Cannondale Lefty CLunk?

[Edward Holt]

I'm new to Cannodale Lefty's and also tubeless tires.
I've got a new F4000SL with a carbon left with ELO and a pair of tubesless
crossmax tires.
The tires are inflated to the max (6opsi) and the Lefty hasn't been modified
or adjusted from factory delivery.

When I have the Lefty locked out there is a slight amount of travel in -
maybe 3mm.
When I cross a bump on tarmac and the Lefty is locked out, I get an annoying
cluck noise.
I don't know if it's the tyre compressing to the max and the ground hitting
the rim or the lefty compress to the max available (3mm) then topping out.

Is this normal?

[Ride-A-Lot]

Edward Holt wrote:
> I'm new to Cannodale Lefty's and also tubeless tires.
> I've got a new F4000SL with a carbon left with ELO and a pair of tubesless
> crossmax tires.
> The tires are inflated to the max (6opsi) and the Lefty hasn't been modified
> or adjusted from factory delivery.
>
> When I have the Lefty locked out there is a slight amount of travel in -
> maybe 3mm.
> When I cross a bump on tarmac and the Lefty is locked out, I get an annoying
> cluck noise.
> I don't know if it's the tyre compressing to the max and the ground hitting
> the rim or the lefty compress to the max available (3mm) then topping out.
>
> Is this normal?
>
>

I won't make any comments about Cannondale. I'll leave that to JD or
you could just query the latest Cannondale thread.

1. Why are you inflating tubesless tires to the max? Are you riding
strictly on roads? You're gonna slide all over the place at that PSI.

2. Umm. if you go over a bump and you don't have any travel in your
fork I would suspect you should hear something. Did you try it again
without the fork locked out? Seems to me that would be the commonsense
thing to try.

--
o-o-o-o Ride-A-Lot o-o-o-o
www.schnauzers.ws

[Monique Y. Mudama]

On 2004-08-24, Edward Holt penned:
> I'm new to Cannodale Lefty's and also tubeless tires. I've got a new
> F4000SL with a carbon left with ELO and a pair of tubesless crossmax tires.
> The tires are inflated to the max (6opsi) and the Lefty hasn't been modified
> or adjusted from factory delivery.
>
> When I have the Lefty locked out there is a slight amount of travel in -
> maybe 3mm. When I cross a bump on tarmac and the Lefty is locked out, I get
> an annoying cluck noise. I don't know if it's the tyre compressing to the
> max and the ground hitting the rim or the lefty compress to the max
> available (3mm) then topping out.
>
> Is this normal?

(disclaimer: I have no personal experience with the lefty and am making all
this up as I go along. someone feel free to correct me.)

I can't imagine that a tire inflated to 60 psi (are you sure that's right?
Seems awfully high) is hitting the rim on a "bump on tarmac." At 30-40 psi I
don't hit my rim going off drops of a foot or two.

I don't get any clunking noises when my fork (psylo race) is locked out,
even when I tried it going up bumpy trails. No perceptible travel when
locked out, either. But I would suspect the fork in your case. Have
you had a mechanic look at the fork?


--
monique

"Get a bicycle. You will not regret it, if you live."
-- Mark Twain

[Edward Holt]

"Monique Y. Mudama" > wrote in message
...
> On 2004-08-24, Edward Holt penned:
>> I'm new to Cannodale Lefty's and also tubeless tires. I've got a new
>> F4000SL with a carbon left with ELO and a pair of tubesless crossmax
>> tires.
>> The tires are inflated to the max (6opsi) and the Lefty hasn't been
>> modified
>> or adjusted from factory delivery.
>>
>> When I have the Lefty locked out there is a slight amount of travel in -
>> maybe 3mm. When I cross a bump on tarmac and the Lefty is locked out, I
>> get
>> an annoying cluck noise. I don't know if it's the tyre compressing to
>> the
>> max and the ground hitting the rim or the lefty compress to the max
>> available (3mm) then topping out.
>>
>> Is this normal?
>
> (disclaimer: I have no personal experience with the lefty and am making
> all
> this up as I go along. someone feel free to correct me.)
>
> I can't imagine that a tire inflated to 60 psi (are you sure that's
> right?
> Seems awfully high) is hitting the rim on a "bump on tarmac." At 30-40
> psi I
> don't hit my rim going off drops of a foot or two.
>
> I don't get any clunking noises when my fork (psylo race) is locked out,
> even when I tried it going up bumpy trails. No perceptible travel when
> locked out, either. But I would suspect the fork in your case. Have
> you had a mechanic look at the fork?
>
>
> --
> monique
>
> "Get a bicycle. You will not regret it, if you live."
> -- Mark Twain

I've notice this when I've been cycling about town with the bike as I've not
yet had the oppurtunity to get off road.
I'd hoped that the lock out would perform as if I had a non-suspension pair
of front forks.
The bike was mail order - so getting a mechanic to look at it is tricky -
the local bike guy thought it might be the tyre pressure - he had a cycle on
it too.
With the fork not locked out there's no problem and it's silky smooth.

