Shifting - Dynacraft SINGLE SPEED Owner's Manual

When you apply one or both brakes, the bike begins to slow, but your body wants to continue at the speed at
which it was going. This causes a transfer of weight to the front wheel (or, under heavy braking, around the front
wheel hub, which could send you flying over the handlebars). A wheel with more weight on it will accept greater
brake pressure before lockup; a wheel with less weight will lock up with less brake pressure. So, as you apply
brakes and your weight shifts forward, you need to shift your body toward the rear of the bike, to transfer weight
back onto the rear wheel; and at the same time, you need to both decrease rear braking and increase front
braking force. This is even more important on steep descents, because descents shift weight forward. The keys
to effective speed control and safe stopping are controlling wheel lockup and weight transfer. Practice braking
and weight transfer techniques where there is no traffic or other hazards and distractions. Everything changes
when you ride on loose surfaces or in wet weather. Tire adhesion reduces, so the wheels have less cornering
and braking traction and can lock up with less brake force. Moisture or dirt on the brake shoes reduces their
ability to grip. The way to maintain control on loose or wet surfaces is to go more slowly to begin with.
2. Adjusting your Brakes
If either brake lever on your bike fails the Mechanical Safety Check you can restore brake lever travel by turn-
ing the brake cable adjusting barrel counterclockwise, then lock the adjustment in by turning the barrel's lock
nut clockwise as far as it will go. If the lever still fails the Mechanical Safety Check, or if you have any question
about whether your brakes are working properly have your brakes checked by a bicycle specialist.
CAUTION
The brake cable adjusting barrels are for minor adjustments only. For major adjustments, see the appropriate
section in the manual for the type of brakes on your bicycle.

SHIFTING

Your multi-speed bicycle will have a derailleur drivetrain, an internal gear hub drivetrain or, in some cases, a
combination of the two.
1. Why all those gears?
You will get the greatest fitness benefit, produce the greatest sustained power and have the greatest endurance
if you learn to spin the pedals at high revolutions per minute (called cadence) against low resistance. You will get
the least fitness benefit and have the least endurance by pushing hard on the pedals against heavy resistance.
The purpose of having multiple gears on a bicycle is to let you choose the gear that allows you to maintain your
optimum cadence under the widest range of riding conditions. Depending on your fitness level and experience
(the more fit, the higher the cadence), optimum cadence is between 60 and 90 pedal revolutions per minute.
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HOW THINGS WORK