New bike, dumb question

[Youngr51]

Ok I know Ill get laughed at for ths one. I just got a Alibongo yesterday and this is my first stock bike. I dont know how to put the front wheel on. I mean it came with a quick disconnect axel and something doesnt seem right. I just set it in there and clamped it. But when i hit the brake (disk) the wheel kinda shifts to the left. And it seems if I grab the tire and push left or right hard that it has some slop or that the axel shifts. I took the wheel off and now there are some threadmarks in the dropouts where the axel was sitting. Can some one help me I dont wanna screw it up.

[ben@slctrials.com]

the threads in the axel is normal,


take the wheel out, grab the axel and wiggle it, if it moves, then your axel is loose. take it to a bike shop and have them tighten it.


what kind of hub is it btw?

[Youngr51]

Its is a redline disk hub. Ya i was just wondering if thread imprints on the fork is normal. Im used to bmx axels that sit firmly in the drop outs not this little toothpick axle.

[rtorrenga]

Are you sure that the quick release skewer is tight enough. You might need to thread the quick release a couple of turns before clamping it. A good rule of thumb is to tighten the nut on the other side of the quick release skewer until you start to feel pressure when the skewer is about half way up when clamping. If it is really hard to close, open the clamp side and unthread slightly and try again.


I used to work in a shop and people always had this problem. You might already know how to do this and the problem could be something else, but it is amazing how many people do not know how.

[Youngr51]

Ya I understand that, I put it on pretty tight I had to use my palm pretty good to close it. I was just checking that it is threads that sit on the drop outs right? There isnt a bushing or spacer is there? And the tire sits slightly off set to the right if im on the bike looking down but when I really hit the brake the tire shifts to the left maybe a quarter inch. I was thinking maybe it was just the torque of the disk distorting the wheel to one side or the other.

[trialsrider50]

when you tighten the quick release skewer(lever) either have someone stand on the bike or push down on the wheel (if upside down) to make sure the axle is seated at the top of the dropouts. the reason why they normally sit to one side is because it is not. then you hit the brakes and it is forced to the top and should naturally center itself. problem then is that you've normally set up your brakes the wrong way (disc or rim). so make sure to push down on the tire so it seats in all the way while you tighter the skewer. good luck.

[Youngr51]

Cool thanks for the help. I just dont want anything messed up because Im to broke from buying it to buy parts if a fudge it all up. I just have no clue on this type of set up. Maybe Ill have the bike shop check it out later.

[Dekes]

a cheap quick release might be the problem as well, if you got that system where you press against a rubber/plastic ring (most likely, they are really widespread and equally crappy) . I had it with my front wheel as well, i popped in an old skool shimano quick release with metal tightening clamp an the wheel doesn't move anymore. I suggest you to buy an XT quick release or something, they are around 20 US dollar, maybe less.

[Giant1118]

sounds like loose cones

[Youngr51]

I think its pretty much ok now. I tightened the quick release a little tighter and centered the wheel a little better when id it now its pretty close to sitting in there straight. Now when i hit the front brake it just barely moves towards the left side maybe like less than a 1/8 inch. What else sucks is ive been riding the thing for like 2 days and the avid is still not all the way broken in. I tried the water trick and it really helps but i guess these things just take a while. Maybe i should clean it with some brake cleaner.

[trialsrider50]

haul ass down a hill and just grab the hell out of it when you get closer to the bottom, its called burning the brakes in. always do that.

[Elan]

never clean your brake unless you absolutely have to because of oil or som,thing like htat.

[Youngr51]

Thanks for all the help guys. I did go down some hills and do a couple hard stops. Maybe Ill do some more. That shit got hot as hell when i did it a couple times in a row. Theyre getting better but i think there is a lot more in them. From what i read it sounds like they usually take a while.

[beastoftheeast]

have you dad look at it? useally works for me ... hes pms-ing right now though so i cant get any help trueing my wheels :(

[trialsrider50]

you should only have to burn them in a couple of times but considering you've put other crap on them it might take awhile. The other thing is you could take the pads out a just rub the on the sidewalk or a cinderblock to get the crap off the outside.