No, like Peaches and Cream: "Solid as a Rock."odiwik said:For the VP-Free owner/operators out there:
If you grab the rear wheel and tire near the top and push/pull left/right, does your rear triangle flex somewhat?
"Flex" and play are different. If you are feeling play, you either have blown bearings or something didn't get back together right. Bring it to a dealer or call SCB tech support.odiwik said:I have wheel flex along with the rear triangle flexing (I can visually see it twisting). I am pretty sure the play is from the bearings/bushings. I have to push/pull somewhat hard to get the triangle to twist a little bit, but I guess I will take it somewhere and have it looked at if nobody else can feel any twist at all when pushed/pulled.
Hey better safe than sorry, but really I think you should only be concerned with the bearings (unless you have a crack or bend in the traingle). If they're solid with no play then you're good to go. I remember putting in some new bearings after our super rainy winter in Socal. It was hell trying to get them in perfectly straight. Do yourself a favor, step away from the bike for tonight and come at it fresh in the morning. Oh, and buy that custom bearing tool from SC. Have fun in whistler.odiwik said:I'm 95% sure now that I'm just being a crazy perfectionist.
Every bike shows some flex with that kind of twisting, it doesn't really mean it's flexing that much when you ride it. It's like kicking the tires or something, probably doesn't mean much. Did you ever see if it did this new? I just wouldn't worry about it unless you feel some weirdness when you ride it.odiwik said:Alright, I'll tear her apart and try one last time before a trip to the LBS. I can only really see it when I push then pull then push then pull somewhat fast and hard. I can't see it at all if I just push in one direction.
I'm 95% sure now that I'm just being a crazy perfectionist.
You should have seen the vices and contraption I had going on with the lathe (don't worry, the lathe was not spinning ). But I got them in and out safely and easily after all that prep in the end.ncrider said:... I remember putting in some new bearings after our super rainy winter in Socal. It was hell ...
The bike is riding and tracking fine after the rebuild; I think this was just the first time I've noticed it. I noticed it messing around after my last run in the parking lot, but like I said I have to push and pull somewhat fast and hard to notice it at all. RM owns.OGRipper said:I just wouldn't worry about it unless you feel some weirdness when you ride it.
The bearing tool available from SCB makes it a lot easier. Tech support should know how to get one, so if you call about your frame you might want to ask. The only ones I've ever felt with any movement had blown bearings.odiwik said:You should have seen the vices and contraption I had going on with the lathe (don't worry, the lathe was not spinning ). But I got them in and out safely and easily after all that prep in the end.
I don't think anyone ever said they have zero flex. I agree the free has some flex, all bikes do. We've been trying to figure out if he has an unusual amount of flex or more likely some play from a bad bearing or assembly. But congrats, it sounds like you take much better care of your bike than me.Dusty Bottoms said:I think I have to disagree with a few people on this thread. I maintain my pivots flawlessly, all bearings are in tact and running smoothly, my Hadley hub is tight and working fine.....but it is an undeniable fact that the rear triangle on vp-frees have lateral flex. Let's face it, that is a pretty damn long rear end attached by 2 pivots on 8 bearings....it WILL flex. I can't say I feel too much while riding, but there IS some flex.
I sure do love that damn bike tho.
I'd say a bike would flex more under hard riding considering some of the forces involved.OGRipper said:Every bike shows some flex with that kind of twisting, it doesn't really mean it's flexing that much when you ride it. It's like kicking the tires or something, probably doesn't mean much. Did you ever see if it did this new? I just wouldn't worry about it unless you feel some weirdness when you ride it.
They are fun aren't they?odiwik said:I f'n love the feel of this bike though.
LOL, I can't believe nobody said that yet.odiwik said:At least it isn't rootbeer...
Dusty could chime in as well..Kanter said:DDawq....How does the VP compare to your FLY?