GETTING TO KNOW
MY BIKE
There were cathedrals falling out of your eyes And your arms were the handlebars I held in an abbreviated dream of crushed petals Strewn across the limpid avenues.
I said, I have poems for you But my words were lost in the wind. I said, I love you And you drifted into sleep.
And so I said nothing and rode you in and out of the rooms Where we had stretched the boundaries of the soul Like an endless sheet And I felt you waking up between my legs.
The aluminum, titanium, or carbon fiber composite parts of your bicycle, both frame tubes and parts like rockers or dropouts, are not as ductile as steel. If you attempt to modify, bend, or twist an aluminum or carbon fiber part, you can break it. Readjustment of aluminum or carbon fiber frame alignment is not recommended.
The parts of the handlebar you hold should always be covered because bare metal or carbon fiber can be slippery. For a drop type handlebar, use handlebar tape. For a flat or mountain type handlebar, use approved grips.
For any interface with a part made of carbon fiber composite, avoid grease or other lubricants on clamping surfaces, such as between the stem and handlebar, or on the seatpost inside the frame.
Before assembling a carbon part, clean both the part and its mating surface with rubbing alcohol and a shop rag.
Tolerances for press fits and thread fits are critical. Pressing a part which is too large, or misaligned, may break the frame or part. applying excessive torque a threaded fastener may ruin the threads or break the part. Be sure bottom bracket and rear derailleur threads are clean and well greased before insertion. Start threads by hand, not with a wrench. Tighten to the correct torque specifications.
Clean until the rag shows no discoloration.
Remove the surface dirt around the cog teeth with a degreaser or a similar solvent, and a brush. Do not use gasoline; it's too flammable and leaves a grease contaminating film after evaporating. Many solvents can damage the wheel bearings or the finish of your bicycle. Always remove the cassette from the wheel before cleaning.
If the cogs are too tight or too loose, you will soon damage the parts.
On many bikes, you simply turn one of the cones before tightening the axle nuts that hold the wheel on the bike.
If the side of the wheel hub looks particularly dirty, and if the hubs are not sealed, then overhaul is a good idea to clean out the old, dirty grease, and replace it with fresh grease.
BE SPOTTED