28
29
BIKE SET-UP TIPS AND TRICKS
BIKE SET-UP TIPS AND TRICKS
Chain Length
To determine the correct chain length: shift
into the large chainring and largest cog
and let all the air out of your shock (on
suspension bikes only, duh).
Thread the chain through the gears and
derailleurs, compress the suspension all the
way to bottom out, and cut the chain at
the minimum length needed with the rear
derailleur stretched out.
Tapered Headtube
The HD3, Ripleys, Tranny29 and Hakkalugi
all feature a tapered headtube that work
with tapered steerer forks.
The headset on the HD3 is a ZS44/ZS56.
This standard is compatible with both the
Chris King InSet 2 and certain
Cane Creek headsets
(see our webstore
for the offerings).
Headsets on the Ripleys and Tranny29
are the ZS44/EC49. This standard is
compatible with both the Chris King InSet 3
and certain Cane Creek headsets.
The Hakkalügi uses an IS41/IS52.
To learn more about these various headset
standards, visit:
www.bicycleheadsets.com.
Rear Dropouts
and Disc Brake Mounts
The one–piece disc brake boss/non drive
side dropout on the HD3, Ripleys, and
Tranny29 is molded carbon.
Depending on
the model the rear axle is either a Maxle or
a Shimano through axle. The Shimano axle
uses a 5mm hex wrench and the Maxle
is similar to the common through axle front
forks.
Our mountain bikes are designed
to bolt a post–mount standard caliper
directly to the frame for a 160mm rotor or
to a 180mm or 185mm rotor with a post
to post style adapter (The Hakkalügi disc
is a 140mm post mount and the axle is a
135mm quick release style).
Bottlecage
The Ripley works best with a side loading
cage, we like the Arundel side loader.
There are two sets of holes in the cage,
use the ones that position it away from the
seattube. When using any other cage, let
the air out of your shock to check clearance
between the swingarm and bottle.
There are two heavy duty Riv–Nut inserts
on the underside of the down tube of many
of our bikes, to allow the mounting of a
bottle cage. We’ve put them there primarily
for a spare water bottle, a tool kit or for a
battery if you’re night riding. Do not put a
large bottle under the down tube of a small
Ripley, the front tire will hit it at bottom out.
Please do not attempt to retrieve a water
bottle from this cage location during riding!
There are extra long socket head screws
provided for your use in these holes. They
are longer than your average screw. We
suggest using a heavy–duty cage for
holding batteries since the lighter weight
cages don‘t seem to hold up to this sort
of abuse.
Hakkalügi Disc Brake Set-Up
If using mechanical discs and drop bar
levers, don’t forget to put an in-line cable
adjuster, as drop levers don’t have adjusters
built in. You can utilize the split cable
spacers that come with the frame on the
toptube triple stops for either disc (hydraulic
hose) or cable housing.
General Frame Information
Care for Carbon
The carbon fiber monocoque frame is
extremely strong, and should provide years
of trouble–free use, provided you care for
it properly and don’t overly huck every 50
foot gap you see.
Keep your bike clean and inspect it often.
Although each and every bike gets tested
at the factory for strength, it never hurts
to look at the areas where the tubes join,
where the shocks and dropouts mount and
any other areas that may receive stress
during usage. Check for loose bearings,
headsets, shocks and forks and such.
Visually inspect the bike before each ride
and also during each cleaning.
Carbon Assembly Compound
This stuff is grease, but with a bunch of tiny
plastic beads added. This increases friction
between components, great for holding
your carbon seat post or handlebars
in place without excessive clamping
force. While grease won’t hurt any of
our seattubes, carbon assembly paste
works even better. Do not use the carbon
assembly compound when installing the
headset, bottom bracket, shock, water
bottle cage, or anything that has bearings.
Paint and Decals
There is a protective clear coat applied
over the final carbon layer on all of our
frames. You can repair small chips and
scratches with clear nail polish
(not supplied.)
Colored frames are painted with a high
quality polyurethane enamel.
Both of these finishes can wear through
with repeated rubbing of cables or chain
slap. Using adhesive vinyl protectors to
guard against cable rub and chain slap
can help limit wear and tear on your
frame. Should you need to touch up areas
of the frame where the paint has been
compromised, we recommend either a
hobby shop,
myperfectcolor.com
or
testors.com
for a good source of enamel
touch up paint.
We try to make our frame finishes as
durable as possible, but it is impossible
to test in all conditions and against all
chemicals. Be aware that use of certain
cleaners, lubricants, or foodstuffs,
including Simple Green and Pedro’s Bike
Lust, may damage the paint. Please note
that paint damage is not covered under
the warranty. Clean any of our frames
with mild soap and water only. The
Ripley and HD3 decals have a clear coat
applied over the decals. The Tranny29
and Hakkalügi decals are top mount.
Be aware that pressure washing may
damage the decals on these bikes.
