Couple of questions

[Jimmy85]

Hey everyone,

I have some questions re: the second hand bike I just got, and I'm wondering if anyone could help me?

1) The bike didn't come fitted with the front wheel attached, so I attached it myself. Was I right in that to get the front wheel to go on, I had to unclip the brake cable from the front brake level, in order to move the brake blocks to fit the wheel in? I did this, and the wheel fitted fine, but now when it comes to connecting the brake cable to the brake lever, it seems slack. When I pull the brake it feels loose, and the lever doesnt seem to return to it's proper position.
Any idea what I need to do to sort this? (They are V-brakes by the way)

2) The gears are a bit rusty, do these need to be changed or will they be okay?

3) One of the spokes has a bit of rust on it. Is this okay or does the spoke/wheel need to be changed?


Thanks for any help

 

[Randochap]

If you have no previous experience with putting a wheel in (does it have quick-release and if so, do you know how to adjust and clamp?), adjusting V-brakes, etc.

I suggest you take the bike to a decent LBS and have them go over it. They will tell you what it needs and you can decide if it's worth the investment or start again from scratch. Rust, unless it's superficial, doesn't sound like a good start to the project.

this can't be done over the internet.

 

[betty swollocks]

Can you post some pics?
Might help us to help you a bit more.

Bike maintenance tutorials here.

 

[Jimmy85]

After watching a v-brake video on that site, it looks like I've unhooked the cable from the wrong place. Hopefully I can sort it tomorrow. I think I might need to tighten the cable from where it is attached to the brake bracket.

I will take pics of the rust tomorrow

cheers

 

[Tynan]

'do you know how to adjust and clamp'

I'm not sure I do, I just tighten the nut and use the lever to do the final pressure, I have some vague idea that it self centers, does it?