Cannondale Bicycles - Manual (Page 53)

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consult your dealer before riding the bike. The lever reach may be
adjustable; or you may need a different brake lever design.
Most brakes have some form of quick release mechanism to allow the
brake shoes to clear the tire when a wheel is removed or reinstalled.
When the brake quick release is in the open position,
the brakes are
inoperative . Ask your dealer to make sure that you understand the way
the brake quick release works on your bike (see Fig. 16A, B, C & D)
and check each time to make sure both brakes work correctly before
you get on the bike.
Brakes are designed to control your speed , not just to stop the bike.
Maximum braking force for each wheel occurs at the point just
before the wheel "locks up" (stops rotating) and starts to skid. Once the
tire skids, you actually lose most of your stopping force and all
directional control. You need to practice slowing and stopping
smoothly without locking up a wheel. The technique is called progres-
sive brake modulation. Instead of jerking the brake lever to the
position where you think you'll generate appropriate braking force,
squeeze the lever, progressively increasing the braking force. If you
feel the wheel begin to lock up, release pressure just a little to keep
the wheel rotating just short of lockup. It's important to develop a feel
for the amount of brake lever pressure required for each wheel at fig. 16D
fig. 16B
push
fig. 16C
open
2000 owner's manual 10/27/99 10/27/99 11:16 AM Page 49