Big Bike Thread

weescott · 24 May 2010 at 23:32

Sound like it's either the cassette is loose or the bearings in the freehub need replaced. Take the rear wheel off and check for play.

"andy" · 24 May 2010 at 23:39

check the other simple things first like that the pedals and wheel are as tight as they should be. had a mate who after trying everything to stop the creaking 'coming from back wheel' realised there was a crack on his chainstay near the welds. woops

R0B75 · 25 May 2010 at 07:50

weescott said:
Sound like it's either the cassette is loose or the bearings in the freehub need replaced. Take the rear wheel off and check for play.

Woudl the bearings really have gone within a month? I'll do this tonight.

Lakeland · 25 May 2010 at 07:59

id be looking for a crack in the frame or a loose crank though you would hear more of a creek than a rattle

Sagalout · 25 May 2010 at 08:41

Work your way through this page:

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/creaks.html

One More Solo · 25 May 2010 at 14:33

Bad news...

I got knocked off my bike on the way home from work by a van driver cutting across me to park (did the old turn first, indicate later trick)- it was even more unexpected because he was looking to park on double yellows. I've only got a couple of scrapes and bruises along with a bent handlebar (I think his van came off worse tbh since my 75kgs went through his wing mirror) but should I still report the incident? I got his registration along with the name of the company on the van. In his defence, he did stop though he was looking to blame me until a passerby offered to give me his details as a potential witness...

[DOD]Asprilla · 25 May 2010 at 14:49

Stopping isn't a defence, it's a legal requirement to give you his insurance details, as is calling the police if you are in any way injured (that includes cuts and bruises).

Report him, write everything about what happened down now and take pictures of everything (you, the bike, the scene, etc)

I hope you got the details of the witness.

One More Solo · 25 May 2010 at 14:52

[DOD]Asprilla;16620378 said:
Stopping isn't a defence, it's a legal requirement to give you his insurance details, as is calling the police if you are in any way injured (that includes cuts and bruises).

Report him, write everything about what happened down now and take pictures of everything (you, the bike, the scene, etc)

I hope you got the details of the witness.

I didn't get the witness' details, just took the guys registration and got on with it. I'm not really sure where to go with it, it was such a minor incident but it is an inconvenience.

And which police number do I report it to?

[DOD]Asprilla · 25 May 2010 at 14:54

Who is going to pay for your replacement handlebar?

One More Solo · 25 May 2010 at 14:57

[DOD]Asprilla;16620427 said:
Who is going to pay for your replacement handlebar?

I'm not sure whether it needs to be replaced or not but I need to have a look and assess everything. What number do you recommend reporting it to? I will write a report and take some pictures of myself and the bike.

Hamster · 25 May 2010 at 14:59

One More Solo said:
I didn't get the witness' details, just took the guys registration and got on with it. I'm not really sure where to go with it, it was such a minor incident but it is an inconvenience.

And which police number do I report it to?

For future, if there are witnesses, then do take down their details. What happens if you report this to the police and the van driver changes his story claiming it's your fault? It could be your word against his.

weescott · 25 May 2010 at 15:57

When a friend of mine got knocked off his bike he got new handlebars. Even though there was no sign of damage. It's a key component that you don't want failing. He also got a new set of gloves and a riding top. Police were not involved as they admitted liability and offered to pay for the damage. Report it to the police and expect payment for replacement bars as a MINIMUM. Take your bike into your local bike shop for assesment too.

R0B75 · 25 May 2010 at 18:56

weescott said:
Sound like it's either the cassette is loose or the bearings in the freehub need replaced. Take the rear wheel off and check for play.

How much play should there be on the cassette? I say that because there's the tiniest bit of play in the cassette, no movement anywhere else though.

However, after taking the crank off and cleaning/lubing the bottom bracket and trying again the noise was still there so took off and cable tied the rear brake caliper away from the disc and the noise disappeared. So it was the pads clanging against the disc. Took the rear brake apart, pushed pistons further in and refitted everything and the noise has gone completely. Sorted.

Thanks for the suggestions and links, they will help me future I have no doubt

ichabod crane · 25 May 2010 at 19:07

R0B75 said:
How much play should there be on the cassette? I say that because there's the tiniest bit of play in the cassette, no movement anywhere else though.

However, after taking the crank off and cleaning/lubing the bottom bracket and trying again the noise was still there so took off and cable tied the rear brake caliper away from the disc and the noise disappeared. So it was the pads clanging against the disc. Took the rear brake apart, pushed pistons further in and refitted everything and the noise has gone completely. Sorted.

Thanks for the suggestions and links, they will help me future I have no doubt

lol rattling pads! At least its sorted

.

R0B75 · 25 May 2010 at 19:10

I take it that rattling pads is common? One thing I know it was bloomin annoying.

ichabod crane · 25 May 2010 at 19:16

R0B75 said:
I take it that rattling pads is common? One thing I know it was bloomin annoying.

Ive had it a few times on my tech X2's a few of the pad springs have been duff.

One More Solo · 25 May 2010 at 19:38

JoeMama said:
For future, if there are witnesses, then do take down their details. What happens if you report this to the police and the van driver changes his story claiming it's your fault? It could be your word against his.

I've thought about it this afternoon and I'm not going to press charges at this stage, I've checked my bike over and there's only minimal damage, which I've easily repaired.

I'm taking it as a useful experience though as should anything (hopefully not) occur in the future I'll be much better prepared for it- with the shock of it I just wanted to go home really! I'll be giving van drivers an even wider berth for the next few weeks, it makes you realise how vulnerable you can be on the roads even if you're riding conservatively. Still, one non-fault accident in 18 months on London roads is good going I think!

hk3948 · 25 May 2010 at 20:43

Hey guys. Though id post some pics of my new'ish' bike. Got it a couple of weeks ago. Luving it so far. Was just wondering whether anyone can spot any obvious upgrades that i could make without spending a whole lot more money.

So far, have changed the grips to some lock on grips and replaced the spd pedals with some wellgo magnesium flat pedals which are great.

Any other thoughts? Mainl use is offroad, trail riding mainly

cheers

ichabod crane · 25 May 2010 at 20:52

Shorten that front brake hose for a start before you garrotte some wildlife!

R0B75 · 25 May 2010 at 21:01

hk3948 said:
Hey guys. Though id post some pics of my new'ish' bike. Got it a couple of weeks ago. Luving it so far. Was just wondering whether anyone can spot any obvious upgrades that i could make without spending a whole lot more money.

So far, have changed the grips to some lock on grips and replaced the spd pedals with some wellgo magnesium flat pedals which are great.

Any other thoughts? Mainl use is offroad, trail riding mainly

cheers

Tidy looking bike. I wouldn't change anything immediately, except as IC said, that brake hose is an issue.