Protect Your Bicycle From Thieves; Protect Your Bicycle From Possible Bumps; Use The Proper Technique When Shifting Gears; Prevent The Handlebar From Striking The Frame - Orbea ALMA Instruction And Maintenance Manual

lor the paint or dry rot the bike's rubber or plastic components.
When storing the bike, lift it off the ground and leave the tires at half their pressure. Do not
leave the bicycle near electric motors, since the ozone emitted by the motors destroys rubber
and paint. Before using the bicycle again, make sure it is in optimum condition.

Protect your bicycle from thieves

Your new bicycle is very attractive to thieves. You can insure your bike in several ways:
- Register your bicycle in a local police file.
- Purchase and use a lock. A good lock is effective against knives and saws. Follow the recom-
mendations for use. Never leave your bike unlocked.
- If you have quick-release mechanisms on the wheels, lock the wheels to the frame. If there is a
quick-release mechanism on the saddle, you should take the saddle with you when the bicycle is
locked. However, you should avoid allowing water to enter the frame through the seatpost.

Protect your bicycle from possible bumps

Always park your bike in areas where it is out of the way of moving vehicles and ensure that it is
in a stable position so that it does not fall. Do not lean the bike against the cassette, since it can
be damaged or become dirty. Keep the bike from falling, since this could damage the handle-
bars or the saddle, etc.
Also, the improper use of a luggage carrier could damage the bike.

Use the proper technique when shifting gears

Some Orbea bikes are equipped with two gear shifting systems:
- One is a "derailleur" drivetrain in which the chain moves from one toothed cog to another.
- In the others, the shifting system is situated in the rear internal hub.
Read the instructions below depending on the gear shift system you have:
Traditional shifter
The left shifter controls the front derailleur, and the right shifter controls the rear derailleur.
Choose the gear ratio that offers you the most comfort when pedaling.
You can only shift when the chain is moving forwards. Never try to shift gears when stopped
or moving the chain backwards. Whenever you are going to shift, reduce the force transmitted
to the chain, since this could hinder the shift and wear out the chain and cassette. You should
never shift on uneven surfaces.
Internal shifter
This system can shift when the chain is moving forward, but it can also shift when stopped or
moving backward. Whenever you shift, reduce the force transmitted to the chain to facilitate the
shift. Choose the gear ratio that offers you the most comfort when pedaling.

Prevent the handlebar from striking the frame

In some bikes, the front wheel can rotate to extreme angles, and the handlebar can strike the
frame. Avoid this impact by adding pads to the end of the handlebar or to the frame itself.

Never change the fork, frame or components

A modification to any part of the bicycle, including the frame, fork or any other component
could make your bicycle unsafe. For example, poor paintwork could reduce the rigidity of the
frame.
Changing the fork of your bicycle could affect the bicycle's headset or create undesired tension.
Never install a suspension fork on a road bike.
If you want to change the fork of your bicycle, talk to your authorized dealer about the different
compatible options.
Any modification to the frame, fork or components means that the bicycle no longer complies
with our specifications and, therefore, would render the bicycle's warranty void.
CAUTION Never modify the frameset. Never sand, drill, fill or disassemble any excess retaining
devices or the like. An improper modification could cause you to lose control and fall.

5. CHILDREN

Proper supervision of children and all who are learning to ride a bike, practicing safety on the
road and abiding traffic regulations are critical to their training. Explain everything presented
in this first chapter to your child before he or she rides the bike for the first time. Make the
following basic rule very clear to your child:
CHILDREN MUST ALWAYS WEAR A HELMET WHEN RIDING A BICYCLE OR TRICYCLE.

Training wheels

Some Orbea models are equipped with training wheels. This way, children can learn to ride with
these wheels and develop proper control of the bike. Until the child's skill on the bike has been
fully developed, the child should always be supervised by an adult.
Installing training wheels
- Check that the tires of the bike are correctly inflated.
- Position the bicycle on a flat surface.
41