Crank and other questions...

[Jetfire]

Ok, so out on ride number 2 the other day (when I say ride, I mean local, short rides, less than 5 miles) when my left hand crank came off. I have the bolt but the thread has sheered. Should I get a new bolt and re-tap it or just get a new bottom bracket bearing thingy? (If it helps, its a Specialised Hard Rock..)

Also, a few other questions:

When braking, do you guys use 2, 3 or 4 fingers on the brake level?

When changing gear, it seems like if I flip a cog on the rear set, it seems like Ive gone too far and it wants to change to another cog straight away. Is this due to poor technique or is it time to get this bike of mine serviced?

 

[sidevalve]

Sounds like you need a full service and you might as well let the shop fit a new BB . Yes it could be rethreaded but be honest with yourself, do you have the skill and equipment to do it ?
Fingers on brakes ? Depends on how emergency the stop and how good your brakes are !

 

[lukesdad]

New BB and sounds like the rear mech needs adjustment. 2 fingers off road 4 on road.

 

[donnyjnk]

sounds like a good service wouldn't go a miss from lbs. use youtube if you need to learn basic bike maintainance it does help to get you out of situations whilst out riding. As for how many fingers to use, use them all if you need to but it depends on the conditions of your brakes. Do you have v brakes or discs, do you have cable or hydraulic. As long as they stop you. Consider your set up on the bars. customise your own set up and make sure they are comfortable enough to be able to switch from gears to brakes to bars without too much effort

 

[Jetfire]

Yup, call to the LBS tomorrow and see what they can resolve. Thankfully, I have a day off so Ill see how it goes from there.

RE: Fingers, Ive been using all of them (ie, 4) mainly when on the road as thats all Ive done so far. I wasnt sure if there was a preferred method or any science behind the usage.

 

[Pedal pusher]

What I tend to do is feather( light pressure heavy pressure) the brakes with two fingers if I need heaved breaking I will use more fingers. After a while(I've not been riding long) u instigtivley know how much pressure to use

 

[Jetfire]

Thanks for the reply guys,

LBS has my bike atm and having a full service so hopefully get her back friday for a hardcore slog session (cough) on the weekend.

 

[snorri]

hardcore slog session

I'll remember that terminology next time I'm fighting a headwind on the way to the local shop.