My hybrid/commuter is ill!

Jordan93

FIrst of I have a few little niggles with the bike!

1. There is a noise coming from around the jockey wheel area, the noise wasn't there or as loud as it is now! (video below)



2. When I go over bumps I get a creaking,it sounds like its something beneath saddle. E.g BB, seatpost etc. I would get a video of this but I cant recreated the noise.

3. My bike has a braze-on front mech which i gather you cant move? As the chain is now rubbing on it where as it didn't before.l

The first and third issue just create noise that is highly irritating, whereas the second could be serious.

dmch2

1 Hard to tell from the video but the clunk only seems to happen every now and then - is it a sticky link? Check to see if the same link in the chain causes the clunk each time. You may also see it not bending properly round the jockey wheel.

2 could be the seat creaking, could be the bottom bracket. Does it still happen when you stand up and pedal (suggests BB) otherwise I'd check the saddle doesn't look broken (I've had seat rails fail before now on a commuter) or squeak and pulled/pushed and is properly tight.

3 can you just adjust the cable a bit to keep it off the mech?

Jordan93

1. Sorry it's not the clunk its the other noise.

2. Only experienced the creaking when sat down.

3. I don't understand what you mean

dmch2

1) ah - no idea - i couldn't make it out from the video.

2) I'd suspect the saddle then - Can you tighten up the bolt holding it on?

3) Is the chain rubbing on the shifting mechanism? You should be able to adjust the gear cable in/out to pull/push the mech in/out of the way.

Jordan93

1. Is the noise you get withmost bikes when pedalling but maybe if its not noticeablein the videoit cant be that bad!

2. Do youmean the bolt that clamps to the saddle rails? If so i'll try tomorrow


3. Yes the chain is rubbing on the front mech! How do I adjust the cable

dmch2

1 fix the other things first they sound worse

2 I do. But also check the saddle itself is sound and nothing has rusted through etc.

3 Where the cable goes into the shifter (assuming it's a mountain bike style one) there should be a collar (barrel) that looks like it'll twist. One way will be difficult (making the cable tighter) the other way easy (looser). Whilst turning the pedals try 'plucking the cable out a bit and see if that helps. If so turn the adjuster to make it tighter (half a turn at a time or so) and try again.

The longer answer involves checking that you don't make it run on the other extreme by adjusting too far and running out of travel on the adjuster and having to loosen, move and re-tighten the cable at the shifter end. but that should let you get started.

Or just see what Sheldon has to say for a much longer and complete answer http://www.sheldonbrown.com/derailer-adjustment.html

You'll note his barrel is at the gear mechanism end, my road bike has them on the bottom tube, my hybrid has them on the shift levers.