Mechanical advice

ExoduS 18.11

Hello all, well i bit the bullet and bought a nice cannondale f500 fatty for commuting and hopefully some track in the summer. I reckon its the 2001 version, bought it for 185 off gumtree.
Few questions regarding the mechanics of the bike, the head shock has a little bit of a crunch about it as opposed to my last fork suspension. I reckon the bike hasnt had alot of maintenance so could this just be solved by a service?
Also at the head, the place where the head shock fits into the frame has a little bit of leeway, as if it needs new bush or bearing in there. As in it feels as if like a washer has worn away so if i pull the front breaks and push forward , the forks move back slightly. Thanks for any advice !

uberwolf

the two could be the same problem.

Suspension leads to more play in the front end. But crunchy noises are bad so get a service there though

The play could be the headset, if it's not just an inherent 'feature' of the suspension

blorg

Regarding the play, the headset may need to be adjusted, this is for the common A-headset system, not sure if your bike is the same:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRFqU07u8DE

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ExoduS 18.11

http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/00/cusa/model-0FS5.html
Thats the model i have, in blue only. I also have a problem with the gears, its finding it difficult to shift into 1st on my crank end gear. Can this be solved by adjustment?

uberwolf

rather than speculate.

by crank end do you mean towards the front of the bike?

By 1st, do you mean the smallest cog or the largest cog?

Either way it can be solved by adjustment. Just let us know which?

ExoduS 18.11

towards the front end of the bike, smallest cog. Could i solve the problem myself?

uberwolf

yeah, it's fixable.

You'll see two small screws at the top of the derailleur. You'll need to adjust the one closest to you (i.e the one further from the frame).

It's fiddly, so small adjustments. It needs to come out just the smallest bit - that'll let it drop down

ExoduS 18.11

brilliant thanks a million, sometimes it doesnt go into the largest cog either, depening in what gear im in, will this solve that problem too?

uberwolf

not going up can be one of three obvious issues (or others I haven't thought of)

You say in some gears. All combinations of gears aren't intended to work together. Namely the largest front and back along with the smallest front and back. They may go, they may not. But don't cycle in them.

If that's not your issue, you may need slightly more tension in your cables, at both the derailleur and the shifter there may be a cable tensioner. Tighten it a wee bit. If it feels tight and the gear still won't shift then play with the alternative screw to the one that you identified two post ago.

Careful not to over adjust, or else you'll drop the chain over the top.