Raleigh 2008 User Manual

Page 12

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12

NOTE: If your bicycle is equipped with a suspension seat post,

periodically ask your dealer to check it.

!

WARNING: After any saddle adjustment, be sure that

the saddle adjusting mechanism is properly tightened before

riding. A loose saddle clamp or seat post binder can cause

damage to the seat post, or can cause you to lose control

and fall. A correctly tightened saddle adjusting mechanism

will allow no saddle movement in any direction. Periodically

check to make sure that the saddle adjusting mechanism is

properly tightened.

If, in spite of carefully adjusting the saddle height, tilt and

fore-and-aft position, your saddle is still uncomfortable, you
may need a different saddle design. Saddles, like people,
come in many different shapes, sizes and resilience. Your
dealer can help you select a saddle which, when correctly
adjusted for your body and riding style, will be comfortable.

!

WARNING: Some people have claimed that extended

riding with a saddle which is incorrectly adjusted or which

does not support your pelvic area correctly can cause short-

term or long-term injury to nerves and blood vessels, or even

impotence. If your saddle causes you pain, numbness or other

discomfort, see your dealer.

C. Handlebar height and angle

Your bike is equipped either with a “threadless” stem,

which clamps on to the outside of the steerer tube, or with a
“quill” stem, which clamps inside the steerer tube by way of
an expanding binder bolt. If you aren’t absolutely sure which
type of stem your bike has, ask your dealer.

If your bike has a “threadless” stem, your dealer may

be able to change handlebar height by moving height
adjustment spacers from below the stem to above the stem,
or vice versa. Otherwise, you’ll have to get a stem of different
length or rise. Consult your dealer. Do not attempt to do this

yourself, as it requires special knowledge.

If your bike has a “quill” stem, you can ask your dealer to

adjust the handlebar height a bit by adjusting stem height.

A quill stem has an etched or stamped mark on its shaft

which designates the stem’s “Minimum Insertion” or “Maximum
extension”. This mark must not be visible above the headset.

!

WARNING: The stem’s Minimum Insertion Mark must not be

visible above the top of the headset. If the stem is extended

beyond the Minimum Insertion Mark the stem may break or

damage the fork’s steerer tube, which could cause you to lose

control and fall.

!

WARNING: On some bicycles, changing the stem or

stem height can affect the tension of the front brake cable,

locking the front brake or creating excess cable slack which

can make the front brake inoperable. If the front brake pads

move in towards the wheel rim or out away from the wheel rim

when the stem or stem height is changed, the brakes must be

correctly adjusted before you ride the bicycle.

Your dealer can also change the angle of the handlebar

or bar end extensions.

!

WARNING: An insufficiently tightened stem binder bolt,

handlebar binder bolt or bar end extension clamping bolt may

compromise steering action, which could cause you to lose

control and fall. Place the front wheel of the bicycle between

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