Show us your handlebars.

[amberwolf]

For the front brake, I spend my time adjusting the caliper but it's loose the next day. I don't know how to fix that.

By loose, do you mean like in the pic above, where the cable is just dangling? If so, that can't happen by itself if the bike is just sitting there, not being used, someone would have to be doing that. Animals can't generally turn those things, at least not without leaving marks on them, and I can't imagine any of the ones I've had or dealt with trying (even ferrets). That would leave people, so if there is someone other than you with access to the bike, I'd question them about it (or put a camera up somewhere that would record motion and catch whoever it is).

If you just mean loose as in "it doesn't brake as hard after it's been used for a ride", that could just be abnormal pad wear. Or if you are braking hard from a high speed (15-20MPH or more), many bicycle brakes are not designed to stop all that much weight from that high a speed, and wear could be very high on the pads, causing them to be farther away from the disc rotor surface, and causing you to have to squeeze a lot harder on the levers than before, to get the same braking. But that won't be a sudden thing, it'll be gradual throughout the ride, until at the end it could take more than enough extra squeezing to notice.


Another possibility is cable "stretch", where the cable actually has a snapped wire or two (or more), and each time you pull, the cable stretches enough on the remaining wires to require a lot more pulling force to transfer the same amount of length change/force to the caliper. Sometimes the stretching is permanent, leaving the cable looser and looser each time you brake, and sometimes the cable is elastic and goes back, so it doesn't feel loose when you're not braking and are checking things.


If the caliper itself actually feels loose on the attachment lugs on the fork, you might have a problem with the threads in the lug or the bolts holding it on, if they have to be retightened a lot. Locktite will fix that if it's not a thread problem, but if the holes are deformed for any reason (side impact on the caliper itself, for instance) they may never hold the bolt in right.

 

[sangesf]

Also, if there is any (tiny) debris or rust on the brake line, that will happen..

Had my share of rusty brake lines not staying taut.

 

[MadRhino]

Fix your bike with proper brakes before killing yourself, or have it fixed at the local bike shop if you can't.
That is the one thing, where you can't afford to be cheap.

 

[cwah]

For the front brake, I spend my time adjusting the caliper but it's loose the next day. I don't know how to fix that.

By loose, do you mean like in the pic above, where the cable is just dangling? If so, that can't happen by itself if the bike is just sitting there, not being used, someone would have to be doing that. Animals can't generally turn those things, at least not without leaving marks on them, and I can't imagine any of the ones I've had or dealt with trying (even ferrets). That would leave people, so if there is someone other than you with access to the bike, I'd question them about it (or put a camera up somewhere that would record motion and catch whoever it is).

If you just mean loose as in "it doesn't brake as hard after it's been used for a ride", that could just be abnormal pad wear. Or if you are braking hard from a high speed (15-20MPH or more), many bicycle brakes are not designed to stop all that much weight from that high a speed, and wear could be very high on the pads, causing them to be farther away from the disc rotor surface, and causing you to have to squeeze a lot harder on the levers than before, to get the same braking. But that won't be a sudden thing, it'll be gradual throughout the ride, until at the end it could take more than enough extra squeezing to notice.


Another possibility is cable "stretch", where the cable actually has a snapped wire or two (or more), and each time you pull, the cable stretches enough on the remaining wires to require a lot more pulling force to transfer the same amount of length change/force to the caliper. Sometimes the stretching is permanent, leaving the cable looser and looser each time you brake, and sometimes the cable is elastic and goes back, so it doesn't feel loose when you're not braking and are checking things.


If the caliper itself actually feels loose on the attachment lugs on the fork, you might have a problem with the threads in the lug or the bolts holding it on, if they have to be retightened a lot. Locktite will fix that if it's not a thread problem, but if the holes are deformed for any reason (side impact on the caliper itself, for instance) they may never hold the bolt in right.

By loose, I mean that when I adjust the caliper to brake properly, it works for 1 day or 2. Then after that it doesn't brake as well. It's quite sudden and I suspect bad manufacturer/quality brake. I'm thinking of completely changing the set of brake. But disc brakes are really expensive...

And I may purchase the wrong model because of my lack of knowledge if I'm looking for something cheap online. I may have to go to bike shop to get it fixed.

 

[Alan B]

It might be better to move the brake repair discussion to a new thread rather than clutter this handlebar photo thread.

 

[Kingfish]

Kingfish, what's that fairing made from, did you make it yourself? More info on it please very interested in doing something similar

Hello iovaykind

This question is likely OT, however with kind consideration – allow me to brief:

At first I thought there was a faring thread but I can't find it in my history... so allow me to digress. I crafted the DIY faring from HDPE = High Density Polyethylene. The raw materials were purchased my local Tap Plastics, and they were made from 2x4 sheets. The exact material is specified as HDPE M/M Opaque Sheets and is 1/32nd-inch thick.

