RMcQ

Hit Patapsco State Park yesterday which is my usual biking spot. For those that don't know it there are some of the best trails and most challenging terrain in the Mid-Atlantic out there. For n00bs it could get a little hairy in some places. This pics sucks, but I wanted to give and idea of how gnarly it can get. I made it down through this section 3 times but could not come close to making it up. Saw a guy out there that said he hit this section when it was wet and went down a dislocated a finger to 90 degrees in the roots. That's an ouchie.

<img src="http://www.mcqfamily.com/biking/over_roots.JPG">

It was just a great day, but it did get cut short and I had to walk about a mile and half to get out. Here is the event that ended my day. I of course was on my cross country bike and not my freeride/dirtjumper/urban assault bike, but I can't resist crap like this even though being clipped in is scary. I got up on the log clean and rode about 3/4 of it but was not going to make it to the end so I exited off the side. My "dismount" was clean, but puncuated by a loud metallic *SNAP*. Turns out it was the bolt through the the shock eye. It is the second time I have broken this same bolt. I need to get something stronger in there. Perhaps I should contact projectgt25rs for a re-engineered solution.

<img src="http://www.mcqfamily.com/biking/log_ride_1.JPG">

<img src="http://www.mcqfamily.com/biking/log_ride_2.JPG">

<img src="http://www.mcqfamily.com/biking/log_ride_3.JPG">

<img src="http://www.mcqfamily.com/biking/log_ride_4.JPG">

<img src="http://www.mcqfamily.com/biking/log_ride_5.JPG">

<img src="http://www.mcqfamily.com/biking/log_ride_6.JPG">

<img src="http://www.mcqfamily.com/biking/log_ride_7.JPG">

The bolt is broken inside the shock eye dead center in this picture. I'm thinking about a way to increase the diameter of the bolt or perhaps a different material? Some kind of hardened steel?
<img src="http://www.mcqfamily.com/biking/shock_bolt.JPG">

ShowMeData

If you make a bigger hole for a bigger bolt, you'll weaken the female parts - and those will be a *lot* harder to replace.

I've never heard of a bolt breaking like that - you're not running the shock too soft and bottoming out, are you?

Misplacedyankee

Ugh that would be a hated spot in the trail to have that many at once. Your the man riding that log! We have a few nice and challenging spots in NJ. I back up to one of the best in the state. It has some brutal climbs.

I broke a chain and bent a rim already this year just hoping around. I attribute mine to getting fat I might just need a better bike too.

I would think yyou could hit home depot and get one of those high grade bolts. I am not sure how they classify them, but I used some on my boat for tie downs and they can take some serious stress.

RMcQ

still where is was after the event. I think a true bottom pushes it off the piston but can't remember for sure.

RMcQ

Apparently I bought a half dozen when I broke the bolt last year so I have 5 left. I even have them in a ziplock labelled "rear shock." I'm going to put one in my camelpak but it would be hard to replace trailside as the threaded half has to be backed out with something like vice grips.

<img src="http://www.mcqfamily.com/biking/IMG_0403.jpg">

You can see some part numbers/specs on the bag. I tried to read the head of the bolt too to see what grade it is. Looks like it says <b>C S</b> on top and <b>A2-70</b> on bottom.

<img src="http://www.mcqfamily.com/biking/IMG_0404.jpg">

blackIIIroad

Great pictures Ryan...here is Co...we've got the rocks that kick most mt. bkrs butts!

blackIIIroad

Those roots just scream out...Come fall on your ***...Oh Snap!

skidmark

Do you have a torch? I would just heat treat the bolt before using.

RMcQ

Heat until glowing and allow to cool slowly? Are you sure this will work for what looks to be stainless steel?

skidmark

I'm not sure if you could get it hot enough with just propane. Propane/Oxygen combo would for sure, and so would an Acetylene torch. You can tell if old broken bolt was hardened or not by trying to cut with a hacksaw blade.