[di]

>
> I've notice this when I've been cycling about town with the bike as I've
not
> yet had the oppurtunity to get off road.
> I'd hoped that the lock out would perform as if I had a non-suspension
pair
> of front forks.
> The bike was mail order - so getting a mechanic to look at it is tricky -
> the local bike guy thought it might be the tyre pressure - he had a cycle
on
> it too.
> With the fork not locked out there's no problem and it's silky smooth.
>
>
Assuming what you are hearing is not a metallic sound, but I've heard the
same thing when riding tubeless tires on the street inflated to max. When
going over concrete expansion joints it just a slight thump, in my case it's
not with a lefty, but rather an Rock Shok, I was convinced it was the
heavier sidewalls of tubeless tires, Hutchinsen Pythons.

[Edward Holt]

"di" > wrote in message
news:SKNWc.25248$A91.19534@okepread02...
>
>>
>> I've notice this when I've been cycling about town with the bike as I've
> not
>> yet had the oppurtunity to get off road.
>> I'd hoped that the lock out would perform as if I had a non-suspension
> pair
>> of front forks.
>> The bike was mail order - so getting a mechanic to look at it is tricky -
>> the local bike guy thought it might be the tyre pressure - he had a cycle
> on
>> it too.
>> With the fork not locked out there's no problem and it's silky smooth.
>>
>>
> Assuming what you are hearing is not a metallic sound, but I've heard the
> same thing when riding tubeless tires on the street inflated to max.
> When
> going over concrete expansion joints it just a slight thump, in my case
> it's
> not with a lefty, but rather an Rock Shok, I was convinced it was the
> heavier sidewalls of tubeless tires, Hutchinsen Pythons.
>
>
I've also got Hutchinson's - but 1.75 Scorpions.

[crazy6r54@webtv.net]

My friend on the other side of the road has 3 Cannondale
Jekels with lefties. And I've road with him twice once on the
non carbon one and the other the carbon one. Never made any sounds
like yours.

I MTB 2004

[SuperSlinky]

Edward Holt said...

> I'm new to Cannodale Lefty's and also tubeless tires.
> I've got a new F4000SL with a carbon left with ELO and a pair of tubesless
> crossmax tires.
> The tires are inflated to the max (6opsi) and the Lefty hasn't been modified
> or adjusted from factory delivery.
>
> When I have the Lefty locked out there is a slight amount of travel in -
> maybe 3mm.
> When I cross a bump on tarmac and the Lefty is locked out, I get an annoying
> cluck noise.
> I don't know if it's the tyre compressing to the max and the ground hitting
> the rim or the lefty compress to the max available (3mm) then topping out.
>
> Is this normal?

Wow, that is one expensive bike for a newbie. 60psi is going to give a
very much harsher ride than the 30-40psi that would be normal for
tubeless tires. Look at the headset too. Lock the front wheel and rock
the bike back and forth to see if you can see any slop in the headset.
Could be cables slapping against the frame too. Having said all that,
the truth is that some forks make annoying rattling noises and there may
not be much you can do about it. My Fox Vanilla makes some low level
clunking noises that are just minor enough not to be bothersome, and my
Rock Shox Duke SL rattles enough to drive me crazy. Others have
complained about the same thing with both forks. Remember that just
because something is expensive doesn't make it perfect, and your bike in
particular was designed to win races, not to compete with Bently in
making the perfect ride.

[Monique Y. Mudama]

On 2004-08-24, SuperSlinky penned:
> Edward Holt said...
>
>> I'm new to Cannodale Lefty's and also tubeless tires. o

[snip]

> Wow, that is one expensive bike for a newbie.

[snip]

He didn't actually say he was new to mountain biking ... just to lefty forks
and tubeless tires.

Although, true, only having ridden it on pavement so far doesn't sound like a
thing an experienced mtber would do.

--
monique

"Get a bicycle. You will not regret it, if you live."
-- Mark Twain

[NICHOLAS CHILDS]

get rid of those tyres - they're useless on a bike like that (I have one)
the fork needs a minor service - you have some air in the oil chamber - it's
topping out.


