Stopping seat from adjusting on Rockrider 5.0?

[blizeH]

Hi,

I've had a Rockrider 5.0 for a few weeks now and am mostly really happy with it, however in the last few days every time I go over a bump and my weight lands fully on the back of the seat, the seat goes at a really weird angle (with the front pointing upwards) and it's incredibly uncomfortable

Apologies for the random photo from Google but here's what the bike looks like: http://www.mygarage.ro/attachments/vanzari/155650d1311226920-vand-bicicleta-rockrider-5-0-2.jpg

(I can take a photo tomorrow of my seat if that'd help)

Is there anyway of adjusting it? None of the tools were included unfortunately (I ordered from Decathalon) so don't have one of the hexagonal spanners right now to test for sure, but there's a screw on the side that seems very tight, and there's also a lever I can pull tight which is already as far as it will go.

On a side note... quite often when I change gears the bike makes almost like a clicking sound, and quite often if I change gears it feels like nothing has happened and after a few minutes or so it randomly clicks into place (usually at an awkward time like when a car is overtaking me!) which can be off-putting

Any ideas on that too please?

Thanks

 

[Widge]

Sounds like you just need to tighten the quick-release?
Pull the lever out until it is straight- then tighten the bolt with an allen key until it is JUST (barely!) snug - then PUSH the lever al the way in. You should feel enough resistance in the lever to leave an indentation in the palm of your hand after it is closed. You get a feel for this after a few go's.

You say you have PULLED the lever tight?? Sounds like you haven't quite got how q/r works so try googling Quick Release if in doubt.......same principle for wheels and seatposts.

The clicky rear gears are more than likely just the result of cable-stretch throwing the rear indexing out over the last few weeks from new. Happens to all new bikes pretty much. A quarter turn of the rear adjuster barrel (anticlockwise to tighten the cable) will fix in seconds.....maybe more or less...don't be afraid to adjust it until it's right. Again...if you are not too sure about adjusting your gear indexing...a quick google will give you chapter, verse and video!



HTH

w

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

Hi and @blizeH

Looking at that photo the saddle comes with the most basic type of seat clamp (like the one in this link). These aren't great and I've had exactly the same problems in the past with the saddle tilting backwards when pressure was applied. Try tightening the nuts on the sides (usually a 13mm spanner needed) - if this doesn't help the clamp is damaged and it'd be best to replace it (warranty if it's only a few weeks old).

Alternatively ou could upgrade to a micro adjust type. If doing this you need to be sure of getting the right diameter post. It'll probably be a 1 inch (25.4mm) but measure it if you can, or ask your local bike shop.

The clicky gears will just be an adjustment. This video explains how to set up the gears:

View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkzvfCaIbyQ


Hope this helps.

 

[NormanD]

Might be worth investing in a new seat-post with a better clamping design

 

[Widge]

Hi.....yup...Rickshaw Phil is right..........I just reread your post and realised I was confused because you seemed to be talking about the seatpost qr bolt. Sorry.

If your saddle is tilting involuntarily you need to tighten the bolt beneath where the rails are clamped. It does indeed look like you have the older type of saddle clamp so you may find that if you have allowed it to slip too often the pressed-in serrations will no longer grip it tightly enough..... no matter how much heft you deliver to it. If this is the case then a new saddle clamp of that particular type is called for. Still easy enough to get. If it is the more modern standard micro-adjust saddle clamp you may have better luck cranking it tight...but even these quickly lose their grip if you have allowed the saddle to become loose and round off the clamps serrated grippers. In this case you would be probably safer replacing the whole seatpost since the saddle clamps for these are integral.
It pays to go round a new bike periodically checking for tightness and security of all bolts and fittings as they 'bed-in' from new. B'Twin 'usually' supply a multitool but if not, just 3 sizes of allen key or a cheerful multitool is all you need to start with. (That older style of clamp will need a good old spanner or decent crescent wrench though!)

 

[blizeH]

Thank you very much all for the responses!

It is indeed the same type of clamp that Phil mentioned, but unfortunately unlike that one it doesn't have an alan key hole like that one so I'll need to get some sort of spanner set/bike multitool to adjust it (or I could just ask Decathlon for the tools that they said would be in the box!)... though as you guys have said it could be worth investing in a new seat clamp anyway - although to be honest my main complaint with the bike is that the seat is really uncomfortable, so I may look into replacing the whole thing.

Thanks for the information on the gears too, I have tried adjusting the rear gears one click so it's almost like 2 and a half rather than 2, or 1 and a half, but it doesn't seem to make much difference. I'm wondering if I screwed the bike up by initially leaving the one side on 6, then just switching between 1, 2 and 3 on the rear gears (I haven't rode a bike for around 15 years and this seem liked the easiest way to switch between easy/medium/hard) but now I just leave the one side on 2 and switch between 1 and 6. Will watch that YouTube video now and try to learn how to adjust the gears, though based on my experience so far I fear I'll end up making things a lot worse!

