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General Questions
About maintenance or various problems you may have with your bike.
General Questions
- There is a crackling noise coming from the lower part of my frame when pedaling.
- Α common cause of noise, especially on bikes with an aluminum frame, is usually coming from the bottom bracket unit. It usually occurs when the crankset rotates under pedaling force, causing friction on the bottom bracket unit and bottom bracket shell threads. Thread lubrication is required. Consult an authorized IDEAL dealer shop.
- Noise may be caused by loosening of any of the crankset parts (chainrings, crank arms, pedals, etc.). Consult an authorized IDEAL dealer shop.
- The frame may be cracked and the noise may be coming from the cracked area. Consult an authorized IDEAL dealer shop.
- The noise may be caused by any components of the bicycle that are in direct or indirect contact with the frame, e.g. seat post, saddle, handle stem and handle bar. A check for correct assembly / tightening and lubrication of these components is required. Consult an authorized IDEAL dealer shop.
- When do I have to have my bike serviced?
Βikes should be serviced in regular intervals, depending on the frequency and type of use. If you ride regularly, bring your bike in every 6 months in order to ensure that complex, hard-to-evaluate components such as brake system, spokes, bearings, derailleurs, cables and all mechanical parts are inspected and serviced regularly. These bike parts should always be serviced and adjusted by an authorized IDEAL dealer shop.
- The fork of my bike is unstable. What should I do?
An inspection at an authorised IDEAL store is required. Proper control in fork glasses is particularly important. It is directly related to the safety of the rider. Using the bicycle with worn or loose parts is dangerous.
- How can I check if my steering system is in good working order?
- While seated on the bike (stationary), keep the front brake lever pressed and simultaneously move the bike back and forth. With your free hand touch the upper headset bearing cups. If you feel any kind of play (gambling) and / or noise, an immediate check and maintenance at an authorized IDEAL dealer shop is required.
- Particular attention should be paid to bicycles with suspension forks. In this case, additionally check, by using the above procedure, at the point where the fork stanchions enter the fork’s lowers. If you feel any kind of play, an immediate check and maintenance at an authorized IDEAL dealer shop is required. Using the bicycle with worn or loose parts is dangerous.
- Why do I have reduced performance on the disc brake(s), (hydraulic - mechanical) of my bike? What should I do?
- A common cause of reduced performance and noise from disc brakes is the presence of any kind of lubricant, grease or cleaner on the brake rotor and pads. Usually, it occurs after maintenance or cleaning of the bicycle. Α thorough cleaning of the rotor with a dedicated disc brake cleaner is required. In case the problem persists, visit an authorized IDEAL dealer shop for proper brake system check and setup.
- On hydraulic disc brakes, air can be drawn into the system. In this case there is increased travel and a spongy feeling on the brake lever, so brake bleeding is required in order to remove air from the brake system. Contact an authorized IDEAL dealer shop.
- On mechanical disc brakes, wear or poor lubrication of the inner and outer brake cables can affect braking performance. Lubrication or replacement of the cables is required. Contact an authorized IDEAL dealer shop.
- Worn brake pads. Replacement with genuine spare parts at an authorized IDEAL dealer shop is required.
- What is the difference between v-brake and disc brake system?
There are important differences between the two systems. Here are some key ones:
- Usually disc brakes are heavier, more complex, more difficult to adjust and maintain and more expensive than v-brakes.
- The performance of disc brakes is not affected in case of a bend rim, whereas v-brakes are sensitive in this area.
- Disc brake performance is little to no affected by water, mud and dust, while v-brakes are more sensitive to these elements.
- The rear gear system of my bike is not performing well. What could be wrong?
- The adjustment has not been made according to the instructions of the component manufacturer. Contact an authorized IDEAL dealer shop.
- The frame’s dropout or the rear derailleur hanger is bent. Contact an authorized IDEAL dealer shop.
- The rear derailleur cable is likely to be worn, deformed or damaged. Contact an authorized IDEAL dealer shop to check and replace.
- In case a different type (other than the original spec), rear derailleur is installed, the problem might be due to the incompatibility between the original components and the new derailleur. Contact an authorized IDEAL dealer shop.
- What should I look out for when I want to upgrade my bike?
Ensure compatibility of the factory installed components with the new ones. Contact an authorized IDEAL dealer shop.
- What is the appropriate size, by age, for children's bicycles?
The size mainly depends on the physical development of each child and the choice of size is based on the safety of the rider. In the table below we list an estimation chart, although for specific evaluation, we recommend that you visit an authorized IDEAL dealer shop:
2-4 years: 10″/12″
4-6 years: 14″/16″
6-8 years: 18″/20″
8-10 years old: 20″/24″
- I would like to send me an IDEAL photo catalogue.
Contact us at info@idealbikes.net
- I would like to know prices on accessories for my bike.
Contact us at info@idealbikes.net and give us information about the area you are in and the product you are interested in.
- How long is warranty time on IDEAL BIKES?
Different components may be covered by different warranty time periods.
Contact us at info@idealbikes.net