LAFREE TWIST Model Year 2002 Owners Manual June 2001.
Contents: 1. Read this manual ! ..............................................................................................3 1.1 Trademarks ..............................................................................................3 1.2 Approval and conformity .............................................................................3 2. What it’s called....................................................................................................4 2.2 Battery and charger .....................
1. Read this manual ! Please read all information in this manual carefully to gain maximum performance, safety and enjoyment from your Lafree Twist electric bicycle. Congratulations! You have just pedalled into the exciting world of electric power assistance for bicycles. In addition to being a full-featured bicycle, the Lafree Twist has an integrated on-board electric power assist unit. The assisted pedal system is easy to use and understand.
2. What it’s called 25. 4. 35. 3. 27. 1. 28. 24. 33. 34. 26. 7. 37. 2. 29. 38. 16. 6. 30 / 36. 5. 17. 33. 10. 9. 11. 13. 12. 15. 22. 14. 19. 18. 21. 23. 20. 32. 31. 2.1 General 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19.
2.2 Battery and charger 3. 2. 1. 3. 1. 7. 9. 4. 4. 5+6 1. 2. 3. 4. 8. Battery Battery lock Grip Energy indicator 10. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. Charging socket Socket cap Charger Charger plug Power source plug Refresh button 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. Left hand brake lever Right hand brake lever Brake adjusting barrel Stem height adjuster bolt Handlebar stem inclination bolt Handlebar clamp bolt 2.3 Handlebar and stem 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
2.4 Position of the serial numbers Please record Lafree’s bike serial number and battery serial number for future reference. The serial number of the bike is stamped into the left rear “dropout” of the frame. The dropout is the piece of frame that holds the axle of the rear wheel (see fig. 08). Battery’s serial number: see fig. 09. Battery’s serial number Pag. 6.
3. Fit and safety 3.1 Fit Make sure the bike fits. A bike that’s too big or too small for the rider is harder to control and can be uncomfortable or dangerous. Frame size. Your dealer will have recommended the best frame size for you, based on the information provided. If you picked your own bike at the dealer shop, your dealer took the time to fit you to the correct frame size at the time.
3.2 Saddle position Correct saddle adjustment is important in getting the best performance and comfort from your bicycle. a. Up and down adjustment. Your leg length determines the correct saddle height. To check for correct saddle height: − sit on the saddle − place one heel on a pedal − rotate the crank until the pedal with your heel on it is in the lowest position and the crank is parallel to the seat tube. − your leg should be almost straight. If not, your saddle height needs adjusting.
3.3 Handlebar height and angle a. Handlebar stem height. You can raise or lower the handlebars. Loosen the stem height adjuster bolt (see fig. 13) by turning it anti-clockwise three or four turns. If the bolt rises but the stem doesn’t move, tap the bolt carefully down, using a plastic or wooden hammer. Set the handlebar stem at the correct height and perpendicular to the front wheel. Fasten the bolt to the correct torque, so that you cannot twist the stem and handlebars (see section 8.
3.4.2 Reflectors Reflectors are important safety devices which are designed as an integral part of Lafree. The reflectors are designed to pick up and reflect street lights and car lights in a way that helps you to be seen and recognised as a moving bicyclist. Caution: Check reflectors regularly to make sure that they are clean, straight, unbroken and securely mounted. Have your dealer replace damaged reflectors and straighten or tighten any that are bent or loose. 3.4.
3.5.3 Brakes Visually inspect the brakes for proper cable routing (see fig. 14a). Squeeze the brake levers. Brake levers should engage brake shoes at approximately half way through their arc, or within about 2.5 cm. (an inch) of handlebar grip. To check proper brake lever travel, encircle the hand grip with your thumb and forefinger, then squeeze the brake lever with the remaining three fingers of each hand.
4. Riding safely and responsibly NOTE: Riding a bicycle involves certain risks, including damage and injury. By choosing to ride a bicycle, you assume personal responsibility for those risks. The people who sold you the bike, the manufacturer, the distributor, and people who manage or maintain the roads and trails you ride on are not responsible for your actions.
5. Battery and charger operation 5.1 Battery detachment, charging & installation 5.1.1 General CAUTION: Please read the following general safety tips for charging or refresh charging Lafree Twist’s battery. • The charging area must be level, well ventilated, free from moisture and protected against direct sunlight.
