Montague Bikes | Before every ride on your Montague folding bike

Before Every Ride

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WARNING

This is not a comprehensive maintenance program. Montague recommends that you have your bicycle tuned and safely checked by a bicycle technician on a regular basis but no less t han annually. If you notice any irregularitties in your bike and/or its performance take it to a bicycle dealer before attempting to ride. Overuse of any brake system may cause loss of control resulting in personal injury.

Ensure that your bicycle is in proper working condition each and every time your ride. If a part of the bicycle does not function correctly, consult this manual and bring the bicycle to your local dealer for repair.

	WARNING
A bicycle that does not work properly can cause you to lose control and fall. Do not ride a bicycle with a part that is damaged; replace the part before riding.

Before Each Ride Checklist

Frame and Fork
Wheels
Tire Inflation
Brakes
Handlebar and Stem
Saddle and Seatpost
Lights and Reflectors
Suspension
Quick Releases
General

Examine the Frame and Fork

Before and after each ride, examine your bicycle for signs of fatigue and stress. Such signs may manifest themselves in the form of:

Dents
Cracks
Scratches
Deformation
Discoloration
Unusual Noises

If your bicycle receives a high force load or impact, fully examine all the parts of your bicycle. High force loads include crashes and strong impacts that do not cause you to crash. If you are unsure whether or not you should replace a part, speak to your local dealer.

Examine the Wheels

Check the attachment of both wheels. With the quick release lever in the "close" position, pick the front wheel off the ground and apply force to the wheel in a downward motion (Fig.16). The wheel should remain securely in place. Grab your wheel and try to move it from side to side. Check the rims for cracks, discoloration, and trueness. If there is any movement or irregularities in the wheel do not ride your bike. Take it to your local dealer for service.

When the quick release lever is properly adjusted and in the closed position you should not be able to rotate the lever in a circular motion (parallel to the wheel.) This is different from the "flipping" motion, used to open and close the quick release lever (Fig. 34). Repeat the same steps to check the rear wheel.

Note that different systems attach bicycle wheels to the frame: threaded axle nuts, and multiple styles of a lever actuated quick-release system.

Make sure the wheels are straight. Turn each wheel and look at the rim when it goes through the brake pads or the frame. If the rim wobbles up and down or from side to side, repair the wheel.

Examine Tire Inflation

Inflate the tires to the air pressure recommended on the sidewall of the tire. Improper tire pressure will cause excessive wear, causing premature replacement. Pressurized, unregulated pumps should not be used for this task.

The tire should be properly seated in the rim and the fi tting of the tire bead and rim bead should be checked. If the tube is pinched between the tire and the rim, it can explode when infl ated. Ensure that the tire is not cracked or unevenly worn. Check for bulges. Check that the valve is straight in the rim. Irregular tires should be replaced immediately.

Examine the Brakes

Follow the inspection instructions for the type of brake equipped on your bicycle:

Hand-rim brake: a cable connects a hand lever to the brake. The lever causes the brake-pads to apply pressure to the rim. Pull the brake-lever to make sure the brake moves freely and stops the bicycle. If the brake-lever can be pulled to the handlebar, the brake is too loose. When the brakes are not applied, the brake-pads should be 1 to 2 mm from the rim. If the brake-pads are too near to the rim, the brake is too tight. The brake pads should be in line with the rim surface (Fig. 4)

Figure 4: Pad alignment. A: Brake pad lined up with rim surface. B: Brake pad and rim should be parallel. C: Rim direction. D: Toe-in of .5-1.0mm.

Disc brake: a cable or hydraulic hose connects a hand lever to the brake. The lever causes the brake to apply pressure to a disc attached to the wheel hub.

Fig. 5: Try to turn the handlebars while holding the front wheel between your knees.

	CAUTION
Disc brakes and discs get very hot during use and could burn skin. Also, the disc edges can be sharp and could cut skin. Do not touch the disc or disc brake when it turns or when hot.

Pull the brakelever to make sure the brake moves freely and stops the bicycle. If the brakelever can be pulled to the handlebar, the brake is too loose. When the brakes are not applied, the brakepads should be .25-.75 mm away from the disc. If the pads are too near to the disc, the brake is not in line or it is too tight and the brake should be adjusted.

Examine the Steering

	WARNING
An improperly attached handlebar or stem can cause you to lose control of the bike leading to serious injury or death. Never ride a bike with an improperly adjusted handlebar or stem.

Make sure the stem is in line with the front wheel and correctly attached to the fork and handlebar. To examine the connection to the fork, try to turn the handlebar from side to side while you hold the front wheel between your knees (Fig. 5).

To examine the connection of the handlebar, try to twist it in the stem. The handlebar should not move or be loose. Make sure that no cables are pulled or caught on the bicycle when you turn thehandlebar. If the handlebar or stem is loose to turn, bring the bike to a local dealer for inspection.

Saddle and Seatpost

	WARNING
Without correct lights and reflectors, it will not be easy for you to see and other people could not see you. If you cannot see, or other people cannot see you, you could have an accident. Use a front light, a rear light, and reflectors when you ride in low visibility conditions.

Make sure the saddle is correctly attached and the minimum insertion line on the seatpost is not showing. Try to turn the saddle and seatpost in the frame, and try to move the front of the saddle up and down. The saddle should not move or be loose. If the saddle is loose try adjusting it using the instructions on pages 19 & 32.