Global-flat.com Board
English => General Flatland Forum => Topic started by: Sensei on August 13, 2020, 06:54:23 AM
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I can't believe it! I bought my first flatland BMX. Chain Reaction was sold out of the 2019 Colony Apprentice, which I've been drooling over for months (almost bought a 2011 on FB shipped, but glad I waited). Everywhere said the 2020 would be restocked in October but $150 more. Being home with the kids during this COVID time had got me jonesing for a BMX bike. CR somehow restocked the 2019 after I checked daily for 4 months! I ordered it right away and it finally arrived. I heard the 2020 has upgraded freecoaster, but I had to keep my budget in check.
Some questions, figured I'd post them all here, but I'll check the threads for specifics, too. I've loved flatland since I was 10. I'm 37 now. Haven't owned a BMX since I was 10, but I've rode all kinds of mountain bikes my whole life, road bikes and cruisers, so this is all new and some of the tech.
1) How do you know the right tension on the chain? I tightened my rear axle nuts down at a point where it's not too tight on the chain, but has a bit of flop to it, still. Related, I hear a click/pop every now and then when pedaling, which I guess is coming from the chain getting caught on a tooth or two?
2) The brakes squeal like crazy. I assume it's crappy stock pads from Colony? What do you use? I have some Aztec2 pads that seem the same I could swap with.
3) What PSI do you run? The Colony Exon tires don't specify (online says 110 max).
4) My detangler was clicking and flip flopping when bars moved, but I learned I had to adjust the barrel tension, however, they are now nearly all the way out on both top and bottom of the detangler, and it seems smooth. Is that normal to be adjusted that far out?
5) Freecoaster. Whoa, didn't realize this was so complicated. I'm going to watch some videos on how they work, but I was going to ask on the engagement "hiccup" after you pedal backwards, the pedals drop 3-4" before it engages again, but that seems normal. Also, I noticed if I pedal backwards some, it will actual pedal the cranks backwards too for a bit, but this is also a normal thing, I seem to read.
6) Front brake cable. What do you do with this U slack? Seems like people cut the housing down to make it a tight U?
7) Have to fine tweak the brakes. These L/R spring adjustments are new to me, or, I've forgotten about them since I've been using disc brakes for decades.
B) WHAT THE HELL AM I DOING? The videos I see of you guys doing stuff look so sick, but damn this is hard! What do I start with? lol.
Thanks.
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I can't believe it! I bought my first flatland BMX. Chain Reaction was sold out of the 2019 Colony Apprentice, which I've been drooling over for months (almost bought a 2011 on FB shipped, but glad I waited). Everywhere said the 2020 would be restocked in October but $150 more. Being home with the kids during this COVID time had got me jonesing for a BMX bike. CR somehow restocked the 2019 after I checked daily for 4 months! I ordered it right away and it finally arrived. I heard the 2020 has upgraded freecoaster, but I had to keep my budget in check.
Some questions, figured I'd post them all here, but I'll check the threads for specifics, too. I've loved flatland since I was 10. I'm 37 now. Haven't owned a BMX since I was 10, but I've rode all kinds of mountain bikes my whole life, road bikes and cruisers, so this is all new and some of the tech.
1) How do you know the right tension on the chain? I tightened my rear axle nuts down at a point where it's not too tight on the chain, but has a bit of flop to it, still. Related, I hear a click/pop every now and then when pedaling, which I guess is coming from the chain getting caught on a tooth or two?
2) The brakes squeal like crazy. I assume it's crappy stock pads from Colony? What do you use? I have some Aztec2 pads that seem the same I could swap with.
3) What PSI do you run? The Colony Exon tires don't specify (online says 110 max).
4) My detangler was clicking and flip flopping when bars moved, but I learned I had to adjust the barrel tension, however, they are now nearly all the way out on both top and bottom of the detangler, and it seems smooth. Is that normal to be adjusted that far out?
5) Freecoaster. Whoa, didn't realize this was so complicated. I'm going to watch some videos on how they work, but I was going to ask on the engagement "hiccup" after you pedal backwards, the pedals drop 3-4" before it engages again, but that seems normal. Also, I noticed if I pedal backwards some, it will actual pedal the cranks backwards too for a bit, but this is also a normal thing, I seem to read.
6) Front brake cable. What do you do with this U slack? Seems like people cut the housing down to make it a tight U?
7) Have to fine tweak the brakes. These L/R spring adjustments are new to me, or, I've forgotten about them since I've been using disc brakes for decades.
