Trail-A-Bike very difficult to fold - time to file some metal?
07-07-12, 10:31 PM
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Trail-A-Bike very difficult to fold - time to file some metal?
I just got a used steel Adams Trail-A-Bike Folder, and it basically won't fold. After removing the seatpost, even using my weight I can only get it to fold about 1mm. Straightening it back out required a rubber mallet. No, there's no pin in the lower hinge area's frame locking hole. I didn't see any signs of rust around the hinge mechanism, so I'm not sure what the problem is.
I'm tempted to use the mallet to whack it fully folded and then file or grind steel off the upper part of the seat tube until it's reasonably easy to open & close (who knows, maybe all that's needed is to take off some paint). But I fear there may be some terrible alignment problem, and it might be incredibly difficult to re-assemble if I force it to fold enough for the seat post to separate.
Has anybody run across this problem before?
Thanks.
-Peter
I'm tempted to use the mallet to whack it fully folded and then file or grind steel off the upper part of the seat tube until it's reasonably easy to open & close (who knows, maybe all that's needed is to take off some paint). But I fear there may be some terrible alignment problem, and it might be incredibly difficult to re-assemble if I force it to fold enough for the seat post to separate.
Has anybody run across this problem before?
Thanks.
-Peter
07-07-12, 10:49 PM
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Before you whack and/or grind away at it have you tried BB Blaster on the hinged areas? Spray some on and let it soak for 20 minutes or so and see what happens.
Then while it's soaking in the BB Blaster read this: https://www.trail-a-bike.com/img/manu....manual.en.pdf
It obviously worked when it was new so I doubt it needs whacking and grinding unless it was involved in an accident.
Then while it's soaking in the BB Blaster read this: https://www.trail-a-bike.com/img/manu....manual.en.pdf
It obviously worked when it was new so I doubt it needs whacking and grinding unless it was involved in an accident.
07-07-12, 10:54 PM
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Thanks. I don't have PB Blaster, but I've got some penetrating oil, and probably a can of Liquid Wrench around here somewhere...
07-08-12, 12:09 AM
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09-29-12, 03:23 PM
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PB Blaster did not help, but CRC Freeze Off did. The problem was a combination of a stiff joint (perhaps a bit of rust) and frame alignment. Three or four CRC Freeze Off treatments loosened it enough that I could fold the Trail-A-Bike, and once I did it was evident that the front TaB frame is bent a bit -- the alignment on the seat tube is off by 2-3 mm, more than I'd want to shave. So I can now fold the unit, but in order to straighten it back up for use, I have to put the seatpost in the front part and use it as a lever so that the front will sit on the back properly. I did end up filing some metal, as I got some sharp burrs when I first folded the TaB completely, and I don't want those enywhere near my kids. It's a steel TaB, so I am not at all worried about having to lever the frame to straighten it; material characteristics work in my favor on strength even if they were part of the problem, too (rust).
Thanks, everyone!
Thanks, everyone!
