Chapter 1: Guide to safe On- and off-road operation
The following tips will help you protect your bicycle and when you are not riding or when you put your bicycle away after a ride.
Your new bicycle may be very attractive to thieves. Protect yourself from theft:
· Register the bicycle with your local police department.
· Make sure you register your bicycle at the Trek web site; we will keep the serial number of your bicycle on file (the serial number is on the down tube). Also, keep a record of the serial number in a safe place.
· Never leave your bicycle unlocked while unattended, not even for a minute. Purchase and use a lock. A good lock is effective against bolt cutters and saws. Follow the recommended locking procedures.
· With quick-release wheels, lock both of your wheels as well as your frame. If you have a quick-release seatpost binder, when locking your bicycle you may want to remove your seat and seatpost to prevent theft. However, if you remove the seatpost, avoid allowing water to enter your bicycle frame through the open seat tube of your bicycle.
To work properly, your bicycle must be clean. If your frame or a component is dirty, clean it. Read the Frameset overview before cleaning; some cleaning agents can damage the finish on your frame or fork.
When your bicycle is not being ridden, store it where it will be protected from rain, snow, sun, etc. Rain or snow may cause the metal on your bicycle to corrode. Ultraviolet radiation from the sun may fade the paint, or crack any rubber or plastic on the bicycle.
If your bicycle was exposed to moisture during a ride, thoroughly dry the bicycle before storing it. If water got inside the rims, frame, or fork, tilt the bicycle to drain the water. If necessary, remove the seatpost and turn the bicycle upside down. This is especially critical if there is a large amount of water inside. If water freezes inside your bicycle, the expansion of the ice can crack and rupture the structure.
Before storing your bicycle for an extended period of time, clean and lubricate the frame and fork with a frame wax, polish, or protectant. Do not store the bicycle near electric motors, as ozone from motors destroys rubber and paint. Hang the bicycle off the ground with the tires at approximately half pressure. Before riding the bicycle again, follow the pre-ride checklist to be certain it is in good working order.
Park your bicycle in a place where it will be out of the way, and make sure it cannot fall over. Do not lay the bicycle on its derailleurs, as you may bend the rear derailleur or get dirt on the drivetrain. Do not let the bicycle fall down, as this may cut the handlebar grips, or tear the seat. Incorrect use of bicycle racks may bend your wheels.
If you need to package your bike for travel, always use a hard case or carton that will protect your bicycle. Attach pads to all the frame and fork tubes, and use a rigid block to protect the fork tips and maintain structural support of the fork blades. If the bicycle is not packaged correctly, it could be easily damaged in transit. If you are not sure, ask your dealer to package your bicycle for you.
After the bicycle arrives, check all fasteners to make sure all the parts are securely attached. Follow the Before Every Ride Checklist to make sure the bicycle does not have any damage and that it has been re-assembled correctly.
If you attach your bicycle to a car carrier, workstand, trainer, or other object, you have attached it to a device. Such devices can damage your bicycle.
Never clamp the bicycle frame by its finished surfaces. With most bicycles, this means do not clamp the bicycle by the paint, but some models have other types of finishes that will also be damaged by the attachment to a device. When holding the bicycle for repairs, clamp the seatpost. When holding the bicycle for transportation on a motor vehicle, clamp the bicycle by the wheels or fork tips.
In addition to damaging the paint, it is possible to damage the frame. Many devices have clamps or straps that can apply more than enough force to dent, crush, or break the lightweight tubing used in high-performance bicycle frames.
A bicycle trainer is also a device. When clamped to a trainer, your bicycle experiences high forces that are very different from the forces that occur in normal riding. In extreme cases, the unusual forces applied by a trainer can actually break a frame. Avoid extremely hard efforts on a trainer, such as applying high side-loads when sprinting or climbing. Especially avoid trainers that rigidly hold the rear triangle of the frame yet constrain movement of the rear wheel.
Caution—Clamping devices like those used by workstands, trainers, or car carriers can damage the finish on a bicycle, or even crush or break the tubing. Only use devices that are compatible, only use the devices correctly, and do not overtighten clamping mechanisms. If you are unsure about such devices, consult your dealer.