B) WHAT THE HELL AM I DOING? The videos I see of you guys doing stuff look so sick, but damn this is hard! What do I start with? lol.
Thanks.
Clicking sound could be lack of bottom bracket spacer.
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Matt Wilhelm get you sorted here in less than 35 minutes video length (even if I personnaly do not agree with all the things he said there)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqOSRGNO84Y (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqOSRGNO84Y)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsTctF-jyH8 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsTctF-jyH8)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6f7uc6SW7bs (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6f7uc6SW7bs)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjynkL8Tpc4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjynkL8Tpc4)
regarding the squeal you experiment when you brake, have a look on the toe pad topic here #rubberbandtrickforthewin:
https://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-help/u-brake-service (https://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-help/u-brake-service)
yes 110 psi for that colony tire like said on the colony website
and enjoy with the new toy :beer:
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Hello Sensei, I think you bought a good bike! Some answers:
1. Most riders have their chain really tight, but this causes wear on the bearings of your freecoaster and bottom bracket. So I would not run it super tight, but it should not have more than 1 cm "play" when you press your finger on the chain.
2. Often anodised rims did not brake as good as chromed ones. That is why these typical "clear" brake pads came into the BMX word and they always make a lot of noise. But most riders do not use the brakes so often and only if they really want to stop the wheel so the "digital" function of these pads is what most riders need and so they need to accept the noise.
3. Unless you are super light I would not use less than 100 psi. For rolling tricks and every positon of the bike where the wheel is tilted to the ground this is mandatory.
4. You may try to readjust the last screw that clamps the cable on the brake. It is not a problem if the barrels are far out, but of course it would be better to have some option left.
6. Seeing you photo I would say make it shorter. Have a look on the bikes of other users here (post your bike thread) and you can see how people are doing it.
Have fun!
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Yeah! These were great links! I learned a lot about brakes. I tried the toe in rubber band trick but man they still squeal. I swapped out the back for my Aztec2 pads, and they are perfect. We'll see if they last. May need to get another for up front so I imagine a lot of braking happens there, too.
Matt Wilhelm get you sorted here in less than 35 minutes video length (even if I personnaly do not agree with all the things he said there)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqOSRGNO84Y (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqOSRGNO84Y)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsTctF-jyH8 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsTctF-jyH8)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6f7uc6SW7bs (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6f7uc6SW7bs)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjynkL8Tpc4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjynkL8Tpc4)
regarding the squeal you experiment when you brake, have a look on the toe pad topic here #rubberbandtrickforthewin:
https://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-help/u-brake-service (https://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-help/u-brake-service)
yes 110 psi for that colony tire like said on the colony website
and enjoy with the new toy :beer:
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Hey Sensei, I'm looking at getting a new, complete bike and it seems like the apprentice is the only available one currently. I'm keeping an eye on ebay too, incase something pops up. Chain reaction is in th UK isn't it? Where you based?
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Did they mention anything else that might get upgraded? I saw your review today on chainreaction. It was out of stock for a long time and I've been debating the bike as well as there aren't a ton of complete bikes out there for flat.
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FlatlandFuel has the Ares for $600 and everywhere has said the new Apprentice will be in stock in October, but one place said it will be $600 US.
I'm in the US. ChainReaction was a dream for shipping, for free, I don't know how that's possible from the UK. DHL had a week long hiccup though and it arrived a week later than they said. But totally worth it! I love it.
I was told by one of the dealers that the freecoaster has been upgraded on the 2020 Apprentice, hence the price change, but I'm sure you could do some more official digging on that.
I checked eBay and local for months for a flatland-specific bike, so when it restocked I was super excited.
Did they mention anything else that might get upgraded? I saw your review today on chainreaction. It was out of stock for a long time and I've been debating the bike as well as there aren't a ton of complete bikes out there for flat.
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That's great you had a good experience with Chain Reaction. I emailed or chatted with a rep about if they planned to get more in stock and possible ETA when it had been out of stock for a couple months and the guy was very unhelpful.
I emailed Colony to ask today about 2019 vs 2020 differences saying I heard they were upgrading the freecoaster, possibly other parts and increasing the price and was going to pull trigger on 2019 and maybe make upgrades but might hold out on 2020 depending on upgrades and they replied:
Chaz,
The 2019 actually had the same upgrades as well.
Colony Clone FC rear hub.
So stocks available now will be the same.
Thanks!
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Oh, interesting. Get it!!
Maybe their plans have changed with Covid. I can't say for sure if I have the Clone FC, it's black and unmarked, but def has a FC of some kind!
