Tires - Flash FLASHV1 User Manual

when braking, the front of a suspended bike dips. You
could lose control and fall if you do not have experience
with this system.
WARNING: Not all bicycles can be safely retrofitted with
some types of suspension systems. Before retrofitting
a bicycle with any suspension, check with the bicycle's
manufacturer to make sure that what you want to do is
compatible with the bicycle's design. Failing to do so can
result in catastrophic frame failure.
F. Tires and Tubes

1. Tires

Bicycle tires are available in many designs and specifi-
cations, ranging from general-purpose designs to tires
designed to perform best under very specific weather
or terrain conditions. If, once you've gained experience
with your new bike, you feel that a different tire might
better suit your riding needs, your dealer can help you
select the most appropriate design. The size, pressure
rating, and on some high-performance tires the specific
recommended use, are marked on the sidewall of the
tire. The part of this information which is most important
to you is Tire Pressure.
WARNING: Never inflate a tire beyond the maximum
pressure marked on the tire's sidewall. Exceeding the
recommended maximum pressure may blow the tire
off the rim, which could cause damage to the bike and
injury to the rider and bystanders. The best and safest
way to inflate a bicycle tire to the correct pressure is with
a bicycle pump which has a built-in pressure gauge.
WARNING: There is a safety risk in using gas station air
hoses or other air compressors. They are not made for
bicycle tires. They move a large volume of air very rap-
idly, and will raise the pressure in your tire very rapidly,
which could cause the tube to explode. Tire pressure
is given either as maximum pressure or as a pressure
range. How a tire performs under different terrain or
weather conditions depends largely on tire pressure.
Inflating the tire to near its maximum recommended
pressure gives the lowest rolling resistance; but also
produces the harshest ride. High pressures work best on
smooth, dry pavement. Very low pressures, at the
44