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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 head Tube
The HD3, Ripley, 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 Ripley 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, Ripley, and
Tranny29 is molded carbon.
The rear axle
is called a Maxle, and it’s very similar
to the new through axle fork axles.
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 Arrundel side loader
There are two sets of holes in the cage, use
the ones that position it away from the seat
tube. 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 top tube 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 seat
tubes, 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 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.
