Resting Surly Bike On Forks
#1
Newbie
Thread Starter
Resting Surly Bike On Forks
Hey guys, I was recently doing some maintenance on my Midnight Special and had the wheels off with the bike resting on bottom bracket and forks. Thru axles were installed at the time. Bike was resting on carpeted garage floor.
It wasn't until later I read the Surly Maintenance page and it mentioned 3 times not to rest bike on forks.
Could I have done damage? How would I know? It seems like overkill to me and written by a lawyer but I would be interested in everyone's opinions.
It wasn't until later I read the Surly Maintenance page and it mentioned 3 times not to rest bike on forks.
Could I have done damage? How would I know? It seems like overkill to me and written by a lawyer but I would be interested in everyone's opinions.
#2
Blamester
Hey guys, I was recently doing some maintenance on my Midnight Special and had the wheels off with the bike resting on bottom bracket and forks. Thru axles were installed at the time. Bike was resting on carpeted garage floor.
It wasn't until later I read the Surly Maintenance page and it mentioned 3 times not to rest bike on forks.
Could I have done damage? How would I know? It seems like overkill to me and written by a lawyer but I would be interested in everyone's opinions.
It wasn't until later I read the Surly Maintenance page and it mentioned 3 times not to rest bike on forks.
Could I have done damage? How would I know? It seems like overkill to me and written by a lawyer but I would be interested in everyone's opinions.
What contacts the floor?
I think you would already know if it was damaged.
#3
Newbie
Thread Starter
#4
Blamester
Likes For blamester:
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: South Jersey
Posts: 2,262
Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 713 Post(s)
Liked 796 Times
in
473 Posts
On a thru axle fork, with the axle installed, the worst that could happen is chipped paint. That warning goes back to the days of QR forks with open dropouts that could be bent from hammering on a crown race with the dropouts on the floor.
Likes For dsaul:
Likes For FBOATSB:
Likes For J.Higgins:
#8
Advocatus Diaboli
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Wherever I am
Posts: 8,631
Bikes: Merlin Cyrene, Nashbar steel CX
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4729 Post(s)
Liked 1,531 Times
in
1,002 Posts
Surly has some odd warnings sometimes. Weren't they the ones who wrote a long blog explanation about why you can't put kickstands on their bikes?
Likes For Sy Reene:
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 33,656
Bikes: '96 Litespeed Catalyst, '05 Litespeed Firenze, '06 Litespeed Tuscany, '20 Surly Midnight Special, All are 3x10. It is hilly around here!
Mentioned: 39 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2026 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1,095 Times
in
741 Posts
I also have a Midnight Special. This is not a delicate fork and you would have to really pound on those fork tips to damage them. I wouldn't drop it (or any fork) onto a hard surface from an appreciable height and certainly wouldn't rest the fork on it's dropouts while pounding on a crown race setter but otherwise the warning is just lawyer-speak.
Likes For HillRider:
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2019
Posts: 1,606
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 581 Post(s)
Liked 921 Times
in
518 Posts
They do seem to enjoy tongue-in-cheek fun in their literature, but my understanding is that a kickstand clamped on a LHT's chainstays could easily crush the tube. They now make a pair of brackets with curved faces to spread out the load on the tubes from the kickstand clamp.
Likes For ClydeClydeson:
#11
Newbie
Thread Starter
Thanks alot guys for the replies. Gives me peace of mind. The whole reason I brought a Surly was so I wouldn't have to baby it like my carbon bikes.
Likes For Champ340:
#12
Newbie
Thread Starter
I also have a Midnight Special. This is not a delicate fork and you would have to really pound on those fork tips to damage them. I wouldn't drop it (or any fork) onto a hard surface from an appreciable height and certainly wouldn't rest the fork on it's dropouts while pounding on a crown race setter but otherwise the warning is just lawyer-speak.
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 13,443
Mentioned: 33 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4224 Post(s)
Liked 2,944 Times
in
1,803 Posts
It does seem to be an odd warning.
#14
SE Wis
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Posts: 10,499
Bikes: '68 Raleigh Sprite, '02 Raleigh C500, '84 Raleigh Gran Prix, '91 Trek 400, 2013 Novara Randonee, 1990 Trek 970
Mentioned: 40 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2740 Post(s)
Liked 3,388 Times
in
2,051 Posts
Who has carpeting in their garage?
#15
Newbie
Thread Starter
Likes For Champ340:
#16
SE Wis
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Posts: 10,499
Bikes: '68 Raleigh Sprite, '02 Raleigh C500, '84 Raleigh Gran Prix, '91 Trek 400, 2013 Novara Randonee, 1990 Trek 970
Mentioned: 40 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2740 Post(s)
Liked 3,388 Times
in
2,051 Posts
Likes For dedhed:
#17
Habitual User
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Altadena, CA
Posts: 7,956
Bikes: 2023 Niner RLT 9 RDO, 2018 Trek Procaliber 9.9 RSL, 2018 Storck Fascenario.3 Platinum, 2003 Time VX Special Pro, 2001 Colnago VIP, 1999 Trek 9900 singlespeed, 1977 Nishiki ONP
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4926 Post(s)
Liked 8,056 Times
in
3,809 Posts
I do. Part of it, anyway. My garage is not used for cars. Currently, it's a multi-purpose room that includes a woodworking/shop area, a workout area, a music studio, and a bike area. The half with music and bike stuff has thin carpet and a couple of cheap rugs covering the concrete floor. There's also a beer fridge and a small sofa.
