Oz...don't scare me like that

[Thunderchild]

Last week our group was heading out for a morning ride.  Trails were too muddy, so we hit the asphalt hills.  On one long extended climb, I heard a loud crack or pop coming from the Oz.  The kind of noise you do not want to hear from an Oz frame.  It started about 5 miles into the ride.  It seemed high near the seatpost or nearby.  Remember my Oz has a new modified seat tube insert.  It was dark so I could only see what my headlight would illuminate.  I stopped at the top of the hill not wanting to look.  I examined the frame closely, but couldn't find anything which made me worry that something inside was going.  This bike has hit 10305 miles, so it could be time.  I nearly gave up, but kept looking.  I next looked at the swing arm.  Still nothing.  As I was getting ready to get back on and carefully bomb down the hill, I noticed a small shadow of a rock caught between the swing arm and frame.  It was just above the pivot.  That couldn't be it...right?  It was too small.  I had to get my leatherman tool out to get it out as it was wedged in.  I haven't heard the noise sense...whew!!!

Thunderchild

[orange]

*shudder*

[shovelon]

Similar feeling with my Oz. I have'nt been riding it as much, as I want to find what is going on.

I started to hear and feel a rather loud CLICK, every time I braked hard with the front brake, almost like when the brake cable is not set in it's hook, and then seats. As the Maverick fork compressed, about halfway it would happen. I reckoned either I knackered the bottom headset cup, or ovaled the headtube itself. The fix I prepared for is to replace the headset with an Acros deep cup type, and epoxy the bottom in if necessary.

Turns out the top of the headtube is giving me the problem, as I can feel some movement there. I have been riding again and think actually I need to remove the top crown and shim it to take up some gap. I found some folks at the MTBR Maverick forum that have the same occurance.

Pheww!

[Colin]

oooohhh, link to: MTBR Maverick forum please!

There's a Oz frame sitting behind me that wants to mate with a pair of DUC32's in my cupboard!

(and another one downstairs that's got it's eye on a lovely brand new pair of SC32's!)

Unfortunately it seems that I have to assist with the "matings" and there never seems enough time!

Col.

[Old Proflexer]

i've heard several loud pops over time and for the most part they've been small rocks flying up and hitting the frame at the down tube.

sounds like you got a rock wedged in there and it broke - next to the skin of the frame, you'd have heard it and probably felt it.

just check her over real good in a good light and keep going - they're tough, people still stop and stare at these old frames.

OP

[shovelon]

oooohhh, link to: MTBR Maverick forum please!

There's a Oz frame sitting behind me that wants to mate with a pair of DUC32's in my cupboard!

(and another one downstairs that's got it's eye on a lovely brand new pair of SC32's!)

Unfortunately it seems that I have to assist with the "matings" and there never seems enough time!

Col.

Try this link.
http://forums.mtbr.com/forumdisplay.php?f=128

Terry