About Your Kona Dealer; A) Comfort & Performance Accessories - Kona bicycle Owner's Manual

WARNING: A crash or other impact can put extra-
ordinary stress on bicycle components, causing them
to fatigue prematurely. Components suffering from
stress fatigue can fail suddenly and catastrophically,
causing loss of control, serious injury or death.

6. ABOUT YOUR KONA DEALER

Your dealer is here to help you get the bike and
accessories which are most appropriate for the kind of
riding that you intend to do; and to help you maintain
your equipment so that you can get the maximum
enjoyment from it. Your bike shop's staff has the
knowledge, tools and experience to give you reliable
advice and competent service. Your dealer carries the
products of a variety of manufacturers so that you can
have the choices which best meet your needs and
your budget.
But your dealer's staff can't make decisions for you;
nor can they assume responsibility for your lack of
knowledge, experience, skill or common sense. They
can explain to you how something works, or what part
or accessory will meet your special needs, but they can't
know your questions or your needs unless you tell them.
If you have a problem with your bike or your riding, talk
to your dealer. Make sure that the dealer understands
your problem or question, and make sure that you really
understand the answers.
A) COMFORT & PERFORMANCE ACCESSORIES
Once the bike fit (frame size, saddle position and angle, stem
length and rise) is correct, the saddle becomes the single
most important comfort accessory.
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The comfort of a bicycle saddle depends much more on how
the saddle shape relates to the rider's body than on the
thickness or material of the padding. Bicycle manufacturers
select a saddle shape based on their best guess of what's
likely to be comfortable for most buyers of that particular
bicycle model. But that doesn't mean it's going to be the
most comfortable shape for you. That's why your dealer
stocks saddles which offer a variety of shapes, padding,
covering materials and prices. If the saddle on your new bike
is uncomfortable, ask your dealer to suggest an alternative.
If you're planning to spend an hour or more at a time on your
bike, get a pair of cycling gloves. Their padded palms help
keep your hands from getting numb from the vibration of the
handlebars (the numbness, called carpal tunnel syndrome,
can become quite painful if not taken care of), and they'll
provide some abrasion protection for your hands if you fall.
Cycling shorts and cycling jerseys are both performance
and comfort accessories. There are two kinds of cycling
shorts: the traditional skin-tight Lycra shorts and loose-fit
cycling shorts. Both are designed to reduce friction and
chafing. The washable pad in the crotch of the shorts both
cushions and protects against chafing. Wear them without
underwear to avoid the undergarment's bunching up and
chafing. Also available are undergarments designed to
reduce chafing when worn with regular street clothes. The
jerseys have pockets in the back, so that the things you
carry don't bang around when you ride. Many are made
of special materials with properties that improve riding
comfort and performance.
It's important to drink plenty of liquids before and during
exercise. A water bottle is an essential companion on a
longer ride.
Your dealer has many other comfort and performance
accessories that can increase your cycling enjoyment.
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