Still jumping like a little crazy thing
My lad is the 3rd rider down
As some of you may have seen, my lad is getting bigger and harder at jumping on a week by week basis. The speed they're all carrying into jumps and therefore the height and distances they're carrying is absolutley crazy. The problem comes with the suspension taking a hammering now at times, so today we had a chat about him bottoming his shock out constantly.... Which wasn't ideal of course, but not impossible to sort.
So what you need is 'volume spacers'
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These in essence change how the suspension curve works so it ramps the pressure differently and won't (in theory) bottom out quite as easily.
So whipped the shock out and removed the air can..... Well... i actually never... it was IMPOSSIBLE !!!! Even holding it in a vice it wasn't shifting.... Some say to use a wrench strap, but i didn't have one lying about.
I then came across a post which said to use this technique
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51126843626_e7c63e0149_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51126843626_e7c63e0149_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2kTUrnU ]2021-04-20_09-09-50[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/152318156@N08/ ]Steve Weeks[/url], on Flickr
Holding it in your workstand with an old inner tube to secure and stop damage, then undo the top piece... Which actually worked a charm. Picked the large spacer and will send him out tonight to test, well, i say 'send him' he's desperate to head out anyway lol. So i'll not have to send him.
So what you need is ‘volume spacers’
Don't forget you'll also need to increase the air pressure as he gets heavier, to maintain sag.
Don’t forget you’ll also need to increase the air pressure as he gets heavier, to maintain sag
Sure mate, goes without saying yeah. Currently sticking more air in it isn't helping though, hence why i thought i'd check the volume spacers. It had none installed at all, so it's now got the larger one in there. His problem is, even though he's quite light, they're hitting things hard, fast and landing hard at times too. It's astounding to watch just how hard they hit things, well, astounding to me anyway. My lad was away with the MiL this weekend so was gutted that his 2 mates did the new black final gap at Swinley Summit, so he'll be hitting that soon as we can... Although with plans currently he may have to wait a little while.
Never bloody ends with these things. I noticed when putting it all back together we had a bit of wheel wobble on the back.
Trying to feel if it's frame bearings or wheel, after all i only swapped the wheel bearings a couple of weeks back.
Easiest way to find the answer was to fit the spare wheel of course... nothing, not a slight movement at all. Perfect.
I then had a play with his and noticed we have 3 caps, 1 on the drive side, 2 on the non-drive side. One of them was slightly loose, so tightened it up and it's all golden again.
It makes me laugh the time and effort me and one of the other parents puts in. He's got 2 of the jumpy kids and obviously 2 bikes to spanner. The pair of us put countless hours in.
My lad made me laugh this morning as he was asking about a job that his mate needs doing on his bike but didn't want to ask me to do.
"how much will it cost if Alex gets that done at Banjo Cycles?".....
"about £50 was my reply"
"oh wow, really "
"Yes son, really really"
I think he's now starting to grasp the countless money we'd be shelling out if i couldn't do all of this stuff.
My lad is the 3rd rider down
effort 😎
was hoping for a whip and a scrub on the tree where the bark was missing though
was hoping for a whip and a scrub on the tree where the bark was missing though
LOL i'm sure he'd do requests if i asked. They're constantly working on technique, changing, moving the bike and themselves in the air. But mostly they just wanna go bigger and bigger, which i'm trying to reign them back on and instead of going bigger, to do it 'better'. I'm hoping and thinking they're starting slowly to listen. But they sit and watch Youtube with people going massive and that's what they want to do, forgetting that they're only 12 years old of course !
how much will it cost if Alex gets that done at Banjo Cycles?”…..
Don't discount Bikelux for a lot of jobs, might have less waiting times too.
They take fix your bike vouchers too 😜
Couple of the guys I ride with have lads the same age. The stuff they are now doing is insane, again they spend their time either riding and digging or watching you tube, just no fear hitting the big stuff. It's costing my mate a fortune keeping his son's Bossnut rolling as it just keeps getting smashed to pieces (broken shock bolts, axles, fork dampers, mechs), he's got a new bike on order but we all know the issue with lead times. Us 'dads' are now just competing with ourselves to get better.
it's my lads 13th birthday in the not too distant future and he's got a full on National Level Downhill race in Wales in Sept.
So i thought we'd send him there kitted out in a custom jersey.
for anyone doesn't know, don't ask how much they are LOL... they're bonkers expensive.
This is his bike below so we went on a theme based upon the bike colours.
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50493615277_0252e2467c_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50493615277_0252e2467c_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2jVWYDK ]2020-10-16_07-43-44[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/152318156@N08/ ]Steve Weeks[/url], on Flickr
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This is some of his latest work.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RofxwKSYm0c
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sX7CkUHdbYY
Like
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Top looks good, garage looks tidy.
