!
WARNING: Some bicycle brakes, such as linear-pull (g. 7)
and disc (g. 6) brakes, are extremely
powerful. You should take extra care
in becoming familiar with these brakes
and exercise particular care when
using them. Applying these brakes too
hard or too suddenly can lock up a
wheel, which could cause you to lose
control and fall.
b. Adjusting your hand brakes
If either brake lever on your bike
fails the Mechanical Safety Check
(Section 1.C.) you may be able to
restore brake lever travel by turning
thebrakecableadjustingbarrel(g.
11) counterclockwise; then lock the
adjustment in by turning the barrel’s
lock nut clockwise as far as it will
go. If the lever still fails
the Mechanical Safety
Check, have your dealer check the
brakes.
!
CAUTION: Some bicycles are
equipped with a device called a
Brake Rotor, which allows the steering
mechanism to turn a full 360 degrees.
Adjusting brakes equipped with a
Brake Rotor requires special knowledge
and skill. Do not attempt to adjust the
front brake of a bicycle equipped
with a Brake Rotor. Take the bicycle to a dealer for service
and adjustment of the brakes. A rotor may also decrease the
clearance between the front wheel and the pedals when the
wheel is turned backwards.
3. Braking technique
Brakes are designed to control your speed, not just to
stop the bike. Maximum braking force for a wheel occurs at
the point just before the wheel “locks up” (stops rotating) and
starts to skid. Once the tire skids, you actually lose most of your
stopping force and all directional control. You need to practice
slowing and stopping smoothly without locking up a wheel.
The technique is called progressive brake modulation. Instead
of slamming on the coaster brake or jerking the brake lever
to the position where you think you’ll generate appropriate
braking force, apply progressive force on the pedal or squeeze
the lever, progressively increasing the braking force. If you
feel the wheel begin to lock up, release pressure just a little
to keep the wheel rotating just short of lockup. It’s important
to develop a feel for the amount of brake pressure required
for a wheel at different speeds and on different surfaces. To
better understand this, experiment a little by riding your bike
slowly in an unrestricted area and applying different amounts