"Edward Holt" > wrote in message
...
> I'm new to Cannodale Lefty's and also tubeless tires.
> I've got a new F4000SL with a carbon left with ELO and a pair of tubesless
> crossmax tires.
> The tires are inflated to the max (6opsi) and the Lefty hasn't been
modified
> or adjusted from factory delivery.
>
> When I have the Lefty locked out there is a slight amount of travel in -
> maybe 3mm.
> When I cross a bump on tarmac and the Lefty is locked out, I get an
annoying
> cluck noise.
> I don't know if it's the tyre compressing to the max and the ground
hitting
> the rim or the lefty compress to the max available (3mm) then topping out.
>
> Is this normal?
>
>

[Edward Holt]

"NICHOLAS CHILDS" > wrote in message
...
> get rid of those tyres - they're useless on a bike like that (I have one)
> the fork needs a minor service - you have some air in the oil chamber -
> it's
> topping out.
>
>
> "Edward Holt" > wrote in message
> ...
>> I'm new to Cannodale Lefty's and also tubeless tires.
>> I've got a new F4000SL with a carbon left with ELO and a pair of
>> tubesless
>> crossmax tires.
>> The tires are inflated to the max (6opsi) and the Lefty hasn't been
> modified
>> or adjusted from factory delivery.
>>
>> When I have the Lefty locked out there is a slight amount of travel in -
>> maybe 3mm.
>> When I cross a bump on tarmac and the Lefty is locked out, I get an
> annoying
>> cluck noise.
>> I don't know if it's the tyre compressing to the max and the ground
> hitting
>> the rim or the lefty compress to the max available (3mm) then topping
>> out.
>>
>> Is this normal?
>>
>>
>
>

Wow - a service already - it's only done about 4 hrs?
But you sound like you know what I mean - can I do that service myself?
What size of tyres can it accomodate?

[Edward Holt]

"Monique Y. Mudama" > wrote in message
...
> On 2004-08-24, SuperSlinky penned:
>> Edward Holt said...
>>
>>> I'm new to Cannodale Lefty's and also tubeless tires. o
>
> [snip]
>
>> Wow, that is one expensive bike for a newbie.
>
> [snip]
>
> He didn't actually say he was new to mountain biking ... just to lefty
> forks
> and tubeless tires.
>
> Although, true, only having ridden it on pavement so far doesn't sound
> like a
> thing an experienced mtber would do.
>
> --
> monique
>
> "Get a bicycle. You will not regret it, if you live."
> -- Mark Twain

Yeah - no newbie to off road cycling - just not in this price range!

[di]

> >
> >
>
> Wow - a service already - it's only done about 4 hrs?
> But you sound like you know what I mean - can I do that service myself?
> What size of tyres can it accomodate?
>
>
I have WTB 2.4's on my Scapel 1000, large frame. A medium frame is
restricted to 2.25 tires.

[Edward Holt]

"di" > wrote in message
news:vw6Xc.28418$A91.11348@okepread02...
>
>> >
>> >
>>
>> Wow - a service already - it's only done about 4 hrs?
>> But you sound like you know what I mean - can I do that service myself?
>> What size of tyres can it accomodate?
>>
>>
> I have WTB 2.4's on my Scapel 1000, large frame. A medium frame is
> restricted to 2.25 tires.
>
>

I've got a large frame here - what does "WTB" mean?

[di]

"Edward Holt" > wrote in message
...
>
> "di" > wrote in message
> news:vw6Xc.28418$A91.11348@okepread02...
> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >>
> >> Wow - a service already - it's only done about 4 hrs?
> >> But you sound like you know what I mean - can I do that service myself?
> >> What size of tyres can it accomodate?
> >>
> >>
> > I have WTB 2.4's on my Scapel 1000, large frame. A medium frame is
> > restricted to 2.25 tires.
> >
> >
>
> I've got a large frame here - what does "WTB" mean?
>

"Wilderness Trail Bike" brand, "Muntano Rapter" tire to be exact
http://www.wtb.com/mutanoraptor_24.html

[NICHOLAS CHILDS]

"Edward Holt" > wrote in message
...
> "NICHOLAS CHILDS" > wrote in message
> ...
>> get rid of those tyres - they're useless on a bike like that (I have one)
>> the fork needs a minor service - you have some air in the oil chamber -
>> it's
>> topping out.
>>
>>
>> "Edward Holt" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>> I'm new to Cannodale Lefty's and also tubeless tires.
>>> I've got a new F4000SL with a carbon left with ELO and a pair of
>>> tubesless
>>> crossmax tires.
>>> The tires are inflated to the max (6opsi) and the Lefty hasn't been
>> modified
>>> or adjusted from factory delivery.
>>>
>>> When I have the Lefty locked out there is a slight amount of travel in -
>>> maybe 3mm.
>>> When I cross a bump on tarmac and the Lefty is locked out, I get an
>> annoying
>>> cluck noise.
>>> I don't know if it's the tyre compressing to the max and the ground
>> hitting
>>> the rim or the lefty compress to the max available (3mm) then topping
>>> out.
>>>
>>> Is this normal?
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>
> Wow - a service already - it's only done about 4 hrs?
> But you sound like you know what I mean - can I do that service myself?
> What size of tyres can it accomodate?