__________________
"Swedish fish. They're protein shaped." - livedarklions
"Swedish fish. They're protein shaped." - livedarklions
Last edited by Eric F; 06-17-21 at 09:23 AM.
Likes For Eric F:
#18
Clark W. Griswold
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: ,location, location
Posts: 13,465
Bikes: Foundry Chilkoot Ti W/Ultegra Di2, Salsa Timberjack Ti, Cinelli Mash Work RandoCross Fun Time Machine, 1x9 XT Parts Hybrid, Co-Motion Cascadia, Specialized Langster, Phil Wood Apple VeloXS Frame (w/DA 7400), R+M Supercharger2 Rohloff, Habanero Ti 26
Mentioned: 54 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4332 Post(s)
Liked 3,956 Times
in
2,644 Posts
Don't listen to the others, that bike is certainly trashed, send it my way and I will properly and safely dispose of it according to Surly spec.
Likes For veganbikes:
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 33,656
Bikes: '96 Litespeed Catalyst, '05 Litespeed Firenze, '06 Litespeed Tuscany, '20 Surly Midnight Special, All are 3x10. It is hilly around here!
Mentioned: 39 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2026 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1,095 Times
in
741 Posts
I did treat all of the frame and fork tube internals, like I do with all steel frames, with Amsoil HDMP. It's an identical product to Weigle's Frame Saver but a bigger can for less money and you can get it at any NAPA auto parts dealer. I ride in all kinds of weather and the peace of mind is worth the minor cost and effort to rust proof it.
#20
Newbie
Thread Starter
I like mine a lot and I'm happy I bought it. Nothing particular to be concerned about and no weaknesses. It is not a lightweight but Surly frames are not bought for minimal weight.
I did treat all of the frame and fork tube internals, like I do with all steel frames, with Amsoil HDMP. It's an identical product to Weigle's Frame Saver but a bigger can for less money and you can get it at any NAPA auto parts dealer. I ride in all kinds of weather and the peace of mind is worth the minor cost and effort to rust proof it.
I did treat all of the frame and fork tube internals, like I do with all steel frames, with Amsoil HDMP. It's an identical product to Weigle's Frame Saver but a bigger can for less money and you can get it at any NAPA auto parts dealer. I ride in all kinds of weather and the peace of mind is worth the minor cost and effort to rust proof it.
#21
Method to My Madness
Join Date: Nov 2020
Location: Orange County, California
Posts: 3,641
Bikes: Trek FX 2, Cannondale Synapse, Cannondale CAAD4, Santa Cruz Stigmata GRX
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1939 Post(s)
Liked 1,463 Times
in
1,012 Posts
Heck yeah! I was hoping you would chime in because the original topic of this thread particularly calls for your signature: steel is indeed real.
Likes For SoSmellyAir:
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 33,656
Bikes: '96 Litespeed Catalyst, '05 Litespeed Firenze, '06 Litespeed Tuscany, '20 Surly Midnight Special, All are 3x10. It is hilly around here!
Mentioned: 39 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2026 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1,095 Times
in
741 Posts
I don't. I treat the frames and forks heavily using two applications about 48 hours apart and rotate them frequently while they they drying. I do this when everything is new and before the bike is built up. After that the frame is considered protected for life.
I have a 1983 Trek 400 frame I bought used in the early 1990's and Amsoil treated it and the fork right after I bought it. It was my rain / bad weather bike for 15 years and then rebuilt as a fixie for my son-in-law. It's still in great shape with no retreatment.
I have a 1983 Trek 400 frame I bought used in the early 1990's and Amsoil treated it and the fork right after I bought it. It was my rain / bad weather bike for 15 years and then rebuilt as a fixie for my son-in-law. It's still in great shape with no retreatment.
#23
2-Wheeled Fool
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: New Hampshire
Posts: 2,346
Bikes: Surly Ogre, Brompton
Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1385 Post(s)
Liked 677 Times
in
457 Posts
I don't. I treat the frames and forks heavily using two applications about 48 hours apart and rotate them frequently while they they drying. I do this when everything is new and before the bike is built up. After that the frame is considered protected for life.
I have a 1983 Trek 400 frame I bought used in the early 1990's and Amsoil treated it and the fork right after I bought it. It was my rain / bad weather bike for 15 years and then rebuilt as a fixie for my son-in-law. It's still in great shape with no retreatment.
I have a 1983 Trek 400 frame I bought used in the early 1990's and Amsoil treated it and the fork right after I bought it. It was my rain / bad weather bike for 15 years and then rebuilt as a fixie for my son-in-law. It's still in great shape with no retreatment.
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 33,656
Bikes: '96 Litespeed Catalyst, '05 Litespeed Firenze, '06 Litespeed Tuscany, '20 Surly Midnight Special, All are 3x10. It is hilly around here!
Mentioned: 39 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2026 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1,095 Times
in
741 Posts
If the odor of Weigel's Frame Saver bothers you, the Amsoil HDMP will too as it exactly the same product. I've always used it outside laying down newspapers (remember them?) under the frame to catch the overspray and minor leakage.
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 13,443
Mentioned: 33 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4224 Post(s)
Liked 2,944 Times
in
1,803 Posts
Honestly, the last time I used Frame Saver, I specifically had to go to a gas station just to get a Sunday paper for the purpose of overspray and plugging the tubes (I think that was also the last time I've bought a Sunday paper for myself). Was about to build up a new steel frame and hunted down my half-used can and was thinking about having to wait until Sunday to get another big paper when I found a different frame to use instead. The next time the in-laws come for the weekend, I'll have to save the paper after they go as we always get one for them.