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English
general questions
About maintenance or various problems you may have with your bike.
general questions
- There is a cracking noise coming from the frame. What is wrong?
• The most common cause for noise is the bottom bracket, especially in alloy frames. You can hear it when riding the bicycle during pedalling. The noise is due to frictions that are created between the B.B. set and the B.B. shell. Lubrication of the B.B. shell is necessary. Contact an authorised IDEAL dealer shop.
• The noise may be due to loose parts, either on the pedals or the freewheel (conical pedals, freewheel rings etc). Please contact an authorised IDEAL dealer shop.
• The frame may have cracked and the noise may be coming from the point of the crack. Please contact an authorised IDEAL dealer shop.
• The noise may be coming from surrounding parts of the bicycle that are in direct or indirect contact with the frame, e.g. saddle stem and saddle. A check of whether there has been a correct assembly/tightening or lubrication of the bicycle parts is required. Please contact an authorised IDEAL dealer shop.
Noise can be caused by loose assembly or loosening of individual pedal or disc arm components (disc arm blades, tapered pedals, etc.). Consult an authorised IDEAL store.
The frame may be cracked and the noise may be coming from the crack. Consult an authorised IDEAL store.
Noise can come from peripheral parts of the bicycle that are in direct or indirect contact with the frame, e.g. saddle neck and saddle. A check for correct assembly/tightening and lubrication of peripheral components is required. Consult an authorised IDEAL dealer.
- How often should I do a maintenance service check on my bicycle?
A check should be done periodically and depending on how often and under what conditions the bicycle is used. A maintenance check of the frictions of the bicycle is critical: headset, bottom bracket, front and rear hubs. Please also read the IDEAL service manual, the chapter on the maintenance.
- The bicycle fork is unstable. What should I do?
Please contact an authorised IDEAL dealer shop. The correct maintenance check of the headset is particularly important, as it is directly related to the safety of the rider. The use of the bicycle with rotten or loose headset is dangerous.
- How may I check whether the headset is safely tight?
Sitting on the bicycle (stopped), press the front brake lever. Keeping it pressed, move the bicycle forward and backward. With your free hand touch the top of the headset. If you feel any movement or hear a noise, maintenance check is required. Please contact an authorised IDEAL dealer shop. The use of the bicycle with rotten or loose the above parts is dangerous. Special attention should be paid to the bicycle with suspension fork. In this case the check must also be done on the point where the upper legs connect to the lower legs. If you feel any movement or hear a noise, maintenance check is required. Please contact an authorised IDEAL dealer shop. The use of the bicycle with rotten or loose the above parts is dangerous.
- The performance of my disc-brakes (mechanical-hydraulic) is low. Why?
• The most common reason for low disc-brake performance, as well as for noise, is the contact of lubricants or cleaning liquids with the disc and the brake pads. It usually appears after maintenance service or cleaning of the bicycle. Please contact an authorised dealer shop.
• Due to inappropriate adjustment. Please contact an authorised IDEAL dealer shop for readjustment.
• Air has been concentrated in the disc-brake system mechanism (hydraulic disc-brakes). When this is the case, increased routing and spongy feeling can be realised when pressing the brake lever. Please contact an authorised IDEAL dealer shop.
• Due to the bad condition or lubrication of the inner or outer cables (mechanical disc-brakes). Their replacement is required. Please contact an authorised IDEAL dealer shop.
• Due to rotten disc pads. Their replacement with genuine parts is required. Please contact an authorised IDEAL dealer shop.
- What is the difference between disc-brakes and v-brakes?
There are substantial differences between the two. We point out some of the basic ones.
• Disc-brakes are usually heavier, more complicated, more difficult in adjustment and more expensive compared to the v-brakes.
• Wheel truing does not affect the disc-brake performance, contrary to the v-brake performance, which is particularly sensitive to this point.
• Disk-brakes are very little or not at all affected by water, mud and dust. On the contrary, v-brake pads are more sensitive to such conditions.
- The rear gear system of my bicycle does not function properly. Why?
• The adjustment of the system is probably not made according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Please contact an authorised IDEAL dealer shop.
• There may be non-compatibility among the parts that consist the drive train system (brake levers, cables, chain, front gear system). Please contact an authorised IDEAL dealer shop.
• The point on the frame where the rear derailleur is screwed on (derailleur hanger) has been bended. Please contact an authorised IDEAL dealer shop.
• The inner and outer gear cables are possibly rusted, reshaped, or destroyed. Please contact an authorised IDEAL dealer shop.
- What should I be careful of when I want to upgrade my bicycle?
It is very crucial to ensure the compatibility of the new with the old parts. Please contact an authorised IDEAL dealer shop.
- Which is the right bicycle size for a child?
The size depends on the body structure and height of each particular child and its choice should be made based on the safety of the rider. We present below an estimate of choices, but for a more precise aspect please visit an authorised IDEAL dealer shop.
2-4 years: 10″/12″
4-6 years: 14″/16″
6-8 years: 18″/20″
8-10 years old: 20″/24″