Tweaking & Checking My Bike's Gears and Cranks
whistleblower
Posts: 68
As some of you know, I have a Spesh Hardrock Disc Pro 2011. It is a nice bike and after a few weeks riding, I have found the gears quite clunky. The gears seem to jump if I push hard on the crank, so I would be looking to upgrade the crank, gears, etc during Xmas (hopefully when the sales are on).
Unfortunately, I am new to biking and don't know my cranks from my gears so I need some advice on what to buy. My budget is going to be 200 quid for the lot. Any advice would be appreciated. I will be buying from Evans so please link to them if possible.
Cheers in advance for any help. In the meantime, how loose does my chain on my MTB need to be? How can I check that my chain is suitable? Is there an idiot's guide to servicing gears etc?
Unfortunately, I am new to biking and don't know my cranks from my gears so I need some advice on what to buy. My budget is going to be 200 quid for the lot. Any advice would be appreciated. I will be buying from Evans so please link to them if possible.
Cheers in advance for any help. In the meantime, how loose does my chain on my MTB need to be? How can I check that my chain is suitable? Is there an idiot's guide to servicing gears etc?
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Comments
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sounds more like you need to read Parktools.
replacing parts on a new bike just because they are not set up correctly will not solve the problem.
read Parktools."Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
Parktools :?:SheldonBrown0 -
Try indexing your gears first. Cables have probably stretched a little bit and need re-doing.
Also, why are you ONLY buying from Evans? Evans have some of the worst value parts I've ever seen. Much better looking at CRC, Woolyhatshop, Merlin, even On-one/ planet-X0 -
I will read Parktools. I am a noob when it comes to servicing my bike. Cat, what does 'indexing your gears' mean? Sorry totally new to all the MTB lark.
It looks like I need a MTB repair stand.0 -
It'll certainly be easier with a stand if you're planning on doing these things yourself.
Your LBS should be able to index your gears for not much money though if you stuggle.
Indexing is the process of setting up your gears so that they run smoothly without any ghost shifting, slipping, or dropping chains etc. just involves tightening / loosening the gear cables (which you'll probably be able to do via the barrel adjusters on the shifters) and *possibly* messing with the limit screws on the mechs.
As your bike has already been set up, and is likely just suffering from cable stretch, it should be dead straightforward, and you'll probably be able to get it in check just by using the adjusters on the shifters.
Like Nick said though, give Parktools a read (link from the workshop section) and possibly a bit of sheldon too. They set it all out in nice easy to follow steps.
You could probably find some tutorial vids on youtube too.0 -
Thank you Cat for explaining the term indexing. +1 rep.
I certainly did find some tutorials on YouTube about indexing your gears and derailleurs. It seems a simple process for the rear derailleur. The video that I saw was:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjJfKO_tAo00 -
Handy video, but you may not even need to touch the screws on the mech. You might be able to get away with just using the Barrel adjusters on the shifters to tighten the cable up a little bit.0
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Much appreciated Cat. I will have a look at the Barrel adjusters before looking at the screws on the mech.0