Step 3. Place the battery in a stable position, in such a way that the energy indicator is visible. Step 4. Remove the cap from the battery’s charging socket, which is located at the bottom of the battery. Step 5. Put the charger plug into the battery’s charging socket with the arrow mark UP. Arrow mark Step 6. Connect the power source plug into an electric point (AC 220~230 volts) and make sure that all poles are fully inserted into the socket.
Step 8. Disconnect the power source plug from the electric point. Step 9. Disconnect the charger plug from the battery. Step 10. Mount the battery onto the bicycle (step 2 and 1 in reversed order). Make sure that the battery is secured in “LOCK” position, so that it cannot move sideways. 5.1.3 Refresh charging Lafree Twist’s charger has the capability to do a battery refresh. Refreshing simply involves the process of fully discharging the battery before it is fully recharged.
Step 3. Place the battery in a stable position, in such a way that the energy indicator is visible. Step 4. Remove the cap from the battery’s charging socket, which is located at the bottom of the battery. Step 5. Put the charger plug into the battery’s charging socket with the arrow mark UP. Arrow mark Step 6. Connect the power source plug into an electric point (AC 220~230 volts) and make sure that all poles are fully inserted into the socket.
Refresh-charging: LIGHT ON CHARGER 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE ? WHAT’S HAPPENING ? RED light blinks Charging will start soon Just a few moments 0.9 sec “on” / 0.1 sec “off” (“waiting”) Push “REFRESH” button on the charger GREEN light burns 10 hours max. Discharging / refreshing RED light burns 4~5 hours max. Charging RED light blinks slowly Until the power source plug is Charging completed ! 2 sec “on” / 2 sec “off” disconnected (“completion”) Step 10.
5.1.5 Battery capacity, range and charging time LEDs illuminated Energy available 1 (blinking) 1 2 3 4 5 Less than 1 % 1 ~ 20 % 21 ~ 40 % 41 ~ 60 % 61 ~ 80 % 81 ~ 100 % Remaining range* [km.] Charging time** < 1 km. < 5 km. 5 ~ 15 km. 10 ~ 20 km. 15 ~ 25 km. 20 ~ 35 km. 4 ~ 5 hours 3 ~ 4 hours 2 ~ 3 hours 1.5 ~ 2 hours 1 ~ 1.5 hours 0.5 ~ 1 hours * Note 1: remaining range is just a reference. Figures shown are based on riding in “normal” mode.
It may be clear that it’s very difficult to say how far you can ride with your power assisted Twist with a full battery, simply because there are too many factors that have influence. Under the best possible circumstances, you can cycle • max. 25 ~ 35 km. in “normal” mode • max. 30 ~ 40 km. in “ECO” mode. In “Eco” mode, the assistance power is about half of the normal mode. It could save the energy consumption and extend the range. The “ECO” mode saves energy consumption and extends the range with approx.
• • • • Inspect the battery periodically for cracks, unusual residue, or other abnormal appearance. Do not use a battery with cracks or breaks in the casing. Do not attempt to use the Twist’s battery as a power supply for anything other than a Lafree Twist. Always pull the charging cable gently. To remove a cable from a socket, pull the plug, don’t pull the cable. Use the genuine Lafree Twist charger to charge the battery.
6. How things work 6.1 General It is extremely important to the performance, enjoyment and safety of your Lafree Twist and yourself to understand how many of the features of Lafree Twist operate. You should not assume that the way things have worked on previously owned bicycles operate similarly on Lafree Twist, even if you’re an experienced bicyclist. Be sure to read – and to understand – this section of the owner’s manual.
LIGHT ON POWER CONTROL SWITCH: STEADY OR BLINKING HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE ? Steady light 2 seconds Steady light Max. 3 minutes, until you switch off. Blinking (slow, 1x per sec.) Blinking (fast, 4x per sec.) WHAT’S HAPPENING ? After switching from “OFF” to “ON” or “ECO”. System is okay. There’s a problem. Switch “OFF” and back “ON” again. Motor has to supply too much power and shuts off. Just 10~20% energy left 4 minutes. Less than 10% energy left 6.3 Front wheel quick release 6.3.
rotating reduces clamping force. Less than half a turn of the tension adjusting nut can make the difference between safe clamping force and unsafe clamping force. NOTE: Once the quick-release is installed in the hub axle by the manufacturer or the dealer, it never needs to be removed unless the hub itself requires servicing. If the hub requires servicing, consult your dealer. 6.3.3 Front wheel secondary retention devices Lafree Twist is equipped with a secondary wheel retention device (see fig.
