Bike Manual. No.??
#26
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Note this is only good for a year or two. After that you buy new tires (which may or may not be the same brand, model, or size), and put on a new chain (ditto) and re-cable. A couple years later you may need to re-tape (drop bars), and perhaps change out the cassette. A few years later you may need to replace the brifters, and the original model is not longer available -- it's either change model names, or the same model name now has more gears. Etc., etc. On my 20 year old bike the fork and the brakes are original -- everything else has been replaced.
Again, either get yourself a bike repair book or familiarize yourself with the Park Tool repair site. I know this isn't what you're asking for, but it's what you need to know.
FWIW, does your car manual tell you how to change your struts or brake pads? I don't think the latest ones even tell you how to change your oil!
#27
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Actually, they do produce maintenance schedules and procedures which I prefer to have. This information is readily available online from every 3rd party component manufacturer but not from Specialized. Also, every part on the frame has a parts number, from the headset parts to the cable guides specific to the frame set which I prefer to have so I don’t have to describe a part to Specialized or an authorized dealer if I need something.
This thread is about manuals and specifically the lack of useful information provided to the end user in some instances. Some of us feel that void and would like it addressed.
Sometimes I wish people could read and comprehend. And reply with helpful information. Many of you have. Some have not.
#28
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Every manual I've ever gotten for a bike is a generic, covers all models, worthless waste of paper.
#29
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they used to
https://www.ebay.com/i/372030413491?...3D372030413491
I remember reading mine. I think mine was green tho
https://www.ebay.com/i/372030413491?...3D372030413491
I remember reading mine. I think mine was green tho
#30
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Actually, they do produce maintenance schedules and procedures which I prefer to have. This information is readily available online from every 3rd party component manufacturer but not from Specialized. Also, every part on the frame has a parts number, from the headset parts to the cable guides specific to the frame set which I prefer to have so I don’t have to describe a part to Specialized or an authorized dealer if I need something.
This thread is about manuals and specifically the lack of useful information provided to the end user in some instances. Some of us feel that void and would like it addressed.
#31
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I purchased my first drop bar bike with 105 group set last year. I have ridden bikes all my life and understand shifting. Wondered why I had to click twice to drop down to the small chainring. After owning and riding a couple thousand miles I recently found out that that is "trim" and you can use it when cross chaining to the large gears on rear. Wish I would have known sooner. An Owners manual would have been nice.
#32
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What I've done to fill that void is to go to the manufacturer's web page for the bike, print it out, and save it.
Note this is only good for a year or two. After that you buy new tires (which may or may not be the same brand, model, or size), and put on a new chain (ditto) and re-cable. A couple years later you may need to re-tape (drop bars), and perhaps change out the cassette. A few years later you may need to replace the brifters, and the original model is not longer available -- it's either change model names, or the same model name now has more gears. Etc., etc. On my 20 year old bike the fork and the brakes are original -- everything else has been replaced.
Again, either get yourself a bike repair book or familiarize yourself with the Park Tool repair site. I know this isn't what you're asking for, but it's what you need to know.
FWIW, does your car manual tell you how to change your struts or brake pads? I don't think the latest ones even tell you how to change your oil!
Note this is only good for a year or two. After that you buy new tires (which may or may not be the same brand, model, or size), and put on a new chain (ditto) and re-cable. A couple years later you may need to re-tape (drop bars), and perhaps change out the cassette. A few years later you may need to replace the brifters, and the original model is not longer available -- it's either change model names, or the same model name now has more gears. Etc., etc. On my 20 year old bike the fork and the brakes are original -- everything else has been replaced.
Again, either get yourself a bike repair book or familiarize yourself with the Park Tool repair site. I know this isn't what you're asking for, but it's what you need to know.
FWIW, does your car manual tell you how to change your struts or brake pads? I don't think the latest ones even tell you how to change your oil!
#33
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#34
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This ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ And no where in my original post did I say I can't maintain the bike. My question was "Why do bikes not come with a manual."
Sometimes I wish people could read and comprehend. And reply with helpful information. Many of you have. Some have not.
