Merida PowerCycle User Manual page 14

decrease rear braking and increase front braking force. This
is even more important on steep descents, because de-
scents shift weight forward.
Two keys to effective speed control and safe stopping are
controlling wheel lockup and weight transfer. This weight
transfer is even more pronounced if your bike has a front
suspension fork (550 LTD). Front suspension "dips" under
braking, increasing the weight transfer. Practice braking and
weight transfer techniques where there is no traffic or other
hazards and distractions.
Everything changes when you ride on loose surfaces or in
wet weather. Tire adhesion is reduced, so the wheels have
less cornering and braking traction and can lock up with
less brake force. Moisture or dirt on the brake pads reduces
their ability to grip. The way to maintain control on loose
or wet surfaces is to go more slowly to begin with.
Rear brake
Your PowerCycle™ is equipped with a Shimano Inter-M
Roller Brake (figure 11). You received a set of service instruc-
tions for the brake. Please refer to document #SI-4R35A for
detailed information regarding this brake.
WARNING: Hard-braking operation will cause the
internal brake parts to become very hot, and this may
weaken braking performance. It may also cause a
reduction in the amount of brake grease inside the brake,
and this can lead to problems such as abnormally sudden
braking.
If any of the following occur while using the brakes, stop
riding immediately and ask your MERIDA Dealer to carry
out inspection and repairs.
1. If abnormal noise is heard when the brakes are applied.
2. If braking force is abnormally strong.
3. If braking force is abnormally weak.
MERIDA USERS MANUAL
In the case of #1 and #2, the cause might be not enough
brake grease, so ask your MERIDA Dealer to grease the
mechanism with special Shimano roller brake grease.
Brake cable free play adjustment (Rear
Roller Brake)
If the right brake lever fails the mechanical safety check,
restore brake lever travel by adjusting the brake lever free
play as described below.
1. Pull the brake lever to simulate a panic stop, and then
release the brake lever. Repeat this at least ten times.
This assures that all components are properly seated.
2. Pull the brake lever until it stops (Figure 12B).
3. The amount of lever travel from A to B should be 15
mm / 0.59 in. (figure 12).
Figure 12
4. Loosen the adjuster locknut (figure 13, A), and turn
the barrel adjuster (figure 13, B) as necessary to adjust
clearance to within specification. (Turning the adjuster
out tightens the inner wire; turning the adjuster in loos-
ens the wire.) When the brake lever is within specifica-
tion, tighten the adjuster locknut.
Figure 11
Figure 13
Front brake release
The brake pads of the V-brakes can be quickly opened so
the pads can clear the tire when the wheel is removed or
installed. To open the front brake pads, perform the follow-
ing:
A
15 mm
B
A B
Page 13