Cycle assembling problem, gears and brakes

[lazy]

Dear Friends

I am trying to change me life style by adopting more healthy ways and i have chose cycling for commuting purpose, i recently bought a folding bike from argos for 75 quid (Not an ideal but that's how much i can afford). anyways the assembling instruction were not very clear on the manual but i did manage to fix it. the only problem I'm having is with gears, brakes (front) and the folding area.

Gears: i mistakenly turned the gear to level 6 but the chain came off, i managed to put the chain back on 1st level or gear but now the handlebar grip is stuck-ed on 6th gear but the chain is on 1st gear.

Brakes: the fron brake is too tight and i cant find anyway to loosen it up.

Folding area: there is a screw in the folding area with a handle type of thing (sorry i don't know the cycling or hardware terms) which i cant loosen up to fold the bike.


Its been a week i have bought the bike and it is still parked at home, i cant use it due to these reasons. i will appreciate your help.

Regards

 

[g00se]

Dear Friends
Gears: i mistakenly turned the gear to level 6 but the chain came off, i managed to put the chain back on 1st level or gear but now the handlebar grip is stuck-ed on 6th gear but the chain is on 1st gear.

can you provide a link to the bike so we know what sort of gears are being used?

Brakes: the fron brake is too tight and i cant find anyway to loosen it up.

if it just needs minor tweaking, then there may be a barrel adjuster (with locking nut) where the brake cable leaves the lever - and depending on what sort of brake it is, there may also be one at the calipers. Alternatively, you may need to slacken the cable retaining bolt at the brakes and slip a little bit of the cable back through it before re-tightening. Again, more details of the bike would help.

Folding area: there is a screw in the folding area with a handle type of thing (sorry i don't know the cycling or hardware terms) which i cant loosen up to fold the bike.

Sounds like a 'quick release' lever. Don't try to unscrew it, pull it back and the thing should undo.


Best bet might be to nip to a local bike shop and have them sort things out for you. may cost a few quid but they could show you the issues and make sure the thing is set up right.

If the gears slipped and the brake is stuck, then you could arguably send it back to be set up properly.

 

[mickle]

Dear Lazy, would you mind if I used your post as a warning of the dangers of purchasing a cheap, unassembled bike from a company with no interest in cycling beyond making a few quid?

My personal view (which is shared by most members of this forum) is that bikes should not be sold in boxes, rather they should be assembled by the retailer to roadworthy standard by a trained or competent mechanic.

I think it's asking to much to expect the members of a forum to talk you through assembly, a job which a competent person - working on a decent (not bargain basement) bike - with a full set of tools - will take 30 to 45 minutes. My best advice is to take it to your local bike shop and pay the going rate for a PDI. And listen to and absorb all that they tell you about buying a cheap bike-in-a-box. There is never a happy ending with bikes like these unless it somehow inspires you to buy a bike which is fit for purpose. In my experience sub £100 bikes are more likely to put people off cycling for good.

 

[lazy]

can you provide a link to the bike so we know what sort of gears are being used?




if it just needs minor tweaking, then there may be a barrel adjuster (with locking nut) where the brake cable leaves the lever - and depending on what sort of brake it is, there may also be one at the calipers. Alternatively, you may need to slacken the cable retaining bolt at the brakes and slip a little bit of the cable back through it before re-tightening. Again, more details of the bike would help.



Sounds like a 'quick release' lever. Don't try to unscrew it, pull it back and the thing should undo.


Best bet might be to nip to a local bike shop and have them sort things out for you. may cost a few quid but they could show you the issues and make sure the thing is set up right.

If the gears slipped and the brake is stuck, then you could arguably send it back to be set up properly.

Thank you Sir for your kind replay.
This is the link for the bike.

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/3321360.htm

 

[lazy]

Thank you mickle

yes u can use my post as a deterent lol,
i would love to buy a brompton or someother expensive bike but financially i am not capabale of doing that, so thats why the only option i have is the cheap, boxed bikes

Dear Lazy, would you mind if I used your post as a warning of the dangers of purchasing a cheap, unassembled bike from a company with no interest in cycling beyond making a few quid?

My personal view (which is shared by most members of this forum) is that bikes should not be sold in boxes, rather they should be assembled by the retailer to roadworthy standard by a trained or competent mechanic.

I think it's asking to much to expect the members of a forum to talk you through assembly, a job which a competent person - working on a decent (not bargain basement) bike - with a full set of tools - will take 30 to 45 minutes. My best advice is to take it to your local bike shop and pay the going rate for a PDI. And listen to and absorb all that they tell you about buying a cheap bike-in-a-box. There is never a happy ending with bikes like these unless it somehow inspires you to buy a bike which is fit for purpose. In my experience sub £100 bikes are more likely to put people off cycling for good.

 

[Maz]

Now you know why the bike's called a Challenge.

Joking aside, take the bike to a reputable bike shop and have them set it up for you...check the customer reviews on the Argos website...you won't be the first person to do this for this bike.

Maybe once it's set up, you'll really like it. I hope you do.

 

[g00se]

Mickle is right, but if there's no alternative and you can't get the bike to a local shop....

Folding: pull the lever up. Once it's up, you may be able to swing it out to release the hinge. Otherwise you may need to unscrew it a bit more first.

Gears: they're derailleur gears. When the shifter is on 6, the chain should be on the smallest cog at the back. When the shifter is on 1, the chain should be on the biggest. If the chain comes off (and it shouldn't if properly adjusted), make sure the shifter is in the right number corresponding to the cog the chain is placed back on before you cycle away. If the shifter is stuck on 6 and not moving - take the bike back.

Brakes: Those are V-brakes. First, make sure the wheel is fitted properly and central. You can 'quick-release' the brakes further so the wheel can be removed but unhooking the 'noodle'. You can see how to unhook the noodle here and it goes through adjusting the brakes.

Adjusting rear derailleurs is here.

 

[lazy]

Mickle is right, but if there's no alternative and you can't get the bike to a local shop....

Folding: pull the lever up. Once it's up, you may be able to swing it out to release the hinge. Otherwise you may need to unscrew it a bit more first.

Gears: they're derailleur gears. When the shifter is on 6, the chain should be on the smallest cog at the back. When the shifter is on 1, the chain should be on the biggest. If the chain comes off (and it shouldn't if properly adjusted), make sure the shifter is in the right number corresponding to the cog the chain is placed back on before you cycle away. If the shifter is stuck on 6 and not moving - take the bike back.

Brakes: Those are V-brakes. First, make sure the wheel is fitted properly and central. You can 'quick-release' the brakes further so the wheel can be removed but unhooking the 'noodle'. You can see how to unhook the noodle here and it goes through adjusting the brakes.

Adjusting rear derailleurs is here.

Thanks friends both of you have been very kind and helpful, i really appreciate that... i will try to find some local shop to fix it..

 

[mickle]

Do let us know how you get on.

 

[lazy]

It's fixed and I'm quite happy with it. I'm off to get a helmet now.

Thanks

 

[mickle]

Excellent, enjoy!

 

[Alembicbassman]

Argos has a 30 day refund policy.

Take it back.

You can get a very good second hand bike for £75 in fully working condition.

 

[Maz]

It's fixed and I'm quite happy with it. I'm off to get a helmet now.

Thanks

Execellent!
Let us know if you need any help with assembling the helmet.

 

[cyberknight]

Glad you got it working i hope you get many miles out of it .

 

[lazy]

I managed to get rid of the bike, i have returned my bike to Argos...it was not a very good experience now i am hunting for a new bike but within my budget... any suggestions i can spend max 150 quid.