Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry Bike Sense - Manual (Page 8)

8 B I K E S E N S E — T H E W I S C O N S I N B I C Y C L E O P E R A T O R ’ S M A N U A L
Bicycle brakes work less efficiently when they are wet.
Aluminum rims have much better
braking performance than steel rims.
road or street riding, a one-inch to three-inch space is safest. If your
bike has no top tube or a slanted top tube, ask your bicycle store’s
staff to size you.
Frame Length: If, when you ride, you feel overly stretched or have
pain in your neck, shoulders, or back, your frame might be too long.
Try moving the seat and handlebars closer together. Also, some peo-
ple, including many women, have torsos shorter than what most
bikes are made for. If you’re one of them, look into a shorter handle-
bar stem extension, a taller stem, different handlebars, or a custom
bike made for people with smaller torsos.
Seat Height: A seat that’s too low will strain your knees and achilles
tendons, while a seat that’s too high will make it hard for you to
pedal and to put your foot onto the ground. Here are some ways to
get the right seat height for most riding:
Rear derailleur
Cassette, cogs
Seat post
Seat/saddle Bottom bracket
Chain ring
Seat tube
Chain Front derailleur
Cranks/crank arms
Pedals
Top tube
Handlebar stem
Shifters
Brake Levers
Handlebars
Head tube
Brakes
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