Timing chain adjustment
 

Was really surprised there are no YouTube videos on adjusting the wedges on a Cannondale to tighten the timing chain. I loosened the wedge bolt a few turns but couldn't get the wedge to rotate (broke a screwdriver tip trying to apply leverage).

Any tips out there on how to free the wedge? Do I have to completely remove the screw, is there anything else to loosen?

Do not pound on the bolt!
Pounding on the bolt will blow out the wedge threads destroying the eccentric.
Loosen/remove the bolt, then use a mallet to pound the body away from the wedge.

No worries about pounding on the bolt I'm trying to be careful. The instructions I have found coupled with scarce videos basically say loosen the bolt. Stick a hex wrench in one of the other holes, add leverage, and turn the assembly. Problem is I've loosened the bolt added the leverage and nothing is moving. Was not sure if I missed a step and what exactly should I hit with a mallet?

I'm not trying to remove anything, just rotate to increase the timing chain tension.

Gg
 

ty

https://www.cannondale.com/-/media/f..._ce_en_scr.pdf

See pages 15-16.

I've always loosened the cap screw then threaded a cap screw in with appropriate shaped washer from the otherside and pulled the wedge free then its easy adjustment from then on.

That's the guide I am using, which looks like loosen the fixing bolt and everything should slide nice-nice. To be clear the centering bolt remains untouched? Just loosen the fixing bolt a few turns and using the keyholes it should rotate?

I see removing the wedge mentioned also, but is that neccessary?

Is there any chance you are loosening the thread cap, instead of going through it with a 4mm allen and loosening the fixing bolt?

It's been a while since I have done this, but I noticed ours is a bit loose. I will check it out and see if I get any insights.

UPDATE: On our 2004 bike, I couldn't see a thread cap. Whether that means it's a model variant, or I have bad eyes, or it's gone missing, I can't say. All I did was insert a 4mm allen, turn the fixing bolt a couple of turns, and was able to turn the eccentric with an allen (5mm if I recall) in the keyhole. Then I re-tightened the fixing bolt and all seems well.

Our Burley has a very similar (if not identical) eccentric and the "fixing bolt" needs to push against the "thread cap" when you loosen it, this pulls the wedges free. Somehow our thread cap came out, its hard to notice its gone unless you are used to looking at your BB. You might want to give Mel a call at Tandems East, he had the eccentric cap that we needed, and he'd also know if it would fit a Cannondale.
Eccentrics available from Tandems East

https://www.bikeforums.net/tandem-cy...ic-frozen.html

go down until you see WheelsNT post. I had the same issue, this is the fix.