Understanding Components - Cannondale Synapse Carbon Owner's Manual

PaRt ii

3. UndeRstandinG ComPonents

It is often necessary to remove and disassemble
components in order to properly and carefully
inspect them. Most customers will use this
component list as a checklist. The intention here is to
tell you what parts, and what area of each part, most
need inspection. Insist that your mechanic do such
inspections. Our intention is definitely not to teach
bicycle mechanics.
WaRninG
failURe to disassemBle oR ReassemBle
BiCyCle ComPonents PRoPeRly CoUld
ResUlt in an aCCident, With Risk of
seRioUs inJURy, PaRalysis oR death.
There are many special tools and techniques
required. Unless you are a very experienced and
skilled bicycle mechanic, we urge you to have
this work done by a professional bicycle retailer.
if yoU see any CRaCk, oR anythinG yoU
aRe UnsURe of, Please take yoUR BiCyCle
to a RetaileR. if yoU Ride a delaminated
oR CRaCked fRame/foRk/ComPonent it
may ComPletely BReak aPaRt With Risk
of aCCident, seRioUs inJURy, PaRalysis
oR death.
if yoU have CaRBon fiBeR ComPonents,
yoU mUst Read PaRt ii, seCtion d. 2.
UndeRstandinG ComPosites.
do not ride any component with a crack, even a
small one. Replace the component before riding.
Break or saw in half any component you replace
so that no one uses it again.
■ aftermarket "super light" Components
Think carefully about your rider profile as outlined
above. The more you fit the "shorten product life"
profile, the more you must question the use of super
light components. The more you fit the "lengthen
product life" profile, the more likely it is that lighter
components may be suitable for you. Discuss your
needs and your profile very honestly with your
retailer. Take these choices seriously and understand
that you are responsible for the changes.
A great slogan to discuss with your retailer as you
consider changing components: "Strong, Light,
Cheap – Pick two. "
■ original equipment Components
Cannondale tests the fatigue life of many of the
components that are original equipment on your
bike. This means that the designs many original
equipment components have met our test criteria
and have reasonable fatigue life. It does not mean
that the original equipment components will last
forever. They will not.
■ stem
Clean and inspect carefully for cracks. Pay particular
attention to the underside of the stem. If the stem is
of welded construction, examine the edges of each
weld. See also the closely related handlebar section
below.
■ handlebars
Remove from stem. With road bars, you will need to
remove the handlebar tape. Remove any handlebar
mounted components. Clean and inspect carefully
for cracks. Pay particular attention to the area where
the handlebar emerges from the stem. This is the area
where virtually all handlebars will eventually break.
Periodic replacement of all handlebars is strongly
recommended. How often they need to be replaced
depends upon the many factors outlined above.
Be sure that you do not scratch or score the surface
of the handlebars with either the stem or the brake
or shifter levers. As noted above, any such damage
will reduce the life of the handlebar and could lead
to breakage.
If you find that there is a sharp edge or burr on the
inside of the stem, right where the handlebars emerge,
it must be smoothed out with fine sandpaper (220
grit or finer) before the new handlebars are installed.
Such a sharp edge or burr could cause a scratching or
scoring of the handlebar. As noted above, any such
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