Brake pads are an important part of your bike and ensure that you can always drive in safe conditions.

It is recommended to check them every 1000 km or as soon as you feel a loss of braking strength or a creaky noise.

Please have a look at the difference in appearance between a new brake pad (left) and a worn-out one (right):

The brake parts we use for the Cowboy Cross and Cross ST are Shimano B05S.
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The brake system is hydraulic and can only be used with mineral oil. Should the system oil need to be topped up or replaced, use mineral oil.

Here is a tutorial which explains how to replace them.

The lifetime of the belt depends on how you maintain it and the roads you use. The belt should be checked every 5.000 km when used in ideal conditions. A belt used on dirty or sandy roads could be worn before that if not cleaned properly. Look deeply at your belt to ensure it’s still in good condition.

If the belt shows traces of wear and tear (see the image below), you need to replace it to prevent sudden tooth or belt breaks during a ride.

Send a message in your app if you would like to do so.

This picture comes from The Gates Carbon Drive Manual.

In this video, we explain how to adjust the belt tension (between 45 and 60 Hz) and how to align it.

Your tyres naturally wear over time and need replacing; they should be checked every 1500 km, especially if you ride on country roads. Please have a deep look at your tyres to make sure they are still in good condition. There is a yellow Kevlar compound layer wear indicator inside. When the tyre is worn, and the inner layer becomes visible, it’s time for a new one.
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If you need to replace the inner tubes, choose any tube with a Presta valve (aka F/V) compatible with the following tyre dimensions (several ways to define tyre sizes):

• 58-559 / 62-559
• 26’‘x 2.25’’ / 26’’ x 2.4’’

If you can’t find tubes to fit those dimensions, you may use smaller ones such as:

• 60-559 • 26’’ x 2.4’’

If you need to remove the wheels for any reason, reassemble the front wheel through the axle with 10Nm torque and the rear wheel nuts with 30Nm. For guidance, speak with us using the app or check out our online tutorials.

If your tyres look worn, you'll need to replace them.

If you’re feeling handy when you receive your new tyres, here is a tutorial which explains how to take off a front wheel to replace an inner tube or tyre. For the rear wheel, changing an inner tube and tyre is exactly the same process. The difference is in the way you need to take off the wheel. We've set up a separate tutorial to show you how to do that.

P.S.: Don’t forget that tyres can be recycled, so we encourage you to get rid of them at an approved recycling point.

Tyres deflate during storage and shipping. Inflate them to a pressure of 2,5 bars for a heavier payload and less for a lighter payload. We don't recommend going below 1,5 bars. We also don't recommend inflating them at the maximum pressure as comfort will be reduced.

Inspect your bike and verify all nuts and bolts are well-tightened. If you ever feel movement in the saddle while riding, you’ll want to ensure the seat post bolts are fully tightened. The bolt for vertical adjustment should be tightened to a maximum of 18Nm torque.

Check the belt tension by pressing firmly down on it in the middle with your index finger. The deflection of the belt should be around 0.5 cm to 1 cm. If you have a belt tension measurement tool, the tension should measure between 45 and 60 Hz.

Add a light amount of grease to the wiper and stanchion every month or whenever the fork's performance has deteriorated (whichever occurs first). Every year or 1000km or whenever the fork's performance has diminished (whichever occurs first), ask a qualified person to perform maintenance, including disassembling, cleaning, greasing and inspecting the fork.

Add a light amount of grease to the stanchion every month or whenever the suspension movement is significantly less smooth. Every year or 1000km or whenever the fork's performance has diminished (whichever occurs first), ask a qualified person to perform maintenance, including disassembling, cleaning, greasing and inspecting the seat post.

The Cowboy app will notify you when it's time for your bike's general maintenance.

To check when your next maintenance is due, tap the 4th button at the bottom of your screen, then scroll to the "Maintenance" section. By clicking on "Maintenance," you will see detailed information about your upcoming maintenance. After completing the maintenance, you can let the app know by updating the date of your latest maintenance in this section so it can remind you again when your next maintenance is due.