HP Velotechnik trikes - Manual (Page 49)

45
Handling instructions
Brakes
Handling of the brakes
Your tricycle is equipped with a powerful
high-quality braking system. Please read the
separate manual of the brake manufacturer
that comes with your tricycle for details.
Make yourself familiar with the braking sys-
tem.
In the standard assembly, both front wheel
brakes are operated separately: The left brake
lever operates the left front brake, the right
brake lever operates the right front brake.
As an option, your tricycle can be equipped
with a coupled braking system with one brake
lever operating both front brakes.
Danger! Make sure to brake
evenly using both hands. Braking unevenly
or only one side could influence the steer-
ing of your tricycle. Maximum braking per-
formance is only achieved when braking
with both hands.
Danger! In case you get into a
situation like that during an emergency
stop you have to let go of the brakes im-
mediately, balance your tricycle and brake
again. If you are not familiar with the
brakes we recommend you to train at first
at low speed and with little braking effect
until you find the correct dose for an
emergency stop.
If your tricycle is equipped with a rear brake
or a parking brake, use this brake only as an
emergency brake in the unlikely event of a fail-
ure of the front brakes. If the rear wheel is
locked up, the tricycle can immediately spin
around and slide to the side. Remember
which lever pulls the front brake and which
the rear brake.
Try to avoid braking in bends, though if nec-
essary, touch the brakes carefully! Braking in-
creases the risk of slipping. Especially when it
is wet the rear wheel immediately slides out
of the bend while braking and this can result
in a serious fall!
For optimum handling some braking systems
provide the option to adjust the distance be-
tween the brake grip and the handlebar with a
small hex-headed screw at the grip, please see
the respective manual for details.
The braking effect of modern braking systems
can be more powerful than what you have
been used to until now. Brake carefully. When
you brake too hard with the front brake the
rear wheel may lift off the street and the tri-
cycle may tumble over.
If you should hear any unusual sounds while
braking the brake pads might be worn out. Do
not use your tricycle any further until you
have checked the brake pads according to the
manual of the brake manufacturer or before
having you tricycle checked by your local spe-
cialist dealer.
Danger! Please note that the
braking distance is much longer when it is
wet or when the tricycle is heavily loaded.
When riding on wet, sandy, icy or slippery
roads you have to use the front brake very
carefully to avoid that your front wheels
slip. If they do so you will no longer be
able to control your tricycle, which might
lead to a serious crash.