My other bike is a Ridgeback

moonio
moonio Posts: 802
edited November 2008 in Commuting chat
Hi, I'm going to dust off my old Ridgeback Omega soon (instead of buying a new bike) and was wondering what upgrades/tlc you would suggest.
I got it at Condor bikes in 2000 and its had zero maintenance.
It seemed really jerky when I road it recently so I guess I should start with lubricating the chain????

specs here
Ridgeback Cromoly frame. Ridgeback high tensile steel fork. Shimano Tourney chainset. Shimano Tourney front / Shimano MegaRange rear derailleurs. Shimano EZ Fire (21 spd) shifters. Alloy linear-pull brakes with alloy levers. Formula alloy QR front....

A872.jpg

Comments

  • itboffin
    itboffin Posts: 20,064
    moonio wrote:
    Hi, I'm going to dust off my old Ridgeback Omega soon (instead of buying a new bike) and was wondering what upgrades/tlc you would suggest.
    I got it at Condor bikes in 2000 and its had zero maintenance.
    It seemed really jerky when I road it recently so I guess I should start with lubricating the chain????

    specs here
    Ridgeback Cromoly frame. Ridgeback high tensile steel fork. Shimano Tourney chainset. Shimano Tourney front / Shimano MegaRange rear derailleurs. Shimano EZ Fire (21 spd) shifters. Alloy linear-pull brakes with alloy levers. Formula alloy QR front....

    A872.jpg

    hello fellow Ridgeback owner, how much do you have to spend on the project?
    Rule #5 // Harden The Feck Up.
    Rule #9 // If you are out riding in bad weather, it means you are a badass. Period.
    Rule #12 // The correct number of bikes to own is n+1.
    Rule #42 // A bike race shall never be preceded with a swim and/or followed by a run.
  • moonio
    moonio Posts: 802
    Less than the price of a secondhand hybrid on ebay....sooo
    lets say less than £100 (£50 is ideal)
  • Rich158
    Rich158 Posts: 2,348
    I'd start with a new chain and cassette, and possibly a new bottom bracket, that should revive the old girl. And a good lube of all the bearings, wheels, headset etc, and not forgetting new brake blocks as the old ones may have vulcanised. That should come in at a shade over £50 and she'll be as good as new :D
    pain is temporary, the glory of beating your mates to the top of the hill lasts forever.....................

    Revised FCN - 2
  • itboffin
    itboffin Posts: 20,064
    If all the parts still work then take them all off, clean, re-grease and reassemble spend any money you have on new wheels and tyres, that the most significant change you can make on a budget.

    entry level Mavic wheels for around £100 and Michelin lithion tyres for as little as £10

    Money well spent and you'll notice the difference straight away.

    Edit: yes new brake blocks :)
    Rule #5 // Harden The Feck Up.
    Rule #9 // If you are out riding in bad weather, it means you are a badass. Period.
    Rule #12 // The correct number of bikes to own is n+1.
    Rule #42 // A bike race shall never be preceded with a swim and/or followed by a run.
  • lost_in_thought
    lost_in_thought Posts: 10,563
    I'd just replace/lube the chain, then ride it for a while and fix things as you discover they are broken.

    Tightening up your cables may be a cunning plan too, but ride it for a few miles first.

    Replacing the BB and Cassette before you've given it a chance seems like overkill to me!

    Check the tyres and brake pads for perishing, but bikes are surprisingly hardy.
    FCN 7/1
    Viner Maxima, Tifosi CK7, Giant Bowery, Old commuter.
  • Rich158
    Rich158 Posts: 2,348
    I'd change the chain and casette together, the BB can wait. There's nothing worse than going to put the power down and the chain jumping, which normally result in you groin having an unexpected interface with the stem, and the resultant pain that then ensues.

    not that I have any experience of this :wink:
    pain is temporary, the glory of beating your mates to the top of the hill lasts forever.....................

    Revised FCN - 2
  • itboffin
    itboffin Posts: 20,064
    lost_in_thought wrote:
    I'd just replace/lube the chain, then ride it for a while and fix things as you discover they are broken.

    Tightening up your cables may be a cunning plan too, but ride it for a few miles first.

