Minor problems

skins2

Hello all

I've been lurking on here for a few weeks and thought it about time to make a post.

I recently bought my first road bike after 10+ years of not riding at all. I mainly use it for cycling to work and I'm building up my weekend rides slowly. Overall I'm loving it and finding it pretty easy going considering I'm overweight, but I have a few niggles and questions mainly concerning maintenance:

The bike is a Bianchi Via Nirone 7 C2C Sora
http://www.bianchi.com/en/products2008/Road_Y8B10.aspx

1. I adjusted the derailleurs at the weekend using the Park Tools website guides. The rear derailleur is now only shifting when I tell it to (useful) but the front is proving much more difficult to get right. I spent hours at the weekend trying to set the angle of the cage just right. The H and L screw adjustments were easy to get right each time but the chain was rubbing slightly in certain gears. It seems to me that the derailleur cage isn't wide enough to be able to use every gear combination without some slight chain rubbing. Is there a solution to this problem?

2. The front wheel is out of true. Spinning the wheel and watching the gap between it and the brake shoe there is about 2mm of play. I assume this is something the LBS can sort out when I take it back next week for its free 6 week service, but should it be out of true so soon?

3. The rear wheel's hub is making a noise I'd imagine a frozen pea would make if trapped in the inner tube with the wheel spinning. Again I'll get the LBS to look at this but I don't want them to fob me off. Does it sound like the hub needs replacing or there's just some debris in there?

Congratulations to everyone for contributing to such a helpful and busy forum. I had many questions answered by the search function.

Matt

unclemalc

Getting the positioning of the bits and pieces of the mechs right can reduce you to tears if it all goes too far wrong....

In general, you should try to set the front cage up so that it does not rub on the big chainring when using the smallest sprocket up to ~the 6th one(assuming a 9-sprocket cassette), after this the angle of the chain 'twixt the front and back will begin to induce rub.
Likewise, when in the 36 chainring, the front cage should not rub when on the biggest sprocket, down to ~ 4th one down.
You wont be able to set it so that you can run any sprocket with any chain ring. What you can do is fettle the screws so that it never rubs when in those gears you favour.

The degree of fettle is very small per screw - don't go putting on several full turns at a time :shock:

There is no doubt a link somewhere for this:
http://sheldonbrown.com/derailer-adjustment.html#front

Have fun.

As to the wheel alighnment, have you tried simply undoing the clamp and repositioning the wheel in the fork. A fraction of uneveness can show itself on the outside of a 27in wheel rotation as a noticable play.

The rear hub sounds like a visit to the LBS is in order, as the bike is new... :shock:

skins2

That's a good link. The trouble is I tend to use the larger chainring as I prefer grinding but I'll have to learn to change down to the 36 for small hills. As long as this is normal and not my-bike-specific. When the chain slightly rubs the front cage I guess this isn't good for the chain?

I've taken the wheel off several times since noticing this and it's the same every time. I assume, as the bike was not too expensive, the Ambrosio WS 23 wheels aren't particularly great and I may have to think about upgrading, especially considering my weight (17.5 stone)? Seeing the thread a few down about wheels for the heavier rider those Quest wheels for £60 look a bargain, or am I being a little hasty?

unclemalc

LBS first with a list of queries, then go from there.
I used the Ambrosio wheels that came with my Nirone for 2 years. They have just gone onto my winter bike as they are worn.
I replaced them with Mavic Open rims and Tiagra hubs - I bike at the cheaper end of the market! This combo looks good, runs silent and I'm happy with the discount from my LBS.

I was ~ 14-15 stone a couple of years back but am down to 13 and a bit now, thanks to those Ambrosios, so get them checked before you discard!

Monty Dog

Your wheel is 'within tolerance' for a new bike - this is more a reflection of your LBS preparedness to let a new bike go out that hasn't been checked thoroughly - most decent shops would check and true a wheel to perfection - it only takes a few minutes. There's nothing wrong with your front mech - you've highlighted a commonly misunderstood characteristic of modern drivetrains - whilst in theory you have 20 gears, in fact only about 16 are useable combinations if you don't like horrible noises and want your chain to last a decent period of time.

skins2

I think the front wheel has developed this play since I've had it.

Thanks for your helpful replies and I'll let you know what the LBS says.

skins2

The LBS fixed my front wheel by tightening some spokes. They also sorted the front derailleur so I can use all the gears without the chain catching. They said the faint rattle in the rear hub was nothing to worry about.

So I'm pretty happy now and will hopefully be completely happy once I get my new puncture-resistant tyres on.

unclemalc

Get them on asap 'cos the weather is fab for a good ride. Just done one on a similar bike to yours and I'm now in endorphin/smug mode