Unboxing and first assembly: gear hub bikes

After unboxing your Booda Bike, install the seatpost, handlebar, pedals, front light, front wheel, and the front mudguard if included. Before riding, check that the steering, brakes, front axle, pedals, lights and mudguards are secure.

Note

If the box was damaged at delivery, or something is missing, see Shipping and delivery before you continue. Keep the box and packaging until the bike is fully checked: you will need them if you want to return the bike (see Returns and withdrawal).

Before you start

Your bike is packed compactly for shipping. The following parts may be removed for transport:

• pedals
• seatpost with saddle
• front wheel
• handlebar
• front mudguard, depending on the model

The Gates Carbon Drive belt stays in its original position.

Tools needed

• 4 mm Allen key
• 6 mm Allen key
• T25 Torx key
• torque wrench, recommended

1. Install the seatpost

1. Insert the seatpost into the seat tube.
2. Set the saddle to the correct height.
3. Tighten the seatpost clamp bolts.

Maximum torque: 6 Nm

Note

If your bike has a carbon seatpost, the sticky material on the seatpost is carbon assembly paste. This is normal: it stops the seatpost from slipping. See Carbon seatpost assembly and installation.

If your bike has an aluminum seatpost, the seatpost should be greased.

2. Install the handlebar

1. Loosen and remove the 4 bolts of the handlebar clamp.
2. Place the handlebar in the stem clamp.
3. Put the clamp plate back on.
4. Tighten the 4 bolts gradually and evenly.

Maximum torque: 5 Nm

Caution

Tighten the handlebar clamp bolts gradually. Do not fully tighten one bolt before the others.

3. Set the handlebar angle

1. Sit on the bike in your natural riding position.
2. Rotate the handlebar until your wrists are almost straight.
3. Check that the gaps in the handlebar clamp are even.
4. Check again that all handlebar clamp bolts are tightened evenly.

The handlebar position is right when your wrists feel neutral and the clamp gaps are even.

4. Position the front light

1. Aim the front light so it lights the road ahead.
2. Make sure the light does not shine directly into other people’s eyes.
3. Tighten the light mount with a T25 Torx key.

Tip

The front light should point slightly downward.

5. Install the pedals

1. Identify the left and right pedals.
2. Start threading each pedal in by hand.
3. Tighten the pedals with a 6 mm Allen key.

Torque: 20–30 Nm

Caution

The left and right pedals have different threads.

• The right pedal tightens clockwise.
• The left pedal tightens counter-clockwise.

If a pedal does not thread in smoothly by hand, stop and check that it is on the correct side.

6. Install the front mudguard, if included

1. Position the front mudguard with the top center bolt.
2. Insert the bolt into the upper middle hole of the fork.
3. Fasten the mudguard stays into the threaded mounts on the inner sides of the fork.
4. Make sure the stay bolts do not go in at an angle.
5. Push the mudguard as high as possible while tightening the middle bolt.

This prevents rattling and keeps enough clearance between the tire and the mudguard.

7. Install the front wheel

1. Remove the spacer from between the front brake pads.
2. Do not pull the front brake lever after removing the spacer.
3. Place the front wheel in the fork.
4. Be careful with the brake rotor. Do not touch the rotor surface.
5. Push the thru-axle through the fork and the hub, and thread it into the opposite fork leg.
6. If your bike has a dynamo hub, turn the hub so the dynamo connector points upward.
7. Tighten the front axle.

Front axle torque: 10 Nm

8. If your bike has dynamo lighting, connect the front light cable to the dynamo hub.

Caution

If your bike has a dynamo hub, the dynamo connector must point upward when you tighten the front axle. If it is positioned wrongly, the plug or cable can be damaged.

Final safety check before riding

Before the first ride, check that:

• the seatpost is secure and does not rotate
• the handlebar is secure
• the handlebar turns the front wheel correctly
• the front axle is tightened to 10 Nm
• both pedals are fully threaded in and tightened
• the brakes work correctly
• the brake rotor does not rub heavily
• the front light works
• the rear light works
• the mudguard does not touch the tire
• no brake, shifter or light cable is kinked or stretched

Caution

Do not ride the bike if the steering wobbles, the brakes feel weak, the front wheel is not secure, or the drivetrain does not run smoothly.

After the first rides

After the first few short rides, check the bike again:

• Check all bolts used during assembly.
• Check that the pedals are still tight.
• Check that the mudguards have not moved.
• Check that the lights still work.
• Check that the brakes feel consistent.
• Check that the belt runs smoothly.

If anything has come loose, stop using the bike until it has been tightened or checked by us or a qualified bicycle mechanic. For the regular check before every ride, see Daily safety check.