my gears give me the fears

kango
kango Posts: 28
edited December 2008 in MTB workshop & tech
firstly hi to you all. this is my first post :D

ive been into bikes for years and years but never had one with gears. ive had bmx's and single speed jump bikes.

the other day i brought a 03 big hit off ebay. its really nice and i feel i can ride over anythin on it lol.
the only problem is the gears, they skip and crunch but the main issue is when i stop peddling or give it a lttie back peddle, the chain goes slack and falls on to the chain stay. once i start peddling the gears are slack and i tend to knee the triple clamps. :cry:

its a 9 speed on the back with a shimano XT mech and 2 rings on the front, but i only keep it on the larger one.

any one got any ideas to stop this?

Comments

  • Mattbot2
    Mattbot2 Posts: 384
    I've had this happen occasionally, usually once I get going and change up a gear it's okay. No idea what causes it though. Sorry I couldn't be of more help,
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  • stu8975
    stu8975 Posts: 1,334
    Check to make sure everything is running smoothly, check jockey wheels are not stiff to rotate (little wheels on the rear mech), same for the bottom bracket and cassette (if this is stiff to rotate then its more likely a freehub problem - thats the bit the cassette slides onto), its easier to check with the chain off so there is no resistance, also check chain links for stiffness.
  • kango
    kango Posts: 28
    ive had a look, the jockey wheels dont spin freely when i try and flick them round but they do turn, and the cassette will spin a few times when i give then a twist, and then bottom bracket seems nice.and the chain is in good order
    do you think a new rear mech is gonna be needed?
  • kango
    kango Posts: 28
    also should i worry about having my bike upside down?, will anythin leak out of my boxxers?
  • stu8975
    stu8975 Posts: 1,334
    edited December 2008
    if it just the jockey wheels, they can been cleaned or just replaced, if your mechaniclly inclined take them off and clean them or take it to you LBS for a check.Seeing as they are 5yrs old (proving they are the original ones) they are prob cloggged up a bit, or it mught be worth relacing them if they are worn out (ie the teeth are worn down), post some pics if you are unsure. Upside down should be ok as long as its not too for too long.
  • kango wrote:
    will anythin leak out of my boxxers?

    *snigger* :oops:

    You're forks should be fine mate- if they leak theres something wrong I'd say!
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  • make sure you dont have any stiff links aswell
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  • dave_hill
    dave_hill Posts: 3,877
    kango wrote:
    also should i worry about having my bike upside down?, will anythin leak out of my boxxers?

    Don't store them upside down for any length of time. After all, you don't spend much time upside down when you're riding, do you? If you do leave them inverted for any length of time, oil can leak from one side of the damping chamber to the other and affect performance. It's easy enough to cure just by cycling the forks a few times but not recommended.

    As far as your gears go, because it's a 5-year-old bike, strip all the cables off it, check them for damage (replace any that are) and lubricate them before reassembling - rubbing an old candle over the inners works wonders.

    A new chain can often help with bad shifting or sticking/skipping gears, especially if there's any question marks hanging over how old the existing one is. It may look new if it's been kept clean and lubed, but it could be very worn.

    Now visit this page at Park Tools website and read about adjusting derailleurs.

    Adjusting gears really is very simple and I'm constantly amazed at the number of riders who just throw up their hands in horror at the prospect of having to do it. The sooner you learn and the better because it can save an awful lot of greif at the trailside and having to trek back and forth to a shop.
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