Kona bicycle Owner's Manual page 40

your need to inspect. The more you fit the "lengthen prod-
uct life" profile, the less frequent your need to inspect.
WARNING: Do not ride a bicycle or component with
any crack, bulge or dent, even a small one. Riding a
cracked frame, fork or component could lead to com-
plete failure, with risk of serious injury or death.
B) UNDERSTANDING COMPOSITES
All riders must understand a fundamental reality of com-
posites. Composite materials constructed of carbon fibers
are strong and light, but when crashed or overloaded,
carbon fibers do not bend, they break.
What Are Composites?
The term "composites" refers to the fact that a part or
parts are made up of different components or materi-
als. You've heard the term "carbon fiber bike." This really
38
means "composite bike."