Initially I began exploration into farings about June of 2010: The idea was to create a more slip-stream version of my ebike (Prototype-0) for touring. Borrowing slightly from the theme of the movie: Field of Dreams, “if you make it – it will work” :wink: I made a slippery body-faring in hopes it would extend my range.

Ref: Prototype Permutations: P0 Evolved

Eventually this evolved into two parts: Front and Body faring – made first in white (rough cut), then later a bit more stylish with the Yellow-Jacket look as presented below.

This ebike died on New Year’s Eve 2010 and was reborn as P1. Eventually I remade the front faring from the boxy flat-panel style into the more aerodynamic Bee’s Head style by curving the plastic and using a heat gun to moderate the shape. It’s still HDPE.

Eventually I got around to adding the custom body faring for the next road trip, and built a trailer to go with it.

This ebike is a 2WD: It has 100 pounds of batteries spread between the trailer and bike. Many kindred ES peoples helped me on my journey last summer and I very grateful. I hope this brief gallery will inspire you to create a great faring!

Look forward to seeing it, KF

 

[d8veh]

By loose, I mean that when I adjust the caliper to brake properly, it works for 1 day or 2. Then after that it doesn't brake as well. It's quite sudden and I suspect bad manufacturer/quality brake. I'm thinking of completely changing the set of brake. But disc brakes are really expensive...

And I may purchase the wrong model because of my lack of knowledge if I'm looking for something cheap online. I may have to go to bike shop to get it fixed.

Cwah, I'm looking at your front disk. It looks to me like the pad is only half on the disk. Look at the shiny wear mark. Did you change the disk or caliper. It looks like your caliper is set for a 180mm disk and you have a 160mm one.

 

[cwah]

yeah, the pad inside the caliper is slightly bent. I don't know why (there is a small roller inside making it like this). I just purchased a rear caliper, hope it's going to work.

 

[BATFINK]

Kingfish could you tell me how did you do the custom ebrake in your brake lever I really need this on my new build.

Sent using Endless-Sphere Mobile app

 

[rui_fujino]

Here is mine!
View attachment 1
FAS XC282 DH Handlebar:
CA-DP with Speedometer
Bicygnals Adaptor
3 way switch
Thumb throttle
Shimano EZ fire shifters
Custom LED lights
Cheap rear view mirror(to be upgraded)

Took a long time to figure out the perfect ways to put 3way switch, throttle and shifter/brake all together while keeping them look neat! :wink:

 

[Kingfish]

Kingfish could you tell me how did you do the custom ebrake in your brake lever I really need this on my new build.

Sent using Endless-Sphere Mobile app

Hiya Batfink,

I created a topic for your request: DIY Ebrake with integrated Brake Light Switch

Let me know if this helps.
All the best, KF

 

[stinkler]

Heres my handle bar setup. Pretty standard.

 

[Alan B]

How does the toaster run on DC and what voltage does it like?

Need to coffee warmer on the right hand side to match.

 

[StudEbiker]

Have you considered flush mounting the CA in the toaster so you can mount the toaster over the stem and be able to use your left grip?

 

[Kingfish]

Actually, if it is a video toaster, he could do editing effects on the fly...

~KF

 

[StudEbiker]

I guess these are the things you do when you are "stuck in Lodi."

[youtube]w0VDnQv-rLA[/youtube]

 

[ohzee]

Actually, if it is a video toaster, he could do editing effects on the fly...

~KF

LOL I remember when that shit was sooo hot.. Wish teh Amiga would have came out on top.

 

[amberwolf]

I'm highly tempted to find a good stainless steel kitchen sink and stick it on the front of my handlebars as a cargo rack....

 

[sangesf]

@OZ..
Yeah I had one of the Amiga's.. Wow I totally had forgotten about that and the "Video Toaster App"..
I had the top of the line model.. It was cool, because it was the first home computer that literally had pure multitasking..

@AW
I've done that before!!!
(The only problem is that even though it's rust resistant.. After being out in the Floridian weather in the humidity/sun during the day and then dry cool at night, it corrodes much faster than in a house.. It tarnishes like silver and gets ugly.. Oh AND it's heavy! LOL)

 

[BATFINK]

Thanks Kingfish for the link to the brake, awesome.

 

[cwah]

Just added a magnet to be used as GPS holder. Other GPS holder are waaaay too big and messy for my tiny handlebar. I don't want it to look like a cockpit.

2 magnets mounted on the iphone cover and on the handlebar

It can be clipped and removed easily:

The iphone is also placed against the tap on the left side as third grip point to prevent it moving when I jump.


It's quite solid with hobby king earth magnet! I'm so proud of my creation

 

[StudEbiker]

Are you not worried about such strong magnets close to your electronics??

 

[cwah]

I don't know. Only the compass seems to have problem with the magnet. I'll report here if I have any problem

 

[Thecaptain115]

Couldn't find anything in a search. Lets see your handlebar setup. Meters, gauges, throttles, lights, etc.

 

[rui_fujino]

Couldn't find anything in a search. Lets see your handlebar setup. Meters, gauges, throttles, lights, etc.

here is thread yourlooking for