6P A R T 2 - Before you rideRide!BEFORE YOU RIDEABOUT THIS MANUALIt is important for you to understand your new bicycle. By reading this manual before you go out on your first ride, you’ll know how to get better performance, comfort,and enjoyment from your new bicycle.It is also important that your first ride on your new bicycle is taken in a controlled environment, away from cars, obstacles, and other distractions.GENER AL WAR NINGBicycling can be a hazardous activity even under the best of circumstances. Proper maintenance of your bicycle is your responsibility as it helps reduce the risk of injury.This manual contains many “Warnings” and “Cautions” concerning the consequences of failure to maintain or inspect your bicycle. Many of the warnings and cautions say“you may lose control and fall.” Because any fall can result in serious injury or even death, we do not repeat the warning of possible injury or death where ever the risk offalling is mentioned.A SPECIAL NOTE FOR PARENTSIt is a tragic fact that most bicycle accidents involve children. As a parent or guardian, you bear the responsibility for the activities and safety of your minor child. Amongthese responsibilities are to make sure that the bicycle which your child is riding is properly fitted to the child; that it is in good repair and safe operating condition; that youand your child have learned, understand and obey not only the applicable local motor vehicle, bicycle, and traffic laws, but also the common sense rules of safe and responsiblebicycling. As a parent, you should read this manual before letting your child ride the bicycle. Please make sure that your child always wears an ANSI, ASTM, SNELLapproved bicycle helmet when ridingCORRECT FRAME SIZEWhen selecting a new bicycle, the correct choice of frame size is a very important safety consideration. Most full sized bicycles come in a range of frame sizes.These sizes usually refer to the distance between the center of the bottom bracket and the top of the frame seat tube.For safe and comfortable riding there should be clearance of no less than 1 - 2 inches betweenthe rider and the top tube of the bicycle frame, while the rider straddles the bicycle with both feet flat on the ground.The ideal clearance will vary between types of bicycles and rider preference. This makes straddling the frame whenoff the seat easier and safer in situations such as sudden traffic stops. Women can use a men’s style bicycle to determine the correct size women’s model.The following chart and diagram will help you make the correct choice. Rider leg length refers to approximate pant inseam.