New bike questions
09-02-07, 04:49 PM
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New bike questions
I just got a new bike (Trek Fuel EX8) after 13 years on a hardtail. I've got a couple of questions for you guys.
I haven't been able to get to any trails, so I've been out in town trying to find all the potholes and tree roots to sort out my ride. Basically riding over everything I avoid when I ride my road bike.
On disc brakes - Avid Juicy Five (160mm Front, 185mm Rear) - I've noticed that while cornering with some speed that the rotors grind against the brake pads. Not all the time, but the sound is like nails on a chalkboard. THis happend on both the front and rear disc brakes. Is this normal due to the bike flexing when I'm cornering and the bike is leaning heavily to one side?
On Front Shocks - (Fox Float 32 RL) - I opened up the schrader fill valve on the left side to release some air pressure. I used a flat end of a pen to depress the valve. When I did, liquid shot out. What is this liquid and is this something that I need to monitor/replace over time? I was too surprised with the liquid that I just plugged in the pump to get it to the pressure I wanted and closed it up again. I didn't depress the valve again to see if more liquid would shoot out.
On Handlebar width - This Bontrager Riser bar measures 26". My old setup only used 22". The kid at the bike shop laughed when I told him I was gonna put bar ends on it. The bars are so wide that when I have my hands on the bar ends it is uncomfortable. I like to pull up on the bar ends when I stand up and pedal to get some speed and/or go up hills or just rest my hands on them to get a different hand position. There must be a reason bars are 26" now, but I'd like to cut them down to the same length as my old bars. Is there anything wrong with me doing this?
Can bars be cut with a tube cutter like the ones plumbers use to cut copper pipe? I'd like to do it without taking the bars off the bike otherwise back to the shop to get it done.
THanks.
I haven't been able to get to any trails, so I've been out in town trying to find all the potholes and tree roots to sort out my ride. Basically riding over everything I avoid when I ride my road bike.
On disc brakes - Avid Juicy Five (160mm Front, 185mm Rear) - I've noticed that while cornering with some speed that the rotors grind against the brake pads. Not all the time, but the sound is like nails on a chalkboard. THis happend on both the front and rear disc brakes. Is this normal due to the bike flexing when I'm cornering and the bike is leaning heavily to one side?
On Front Shocks - (Fox Float 32 RL) - I opened up the schrader fill valve on the left side to release some air pressure. I used a flat end of a pen to depress the valve. When I did, liquid shot out. What is this liquid and is this something that I need to monitor/replace over time? I was too surprised with the liquid that I just plugged in the pump to get it to the pressure I wanted and closed it up again. I didn't depress the valve again to see if more liquid would shoot out.
On Handlebar width - This Bontrager Riser bar measures 26". My old setup only used 22". The kid at the bike shop laughed when I told him I was gonna put bar ends on it. The bars are so wide that when I have my hands on the bar ends it is uncomfortable. I like to pull up on the bar ends when I stand up and pedal to get some speed and/or go up hills or just rest my hands on them to get a different hand position. There must be a reason bars are 26" now, but I'd like to cut them down to the same length as my old bars. Is there anything wrong with me doing this?
Can bars be cut with a tube cutter like the ones plumbers use to cut copper pipe? I'd like to do it without taking the bars off the bike otherwise back to the shop to get it done.
THanks.