I run 2.1's on my medium - they rub sometimes when cornering hard.
Your oil cartridge needs to be topped up and bled, though to some 3mm might
seem a little pedantic. You can't do it yourself without 5wt shock oil and
specific Cannondale tools.
Only 4 hrs....it was probably never right in the first place. Air freight
can sometimes do odd things to pressurised systems too. Setting the bike up
correctly is the shops job - they're little more than a semi arranged kit of
parts out of the box.
Where are you and where did you order from?

[Gman]

On Tue, 24 Aug 2004 12:38:54 -0600, Monique Y. Mudama > wrote:
> On 2004-08-24, Edward Holt penned:
>> I'm new to Cannodale Lefty's and also tubeless tires. I've got a new
>> F4000SL with a carbon left with ELO and a pair of tubesless crossmax tires.
>> The tires are inflated to the max (6opsi) and the Lefty hasn't been modified
>> or adjusted from factory delivery.
>>
>> When I have the Lefty locked out there is a slight amount of travel in -
>> maybe 3mm. When I cross a bump on tarmac and the Lefty is locked out, I get
>> an annoying cluck noise. I don't know if it's the tyre compressing to the
>> max and the ground hitting the rim or the lefty compress to the max
>> available (3mm) then topping out.
>>
>> Is this normal?
>
> (disclaimer: I have no personal experience with the lefty and am making all
> this up as I go along. someone feel free to correct me.)

same here



> I can't imagine that a tire inflated to 60 psi (are you sure that's right?
> Seems awfully high) is hitting the rim on a "bump on tarmac." At 30-40 psi I
> don't hit my rim going off drops of a foot or two.

Me too. If your tires are @60psi they must be rock hard,
so they certainly aren't pinching, but they *may* be
exacerbating the load on your locked-out shock, which is
what I'd bet on for the source of the noise.



> I don't get any clunking noises when my fork (psylo race) is locked out,
> even when I tried it going up bumpy trails. No perceptible travel when
> locked out, either. But I would suspect the fork in your case. Have
> you had a mechanic look at the fork?

When I rode Supergo's Specialized Enduro up the San Juan
Trail in SoCal I found that the Psylo had an annoying clunk
if I took a small-to-medium-sized-sharp hit very fast and
caused the fork to rebound very quickly. The fork wasn't
bottoming, it made an unnerving clunk while topping out.

I told the mechanic when I returned the bike and he said,
"That fork just does that." Don't know if he was right or
not because I haven't ridden another Psylo.

G

[Tommy Homicide]

> When I rode Supergo's Specialized Enduro up the San Juan
> Trail in SoCal --

That's one of my favorite trails! And 20 minutes from where I live. Bitchin'
downhill. Very rutted near the bottom unfortunately.

____________________________
TOMMY HOMICIDE
http://www.tommyhomicide.com

[Edward Holt]

"NICHOLAS CHILDS" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Edward Holt" > wrote in message
> ...
>> "NICHOLAS CHILDS" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>> get rid of those tyres - they're useless on a bike like that (I have
>>> one)
>>> the fork needs a minor service - you have some air in the oil chamber -
>>> it's
>>> topping out.
>>>
>>>
>>> "Edward Holt" > wrote in message
>>> ...
>>>> I'm new to Cannodale Lefty's and also tubeless tires.
>>>> I've got a new F4000SL with a carbon left with ELO and a pair of
>>>> tubesless
>>>> crossmax tires.
>>>> The tires are inflated to the max (6opsi) and the Lefty hasn't been
>>> modified
>>>> or adjusted from factory delivery.
>>>>
>>>> When I have the Lefty locked out there is a slight amount of travel
>>>> in -
>>>> maybe 3mm.
>>>> When I cross a bump on tarmac and the Lefty is locked out, I get an
>>> annoying
>>>> cluck noise.
>>>> I don't know if it's the tyre compressing to the max and the ground
>>> hitting
>>>> the rim or the lefty compress to the max available (3mm) then topping
>>>> out.
>>>>
>>>> Is this normal?
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>> Wow - a service already - it's only done about 4 hrs?
>> But you sound like you know what I mean - can I do that service myself?
>> What size of tyres can it accomodate?
>
>
> I run 2.1's on my medium - they rub sometimes when cornering hard.
> Your oil cartridge needs to be topped up and bled, though to some 3mm
> might seem a little pedantic. You can't do it yourself without 5wt shock
> oil and specific Cannondale tools.
> Only 4 hrs....it was probably never right in the first place. Air freight
> can sometimes do odd things to pressurised systems too. Setting the bike
> up correctly is the shops job - they're little more than a semi arranged
> kit of parts out of the box.
> Where are you and where did you order from?
>

I'm in the UK and got it from Evans Cycles.
RRP of UKP3300 reduced to 2500.
I think I'll take it to a local bike shop that used to sell Cannondales and
get them to do the first service and also look at the lefty.