Pedals; Bicycle Suspension - MARIN Bicycle Owner's Manual

a. Shifting internal gear hub gears
Shifting with an internal gear hub drivetrain is simply a matter of moving the
shifter to the indicated position for the desired gear ratio. After you have
moved the shifter to the gear position of your choice, ease the pressure on
the pedals for an instant to allow the hub to complete the shift.
b. Which gear should I be in?
The numerically lowest gear (1) is for the steepest hills. The numerically
largest gear is for the greatest speed.
Shifting from an easier, "slower" gear (like 1) to a harder, "faster" gear
(like 2 or 3) is called an upshift. Shifting from a harder, "faster" gear to an
easier, "slower" gear is called a downshift. It is not necessary to shift gears
in sequence. Instead, find the "starting gear" for the conditions — a gear
which is hard enough for quick acceleration but easy enough to let you
start from a stop without wobbling — and experiment with upshifting and
downshifting to get a feel for the different gears. At first, practice shifting
where there are no obstacles, hazards or other traffic, until you've built up
your confidence. Learn to anticipate the need to shift, and shift to a lower
gear before the hill gets too steep. If you have difficulties with shifting, the
problem could be mechanical adjustment. See your dealer for help.
c. What if it won't shift gears?
If moving the shift control one click repeatedly fails to result in a smooth
shift to the next gear chances are that the mechanism is out of adjustment.
Take the bike to your dealer to have it adjusted.
E. Pedals
1. Toe Overlap is when your toe can touch the front wheel when you turn
the handlebars to steer while a pedal is in the forwardmost position. This
is common on small-framed bicycles, and is avoided by keeping the inside
pedal up and the outside pedal down when making sharp turns. On any
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bicycle, this technique will also prevent the inside pedal from striking the
ground in a turn.
WARNING: Toe Overlap could cause you to lose control and fall.
Ask your dealer to help you determine if the combination of
frame size, crank arm length, pedal design and shoes you
will use results in pedal overlap. Whether you have overlap or
not, you must keep the inside pedal up and the outside pedal
down when making sharp turns.
2. Some bicycles come equipped with pedals that have sharp and
potentially dangerous surfaces. These surfaces are designed to add safety
by increasing grip between the rider's shoe and the pedal. If your bicycle
has this type of high-performance pedal, you must take extra care to avoid
serious injury from the pedals' sharp surfaces. Based on your riding style or
skill level, you may prefer a less aggressive pedal design, or chose to ride
with shin pads. Your dealer can show you a number of options and make
suitable recommendations.
3. Toeclips and straps are a means to keep feet correctly positioned and
engaged with the pedals. The toeclip positions the ball of the foot over
the pedal spindle, which gives maximum pedaling power. The toe strap,
when tightened, keeps the foot engaged throughout the rotation cycle of
the pedal. While toeclips and straps give some benefit with any kind of
shoe, they work most effectively with cycling shoes designed for use with
toeclips. Your dealer can explain how toeclips and straps work. Shoes with
deep treaded soles or welts which might make it more difficult for you to
insert or remove your foot should not be used with toeclips and straps.
WARNING: Getting into and out of pedals with toeclips and
straps requires skill which can only be acquired with practice.
Until it becomes a reflex action, the technique requires
concentration which can distract your attention and cause you
to lose control and fall. Practice the use of toeclips and straps
where there are no obstacles, hazards or traffic. Keep the
straps loose, and don't tighten them until your technique and
confidence in getting in and out of the pedals warrants it. Never
ride in traffic with your toe straps tight.
4. Clipless pedals (sometimes called "step-in pedals") are another means
to keep feet securely in the correct position for maximum pedaling
efficiency. They have a plate, called a "cleat," on the sole of the shoe,
which clicks into a mating spring-loaded fixture on the pedal. They only
engage or disengage with a very specific motion which must be practiced
until it becomes instinctive. Clipless pedals require shoes and cleats which
are compatible with the make and model pedal being used.
Many clipless pedals are designed to allow the rider to adjust the amount
of force needed to engage or disengage the foot. Follow the pedal
manufacturer's instructions, or ask your dealer to show you how to make
this adjustment. Use the easiest setting until engaging and disengaging
becomes a reflex action, but always make sure that there is sufficient
tension to prevent unintended release of your foot from the pedal.
WARNING: Clipless pedals are intended for use with shoes
specifically made to fit them and are designed to firmly keep
the foot engaged with the pedal. Do not use shoes which do
not engage the pedals correctly.
Practice is required to learn to engage and disengage the foot safely. Until
engaging and disengaging the foot becomes a reflex action, the technique
requires concentration which can distract your attention and cause you to
lose control and fall. Practice engaging and disengaging clipless pedals in
a place where there are no obstacles, hazards or traffic; and be sure to
follow the pedal manufacturer's setup and service instructions. If you do
not have the manufacturer's instructions, see your dealer or contact the
manufacturer.
F. Bicycle Suspension
Many bicycles are equipped with suspension systems. There are many
different types of suspension systems — too many to deal with individually
in this Manual. If your bicycle has a suspension system of any kind, be
sure to read and follow the suspension manufacturer's setup and service
instructions. If you do not have the manufacturer's instructions, see your
dealer or contact the manufacturer.
WARNING: Failure to maintain, check and properly adjust the
suspension system may result in suspension malfunction,
which may cause you to lose control and fall.
If your bike has suspension, the increased speed you may develop also
increases your risk of injury. For example, when braking, the front of a
suspended bike dips. You could lose control and fall if you do not have
experience with this system. Learn to handle your suspension system
safely. See also Section 4.C.
WARNING: Changing suspension adjustment can change the
handling and braking characteristics of your bicycle. Never
change suspension adjustment unless you are thoroughly
familiar with the suspension system manufacturer's
instructions and recommendations, and always check for
changes in the handling and braking characteristics of the
bicycle after a suspension adjustment by taking a careful test
ride in a hazard-free area.
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