chris_pnoy

Woot woot!





That is my little sister. If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all, afterall, she is a minor. In the background is my other toy. I just got it today. I've been playing with it and boy that Bruiser is great.

I love the way it handles. The gearing is a little lower then what I'm used to. It probably was becasue I came from a rigid old school bike with light weight tires and less gears. It absorbs bumps and drops really well too! Overall, I love it!


Questions:On my way back from the place I got it from, I had to remove the front brakes to get the front wheel off so it could fit in the Civic. When I put it back on, the front brakes don't seem to be even (one is closer to the rim). Do I just mess with that screw near them (noticeable in the second shot)? Or do I play with that thing that needs an allen wrench? Also, is Trek using a Metric system or an American system? I was just wondering becuase I'm pretty sure both kinds of allen wrenches that I have would fit in the same hole. I also wonder what that sound is whenever I do some large drops and jumps that sounds like a kickstand hitting the frame, even though it doesn't have a stand.

Tweek

Awesome bike man.

Take the reflectors off though

a2psyklnut

First make sure you front wheel is all the way in the drop-outs. If that doesn't work, squeeze the levers a couple times. The brakes should've been adjusted at the shop. That little screw on the brake arms increases or decreases spring tension. You can loosen the one on the other side and that should even out the arms. Or, tighten the one that needs to be further out. Squeeze the level in between adjustments.

Metric. Most all mountain and road bikes use Metric. For some stupid reason BMX bikes still use American.

That's the chain slapping the chain stay. (tubing from bottom bracket to rear hub). You can buy a neoprene cover or make your own using plastic tubing, handlebar (road bike) tape, or an old inner tube.

Me? Chain slap adds character to a frame!

KleinRider

I imagine that you put the wheel back on "slightly" crooked. Just loosen the quick release with the bike upright on the group and retighten. I'm guessing that should take care of it.

I believe it's common these days to use metric systems on bikes (except BMX).

That sound you hear is probably your chain slapping the chain stay when you land.

Nice bike, and congrats (again).

EDIT: Looks like someone beat me to it!

LowCel 

Congrats on the new bike.

Just about all bikes use metric sizes.

The noise is probably the chain hitting the frame. Get used to it. Seriously though, do a search and you will find cheap chainstay protectors using an old intertube and zip ties or electrical tape. You can also get a lizard skins chainstay protector for a few bucks.

Drunken Chicken

First of all, congrats, sweet bike. Second of all: I had the same problem a few weeks ago on my Specialized Hardrock and I spent about 1 hour tweaking the screws on either side of the brake arms.
https://www.parktool.com/repair_help/...arbrakes.shtml
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Link to webpage where it's explained fairly well, in the "Tighten screw to pull away" picture, mess around with those screws (with moderation ) until you get the perfect balance. It took me ages but now my brakes are working great.
Take the reflectors off and unscrew the pedal reflectors, they break really easily and they'll just litter the trails once they come off.
EDIT: Well I'll be damned, I post and alas, there are three posts before mine. I'm slow.

KleinRider

we all answered at basically the same time!

Drunken Chicken

chris_pnoy

^^ DUDE, you totally rock!

ok, I don't sound like that in real life, but you're great.

hahaha... I didn't even notice all the reflectors on it...

I was riding and I already heard someone say something good about my bike.

chris_pnoy

Wow, bwahahaha... ok, everyone that answered mad props. Thank you all!

Drunken Chicken

Oh yeah, as for the chain slap (the noise you talked about), make a chainstay protector out of tennis racket grip, old inner tubes, whatever, or just buy Lizard Skin Chainstay Protector as someone above stated.

chris_pnoy

Wait, that is the only part that I don't get. What is hitting what?

KleinRider

chain slap. It's where the chain will hit the tube that runs from the BB (where the cranks/pedals are) to the rear of the bike where the rear wheel attaches. The top of the chain will move downward when you land, for instance, and hit that tube.

UAEBiker

I love my friends Scott. It has an elevated chain stay. No chain slap. I jump over something and there is slapage all over the place buy when he does it sounds smooth. ahh. I should get and old tube and put it on there...

LowCel 

My Superlight had an elevated chainstay as well. I still got chain slap though. The upper chain would go up and hit the bottom of the chainstay. Not nearly as bad as a normal chainstay though. I have had to get used to constant chainslap again now that I have my Truth.

jsigone

Nice bike

The stock brakes are OK till you do some narly downhill type stuff. I don't know what type of riding you are planning on doing but if you doing long (15-20) down hill sections get some better brakes. Your hands will thank you later. Avids dics mechs are cheap and work damn good for DH stuff

did I mention they look good too

What size frame did you get? I don't think you'll have a prob with you knees hitting the handlebars or shifters but if you do, get a longer stem and higher riser bars. These makes a world of difference climbing steep stuff off the saddle.

Have fun with the new toy. Take some action pics when u can

chris_pnoy

I got the 16.5" one. No problems with handle bars or knees so far, but I haven't practiced on anything extremely technical. I will see if I can do something this weekend.

jsigone

you should be fine with the large frame.

the wonginator

*drools*

Wow.... Thats sick! I have been wanting a bruiser 1 ever since I saw it, and now... I hope the LBS doesn't sell theirs before the end of summer!

Jason222

nice bike, mines better!

chris_pnoy

I just got back from a ride around a couple of blocks... Wow. I got uphill in grass! That was cool. I never did that on my old bike. I also was able to go down some really crappy asphalt path without worrying about the stabiltiy. I just lean back on it and ride it... That thing is so fun!

I have to keep coming back to the house because I don't have a water bottle or a camelbak yet. So, I have to grab water here at the house.

Another question for all the pro's out there. When jumping curbs/ out of place cement, is it better to lift the front end and let the back to the absorbtion or to let the front suspension to its job? Also, is it better to go quickly or slowly?

chris_pnoy

A Bruiser 2 eh? Cool. In a couple of years, I might upgrade to a Bruiser 3 if that is still around.

bruiser2

Do your really want the heavier bike? I wouldn't want to pedal that thing unless i was doing some extreme ****, which I don't plan on doing anytime soon.
And for the curb jumping question, never land on your front tire, that could cause you to slightly turn the wheel and flip. Try to land on both tires at nearly the same time, back wheel first. if you do this the front suspension WILL do it's job.

jsigone

how much the bruiser 2 weigh in at?

My bike with the upgrades is a hair over 31 lbs

bruiser2

I'm not sure exactly how much mine weighs, but i would like to know why it weighs MORE that your bike. Maybe its my fork or soemthing. I'd say mines between 35-40 pounds. Do you know if the actual frame is lighter, I'm pretty sure they are identical though. Maybe its the wheelset.