    Replacing the BB and Cassette before you've given it a chance seems like overkill to me!

    Check the tyres and brake pads for perishing, but bikes are surprisingly hardy.

    Didn't your last fixed have a bone dry chain and a hint of rust? :lol:
    Rule #5 // Harden The Feck Up.
    Rule #9 // If you are out riding in bad weather, it means you are a badass. Period.
    Rule #12 // The correct number of bikes to own is n+1.
    Rule #42 // A bike race shall never be preceded with a swim and/or followed by a run.
  • moonio
    moonio Posts: 802
    OK thanks, whats the best grease to buy for the chain and other bits? I guess I just spray/rub it on all the moving parts?
  • lost_in_thought
    lost_in_thought Posts: 10,563
    itboffin wrote:
    lost_in_thought wrote:
    I'd just replace/lube the chain, then ride it for a while and fix things as you discover they are broken.

    Tightening up your cables may be a cunning plan too, but ride it for a few miles first.

    Replacing the BB and Cassette before you've given it a chance seems like overkill to me!

    Check the tyres and brake pads for perishing, but bikes are surprisingly hardy.

    Didn't your last fixed have a bone dry chain and a hint of rust? :lol:

    No actually! Cheeky beggar, being rude about gollum like that.... :D
    FCN 7/1
    Viner Maxima, Tifosi CK7, Giant Bowery, Old commuter.
  • il_principe
    il_principe Posts: 9,155
    Ah Gollum, wonder whatever became of poor Gollum.
  • Rich158
    Rich158 Posts: 2,348
    moonio wrote:
    OK thanks, whats the best grease to buy for the chain and other bits? I guess I just spray/rub it on all the moving parts?

    I use Finish Line oil for the chain, it's nice and thick and seems to last for ages. I just buy whatever tube of grease is cheapest from my LBS, although you do need a modicum of mechanical knowledge to open up the bearings, pack then with grease, and tighten them up properly. I'm sure there's plenty of articles on this site, MBUK are always running a section on winter maintenance which is generally pretty good generic advice.
    pain is temporary, the glory of beating your mates to the top of the hill lasts forever.....................

    Revised FCN - 2
  • itboffin
    itboffin Posts: 20,064
    Rich158 wrote:
    moonio wrote:
    OK thanks, whats the best grease to buy for the chain and other bits? I guess I just spray/rub it on all the moving parts?

    I use Finish Line oil for the chain, it's nice and thick and seems to last for ages. I just buy whatever tube of grease is cheapest from my LBS, although you do need a modicum of mechanical knowledge to open up the bearings, pack then with grease, and tighten them up properly. I'm sure there's plenty of articles on this site, MBUK are always running a section on winter maintenance which is generally pretty good generic advice.

    I use blood from that days scalps :twisted:
    Rule #5 // Harden The Feck Up.
    Rule #9 // If you are out riding in bad weather, it means you are a badass. Period.
    Rule #12 // The correct number of bikes to own is n+1.
    Rule #42 // A bike race shall never be preceded with a swim and/or followed by a run.
  • Rich158
    Rich158 Posts: 2,348
    itboffin wrote:
    Rich158 wrote:
    moonio wrote:
    OK thanks, whats the best grease to buy for the chain and other bits? I guess I just spray/rub it on all the moving parts?

    I use Finish Line oil for the chain, it's nice and thick and seems to last for ages. I just buy whatever tube of grease is cheapest from my LBS, although you do need a modicum of mechanical knowledge to open up the bearings, pack then with grease, and tighten them up properly. I'm sure there's plenty of articles on this site, MBUK are always running a section on winter maintenance which is generally pretty good generic advice.

    I use blood from that days scalps :twisted:

    Don't you find it coagulates between the sprockets in the casette and is murder to get out :wink:
    pain is temporary, the glory of beating your mates to the top of the hill lasts forever.....................

    Revised FCN - 2
  • il_principe
    il_principe Posts: 9,155
    I use the tears of shattered pride.