Sometimes I wish people could read and comprehend. And reply with helpful information. Many of you have. Some have not.
If you're comparing to a car, btw, the costs of an owner's manual for a car is a much smaller percentage of the purchase price than one for a bike would be.
#35
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Bicycles are so simple to use, they don't need an operating manual.
#36
Senior Member
Got some generic warranty booklet with my Specialized, and nothing with my Colnago.
#37
WALSTIB
This ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ And no where in my original post did I say I can't maintain the bike. My question was "Why do bikes not come with a manual."
Sometimes I wish people could read and comprehend. And reply with helpful information. Many of you have. Some have not.
Sometimes I wish people could read and comprehend. And reply with helpful information. Many of you have. Some have not.
Not sure anyone at BF can answer your question to your satisfaction but the friendly folk at Specialized probably can.
Last edited by hillyman; 04-15-19 at 07:16 PM.
#38
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The Owners’ manuals that come with most consumer products, including bikes, contain only the most basic operating information and are primarily for the consumer information/warranty and warnings.
Bicycles contain so many 3rd party components that it would become a massive effort to include every possible variation. Does it have an FSA headset or Shimano? KMC chain? Are the tires Specialized, Schwalbe or Kenda?
Thats why the owners manuals typically say to take it to the shop.
Anecdotally, I bought a (used) road bike, a Mercier-branded BD. It came with a box of spares that included all the little Shimano component setup insert sheets , FD, RD, Brifters, pedals, but no ‘bike’ manual. Not that I cared, since I’d bought it for parts, but those little Shimano instruction sheet were useful during the driveline swap.
Besides, after the initial setup, a bike really doesn’t require a whole lot of service besides tire pressure and chain lube. I know here at BF we trend heavily towards OCD perfectionists, but the majority of bicycle owners don’t know or care.
Some types of equipment, like gas-powered tools ie; chainsaws and trimmers, and things that require frequent attention like motorcycles, have much more detailed service information.
Most bicycles don’t really fall into that category.
Bicycles contain so many 3rd party components that it would become a massive effort to include every possible variation. Does it have an FSA headset or Shimano? KMC chain? Are the tires Specialized, Schwalbe or Kenda?
Thats why the owners manuals typically say to take it to the shop.
Anecdotally, I bought a (used) road bike, a Mercier-branded BD. It came with a box of spares that included all the little Shimano component setup insert sheets , FD, RD, Brifters, pedals, but no ‘bike’ manual. Not that I cared, since I’d bought it for parts, but those little Shimano instruction sheet were useful during the driveline swap.
Besides, after the initial setup, a bike really doesn’t require a whole lot of service besides tire pressure and chain lube. I know here at BF we trend heavily towards OCD perfectionists, but the majority of bicycle owners don’t know or care.
Some types of equipment, like gas-powered tools ie; chainsaws and trimmers, and things that require frequent attention like motorcycles, have much more detailed service information.
Most bicycles don’t really fall into that category.
#39
Senior Member
Agree with most of the comments in this thread. If I'm very lucky then I'll get a generic manufacturer's manual that isn't of much use and some component manufacturer leaflets, which can be useful.
One of the first things I do with a new bike is take photos of all of the torque setting markings on the various bolts around the bike, and the tyre pressures marked on the tyre sidewalls. That generally gives me something to check and adjust as necessary before a first ride.
Most useful info can be found on forums and manufacturers websites.
One of the first things I do with a new bike is take photos of all of the torque setting markings on the various bolts around the bike, and the tyre pressures marked on the tyre sidewalls. That generally gives me something to check and adjust as necessary before a first ride.
Most useful info can be found on forums and manufacturers websites.
#41
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#42
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Bicycles contain so many 3rd party components that it would become a massive effort to include every possible variation. Does it have an FSA headset or Shimano? KMC chain? Are the tires Specialized, Schwalbe or Kenda?
Thats why the owners manuals typically say to take it to the shop.
Thats why the owners manuals typically say to take it to the shop.
Peace. Out.
#43
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