Mountain Biking - Break in Periods?

Hey, I just got a new hardrock comp, do bikes like these have to be broken in slowly? Or can i just hit the jumps hard?

Bikes in general need to be broken in. Ive had mine for almost a month and it rides different then when I first got it. Ride it around the block for an hour or so twice a weak. Switch gears alot to get the deraillers nice and smooth. Do you have disc brakes? The rotor needs to get a feel for the pads. Bleed them in gently at first, dont squeeze the lever too hard.

Nope i dont have disc breaks...

Its actually spelled brakes.

Anyway, V brakes need to be bleeded also. When the rim is new, its very smooth. V brakes you can squeeze the lever a bit harder.

Since when do V-brakes need to be bled? I work in a shop and I've never heard of such a thing

Originally posted by Raiyn
Since when do V-brakes need to be bled? I work in a shop and I've never heard of such a thing

I sometimes end up pricking my finger on the cable ends when installing/adjusting my V-brakes. Does that count?

Originally posted by khuon
I sometimes end up pricking my finger on the cable ends when installing/adjusting my V-brakes. Does that count?

I don't see why not. Wounds are the most meritous of cycling woes.

Perhaps "bled" is not the intended term, ease up guys. You know what he meant. Vee's need to be "Broken In" or "Set". More specifically all your cables will lengthen a wee bit when new. The more you use your shifters initially the quicker this will happen. If you look closely, a shift or brake cable is a number of small pieces of wire wound together to form a single cable. As you use the cable it "stretches". By that, I mean the individual strands get pulled tighter and result in a slightly longer cable.

You can make up the slack by turning your barrel adjusters out to compensate, but if your unfamiliar with bicycle mechanics you may go too far and mess up your shifting. Brakes are easier, you can adjust those to proper "Feel". With your shifters, I suggest you make your adjustments in 1/4 turn increments and then test ride to see how the changes affect the performance. Do this at least until you understand what your trying to accomplish.

L8R

hey that breaks thing was i typo i know how to spell brakes...

Originally posted by Raiyn
Since when do V-brakes need to be bled? I work in a shop and I've never heard of such a thing


Set, thats the term I was looking for. Not bled, doh!

my bad......i beat the **** out of my brakes when i got my bike. I have discs and i loved to test them and see how well I could skid. Will my bike be ok? I have free adjustements for a year.

No, not a significant matter for a bicycle.

anyone else have any ideas about what i said above?

Hey Slick, what do you mean will my bike be ok? It all depends on how you ride it and how you take care of it. If you're going to beat the snot out of it on a regular basis, don't be expecting to last all too long! Take care of it and it'll last a long time. Beat it and you'll break it!

L8R