Replace Q45 Shock with Metal Bar

[Black Hawk Down]

I'm interested in how you went about tightening the shock. I tried doing it a while back - it was fine on a trainer but as soon as I took it outside on the road it made significant noise, so I had to return it to its original setting.

I twisted this nut clockwise. I have no noise from the shock. My original shock from CruzBike did have lots of noise.

 

[kizarmynot]

I twisted this nut clockwise. I have no noise from the shock. My original shock from CruzBike did have lots of noise.

View attachment 18285

Thanks. I have a replacement shock too so hopefully it will work for me too.

 

[Black Hawk Down]

Thanks. I have a replacement shock too so hopefully it will work for me too.

You have to play around with how much to adjust. I have a couple of hard bumps on my route that cause the spring to bottom out. I kept adjusting until it was no longer hitting bottom. Then I stiffened it up a little more. It still works as a shock, but only on hard bumps.

 

[woodguy]

What type of wood did you use?

I used Hard Maple, but only because that was what I had handy. I think Oak or Ash or Birch or Cherry or Walnut would all work fine. Not sure if Pine is strong enough.

 

[Black Hawk Down]

I used Hard Maple, but only because that was what I had handy. I think Oak or Ash or Birch or Cherry or Walnut would all work fine. Not sure if Pine is strong enough.

What would work better in the elements (rain, snow, sun, etc.)? Probably would seal the wood with something.

 

[Ramnob42]

What would work better in the elements (rain, snow, sun, etc.)? Probably would seal the wood with something.

White oak would probably work best because of the tannin in the wood fibers. Still would want to seal it.

 

[woodguy]

White oak would probably work best because of the tannin in the wood fibers. Still would want to seal it.

White Oak is one of the most rot resistant domestic woods, which would make it a great choice, but since the wood really isn’t in contact with the earth, lots of woods will work. Sealing is always a nice idea.