The Chain And Pedals; The Chain; The Pedals - Batavus Sportief Race Handbuch

be happy to help you with this.
The rear derailleur is also equipped
with a cable adjusting screw (7). By
tightening or loosening this by hand,
you can adjust the cable tension even
more accurately.
T I P S
• Smooth cycling is better for your
knees and legs. So use the heaviest
gears only for descents or if you have
a tail wind. It is better for your body
to cycle in a slightly lighter gear than
one that is too heavy. Of course, this
is not always possible when cycling in
races but it is still advisable to bear this
rule of thumb in mind because you will
benefi t from it in the long term.
• For more accurate gear shifting, and
to spare the mechanism, stop pedalling
for a moment while shifting gear.
• The front and rear derailleurs must
be cleaned regularly. Do not forget the
derailleur wheels of the rear derailleur.
Cleaning prevents mud and dirt from
piling up. A small brush, old toothbrush
and small thin screwdriver are useful
aids for removing caked dirt. You can
oil the rotating parts and the derailleur
cables with water repellent (derail-
leur) oil to ensure light, smooth gear
shifting. You can consult your Batavus
dealer on how to do this.
T H E C H A I N A N D
P E D A L S

THE CHAIN

Because of the large number of gear
options of a derailleur system, the
chain cannot be closed up in a chain
guard. Sand, dust and (salty) water the-
refore have free access. But with some
extra care and effort, this does not
have to get in the way of the correct
functioning of the gear system at all.
Consult your Batavus dealer on how to
determine the correct chain length. He
also has the correct lubricant in stock.
Incidentally, this has to be applied very
sparingly because dirt sticks to an ex-
cessively oily chain. An old toothbrush
is an ideal tool for cleaning not only
the chain but also the derailleur hou-
sing and sprocket wheels.
You can use a mild degreaser or special
cleaning fl uid (available from your Ba-
tavus dealer) for a thorough service.
I M P O R T A N T
Do not under any circumstances use
petrol. It is too harsh and also infl am-
mable!
When maintaining your bicycle, look
out for rusty and/or stiff links (the
so-called 'harmonica' effect) (8). Clean
the links well and move them back and
forth. If this 'harmonica' effect conti-
nues, replace the chain or, better still,
have it replaced. If the chain has to be
replaced, the freewheel usually has
to be replaced too. The chain and the
toothed rings of the freewheel form a
close twofold unit. Consultation with
your Batavus dealer is useful.
The spaces between the toothed rings
on the rear hub can easily be cleaned
by going back and forth with an old
shoelace. After this treatment, oil the
chain lightly, including the hinges and
hinge points on the front and rear
derailleurs. Wipe superfl uous oil off
with a cloth.

THE PEDALS

Pedals may be delivered along with the
bicycle, depending on the model. They
may have a just-perceptible degree of
play. Check this regularly and, at the
(8)
5