 

[Widge]

You're most welcome, blizeH.

If you can't be fussed to bother Decca for a multitool.....they are ten-a-penny from the internet or even yer local supermarket! Pretty much your first essential accessory.(along with a pump, patchkit and/or tube - trust me on this!!)

You'd be well advised to upgrade your seatpost, clamp and saddle by the sounds of it. Worthwhile investment. Get yourself a more comfortable saddle while your at it. (never ending quest!)The Rockrider 5 has always looked like a cracking bike for the money so get your moneysworth out of it!

I confess....I don't understand what you are saying about your gears at all! Click? 2 and a half?? One side on 6??? ......but reading between the lines I'm still pretty sure this is just a 10 second 'cable-stretch' adjustment.

Nil Desperandum

Good Luck

And welcome to CycleChat

w

 

[blizeH]

Thanks Widge! Will contact Deca and see if they will send the multitools that were supposed to come with it today I think, and if they can't then I'll take a look online - I will need a pump/patch kit etc too!

Will look into upgrading the seat, I am very happy with the bike but it isn't particularly comfortable, but I'd like to adjust the handlebars too which will require buying a raiser... I think I could easily spend £100+ on this bike and I'm wondering if I'm better off just putting it towards a Rockrider 5.2 becuase I'd like the suspension (I only do roads, but pot holes, speed bumps etc are a nightmare on this bike)

Will look into the gears too They're not that bad, so I'm worried I'll make them worse somehow, but hopefully I can fix them up... it's only one or two gears it effects. BTW the references to 2, 6 etc is on the left side I'd have that set to 2, and then just adjust the right hand side gears.... now I pretty much just leave the left gear on 3 as you can go a bit faster.

 

[NormanD]

Suspension will be a waste of time and money if you're only doing road riding, the extra weight of the suspension would make the bike a lot heavier and more of an effort to get moving forward, suspension only comes into it's own off road. A rigid frame is far more better suited to your needs, upgrade the seatpost and saddle and see how that makes it ride

 

[blizeH]

Thanks Norman I'll skip the suspension then... a new seat will make a big difference so will look into it now! Cheers

(edit) I'm tempted by these:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Velo-Plush-Bike-Saddle-6146E/dp/B004HSFE7A/
www.amazon.co.uk/ETC-Micro-Adjustable-Seat-Posts/dp/B003ZM11XK/

Any thoughts before I go ahead and buy please? I really have no clue about these things... also need to measure my current seat post to make sure I get the right size, apparently it's a HL SP200 steel seat post but I can't find the dimenions online - looks to be very little difference in sizes so will have to be very careful when measuring!

 

[Widge]

Hi blizeH..........

Please be a little wary of 'plush' monster padded saddles. Mega padding doesn't always (In fact...Rarely) equal more comfort in the long run. Too much sinky-saggy-heavy-bouncy in a saddle is not always the best way to go. You need a happy medium between 'comfortable' and 'supportive'. Google something like the 'WTB Speed V' (I use/rate these) to see what I mean.
Of course...every bodies experience with saddles is different...and it is a bit of a quest. It is not always easy to try-before you buy...especially with cheaper saddles...but I would spare you the pain of an over-plush wide squidgy saddle if I could.

The seat-post looks like just what you need 'though. Make sure it is the right size?

Best Luck

w

 

[NormanD]

You'll have to remove the seat post (mark a pencil line around the post at the frame clap before removal) and the size of the seat post should be stamped on there, If not use a ruler and measure the diameter of the seat post at its base.

I agree with @Widge about that saddle you've posted, that will cause you more problems than it cures

 

[Darren Gregory]

Hi @blizeH I cannot add anything more than what others have said but I was wondering if you would be willing and able to take a photo of the rear derauiller on your Rockrider 5.0? I have the same bike and I am trying to work out if I have bent the rear deraiuller hanger.

My new deraiuller has arrived today and hopefully I can fit it at the weekend but I would like to know if the rear hanger is bent or not. If you could take a photo looking back along the lengh of the bike toward the rear deriualler I would be most grateful.

 

[blizeH]

Thanks again all for the replies, been off the bike for a little bit but back to it tonight, and will get a measurement of the seat post too

What do you guys think of the Charge Spoon seat by the way? http://road.cc/content/review/4230-charge-spoon-ti-saddle

Also please pardon my ignorance Darren, but do you mean the rear gear spokes? If so I'll try to get a couple of photos for you later.

Cheers

 

[NormanD]

The charge spoon is a good choice, it's well thought of on here and has good reviews, I had one on my carrera before i sold it and I don't think I had any problems with it (been a while since I sold it) ... shop around you can get them CHEAP.