time for a new bike?

[StoereVent]

Hello,

a friend of mine rides a 4-5 year old EVObike. He once replaced the noleen rear shock with a risse astro: solved a couple of problems. But now, when you take the sadle in one hand and the rear wheel in your other, and then move your hands in opposite direction, you can feel 'a lot of movement'. At least a lot more movement then in the beginning.

We think the wheelset can't be the problem, that seems to be ok.

So it must the pivot? Is it worth to try to order the parts and replace all the parts that make up the pivot (over here there are no (maybe few) shops that sell or repair K2). Or is a 4-5 year old EVO with about 10.000 km beyond repair? (That I can't imagine ofcourse).

Our mechanical talents are not as big as OP's,  but also not as poor as his neigbour Bob's. (I DID THE JIFFY LUBE ONCE!)

Jeroen.

[keen]

  If there are no complaints aside from the pivot i'd say service it. K2 should be able to help you find all the parts needed.

[Carbon_Angus]

even when the main pivot is bolted to spec you can grab the wheel at 12 o'clock and move it side to side and get a good amount of play in the swingarm all the way to the main piivot. if it feels loose though it might need new bearings, but i'd inspect it first to be sure about that

[smiley=beer.gif]

[Matno]

If it just feels like it "bends" side to side, that's normal. Mine have always done that - about 1" of "flex" on both of my '98 5000s... Same with my father-in-law's. At first, it drove me nuts. Now I'm used to it, and actually like it. I consider it extra "side to side suspension."

[Simon]

Have you checked the shocks bushes if worn this could give the same effect,if the pivot bushes are worn (I'm assuming its using bushes not needle bearings)try tightening the pivot bush pinch bolts and see if this cures the movement but don't leave them tight set to the recommended adjustment,is it using a Carbon s/arm or an aluminium one if its using a Carbon one check that the bonded in dropouts haven't come loose and require rebonding back in (quite common fault but easy fix) as I believe your in europe you can get all the required K2 parts including risse parts from CVI in the UK.Simon

[Irby]

On the older EVO pivots, the bushings can ovalize the frame bore and movement can result. The 1999- on EVOs have a needle bearing pivot which is far more durable and resistent to frame bore ovalizing. On the older frames, you can use blue locktite to secure the bushing in the frame bore if necessary. This will give you another few years out of the bike.
My 1999 EVO will flex quit abit when stressing the rear wheel while holding the frame. Much of this is wheel flex, some of it is frame/swingarm flex and none of it is pivot flex. If it were me, I'd try to anchor the bushings of an older EVO frame by using an adhesive like locktite and ride the thing for a while.  You would be surprised at how much this effects bikes such as the older FSR's and other four bar designs. The stress flexing is normal if no bushing play is detected. One of the great aspects of the 1999-on EVO frames is their wonderfully designed main pivots. My Specialized Hardrock Comp Al hardtail has a fair amount of wheel flexing as well. Yes boys, I have a cheap hardtail that I ride also. It makes me love my EVO even more, but I ride it in the NY mud and like using it for "stand up" single track riding. It's amazing how much fun a $400 hardtail is to ride. It also clearly brings home the comfort and effeciency of the K2 EVO bikes.