I even had a promo mailing list code to knock $30 more off it. (strange though that currently CR has 20% off all the Colony bikes except for Apprentice).
That's great you had a good experience with Chain Reaction. I emailed or chatted with a rep about if they planned to get more in stock and possible ETA when it had been out of stock for a couple months and the guy was very unhelpful.
I emailed Colony to ask today about 2019 vs 2020 differences saying I heard they were upgrading the freecoaster, possibly other parts and increasing the price and was going to pull trigger on 2019 and maybe make upgrades but might hold out on 2020 depending on upgrades and they replied:
Chaz,
The 2019 actually had the same upgrades as well.
Colony Clone FC rear hub.
So stocks available now will be the same.
Thanks!
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Oh, interesting. Get it!!
Maybe their plans have changed with Covid. I can't say for sure if I have the Clone FC, it's black and unmarked, but def has a FC of some kind!
I even had a promo mailing list code to knock $30 more off it. (strange though that currently CR has 20% off all the Colony bikes except for Apprentice).
Speak of the devil. Almost bought it last night but slept on it. This morning it's on clearance. Had a $20 mailing list coupon so pulled trigger at $350!
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Oh, interesting. Get it!!
Maybe their plans have changed with Covid. I can't say for sure if I have the Clone FC, it's black and unmarked, but def has a FC of some kind!
I even had a promo mailing list code to knock $30 more off it. (strange though that currently CR has 20% off all the Colony bikes except for Apprentice).
Speak of the devil. Almost bought it last night but slept on it. This morning it's on clearance. Had a $20 mailing list coupon so pulled trigger at $350!
$350 for a new flatland complete is really cheap!
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Just placed my order for the apprentice. Should be here in 4 days!!! B)
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@chaz
WHAT! Dang, I wish I saved $100 on mine, but I wasn't sure how long they'd be in stock.
Crazy good deal!
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UK here. I got really excited as there is a promotion currently offering an additional 30% off sale items, but this bike doesn't count as a sale item. Don't know why.
Not to worry, its a great deal anyway, and I should be rolling Monday or Tuesday 😁
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Sorry. Not 30%, it was 10% which would be a £30 reduction here. Lol
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Well my Colony Apprentice turned up today! I've just built it up and am about to take it out for its first ride (with a load of tools as I'm sure there will be plenty of bits working loose.
First impressions are that the bars will need cutting down, and it has flanged grips which will need replacing. Looks pretty solid apart from that.
Wish me luck!
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@deacon
Awesome! How much did you cut the bars down? And is this just to do bar spin tricks easier?
I was going to ask on the flanged vs non grips or look in the forum what flatland people like.
I replaced my brake pads, other than that, everything is still stock. Had to adjust the brakes a lot, but mostly due to long time of not doing these types of brakes.
I may remove the sticker or some of them and keep blank or add some Colony vinyls I got on eBay. :)
Let me know your other thoughts on it!
I landed about 3 tail whips out of 100 the other day, my 10 year old self would be proud!
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I haven't cut the bars down at all yet, but will take a little off.
So I went for a ride and it was great. Lovely solid bike, not heavy and the size seems perfect for me. think I'll reduce the slack on the free coaster though.
I got fork glides back straight away, and managed a few backwards steamrollers. Did my longest hang five ever too (not much to brag about, it was only 4 car park spaces lol).
Can't wait to get back out on the bike again tomorrow!!
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Got mine tonight! Was supposed to be delivered Monday but was held up in customs and was sitting in a city a couple hours away this afternoon. Got an email and text saying it was going to be delivered tonight and to go to website to waive signature then checked the tracking and it was actually delivered 5 minutes before the timestamp... They didn't even knock on the door. Good thing it happened when I was home!
Excited to get it together and rolling this long weekend!
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Great stuff. We've had rain in the UK the last 24 hours so I haven't been able to ride mine again, but hopefully this evening I'll get out on it.
I'm getting fairly obsessed with Hang-5s. Watching tutorials etc. Hopefully I'll start getting some consistency with them.
Sensei, they removed your review! Mustn't have been positive enough lol
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Glad you all got some Apprentice!
No big deal, but as mentioned, not a fan of the Apprentice font. I removed the top tube stickers and put on these vinyl die-cuts instead. I dig it!
A guy on eBay sells seemingly nice quality vinyl sets for $7 from France. Put a giant Colony on my cargo rooftop box too!
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Looks rad Sensei.
Rode again last night, but only for half an hour. Got fork glides everytime and landed one fire hydrant, and got really close to a boomerang. I really want boomerangs as my dream trick is a decade.
Can't wait to get out again!