No MySpace for me, I have my own website.
http://www.pnw4runners.com/fjc/
My forks squeek when they compress going over a bump.
Did that since I brought it home.
Defective, or just need breaking in?
Maybe the shop owes me a new fork?
I was thinking of going there tomorrow to look at jerseys and maybe pick up some of that fork lube.
Bummer to hear it attracts dust Bob.

I may play around with my settings tomorrow, but I would like to find out why mine makes that noise when it compresses.

 

Bob, I have been reading in the mags that 27" bars are all the rage.
If they are to wide, you can cut them down too.

 

flash, one more time. Today's three hour ride was mostly in the saddle. That showed a weakness in the Indie XC saddle covering. It's more friction than I'm used to compared to my leather Brooks Swift Ti creating excess heat. Is there one out there with a slick, water resistant covering that's also light and somewhat cushioned?

 

the easton bars are awesome bars, no question about it. But if you arent racing, the aluminum ones will be almost as light, just as strong, and like you said, more forgiving to torque specs. And if you hit something real hard on the trail, youll be able to ride home. I run a specialized flat bar that I had lying around from my last bike. Nothing to write home about, light and does its job.

corey, your squeaking fork could be a bad seal or something, or it could be just the coil spring inside. Coil forks tend to make some noise going over bumps, depends how loud it is and what kinda squak it is. For this purpose, a dab of judy butter will help you diagnose the squeak. If the grease gets rid of the noise, it was a seal, and that should fix the problem for a good long time. Otherwise, chances are, its just how the fork is.

 

Thanks Flash, I will pick up some of that oil tomorrow at the shop.
If it keeps squeaking, I may make a vid if I can to let you hear it.

 

I just measured the Monkeylites @ 27". I feel faster already! What I really like about them is the reduced height and sweep compared to OEM. It places wrists at a more comfy angle reducing palm and little finger numbness.

 

Adjusting the spd pedals...look for an allen screw at the back of the pedal, 3mm, I think. There's one on each side of each pedal. There (at least used to be) a +/- that shows which way to turn.

I've 4 mtn bikes, this is the one I've been riding most of late....


Going up Old Fall Rd in Rocky Mtn National. We also did the Tipperary Creek loop in Winter Park and Klondike in Moab as well as Got Milk? in Vernal this vacation, but his twisted wrist was aching so we took it 'easy' this ride. That's my poor husband patiently waiting for us. It's a 100 pounds w/kid- we aren't fast, but we get there!
The hubby's on his Ellsworth Truth- with a lovely HOW MUCH DID YOU SPEND????? Fox fork.
Yes, we made it to the top. Down was a lot more fun!
The pics were taken by a stranger who later emailed a link to me. They're so beautiful, I hope she doesn't mind my sharing.

I actually use Yeti grips, the plain version- not lock ons. Can't remember what bar I've got on the Super Caliber, but I'd be surprised if they sell it anymore. That was back when Carbon Fiber was kinda scary stuff.
Edit:
Ok, I looked. Enduro is all I can see. It was a strong, fairly light bar in its time.

 

Nice country Hab.
Here are my pedals again.



So that allen wrench bolt on the rear looks like it is the one to turn?
I do not see a +/- value, but maybe it is there.

Yes, mine are way to tight now.
I will feel better getting them loose.
I think I will stick with these pedals too for awhile, as I would feel more comfortable being a newb to the SPD thing being able to ride the other way too.
And there may be times when I do not want to slip on the SPD shoes.

These new Merrell water sandals with Vibram soles are pretty comfortable to ride in too.

 

That's the one, there's one on the other side too, don't forget to do both. Mine are lefty loosey, righty tighty. Do a click or two to each side, check, do another click or two. If it gets harder to clip out you've gone the wrong way! Do both sides of the pedal each time to try to keep it even. Repeat on the other pedal. Don't get 'em so loose they release when you're pedaling.

 

Cool, thanks, I will monkey around with it tomorrow.
Did not realize there are two allens to adjust.

 

2 sides, 2 allens, 2 pedals, 4 allens. Take your time. You'll find once you're used to them you'll tighten them back up a little, but it's nice to be able to bail super quick when you're starting out.

 

Hab, beautiful pictures indeed, thanks for sharing. I will no longer whine about pushing 29" wheels up a hill near sea level.

I found three different sizes of allens on my bike handlebars counting the new grips and three different torque settings. That makes a budget solution using the one el cheapo wrench calibrated for 5 Nm impractical. I'll just take everything to my dealer and have them install things properly including the new cluster.

