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released position, the brakes are inoperative. Ask your dealer
whether you have a quick release on your brakes; 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
the brake cable adjusting barrel (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
of pressure to the brake, until the wheel locks.