Bicycle user manual

Before you start using the bicycle, read this manual carefully and go through the checks above. The manufacturer is not responsible if the bicycle is not used correctly.

We strongly recommend that assembly, adjustment or any other work requiring technical qualification is carried out at a specialised bicycle service centre.

• The bicycle must have a white reflector or light at the front and a red one at the rear — this keeps you visible after dark.
• Check the tyres before every ride. The permissible pressure is printed on the tyre sidewall: never exceed it and never ride underinflated.
• Set the saddle so that, seated, your leg is fully extended and only your toes touch the ground — or, with the heel on the pedal at its lowest point, the leg is slightly bent.
• Never extend the seatpost or handlebar stem above the marked line.
• If the bike has a suspension fork or rear shock, check its movement and mounting bolts before every ride.
• Learn how your brakes are built and how they work.
• The bicycle is designed for one rider at a time. Overloading, a second rider or an unsecured load void the manufacturer's responsibility.
• Inspect the fork and frame for cracks or bends before riding.

Adjust the handlebar and saddle so your body weight is spread evenly between them — that is what makes long rides comfortable and breathing easy.

Check the handlebar bolts regularly. Do not ride if any bolt is damaged or missing.

Pedals must turn freely, which means the axles have to be threaded in correctly and tightened well. If they do not spin freely, the internal bearings are probably worn and should be replaced.

Internal-gear hubs: lift the lower run of the chain with a finger — total slack should be about 2.5 cm.

External gears: the derailleur keeps the chain tensioned, but the chain must not be too long when unloaded.

Belt drive with internal hub: adjustment is done only at a specialised service centre.

Do not let dirt build up. Clean the chain with a dedicated cleaner, lubricate it, then wipe off the excess oil with a cloth.

• Check the rims constantly — replace them immediately if you see deformation or cracks.
• Check spoke tension regularly.
• Broken spokes must be replaced. Riding on them risks injury.

Properly inflated tyres roll more easily and last longer. Inflate only to the pressure printed on the sidewall, and never ride underinflated — it makes pedalling harder and shortens tyre life.

Your bicycle has either a cartridge bottom bracket (“monoblock”) or a serviceable spindle with loose ball bearings.

If play appears, take the bike to a workshop to have it tightened or replaced. The crank bolt must also stay tight — check it regularly and tighten without delay if it moves.

Good brakes are your guarantee of safety on the road. Before each ride:

• check that all brake mounting bolts are tight;
• check the levers — properly attached and easy to press;
• check that the rotors are not rubbing on the pads.

On wet or slippery roads the braking distance grows considerably. Plan your stop earlier.

Gears keep the force on the pedals and your cadence steady, whether you are climbing, descending or riding into the wind.

Internal gears

A mechanism built into the rear hub that shifts when you turn the shifter. Common hubs have 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, 11 or 14 gears — some bikes have a single-speed hub.

External gears

6–12 sprockets at the rear and 1–3 chainrings at the front; the right shifter controls the rear, the left the front. Shifts must be smooth and precise — imprecise shifting damages the mechanism. If shifting feels off, visit a service centre.

Cleaning

• Wash the bike regularly with water and dedicated cleaning agents — but never with large amounts of water.
• Pay particular attention to hubs, sprockets, brakes and chain.
• Wipe the bike dry after washing.
• Use protective waxes that repel moisture and prevent corrosion, following the maker's instructions.
• Lubricate the chain with oils intended for chains.

Storage

• Lubricate the parts before the winter season.
• Store the bike with fully inflated tyres.
• Keep it indoors at a steady temperature, ideally 0–20 °C — swings in temperature and humidity damage metal parts.
• The room must be dry.

A new bicycle

After the first kilometres, nuts, bolts and cables settle and loosen. Gears and brakes usually need re-adjusting once the cables have stretched, so book an inspection at any bicycle service — brakes, saddle and post bolts, handlebar and stem bolts, pedals and cranks, gear adjustment.

What you can check yourself

• No oil has ended up on the tyres, pads or rotors after lubrication.
• The rear derailleur pulley spins freely and quietly — lubricate if needed.
• The chain is clean and rust-free; clean and oil it lightly if not.
• Bottom bracket and hubs turn freely and quietly, pedals do not catch.
• The suspension fork moves smoothly — if it squeaks, wipe the stanchions clean and apply a few drops of oil.

• A pump
• A spare inner tube
• Tyre levers
• A set of hex keys for the essential bolts

A load changes how the bike handles. Secure it well, respect the rack's maximum load, and mount it front or rear so the bicycle stays stable and easy to steer.