 

If yours are like my PD-M SPD's, CCW is looser, CW is tighter. Start fully CCW and then CW one detent to start.

Honestly though, I'm so impressed with the Candy X pedal ease of entry and release that I think it would help beginners more than anyone. I didn't think it possible to find a smoother action than Shimano, but Crank Brothers have exceeded expectations.

http://www.universalcycles.com/shopp...7&category=113

 

The price is right on those too Bob.
Maybe next year after I am more confident with clipless I may look into them.
But if you want to ride normal too not clipped in, these would be to hard to use that way right?

 

Right, they're made for use with their cleats. Still, if you need to bail and restart uphill on an uneven slick surface (me yesterday), their platforms worked better than SPD's. The Candy spring bends flat until they "find" the cleat and snap in leaving the small platform for support. SPD's have the awkward feeling clamping setup that isn't as secure feeling until snapped in.

Heading back to Powell Butte this morning with an advanced level friend on his Cannondale hardtail 26" something or other. No way will I try to stay with him!

 

Hope you have a great ride Bob.

Now back to my pedals, mine only have one adjustment per pedal.
No gauge marks on it.
I stuck in a 3 mm allen tip and turned counterclockwise, and they "click" when you turn them so far, pretty cool.
You can really feel it when it clicks.

 

One adjustment? Cool!
Told you my stuff was ooooolllllldddddd!



I'm currently at 800' above sea level.......riding in Colorado leaves me breathless, and it's not just the scenery!
I sure don't mind leaving the humidity at home, though!

Friday I put the roadie wheels on, took my son to school, then did a 52 mile ride sans stoker in the Missouri hills. Got a few looks and one "You forgot somebody!!!" during that ride. Some idiot honked and gestured wildly at the bike path I was riding next to. Wish I'd gotten the chance to tell him 15+ mph is unsuitable for a populated trail and also that while the path was going straight I'd be turning at the light in the next hundred feet. Oy! Why I have a love/hate for bike/walking paths......some ignorant people on them and some in cars yelling about them.
When I got home the hubby and I went for a short 10 mile ride in the woods. I rode the Supercaliber there. Ahhhhhhh.

That's the good 'ahhhhhh', not the scream one.

Today was a 45 mile road ride with stoker. Beautiful day for it, hard to believe it's August. Too cool and dry for my okra, but perfect for me.


How was your ride, Bob? Get spanked?

 

hab, we met at Powell Butte and found an orienteering club outing in progress. About 100 dweebs with their compasses and maps wandering around clogging the trails. So we left and headed out on the Springwater Trail with a clear sky, calm, 80 deg., to the end and circled back by road. Mostly it was a graveled railroad bed, sea level start to 1,200' and back.

Thanks to the big wheels and pumped tires I did OK pacing. The fork is amazing allowing float over rough stuff then locked out for the road home. Total 35 miles and almost three hours.

I'm really enjoying the versatility of my MTB. Where I used to turn around on skinny tires I keep going, experiencing new trails for the first time. Having a fun time with the learning curve as each ride gets better and confidence builds.

Next year Ouray? ;-}

 

flash, a 100 mile break-in update.

Maxxis tires are amazing. They grip most anything I've tried so far from dry to damp and mossy, small roots and rocks but no mud yet. I think the centers are showing wear already.

The fork is impressive. So many tweaks and the on-the-fly lockout works.

BB under load sounds like the middle Budweiser frog, a mixed croak/creak.

Front derailleur blows. It isn't alignment, it's unreliable. One time OK, next time it wants to suck the chain. Sometimes it rubs in higher gears, sometimes not. Maybe I'll warranty it but really would like your opinion about an upgrade that would handle a 44T chainring better than this crappy Deore.

Rear derailleur is fine. Once I install the new cassette with even spacing it'll be ideal.

Pedals are everything you said and more. You learn something new...

Saddle will be replaced with my Brooks tomorrow.

Bars and grips I posted about above.

Brakes are phenomenal.

Altogether this thing is a blast and is an outstanding platform worthy of upgrades. Five flaming chillis.

 

Bob, glad the bike is coming along.

My shoes click out a lot easier now after backing off on the tension adjustments.
And there is an area on them shows what setting, just kind of hard to read on mine.

You have the same saddle I have right?
So far mine is working out great with my old bike shorts.
My new shorts arrive Tuesday, I hope the chamois in it is as thick as my old pair.
They really do help.