All Things Bikes and Tacos! (...and every vehicle imaginable)

It feels like I have something loose in the front end. Do brake pads come loose? When I jostle the front end and then grab front brake I can feel a bit of the lever pull does nothing and then it’s almost like a “click” as if the pad re seated as its clamping down more. That or I’m just crazy and can’t get pst the noise of my bottle moving around in the cage. It’s been years since I’ve ridden with a bottle. Used to just use a pack since Phoenix I’d chugggg during rides. About to order a Damone hot laps hip pack. Don’t want full backpack all the time

 

@113tac , So what was the verdict on the fork?

 

I haven’t gotten to ride it yet because of rain, probably won’t be able to this weekend either. After a lower service it feels much better around the house. It’s currently set to settings from last year so we will start there and change if needed.

 

I have a Dakine Hotlaps and a High Above pack. I try not to wear either but havent used the Dakine since I got the High Above. The Dakine had a problem of loosening up on me and eventually got caught on the back of my seat when using a dropper; which is why I dont use it anymore. The dakine has a small capacity, keys/wallet/phone and a snack got tight. Just food for thought, theres alot of options out there compared to when I got the Dakine.

I'm tempted to try this out since you got me looking again:
https://www.pnwcomponents.com/products/rover-hip-pack?variant=40010480451661#image-3

Similar design to the High Above packs, but has wings and quite a bitch cheaper. The cinch cord bottle holders are definitely more secure than the other elastic offerings and double as containment.

 

I also have a Dakine Hotlaps hip pack. I wanted something with a bladder, so I didn't need to deal with a bottle. I have not had the problem with it loosening up, my issue is the hose is almost too short to drink from while riding. I am 6' tall, think pretty average proportions and have to lean over to drink while I am riding. Maybe mine has a shorter hose than normal? Just something to be aware of.

And 100% agree on the small capacity, I have a multitool and managed to squeeze a tube in there and that is about all you get. Keys/card/phone go in shorts pockets or one of the belt pockets.

 

Yeah mine was the smallest size at the time, the 1L version without bladder. It is fun seeing everyone's setups though.

 

You guys should look into the osprey seral. I’ve had it for a while now and it’s not bad. A little on the big side for a fanny pack but it works especially for hot XC rides. I like that it has side pockets so I have food on one side and trash on the other.

https://www.osprey.com/seral-7-seral7s23-550#color=Black

 

my older evoc hip pack has worked great. its a 3L i think, came with a bladder that attaches to the belt and has a bottle carrier. i've been able to fit 3 beers in it, 2 inside and another in the carrier thing. the new pro model looks like it has a much more comfortable hip belt. i've been able to fit a ton of stuff in it and have done long days with just that pack and a bottle on my bike.

i do wish i had some webbing loops on the outside so i could strap a jacket or knee pads to it. i just use some 550 cord and tie it to other places on it.

if there is enough stuff in there, it does bounce around doing jumps and stuff if its too loose.

 

Since we're on the topic of hip packs...

Ive used an Osprey Savu 2 this last year and I like it a lot for hot lappin getting a quick drink while riding. Way easier to grab than reaching down between you legs to get the bottle between the frame. I have though, considered getting the savu 5 since summer is around the corner. It can hold two bottles along with having a little more space for food, tools, repairts kits, keys, phone, wallet etc on some longer all-day rides. Savu 5

 

A couple of years back I drove to Michigan and together over a weekend with 8 other guys built this...

https://www.mcc.edu/factory5/index.shtml

 

I have the savu 5 as well, it's a good design for spring, fall and winter and sub 2 hour rides in the summer but longer rides i need more fluids.

One setup that I really like on my gravel bike is the USWE Overlander pro with 2 bottles of drink mix on the frame and a frame bag. I just need to figure out how to make it work on a mountain bike haha

 

I have the Dakine Hot Laps 5L and 1L. Both have worked great for me, no issues with loosening or hoses being too short (also 6', though mostly legs). The 5L has been sufficient for me on rides as big as TWE, though it is a bit uncomfortable when the bladder is totally full. All my repair kit are pretty much hidden in spots on my bike, so the fanny is really just to hold snacks, water, jacket, phone, and first aid. The 1L I take on rides that are about 20 miles, basically when 1 water bottle isn't enough.

 

One thing I do wish I had that the new carbon bikes have is that little purse compartment in the downtube where you can stuff a puncture repair kit, innertube if you really need it, and torx and hex multitools.

 

Sounds like air in the brake line and or pads not aligned with the rotor. I've never had a pad come loose, but I'm surprised it doesn't happen more often on the ones with the retaining spring clips.
Regarding noises, I've chased what I thought was a front end noise but turns out my one of my shock mount bolts was loose. Funny how sounds telegraph through the frame when riding.

 

Could you clarify a little?
Jostle front end... do you have wheel off the ground or are just going over bumps
Grab front brakes ? Physically grabbing them or applying brakes while driving
I can feel a bit of the lever pull does nothing ???? Cant even guess here.

On my 2014 4x4 the brake pads just fall into the caliper and are retained by pins. Since caliper is a solid piece there has to be a little room between the end of the brake pads and the caliper so when the brake pad heats up it doesn't enlarge in the slot and seize.
I can notice it when i back out of driveway and then go forward. The pad moves just a teeny bit forward when backing out and then a teeny bit backward as I drive forward. For the whole rest of the day I am going forward so pad wont move anymore. If you looks at the hole in the pads the pin goes through its slightly oblong in relation to the caliper pin (round) to allow this small movement.



Orange goop is Permatex silicone ceramic brake lubricant.

 

You can always align the front brake caliper. You loosen the top and bottom screws and then squeeze the brake to realign it, re-tighten the screws. If the screws were loose before you unscrewed them, then your caliper is coming undone because there is no Loctite on the screws or they weren’t properly tightened in the first place.

Most brake systems have some type of clip or screw holding the brake pad in place, that might be loose, but I rarely see that.

Also the little metal carrier for the brake pads might be broken and they’re just flopping around in there.

 

I love that about the Stumpy Evo. I have a full tool kit and the pump in there, and there's still room for a fitted water bladder in the frame.

 

Cool thanks. Couple things to try for the front brakes.

and for hip packs I’m okay with anything that’ll hold 1.5L of water. I don’t do huge massive rides. 20 miles tops. I don’t have the legs on me for more than that. 3 hours actually in the seat max. And if I am doing one of those bigger rides I can throw the bottle cage back on. But for bikepark season I’ll take it off. Quiet bike is ideal. And I can just get water from the lodge real quick and I’m fine on park days

 

If suddenly you’re noticing a lot of effort to climb, descending gets slower, and it feels like the front wheel is dragging when you turn right or left, there’s a good chance your caliper is loose. Another easy way to tell is get the bike on the back wheel and spin the front wheel. The front and back wheels should spin freely. And you shouldn’t hear the brakes dragging.

 

Yea the feeling started after a big rock kicked up and hit the rotor too. I get that mostly straightened back out. Caliper and retaining clip is first thing I’ll check, then bleed the brakes. Then just in general re torque the whole bike