Hello, just bought my first bike off of FB. When I put the front wheel back on it was not aligned with the centre on the handle bars, it was more on the left.
Also, when I close the clasp my breaks are too close to the tires and creates resistance. So I have to keep the clasp of the breaks open.
I am also hearing a ticking noise when I ride.
I was just wondering if this is normal, or if there is anything I can do to fix this.
by Ok_Bed4665
3 Comments
Welcome to bike ownership! Lots of fun learning to come. Low hanging fruit from your list of problems is the brake. Just loosen the bolt that holds the brake cable and adjust from scratch so that when you have the lever closed it is as close as you want it. I personally like it as close as possible without rubbing and minimal lever travel. Others like more.
Someone put that together quickly I see. Just loosen off the stem bolts and realign the tire and re-tighten (if the steerer is carbon you might need a torque wrench). Then loosen the brake bolt, re-position the release, and re-attach the cable. Easy peasy.
While you’re at it, feel everything for play. Put your fingers on the gap between the fork and the frame, rotate your handlebars sideways, and push. You’re feeling for any wiggle in the headset (if you have some come back and Ill give you some videos on how to fix that).
Also fiddle with all the bits and bobs and make sure none of them rattle. The levers might twist if you put enough pressure on them – that’s normal. Pick up the front of the bike and wiggle the wheel and make sure there’s no play in the hub. Do the same for the back.
First thing to try is flipping the wheel around the right way to see if things line up properly. The skewer clamp should be on the non-driveside, same as the rear.
Then you have to loosen the stem bolts to align the handlebar with the front tire.
You may or may n t need to adjust brake cable tension, and pad/caliper location.