Hope he is still enjoying the bike and good luck with the racing.
I'm going through the parts in the back of the camper and realised we have two Enduro shocks that we no longer have bikes that they fit, unless I can get one in the Levo.
Full send Weeksy jnr! Excellent dadding! 👌🤘
and realised we have two Enduro shocks
Cool. Should be enough spares for a full weekend's riding 😈
I’m going through the parts in the back of the camper and realised we have two Enduro shocks that we no longer have bikes that they fit, unless I can get one in the Levo.
We bought a bikeyoke and now run a 210*55 in it instead. However we're not against the idea of a standard one, but in honesty with the shock problems I'm having at the moment in my G160 I don't think I'd make it worth your while, you'd likely do better on eBay.
He absolutely loves the bike yes, it's getting a hard time as you can see by videos but we're looking after it well. It's running like a dream
We cancelled the Enduro tomorrow due to him bashing his knee, which is now a shame as he's actually recovered quicker than expected and we could have raced.
But we're out in a DH race later in the year and plenty of days at bpw etc.
Pity about tomorrow. Keep us updated on how he goes on. Always nice to watch him on the jumps.
Will put them up on pink bike now we are back in the camper.
We bought the spares new as a just in case when Abigale was racing, however hers and mine were faultless so never needed them. It was only when we sold the last one a few weeks ago we realised we no longer had a bike that they would fit.
JErsey got modified slightly as i looked at the colours and the green was too dark to match his bike. So this is the final signed off version from the vendor.
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51164916830_1f1093749e_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51164916830_1f1093749e_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2kXgzds ]51163130957_c690b06f38_k[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/152318156@N08/ ]Steve Weeks[/url], on Flickr
Interesting day today, I decided to fit the Fix DPX2 to the specialized.
Set pressures etc and we went jumping at Swinley Summit.
"Feels the same" was his report. I then sent him out again and report was "no different at all" which considering the way these shocks feel to me is an incredible statement from him. My plan was to potentially buy a 2nd dpx2 and we'd both have them. But I'm not so sure now.
So what we've got is a day of testing for him tomorrow
1. Fox dpx2
2. Monarch RT with 1 spacer
3. Monarch RT with 3 spacers.
If he can't differentiate between the 3 and have a preference then I'll keep my hand in my pocket and wallet safely secured. I'll the fit any to his and the dpx2 goes into my Bird Aether7.
We'll see what comes tomorrow.
I do have a minor techie question if anyone can help please.
Top end of the shock it has 2 spacers that go into the eyelet/DU bushing, this is the shock mounting kit, but that's different to the stuff i'm finding online for mounts which is the longer insert you fit 2 caps onto, which i consider these days to be normal. But his as i say are 2 ally inserts, one each side.
So do i need to new ones of these ? Or do i fit with the usual spacer/caps of obviously the correct length spacer ? Reason is, they're a little marked up from removing/inserting and would make shock swapping for testing a bit easier i we had spares, so no messing about removing them on the trails, could just directly swap the shocks quickly and easily.
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51233407801_23161ee580_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51233407801_23161ee580_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2m4jBcg ]2021-06-08_11-32-23[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/152318156@N08/ ]Steve Weeks[/url], on Flickr
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Brake bleeding and new pads in the sworks today.
My lad was giving his bike a check after he went to the woods and noticed his front pads looked rubbish, along with the fact his levers were a bit too soft, so 20 mins in the garage gets him new pads and both ends bled.
The bike has been exceptionally good though since we bought it. It's needed very little apart from the Ohlins shock which died. I threw in a headset and frame bearings, but that's just day to day stuff.
The lad still loves it and is launching into space daily.
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[url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/152318156@N08/51233406911/ ]2021-06-08_11-31-48[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/152318156@N08/ ]Steve Weeks[/url] - [url= https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.dariogf.flickr2BBcode_lite ]Flickr2BBcode LITE[/url]
Glad to see he is still enjoying it😎
In that video from a month ago titled 'final 2 blacks at swinley summit' I think I know the third guy in train.
Small guy called chris? Rides a vitus?
He's a swinley regular to say the least.
Small guy called chris? Rides a vitus?
Not sure on his name, bit possibly yes. There's a core bunch of 4-7 of them who are quite jumpy and there on Sat mornings.
Sadly the black was closed yesterday so the lads couldn't do it. The landing is being repaired/designed.
He did do the 8' hero drop a few times. He was actually eyeing up the big one but needs Tom Reynolds present before being allowed to hit it.
TH, one of the staff riders did it yesterday, only his 2nd ever time, he was a gibbering mess of adrenaline after doing it. It was funny to see.
As I am sure most of you are aware, Vitus, our incredible bike supplier are shooting in Swinley Forest this week. Vitus have asked if we have any amazing youth riders who would like to be a part of their new branding shoot. Of course, we said there are so many to choose from and your children have been chosen.
