Lefty DLR2 Problems

[office]

Hey everyone, I am experiencing a problem. The lockout of my Cannondale Lefty DLR2 slowly works its way to the lockout position when I am riding, especially when riding over rough terrain (singletrack, fire road, whatever). I have taken it to my local dealer twice-the first time they did a rebuild which started the problem. I lockout used to engage when the lever was turned clockwise, but it got switched after the rebuild. I took it back a second time and they sent it back to Cannondale for a factory rebuild. Still have the same problem and the lever engages the same way it does after it got rebuilt. The lockout still works its way into the lockout position making it impossible to ride. This is really frustrating and I was hoping that you guys could come up with a solution. I am really sick of driving the thing back and forth over and over.

Thanks!

[2wheel_lee]

Try this:

[strobelite]

had the same thing with my old headshok, so i ended up replacing it with a real fork. lots of good ones for sale here and emptybeer.

[Chewyeti]

hmmm......
maybe grease it with thick grease, so it would take more effort to rotate.

[BFloFoxRider.]

i would just zip tie it in the unlocked position.... or tape it like Lee said. That fork is ridiculously stiff even unlocked, and it climbs fine being unlocked... when its locked out, its locked out, theres no give whatsoever.
Zip Tie or Duct Tape

[Rockinthecasbah]

can you just bend the lever a little bit so it biinds with what its mounted to
if its the cap type you can put some electrical tape on the bottom of the cap to bind it a little

[skflow]

Put a small "dot" of JB Weld as a detent on the lockout body so that the lever has extra resistance to overcome.

[Von Petrol]

The whole reason in buying a Cannondale is for the Lefty. The problem is no LBS services them without sending the Lefty back to Cannnondale. However, there is a shop in New York that works on the Lefty, everyone swears by the guy.

www.mendoncyclesmith.com

Good Luck

[andygua]

I also have a lefty and thought the lockout lever was way too hard to turn...I guess I'll just leave it like that

Anyways, although you could go for the duct tape or zip tie approach, I think a final solution is to inevitably take your bike back to your LBS (Helen's I assume based on your location? If so, I feel your pain ) and have them send it back to Cannondale. They should be able to fix your problem.

Btw, if you chose to send your lefty to NY, let us know how that works out (and how much it costs)...I've read great comments about those guys.

Good luck!

[shudder]

Maybe this will help...

I see you are up in Simi, so this is local to you (always a plus). I have been hearing about this wrench Win Allen for some time -- my Sunday morning ride goes right past his industrial park 'store' -- my roadie pals say he is the bestest of the best. Last week, my car battery died and a guy in the shop gave me Win's card when he saw my RUSH 1000 strapped on the back of the truck. So, he comes with a lot of recs!

I called Win just now and he said he works on Leftys and that he could turn yours around in a day or two, depending on how busy he is (and I understand he might be busy, given the kind of recs he gets from virtual strangers...).

I even asked after your specific lock-out prob and he said he could deal with it. Of course, nothing goes until you actually take your bike to him and let him look it over, but I think it might be real worthwhile to hike it over the hill and go see him. He's in Westlake Village.

Here's the details.


Win's Wheels
30941 W. Agoura Road, Suite 302
Westlake Village, CA 91361

winswheels@yahoo.com
winswheels.com

818.597.1574

He was really nice on the phone. I am going to be taking my RUSH to him soon. I broke my left pinky finger on Monday, so now's the time fer sher.

If you do go to him, please report back.

Good luck!

shud

[office]

Originally Posted by shudder

Maybe this will help...

I see you are up in Simi, so this is local to you (always a plus). I have been hearing about this wrench Win Allen for some time -- my Sunday morning ride goes right past his industrial park 'store' -- my roadie pals say he is the bestest of the best. Last week, my car battery died and a guy in the shop gave me Win's card when he saw my RUSH 1000 strapped on the back of the truck. So, he comes with a lot of recs!

I called Win just now and he said he works on Leftys and that he could turn yours around in a day or two, depending on how busy he is (and I understand he might be busy, given the kind of recs he gets from virtual strangers...).

I even asked after your specific lock-out prob and he said he could deal with it. Of course, nothing goes until you actually take your bike to him and let him look it over, but I think it might be real worthwhile to hike it over the hill and go see him. He's in Westlake Village.

Here's the details.


Win's Wheels
30941 W. Agoura Road, Suite 302
Westlake Village, CA 91361

winswheels@yahoo.com
winswheels.com

818.597.1574

He was really nice on the phone. I am going to be taking my RUSH to him soon. I broke my left pinky finger on Monday, so now's the time fer sher.

If you do go to him, please report back.

Good luck!

shud

Thanks for the help, i'm going to take it to him this afternoon!

[strobelite]

how did that win guy work out?

[office]

Took it to Win's Wheels...the service ended up taking about ten minutes and he didn't even charge me anything (!!) He told me not to ride it for 24 hours to make sure the locktite is secure on it so no riding today. Incredibly nice guy, probably one of the best mechanics I have met, and definately worth the drive.

Thanks everyone for the help! Props to shudder for the recomendation. Wish I had known about this guy before I wasted $50 on a worthless Cannondale factory service that didn't even solve the problem!

[strobelite]

since he did it no charge, you should drop by with some soda or fruit punch or something as a thank you. shop guys like being appreciated.

[shudder]

Glad to hear such a positive response! That is excellent. Did you or he mention he might be expecting you (after my call)? Very cool to hear he didn't even charge you...

I'll be taking both my rides to him soon. We are moving to Calabasas and he will be just down the road from me.

shud

[office]

He did mention that somebody had called earlier. Thanks for the hook up. This guy is definitely my new mechanic if I have any major repairs. Its only a matter of time before the Lefty blows some seals or something

Got out on my first ride today (FINALLY!) and didn't notice any annoying lever migration. Looks like everything worked out great. Thanks everyone!

[shudder]

Very cool. I am moving into his area in the next month or so -- he'll be just a few miles away from my new place -- so it looks like he'll be my wrench as well!

Glad it turned out so good for you (and, in turn, for me as well!).

shud

[Evil Chocula]

Originally Posted by strobelite

since he did it no charge, you should drop by with some soda or fruit punch or something as a thank you.

WTF? Is this guy in middle school or something?

[strobelite]

its nice for a non alcoholic beverage while working, and you can share with other customers and employees.