Oh to the joy of buying a Bike.....

[SimonC]

When you say it fails, do you mean it doesnt change, or chain comes off, or doesnt go onto the right sprocket (cogs at the back) or chainwheel (cogs at the front)?

 

[tango_kid]

At the front it just doesnt change and at the back it trys to and fails just doent do anything

 

[fossyant]

Personally, I feel you have been robbed.

 

[tango_kid]

Personally, I feel you have been robbed.

Cheers

 

[stroanite]

Does the front shifter move at all if you take the chain off? Maybe just the limit screws are set wrong, or it needs a thorough cleaning and re-lubrication. Should probably replace the cables as well

 

[tango_kid]

me and my dad have been playing with the limit screws, and put the chain on and the front mech now works, as does three gears on the back. So i assume that it was just me thinking the bike would be perfect straight off and it not being. So i am a little happier with it now and hopeful that before my hols (saturday) i will get it going good.

Cheerz for the advice all of you i realy appriciate it, realy.
Mike

 

[tango_kid]

Hi, the front brake seems to have packed in (everytime i ull it fully it just clamps on and stays closed even when i've released the rake lever) also it clamps on to the tyre not the rims. well it wobbles between the two. So i was wondering if anybody could send me a link to somwhere selling both the front and back brake or a giant ocr compact road so that i know what brakes are on it and replace front and back please??
cheers,
mike

 

[fossyant]

Have a look on Wiggle or Chain Reaction Cycles.

You'll need to measure the drop from the brake mounting hole to the middle of the rim - this will give you the brake drop. You'll need to make sure the calliper you buy has this amount of drop.

What model of bike is it ? What model brakes are they - can you post some pics.

 

[Yorkshireman]

This could be handy for you
http://www.parktool.com/repair/bikemap.asp
and this
http://sheldonbrown.com/articles.html
or even this one
http://bicycletutor.com/

 

[I am Spartacus]

I hope this isnt putting you off bikes.. now the front brake has gone....!*!

The person you bought it off is obviously a complete twat.

What would be useful is a handy pocket sized Observer Book of Cycle Spare parts.
Complete with pricing.
So when buyng a 'dodgy' bike going round said bike with said book in hand and notepad and pen.. totting up the cost of replacement parts..
going eeeeeesh and hmmmmmmmmmmm
then offering a tenner at most for it.

 

[tango_kid]

Stuff it, i think i'm just going to ebay it and list all known faults and then see if i can gather together funds to buy an O.K road bike. Cheers for all the help but i'm just way out of my depths. It's a shame coz i took it on a short 11 mile bike ride today when the brake seemed to work and the bike was in a working gear. And got my highest average speed ever by 2 mile per hour. And nearly beat my speed record on a tiny little hill.

 

[RedBike]

It sounds like it just needs a little TLC.

£15 for a new chain, £10 for new cables, £5 for a tub of grease and a few hours work.

 

[-walsh-]

What bike is it? out of interest

 

[OLDSHUNTER]

DON'T GIVE IN

Its clear you have the buzz for road bike although no patience with the maintinance .Your book will help you, try reading on one repair at a time and concentrate on that job. Old bike's alway's need new cable's [read your manual ]. Dont give in one job at a time.get new cable's but don't try to cut them with plier's, get hold of cable cutter cheap set [pound shop].then reset position of brake pads you can do it read that book regarding cable replacement and side pull brake's you can do it you have it in you .
DON'T DESPAIR YOU WILL GET THERE

 

[chris667]

^^what he said^^

You would do well to join your local cycling club. There will be someone there who has all the tools and knowledge and will be happy to help you.

It's a shame you're not near me, I'd have sorted your bike in exchange for tea and biscuits.

Cycling is wonderful.