This week the boy has been invited to be part of a Vitus photoshoot, which should be absolutely epic. Will be interesting to see what he makes of another model and make of bike as he doesn't often get to ride and jump anything other than his usual bike.
We've got to give permission for the images to be used on Wiggle/CRC media and website... i think the boy may wet himself.
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51284612648_4692f9eef3_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51284612648_4692f9eef3_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2m8R3Bs ]2021-07-02_07-44-11[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/152318156@N08/ ]Steve Weeks[/url], on Flickr
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Lots of birthday treats for this weekend.
Hope he has a good one 🥳
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The boy being cool.
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Minor techie question here for anyone who's taken these apart.
On the axle end of the chainstay there's a pair of bearings. On the outside of the bearing there's 2 spacers.... However, it seems now i've cleaned them up, the spacers are chamfered on one side, flat on the other side. I didn't know this until i'd cleaned them all up and by then it was too late to work out which way round they went lol 🙂 It's only a very small difference, but it'd be nice to know if the chamfer is fitted on the inside, so touching the bearing, or outside...
I can't find a diagram that shows which way round they go
I haven't taken that particular frame apart but normally the top hat washers touch the inner race of the bearing. The outer is held in the frame so the washer ensures the load goes to the inner race.
I think maybe I've described it badly..
Edit: better version below
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Ok, they're the bronze colour ones with the black around the edge.
Lefh hand side, small black one between the big red pair, shows its shape best
Not exactly the same year but general layout looks the same. Has top down drawings of the pivots. The part in your picture had a seal. Should be able to work out out from the drawing and seal location as it appears offset to one side of the washer.
Yeah I've got that and zooming in on top right pic I think I've got them the right way.
Cheers boss
The boys bike had a bit of a creak the other day and we thought we'd got rid of it, but then it came back yesterday.
So last night i stripped the chainstay pivots, bearings and spacers, cleaned, greased, checked and sorted. This morning i moved onto the linkages and gave them all a clean/check and sort. Re-torqued and marked.
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51333591966_cecd6a4608_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51333591966_cecd6a4608_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2mdb5ss ]2021-07-25_10-15-36[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/152318156@N08/ ]Steve Weeks[/url], on Flickr
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Bit of a tip to make sure everything is lined up and help stop creaks.
Loosen all the bolts off a touch then start by tightening the main pivot then compress the shock a few times.
Then do the same with the chainstay pivots.
Then do the linkage working up from the bottom bolt and last do the shock.
Its in one of the Spech manuals somewhere and really does seem to help get everything lined up and creak free.
Always sorts any creaks we have on an Evo and 2 Kenevos.
Grrrr and arggghhh.
At Swinley today the instructor noticed some play he thought right at the axle pivot bearings.
Luckily I'd bought 2 for it a few weeks ago.
Unluckily I apparently need 4!!!!
I'm also missing a blind bearing puller for 6801s. So the chainstay was removed and it went in the vice for some tappy tappy action. There's a spacer between the bearings but that means all surfaces are basically flush. This makes any tapping/hitting even more complicated.
Bearings 1&2 exploded which meant I was left with the outer shell still in the chainstay. This took a good 20 mins to get them out.
It was getting a bit grumpy at this stage in the garage as he needs the bike for his training on Wednesday.
But they came out and the new bearings went in.
Not exactly effortlessly but 3-4 tries and they were in.
Happily the other side of the chainstay went smoothly, both getting then out and putting them back in. So that's all back together.
Phew.
We then moved onto the next minor issue that his chain/chainring is hanging a bit, it's going past the point where it should on the bottom. Tom (Reynolds) thinks it's the chainring. So just had to order a new one, not too expensive but I did go for Raceface which is a bit more, but can get it tomorrow from Wiggle.
It may need a cassette too but can worry about that next week.
Just need to do chainring tomorrow then and away we go.
Well the chainring got a little complex as when i stripped the cranks out i realised it needed a new BB more than i thought.
Quick call to Rotec cycles (awesome LBS) and he has a Hope sitting on the shelf to fit.... Oh and a 30& chainring too.
While it was there he serviced the rear freehub and tensioned the wheel. It cost me £170.... but considering, that's a great price. I'm not sure how many times the boy will need to hoover my car to pay that off !
The chainset is running incredibly smoothly now... it's a joy !
Couple of bearings on the shock/frame linkage were a bit stiff when checking today, so they were whipped out and replaced.
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For anyone who's still paying attention, the boy has consistently been improving in his debut season.
Southern Enduro last time out he picked up an 8th, which was excellent.
Last weekend at Gawton he got a 5th which was only 2s off the podium, so getting there, although the big hitters were not out.
We've got a race at 417 in 2 weekends time, so we'll see how he goes there.
