Boom Question in General Discussion Forum

0 Points

Add Reply New Topic

<< Previous Topic Next Topic >>

Boom Question

Author	Comment
AngusA2	Boom Question	Lead	[-]
Posts: 5 Mar 25 12 5:32 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Tags : None Hi Everyone! I have question about the boom on my new (used) Catrike Road. I have been on it several times since it appeared on my doorstep. When I ride, however, the boom seems to twist as I ride. It always seems to turn toward the right side. This evening it moved enough so that I had trouble shifting the chain on the front chainrings. I was able to stop, loosed the QR bolts, adjust the crank, and then retighten them. It seems to me that the QR bolts are tight...but obviously not tight enough. Is it possible to over-tighten them? I would hate to break them or damage the boom. Any advice? Thanks!
altozwei		#1	[-]
Posts: 388 Mar 25 12 7:41 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	What year is your Road? I had a problem like this with my 2008 Road. The shim (a plastic sheet that should keep the boom from rotating) had slipped and was actually stuffed into the bottom of my frame, instead of being in its proper place. Mine was replaced with one that was slightly thicker and I have not experienced any problems since. If your bolts are really tight, you might want to check the shim as it could be your culprit. Also, you mentioned that your Catrike is used. Have you looked at the boom and the index tab that fits into the slot on your boom to keep it aligned correctly. Sometimes, people have had their clamps too loose and damaged the index tab, allowing the boom to rotate. The index tab wasn't intended to hold the boom in place but if the clamps have been too loose in the past, it is possible that it might have been damaged. I haven't had that problem but there were some lengthy discussions about it a couple of years back.
AngusA2		#2	[-]
Posts: 5 Mar 26 12 4:07 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I will check the shim. I saw it when I installed the boom, but I cannot be sure that it did not slip. It certainly seems that the boom is easier to twist than it should be. My Road is a 2011. How easy is it to replace the shim if need be? Thanks!
jimali		#3	[-]
Posts: 1018 Mar 26 12 6:13 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	The shim on current models, the last couple of years, has tabs that engage the QR bolt and cannot "slip". You simply need to get your QR's tighter.
mikespug		#4	[-]
Posts: 34 Mar 26 12 5:53 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I replaced the quick release skewers on my speed with allen bolts. They can be torqued evenly and accurately and I haven't experienced trouble with the boom slipping since. Another trick if you don't mind some very light scratches on the boom...add some fibergrip to the boom and it will further reduce any slippage you may be experiencing.
GrantAndre	Tighten QR, Check Shim, Replace QR w/ Bolt?	#5	[-]
Posts: 211 Mar 26 12 5:56 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Angus... @JimAli has the right answer: I would guess that your QRs need to be tighter than you're getting them to really clamp the boom in place. You're also on the right track: be sure to check that the shim hasn't pushed back rearward of the QR position... making a firm clamp a tough proposition. As a last option (one that I took for aethetics), you can always replace the QR bolks with actual allen bolts. This allows you to really wrench the bolts tight. I like this option 'cause I think it looks nicer and also because I don't really understand the need for the boom to be on a QR adjustment. I've set my boom and have never had a need to adjust it quickly... maybe one adjustment in almost 2 years of riding was enough. And I have an allen key for that! Here's the bolt I'm using: http://www.universalcycle...uct_details.php?id=22680
mikespug		#6	[-]
Posts: 34 Mar 27 12 7:13 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	You could certainly use the bolt Grant mentioned...or...you could go to your local hardware store and pick two up with washers for about $1...
mikeatlbch		#7	[-]
Posts: 3399 Mar 27 12 4:45 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I have been caught failing to properly tighten peggy's boom before the start of a time trial... Twisting her boom when she accelerated ...Oh the embarassment. Our vintage is different than current. My Speed had a formed element with a lip to prevent it from slipping into the tube. Peggy's was a simple sheet which we keep in the clamp zone during adjustment. My 2008 trail has the shims fixed on the inner wall of the frame tongue. Model years had different width shims and size matters. You can get the boom tight enough with quick releases. Bolts can also be secure and there is not the built in flex of the skewer mechanism with a bolt. No matter which method you chose to secure your boom the shim needs to be in place and proper size. If it is then once tightened you are golden. The indexing tab plays no roll in maintaining position of the boom. It will bend or break if you ask it to perform a load function. Mike

<< Previous Topic Next Topic >>

Add Reply