MARIN Owner's Manual page 22

Always control your speed so that you will be able to stop under a
variety of situations. Apply the brakes gradually to avoid skidding. You
don't want your wheels to lock up as your bicycle is meant to be con-
trolled with both wheels turning. Don't apply the brakes too abrupt-
ly or you may lose control or be thrown from the bicycle.
Use the front and rear brakes equally with a bit more pressure applied
to the front brakes. The front brake accounts for nearly 85% of your
stopping power.
Avoid braking while riding through corners. Attempt to control your
speed before going into the turn. Lean your bicycle in the direction of
the turn but keep your body upright.
It's best to anticipate when you'll need to brake. Wet weather
requires longer stopping distances because when the brake pads and
wheel rims get wet, braking is less effective. Also, loaded bicycles take
longer to stop.
CLIMBING/DESCENDING:
Before you start uphill, shift into a very low gear. Always anticipate
your shifts and downshift before it's necessary. When climbing, try to
stay seated as much as possible for optimal traction and control. On a
very steep incline, move forward in the saddle to improve traction.
Before beginning a steep descent, you may wish to consider using the
seatpost Quick Release Mechanism to lower the seat by about 1 to 2
inches in order to gain greater stability by lowering your center of
gravity. Stand on the pedals as you descend, keeping your weight
back over the rear wheel. Use your brakes to control speed going
downhill, being careful not to apply too much front brake-don't let it
get to the point where stopping is difficult.
Riding a mountain bike downhill can lead to serious accidents. Make
sure your bicycle is always in excellent condition. When riding down-
hill, make sure you wear the proper safety gear. Even with the current
state-of-the-art protective safety equipment and gear, serious injury or
death can occur.
If your bike is equipped with suspension you may be able to descend
with greater speed than without suspension. This greater speed
equals greater risk. Please remember this and keep your bicycle in
control and within reasonable speed limits at all times
Your bicycle was not made for jumping! You shouldn't ride in a way
that will make you airborne on your bicycle. Landing after jumping
can damage your forks and frame, and may lead to loss of control and
personal injury. Damage to your bicycle due to jumping is not covered
under warranty.
OBSTACLES:
Don't ride over bumps and obstacles that can damage your bicycle or
cause you to lose control. You can usually ride safely over obstacles
smaller than 4 inches. If the obstacle is any larger, it's best to dis-
mount and walk around. When you're about to hit a bump, lift your-
self off the seat while keeping your knees and arms bent so they can
flex with the bump and absorb the shock. Watch for ruts in the road
and make sure your wheels don't get stuck in them.
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