Which gears should I get??

[family guy]

Hello everyone
My first time writing to a forum, ever, so please be gentle with me. What I know about fixing bikes is the same level as repairing computers..... hit it with a bigger hammer! so I afraid you may have your work cut out if you chose to help me so here goes.
I have an old Sorrento Diamond Back Bike and the gears keep slipping when under load, and at times the chain falls from the high to low gear with out me touching anything. I lost count the amount of times the chain as jammed and there is a bit of a rattle well in truth it sounds like a machine gun. I notice that some of the teeth on the chainset are worn.
My question is can anyone recommend a change of groupset for my bike.
I feel I might as well change the lot as I don't know how old the components are and would it be a false economy to change the bits has they break?
At present my bike has a Shimarno 200gs derailleurs front and rear, 48-38-28 chainset ( for narrow chains only) and 7 gear cassette.
My budget is very limited at moment as I am unemployed but any suggestions will be gratefully received.
regards to all and be safe out there.

 

[Cycleops]

You can probably get away with just replacing the Chainrings (if that type are still available) chain and the cassette. Failing that you might be able to turn up a good s/h Chainset and cassette on eBay, but make sure your BB is compatible.

 

[family guy]

You can probably get away with just replacing the Chainrings (if that type are still available) chain and the cassette. Failing that you might be able to turn up a good s/h Chainset and cassette on eBay, but make sure your BB is compatible.

please help me out by what is meant by " BB is compatible"?

 

[PatrickPending]

Doubt you have a cassette - its probably a freewheel, in which case you'd have to factor in a new wheel (or hub and wheel rebuild) at least

 

[family guy]

Doubt you have a cassette - its probably a freewheel, in which case you'd have to factor in a new wheel (or hub and wheel rebuild) at least

Thanks for the reply but now I am confused ( which is not too difficult to do! ) I thought a freewheel has only 1 gear, and anything with more then one was a cassette, is this not the case?

 

[Paulus]

Ok, A freewheel is an older type of rear cassette where the whole unit screws onto the rear wheel. This allows you to back pedal and pedal forwards to move. A freehub is similar, but the hub bolts onto the rear wheel, so the rear wheel needs to compatible, and the the gear sprockets slide onto the hub in order.

this is a freewheel.

this is a freehub.

 

[Cycleops]

Sorry just clarify, BB refers to "bottom bracket" . I was referring to the axle part to which your chainset is bolted. It is probably square taper but you won't know 'till you remove it, for which you will require a removal tool, unless you knock it off with a hammer and a piece of wood, which they do down here.
If you need to replace the gears on a freehub you can do just that without replacing the hub, unless it is knackered.You will need some tools to do this job, so best to take the wheel to your LBS (local bike shop) to do it for you.

 

[family guy]

Ok, A freewheel is an older type of rear cassette where the whole unit screws onto the rear wheel. This allows you to back pedal and pedal forwards to move. A freehub is similar, but the hub bolts onto the rear wheel, so the rear wheel needs to compatible, and the the gear sprockets slide onto the hub in order.

View attachment 52541 this is a freewheel.

View attachment 52542 this is a freehub.

Thanks a lot your reply and for clearing that point up, me thinks I need more then a hammer to fix this guess I better pop down to the library and sign out "how to do books"
again thank you

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

Thanks for the reply but now I am confused ( which is not too difficult to do! ) I thought a freewheel has only 1 gear, and anything with more then one was a cassette, is this not the case?

The late, great, Sheldon Brown explains the difference between freewheels and cassettes, plus how to tell what you have pretty well. Have a look at this link.

 

[smokeysmoo]

to CC

Post some pics of the bike up if you have any. If you can't post them directly on here just host them online, (Photobucket or similar), then post a link to them

Personally I've never heard of your bike TBH, (To Be Honest), so it will help people determine what you've got and what you might need.

Take pics of the chainset, (large ones at the front with the pedals attached), the gears at the back, and your gear shifters as well might be useful.

I hope none of that sounds patronising, but I just want people to be able to help you as quickly as possible

 

[Cycleops]

YouTube is your friend when it comes to doing these jobs.


View: http://youtu.be/7qgTOo1SP_Q

 

[family guy]

To everyone.
Fantastic response to my question and I will reply to you all in time but unfortunately I am away from the PC for a few days.
much appreciated
ride safe
Dave

 

[Cycleops]

To everyone.
Fantastic response to my question and I will reply to you all in time but unfortunately I am away from the PC for a few days.

You mean you don't have a Smartphone ??!

 

[w00hoo_kent]

You mean you don't have a Smartphone ??!

He talked about going to the library, so it's unlikely :-)

I'm in the Maidstone area of Kent. I've only been mucking about with the mechanical side of bikes for the last few months and rapidly discovered that there are all sorts of tools that you need so now own stuff like crank pullers and chain whips (not as fun as it sounds). I can't offer expertise, but might be able to do popping around with a tool or two depending on which bit of Kent you're in.

I've found Sheldon Brown a bit dense to read, the concepts are handy, but turning that in to anything practical has left me scratching my head, looking for youtube videos on the other hand, really useful. Once you've worked out what the things are called it's definitely a worthwhile direction.

It does sound like your best bet is new chain rings, chain and cassette. It's also quite possible that the tiny screws on the front and rear mech might not be in the best condition for making adjustments. Depends how the bike has been maintained and stored (plus some luck). Wiggle are clearing out old stock ready for the 2015 arrivals (sorry, having a sale) so might be a place for bargains.

 

[family guy]

Hi everyone
No, I have not fallen off the edge of this plant though it does feel like it at times. A lot has happened to me since I last spoke and not all was good, so I wont bore you, just to say.... I'm back!
OK you have got me no I don't own a smart phone, the phone I do own is as big as a brick and as thick!! but no one will ever steal it :-).