struggling with slight inclines, never mind hills!

[calypso]

Just bought myself a 20" 6 speed folding bike. Last weekend a friend and I went on an 8 mile cycle ride and, for my first outing, I don't think I did too badly overall. But I did struggle a bit on the inclines. It seemed that when my friend was in 3rd gear I was in 2nd or even 1st. After a while my friend and I swapped bikes and I seemed to manage a lot better on hers, but she started to struggle on mine. The gears do sound a bit clunky and also we noticed that sometimes the gear showing on the changer didn't match the gear the bike was actually in (sorry I'm not up on the technical jargon yet !). I purchased the bike over the internet and I've discovered that, unfortunately, the after sales service is not good.
Should I just take it somewhere local to get the gears checked ?

Any assistance would be welcomed, thanks.

 

[Kestevan]

Sounds like the gears have not been set up correctly. It should be a relatively simple job to correct - I'm sure someone will be allong in a minute with the link to the relevant Park tools DIY training website

If you're not comfortable fiddling about, now might be a good time to find a new "best friend" at your LBS (Local Bike Shop). Ask em to show you how they do the adjustment if you can. They should be OK with this, as lets face it if/when you get the cycling bug they are going to see a lot of you (and your wallet )

 

[GrumpyGregry]

find a local bike shop and ask them to take a look to make sure all is as it should be, and remember hills get easier the more miles you have in your legs.

 

[calypso]

The gears are Shimano but I don't know what make the bike is - as it was an internet purchase it just has the name of the website on the frame.

 

[I am Spartacus]

wot.. ?? bikeporn.de ??? gud 'un

 

[Arch]

In terms of comparing yourself with your friend - your bike might be heavier than your friend's. And if you're new to cycling, you need to get accustomed to any incline. So, yes, get your gears checked out somewhere local, but bear in mind that you will find hills of any sort easier, the more you do.

I live in York which is prety flat, as is the countryside to the East and South. So although I can ride 100 miles in a day (sorry, I'm still bragging about that one!) I don't have the hill practice of a lot of people, and on the first noticeable hill on any ride I'll feel very slow - the more I do, the easier they get...

And welcome!

 

[calypso]

Many thanks for all replies and the warm welcome. I will get the gears checked out but also keep on improving my fitness - plenty of hills to practice on here in North Wales

 

[Lazy-Commuter]

Many thanks for all replies and the warm welcome. I will get the gears checked out but also keep on improving my fitness - plenty of hills to practice on here in North Wales

.. and them's proper hills!!

 

[Banjo]

Welcome on the forum Calypso .Some of the folding bikes are deceptively heavy.I think the design neccesitates stronger tubing. I have a cheap folder I use occasionally.It rides OK but no way will it be as quick or nice to ride as a full size bike.

I took the folder away with me for a week or so doing some 10 to 15 mile rides around Pembrokeshire. It was ok but when I got back my full size bike ,which is only a cheap hybrid from Halfords originally,felt like a Rolls Royce of bicycles in comparison.

Adjusting(indexing is the technical term) the gears isnt hard but does require a bit of patience as you may not get it right the first time. This video tutorial helped me to master it. You also need to look after your gear cable as its easy to kink the cable on a folder which stops the gear changing smoothly .Also need to work a drop of oil into the cables now and then.

http://bikehacks.com/shimano-gear-adjustment-video-tutorial/

Good Luck

 

[accountantpete]

In my opinion that is the wrong type of bike for your part of the world.You can get the gears fixed but it will still be an uphill struggle (groan) and will make your cycling a miserable experience as you start dreading the next climb rather take in the nice surroundings.

I'd bite the bullet and sell the bike on -get something that can deal with the terrain.