6.3.5 Installing a quick-release front wheel (a) Rotate the quick-release lever so that it curves away from the wheel (see fig. 31 and 35). This is the “OPEN” position (you can read “OPEN” on the lever). (b) With the fork facing forward, insert the wheel between the fork blades so that the axle seats firmly to the top of the slots which are at the tips of the fork blades - the fork dropouts. The quick-release lever should be on the left side of the bicycle (see fig. 31 and 35).
6.5 Gear changing Lafree Twist is equipped with internal rear gear hub. The gear changing mechanism on your bicycle consists of a grip shifter on the handle bar and an internal gear hub. 6.5.1 What the gears are for Lafree Twist’s gearing is a simple yet effective way to help you fine tune your pedal revolutions, also known as cadence. Twist’s gearing is designed for rolling, moderately steep terrain. Select a gear that is easy to pedal; never push hard on the pedals if there is an easier gear available.
6.7 Lighting system The electricity for the lighting equipment (front and rear light) is provided by the dynamo, attached to the left side of the front fork. If there is no need for the lighting to work, the dynamo can be in the “OFF” position, which means that the pulley on the top of the dynamo doesn’t contact the tyre of the front wheel. If the lights have to work, the pulley of the dynamo has to be driven by the tyre of the front wheel.
6.10 Luggage carrier If you carry luggage on the carrier, make sure everything is securely fixed and free from the rear wheel, chain, etc. Make sure the total weight of the luggage does not exceed the maximum weight of 25 kg. The carrier is not equipped with rack straps; ask your dealer for straps that can be fixed on Lafree Twist’s carrier, so luggage can be carried safely. Never carry a passenger, unless it is a child in a proper child seat. 7.
If you want to learn about service and repair work on your bike, you have three options: 1. Ask your dealer whether copies of the manufacturer’s installation and service instructions for the components on your bike are available. 2. Ask your dealer to recommend a book on bicycle repair. 3. Ask your dealer about the availability of bicycle repair courses in your area, or through the bike shop.
• Check the frame (particularly in the area around all weld joints), the handlebar, the stem and the seat post for any deep scratches, cracks or discoloration. These are signs of stress-related fatigue and indicate that a part is at the end of its useful life and needs to be replaced. • Check to make sure that all parts and accessories are still secure, and tighten any which are not. E) As required: If either brake lever fails the mechanical safety checks (see section 3.
8.3 Tightening torque 6. 1. 2. 7. 3. 8. 5. No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 4. Description Stem height adjuster bolt Handlebar clamp bolt Stem inclination bolt Crank arm bolts Wheel axle bolts (rear) Brake lever bolts Saddle retention bolt Seat clamp bolt Tightening torque [Nm.] 20~22 Nm 13~15 Nm 15~18 Nm 35~45 Nm 30~45 Nm 5~9 Nm 8~12 Nm 15~16 Nm Pag. 30.
9. Precautions and procedures 9.1 Emergency equipment and knowledge You should never go for a bike ride without the following emergency equipment and knowledge: • Allen wrenches 4 mm., 5 mm. and 6 mm., used to tighten various clamping bolts that may loosen • Patch kit and a spare inner tube • Tyre levers • Tyre pump or cartridge inflator with correct head to fit your tyre valves • Identification (address, phone number, insurance company, emergency contact, blood type, medical allergies and conditions) 9.
WARNING: Riding your Lafree Twist with a flat or under-inflated tyre can seriously damage the rim, tyre, tube and bicycle, and can cause you to lose control and fall. 9.3 If you break a spoke (a) A wheel with a loose or broken spoke is much weaker than a fully tensioned wheel. If you break a spoke while on a ride, you will have to ride much more slowly and carefully as the weakened wheel could experience additional broken spokes and become useless.
11. Dealer service 11.1 About your dealer Your dealer is here to help you properly service and maintain your Lafree electric bicycle, as well as help you select and understand any products and accessories you wish to examine and purchase. Your bike shop’s staff has the knowledge, tools and experience to give you reliable advice and competent service. Your dealer carries the products of a variety of manufacturers so that you can have the choices which best meet your needs and your budget. 11.
