Bicycle Mechanics - front end rattling on hard braking

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Dan0930
07-08-04, 06:27 AM
I have a new road bike and when I brake hard i get a lot of rattling in the front end kind of like the fork is bouncing around in the frame. Is there anything to solve this or is this just simply a reality i have to live with.

demoncyclist
07-08-04, 06:33 AM
TAke it back to the LBS and have them check it out.
Retro Grouch
07-08-04, 06:37 AM
I have a new road bike and when I brake hard i get a lot of rattling in the front end kind of like the fork is bouncing around in the frame. Is there anything to solve this or is this just simply a reality i have to live with.

Before you ride your bike again, do this:
1. Straddle your bike and pull and hold the front brake.
2. Try to push your bike forward.
Do you feel a "click"? If you do, you need to get your headset adjusted PRONTO - before you ride again. Riding with a loose headset will eventually ovalize your head tube. There is no repair short of a new frame for that. Hopefully, it hasn't already ovelized.

nutbag
07-08-04, 06:41 AM
It's most likely a loose head-set, but it could also be a loose brake caliper, or (less likely) it could just be that the brake blocks "don't like" the rim.
EagleEye
07-08-04, 07:53 AM
It's most likely a loose head-set, but it could also be a loose brake caliper, or (less likely) it could just be that the brake blocks "don't like" the rim.

Could also be the rim.
Jay_2004
07-08-04, 03:10 PM
its the headset
Revtor
07-08-04, 07:08 PM
if it's an audible rattling, and you can feel an actual back and forth movement then its most likely the headset being loose... BUT I noticed that on my new bike, with an alum fork, if I straddle the frame and hold the front brake, I can easily rock the bike back and forth, flexing the fork. When riding and hard on the front brake, this causes a bouncy oscillation in the fork that almost feels like a rattle.. (but no sound) so if everything seems tight, then it may be this!

~STeve
Dan0930
07-08-04, 10:20 PM
I have a new road bike and when I brake hard i get a lot of rattling in the front end kind of like the fork is bouncing around in the frame. Is there anything to solve this or is this just simply a reality i have to live with.


Thanks guys for the input I'll call the LBS tomorrow and have them fix it.
roadfix
07-09-04, 12:05 AM
Loose headset or brake chatter....