Verificando a Caixa de Direção da Bicicleta

Introduction

A caixa de direção em uma bicicleta é o rolamento mais importante na bicicleta. Ela permite que você equilibre as forças enquanto estiver andando, para não cair. Se ela estiver muito solta ou muito apertada, a bicicleta pode ficar desconfortável de andar e a caixa de direção se desgastará mais rápido do que se estivesse ajustada corretamente

Step 1

Loose Enough? - Verificando a Caixa de Direção da Bicicleta

Loose Enough?

Grab the rear section of the bike – the part connected to the back wheel – at the front of the top tube. Lift the front wheel off the ground. Turn the bars. They should rotate smoothly left to right with no clicks or sticking points. The most likely problem is the front wheel tending to rest at the straighter head point.

Pro Tip

Watch out for interference from any control cables. It may give a false negative.

Step 2

Tight Enough? - Verificando a Caixa de Direção da Bicicleta

Tight Enough?

With the front wheel on the ground jam on the front brake. Push the bike forward from the handlebars. The back wheel should lift off the ground with no hesitation, no play between the handlebars and fork and the rear section of the bike.

Step 3

Detecting play in the headset on a bike - Verificando a Caixa de Direção da Bicicleta

Detecting play in the headset on a bike

You can detect tiny amounts of play in a headset on a bike by placing your finger at the point where the top tube meets the forks when make your check.

Pro Tip

Checks during adjustment of a threadless steerer headset are made while the handlebars are unlocked. Do the ‘too tight’ test by turning the wheel, and the ‘too loose’ test using the method described below.

Pro Tip

If the bike has no front brake or telescopic forks turn the front wheel perpendicular to the back wheel and push the bike forward to detect any play in a headset on a bike.