    Other people's shattered pride of course!
  • moonio
    moonio Posts: 802
    OK I just bought stuff from wiggle
    1 of Finish Line Cross Country Lubricant 2oz Bottle
    1 of GT85 Lubricant 400ml Aerosol (400 ml)
    Is that ok???
  • itboffin
    itboffin Posts: 20,064
    edited November 2008
    Rich158 wrote:
    itboffin wrote:
    Rich158 wrote:
    moonio wrote:
    OK thanks, whats the best grease to buy for the chain and other bits? I guess I just spray/rub it on all the moving parts?

    I use Finish Line oil for the chain, it's nice and thick and seems to last for ages. I just buy whatever tube of grease is cheapest from my LBS, although you do need a modicum of mechanical knowledge to open up the bearings, pack then with grease, and tighten them up properly. I'm sure there's plenty of articles on this site, MBUK are always running a section on winter maintenance which is generally pretty good generic advice.

    I use blood from that days scalps :twisted:

    Don't you find it coagulates between the sprockets in the casette and is murder to get out :wink:

    They key is to frequently refresh.
    Rule #5 // Harden The Feck Up.
    Rule #9 // If you are out riding in bad weather, it means you are a badass. Period.
    Rule #12 // The correct number of bikes to own is n+1.
    Rule #42 // A bike race shall never be preceded with a swim and/or followed by a run.
  • Rich158
    Rich158 Posts: 2,348
    be careful with the GT85, iirc it's a bit like WD40 and disolves old grease leaving a thin layer of very light oil. It's great for cleaning parts though, and flushing away old grease and debris. I would get a tube of grease as well to pack into your bearings, do the hubs and the headset and you should be fine.
    pain is temporary, the glory of beating your mates to the top of the hill lasts forever.....................

    Revised FCN - 2
  • il_principe
    il_principe Posts: 9,155
    Mmm I'd steer clear of GT85.

    Finish line is good stuff, remember to wipe the chain after applying and spinning.
  • itboffin
    itboffin Posts: 20,064
    jashburnham wrote:
    Mmm I'd steer clear of GT85.

    Finish line is good stuff, remember to wipe the chain after applying and spinning.

    Yes i'm more of a G&T man myself :wink:
    Rule #5 // Harden The Feck Up.
    Rule #9 // If you are out riding in bad weather, it means you are a badass. Period.
    Rule #12 // The correct number of bikes to own is n+1.
    Rule #42 // A bike race shall never be preceded with a swim and/or followed by a run.
  • Rich158
    Rich158 Posts: 2,348
    G&T 85, gets you pissed and lubricates your joints in one go :D
    pain is temporary, the glory of beating your mates to the top of the hill lasts forever.....................

    Revised FCN - 2
  • moonio
    moonio Posts: 802
    So what is the GT stuff good for then? I got it because it was cheap!
  • Rich158
    Rich158 Posts: 2,348
    It's good for cleaning of old grease and oil, and generally flushing debris out of bearings prior to applying new grease. I'd say it's invaluable in a restoration project for cleaning etc, just remember not to spray it near anything you've just oiled, or packed with grease.
    pain is temporary, the glory of beating your mates to the top of the hill lasts forever.....................

    Revised FCN - 2
  • moonio
    moonio Posts: 802
    ok, so I just wasted £4 lol
    what oil should I get for the non chain bits, or can I use the Finish line stuff on everything else too.
  • Rich158
    Rich158 Posts: 2,348
    If it's a bearing, say the hubs or headset then they need to be taken apart and packed with grease. I'd give it a ride and see how they feel first, especially the hubs as you'll need a set of cone spanners to do a proper job.
    pain is temporary, the glory of beating your mates to the top of the hill lasts forever.....................

    Revised FCN - 2
  • moonio
    moonio Posts: 802
    Ok well, I will do the chain then and have the other things looked at by my LBS 8)
  • itboffin
    itboffin Posts: 20,064
    moonio wrote:
    Ok well, I will do the chain then and have the other things looked at by my LBS 8)

    Have ago yourself first then if it goes wrong take it to the LBS, you'll learn a lot more that way and no doubt be very surprised how easy most maintenance is.
    Rule #5 // Harden The Feck Up.
    Rule #9 // If you are out riding in bad weather, it means you are a badass. Period.
    Rule #12 // The correct number of bikes to own is n+1.
    Rule #42 // A bike race shall never be preceded with a swim and/or followed by a run.

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