Headset; Checking And Readjusting - Merida BIG.NINE E-LITE 900 DX Owner's Manual

Protect the exposed areas of your carbon
I
frame (e.g. the head tube and the underside
of the down tube) against rubbing cables or
stone chips with special pads (c+d)
er keeps for sale.
Carbon fiber components are particularly
I
vulnerable to damage caused by excessive
clamping force. Carbon assembly paste cre-
ates extra friction between two surfaces, allowing the
necessary torque value to be reduced by up to 30 %.
This is especially useful in the clamping areas of han-
dlebars and stem, steerer tube and stem and seat post
and stem, i.e. three areas where too much clamping
force can damage either component, causing compo-
nent failure or voiding the warranty. By reducing the
clamping force, carbon assembly paste relieves stress
on sensitive carbon surfaces, preventing damage to fi-
bers or the cracking of the carbon substructure.
your MERIDA deal-

Headset

(e)
The headset connects the fork to the frame, but al-
lows it to move freely. It must afford virtually no resis-
tance to moving, if your MERIDA bike is to go straight,
stabilizing itself as it runs. The shocks caused by uneven
road surfaces expose the headset to considerable levels
e
of stress. In this way it can become loose and malad-
justed.
Riding the bike with a loose headset greatly
G
increases the stress on the fork and the bear-
ings. This can lead to damage to the fork. Risk
of an accident!

Checking and readjusting

f
Check the headset for play by placing your fingers
around the upper head tube race (f).
Bring your weight to bear on the saddle, pull the front
brakes with your other hand and push the MERIDA bike
firmly back and forth with the wheel remaining on the
ground. If the bearing has play, you will feel the upper
head tube race moving in jerks relative to the lower head
g
tube race - visible as a small gap in between the head
tube races (g).
To check the bearing for ease of running, lift the frame
until the front wheel is suspended in the air (h). The han-
dlebars should turn from far left to far right without feel-
ing roughness or tightness at any point. With a gentle
tap on the handlebars the fork should turn easily from
the middle position.
h
73