HP Velotechnik Spirit - Manual (Page 15)

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HP
Velotechnik
13
Adjusting the height
The handlebars of the Spirit are held by a tele-
scopic stem that is vertically adjustable.
The height of the handlebars determines the
distance to your knees and the maximum pos-
sible steering angle of the front wheel.
Before you adjust the height and the angle of
the handlebars please make sure that the seat
of your Spirit is well adjusted to your leg
length, see page 8.
When you have little experience with recum-
bents, we recommend you to choose a high
position for the handlebars, so you have the
biggest possible moving range for your legs.
After you have gained some riding experience
you can lower the handlebars.The lower the
handlebars the sooner your knees touch them
while riding in a curve.
A low position of the handlebars permits a re-
laxed position for your arms and a good view
forward.
The handlebar stem consists of two parts.The
upper part is connected with the handlebars
and you slide it telescopically into the lower
part.
The lower part has two clamping connections
where the tube is slotted.There’s a clamping
bolt at each slot.Those connections are in par-
ticular the connection to the upper part of the
stem and the connection stem/fork at the lo-
wer end of the tube.
You adjust the height of the handlebars at the
clamping at the upper end of the lower part of
the stem.
Adjusting the handlebars
You can adjust the height of the handlebars by undoing the
clamping screw.
Danger! Every time you loosen one of the
clamping connections you have to check the
clamping screw.You also have to check the
welded-on thread nut.The thread must not
be damaged and the screw must turn easily.
Once a year you have to dismount the
screw completely and check it. In case of da-
mage or deformation you have to change
the clamping screw immediately.When you
refit the screw, it has to be lubricated care-
fully and tightened with the required tighte-
ning torque (see table on page 55).
In case you tighten the screws too much the
clamping may deform and break.When you
bend the screws while tightening they may
break and the clamping can loosen.When
you tighten the screws with an insufficient
tightening torque, the clamping does not re-
ach the necessary strength.This can result in
twisting the handlebars or the stem easily
while riding.All these assembly errors can
lead to dangerous falls!