Climbing And Descending Hills; Riding In Adverse Conditions - ElliptiGO 8S Owner's Manual

Climbing and Descending Hills

Be cautious when climbing and descending hills. Prior
to reaching a hill to climb, prepare to shift into a lower
gear. The steepness of the hill will determine which gear
is the correct one to select. Once you have reached the
hill, shift into the correct gear and apply power using the
same riding technique that you use on level ground. If the
hill is steep, lean forward to drive additional power from
your quadriceps muscles. Use the gearing to keep the
same comfortable cadence you enjoy when riding on level
ground.
Some ElliptiGO® products come equipped with bar
extensions at the end of each handlebar. These extensions
enable additional hand positions that can assist you to
climb hills comfortably. They are not to be used when
descending or riding on level ground. If you choose to
use these extensions, you must realize that they position
your hands further away from the brakes and shifters than
when properly positioned on the grips. As a result, you
will not be able to apply the brakes or shift gears when
using the hand grips. Instead, you will need to reposition
both hands to the hand grips before shifting or braking.
This will take time and could prevent you from being able
to avoid a collision in an emergency. As a result, only use
the bar extensions when climbing and be extra cautious
when using them. Never use the bar extensions when there
are cars or other cyclists around because you will need
immediate access to your brakes in case of an emergency.
Once you have crested the hill, place both hands securely
on the hand grips and continue riding as appropriate.
WARNING! Always ensure both hands are securely
positioned on the hand grips before braking. Braking with
only one hand on the hand grips can cause the rider to
lose control and suffer a fall.
As you crest the hill, shift up to accommodate your
increase in speed while trying to keep the same cadence
throughout.
When descending a hill, always make sure that you are
traveling at a safe rate of speed. The preferred way
to descend a hill is to "coast". To coast, simply stop
pedaling and stand on the foot platforms with your legs
in a comfortable orientation. Use the brakes gently and
frequently to control your speed. If you choose to pedal
during a descent, make sure that you select the correct
gear position (usually a "higher" gear) before starting to
pedal. Pedaling while in an incorrect gear can cause the
elliptical bike to become unstable, so always ensure you are
in the correct gear for the speed you are traveling before
pedaling. When in doubt, slow down to a more comfortable
speed and shift into a higher gear before pedaling.

Riding in Adverse Conditions

WARNING! Water on the road and in the air will reduce
your ability to control and maneuver an elliptical bike. It
also reduces the ability of motorists and other cyclists to
control their vehicles. As a result, collisions and falls occur
much more frequently in wet conditions. We strongly
suggest not riding your bike when the roadways are wet.
If you must ride, always use extreme caution, and allow for
extra stopping distance and room to maneuver.
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Owner's Manual