G Tires And Tubes - Cannondale Bicycle Owner's Manual

Suspension can increase control and comfort by
allowing the wheels to better follow the terrain. This
enhanced capability may allow you to ride faster;
but you must not confuse the enhanced capabilities
of the bicycle with your own capabilities as a rider.
Increasing your skill will take time and practice.
Proceed carefully until you have learned to handle
the full capabilities of your bike.
CaUtion
Not all bicycles can be safely retrofitted with
some types of suspension systems. Before
retrofitting a bicycle with any suspension, check
with the bicycle's manufacturer to make sure
that what you want to do is compatible with the
bicycle's design. Failing to do so can result in
catastrophic frame failure.

4.G tiRes and tUBes

1. tires
Bicycle tires are available in many designs and
specifications, ranging from general-purpose designs
to tires designed to perform best under very specific
weather or terrain conditions. If, once you've gained
experience with your new bike, you feel that a
different tire might better suit your riding needs,
your dealer can help you select the most appropriate
design.
The size, pressure rating, and on some high-
performance tires the specific recommended use, are
marked on the sidewall of the tire (see fig. 17). The
part of this information which is most important to
you is Tire Pressure.
WaRninG
neveR inflate
maXimUm PRessURe maRked on the tiRe's
sideWall.
Exceeding the recommended maximum pressure
may blow the tire off the rim, which could cause
damage to the bike and injury to the rider and
bystanders.
a tiRe Beyond the
Figure 17.
The best and safest way to inflate a bicycle tire to the
correct pressure is with a bicycle pump which has a
built-in pressure gauge.
WaRninG
theRe is a safety Risk in UsinG Gas station
aiR hoses oR otheR aiR ComPRessoRs.
They are not made for bicycle tires. They move a
large volume of air very rapidly, and will raise the
pressure in your tire very rapidly, which could
cause the tube to explode.
Tire pressure is given either as maximum pressure
or as a pressure range. How a tire performs under
different terrain or weather conditions depends
largely on tire pressure. Inflating the tire to near its
maximum recommended pressure gives the lowest
rolling resistance; but also produces the harshest ride.
High pressures work best on smooth, dry pavement.
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