Repairing my Ridgeback Speed

[Boopop]

Greetings all,

Now I've had my lovely Triban 3 for a few months, I'm looking to have a go at repairing my trusty Ridgeback Speed.

A quick go with my chain checker suggests I need a new chain as both the "0.75%" and "1.00%" sides go between the links of the chain on the bike. Last time I took the Speed in I was informed I'd need a new front cassette soon, and I wouldn't be surprised if I needed a new rear cassette too.

How can I find out whether I need to replace the rear cassette, and how can I find out exactly what components I need to buy?

Also a nice guide somewhere on how to replace all these bits wouldn't go a miss

Thanks for your help everyone!

 

[jim55]

if ure replacing the chain id replace the rear cassette at the same time ,what du mean front cassette ,,chainring?

 

[simon.r]

Park Tools website is good for guidance on how to do things.

Unless you particularly want to change the gear ratios, replace like for like:

Chain - you'll need a new one for the right number of cogs on your rear cassette (7 or 8 probably?) - known as a 'X' speed chain.
Rear cassette or freewheel - number of cogs, number of teeth on each cog / splined or screw on.
Front chainrings - number of teeth, match to the number of cogs (e.g 44 teeth / 8 speed) and the right BCD (aka PCD)

 

[mrandmrspoves]

Yes if your chain is that worn, certainly worth swapping rear cassette. Front chain ring may need replacing too but because it is much bigger it wears slower (less revolutions) when you say front cassette do you mean bottom bracket?) If there is any play in the front crank - it probably does need replacing as the cassettes are sealed units. All straight forward enough jobs so long as you spec the right parts in the 1st place, and have the right tools......

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

Looking at the spec of the current model Ridgeback Speed it appears to use a screw on freewheel at the rear rather than a cassette.
Explanation here. (Ignore the thing he says about freewheels being used up to the 80's - the majority of bikes up to about the £300 mark still use freewheels.)

How many speeds is yours and how many teeth are there on the smallest gear? If it is 14 it will almost certainly be a screw on freewheel.

The chainset is likely to be a square taper type and will require a crank extractor tool to remove the cranks and possibly a bottom bracket tool if the bottom bracket requires replacement.

You'll also need a special tool for removing the freewheel (if it's a cassette it'll be a slightly different type) and something like an extending wheel wrench (with suitable socket) to give enough leverage (if it's a freewheel it will be very tight).

The Sheldon Brown site has instructions for the jobs, here are some links: Crank removal. Drivetrain articles

I hope this helps