Which gears should I get??

[family guy]

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.

Thanks for the offer of help, w00hooo_kent but having worked out how much it will cost to replace all the parts and the age of my bike I decided to bin the idea of updating my old Sorrento Diamond Back and use it as a winter hack. I do have plenty of tools but none are compatible with bikes so as its my first time back on a bike, I brought a box of tools that are compatible with Shimano gears from Ebay. They maybe cheap and cheerful as long as they do the job. I live in the Thanet area so there is no way I could ask you to just pop round with your chain whip !
Again thanks for the offer.

 

[family guy]

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


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

Thanks for the link.
After adding up the pros and cons of my old bike I think the cost will out way its worth so I have decided to buy a Carrera Crossfire, It has a larger frame and wheels which are better suited to my size of body.
Your right about YOU TUBE there's so much information out there.
Thanks for your help
ride safe

 

[Nigelnaturist]

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

I don't own a phone, besides the screens not big enough for what do on my comp, and when away from the comp I don't need tech in my life 24/7

 

[family guy]

I don't own a phone, besides the screens not big enough for what do on my comp, and when away from the comp I don't need tech in my life 24/7

Oh so true

 

[Nigelnaturist]

Oh so true

Seriously right the young fellow was home over the weekend, and he spent most of his time on it doing nothing really (I am not saying thats the case all the time, or everyone is the same), I work on some large images in photoshop hence the bigger screen, in fact I can run up to four in its current configuration, though dual/triple is more the norm.

 

[w00hoo_kent]

I live in the Thanet area so there is no way I could ask you to just pop round with your chain whip !

Commiserations, although I have a 20 year old at Christchurch's Broadstairs campus so we go there on and off. My wife likes the Viking Trail as a bike ride.

 

[Dogtrousers]

I'm a bit late to this thread, and you seem to have gone down the bike replacement route anyway, but what the heck...

You say you're a real novice at bike maintainance, so this might be a job for a Local Bike Shop. To replace the chainrings you'd need to remove the driveside crank (need a crank extractor tool) and split the chain (maybe a chain tool, or perhaps a hammer and nail punch would do the job). To replace the cassette (if it is a cassette) you'd need a chain whip and a cassette tool, or if it's a freewheel you'd need a freewheel extractor and strong arms.

I don't know how much a set of chainrings would be. Say £50? (based on what Spa charge for their cheapest) A cassette/freewheel would be about £10-20. A chain about a tenner. The tools - maybe another £50. All finger-in-the-air.

The problem would be the danger of addiction. You'd do this, then you'd think, I'd better replace the gear cables too. And you'd fancy changing the gear mechanisms. And those brakes, they could do with an upgrade ... And you'd need to get yourself a bike stand while working on it. And you'd best get a pedal spanner. And perhaps replace the bottom bracket, for which you need another special tool ... And a decent set of allen keys. And that saddle's seen better days. And to keep it all in good nick some fancy lube. And before you know it ...

 

[family guy]

Commiserations, although I have a 20 year old at Christchurch's Broadstairs campus so we go there on and off. My wife likes the Viking Trail as a bike ride.

Oh great, I to enjoy the Viking Trail between Ramsgate and Westgate, its a round trip of about 20 miles for me but there is one thing I cant understand why o why is there never a tail wind ???

 

[family guy]

I'm a bit late to this thread, and you seem to have gone down the bike replacement route anyway, but what the heck...

You say you're a real novice at bike maintainance, so this might be a job for a Local Bike Shop. To replace the chainrings you'd need to remove the driveside crank (need a crank extractor tool) and split the chain (maybe a chain tool, or perhaps a hammer and nail punch would do the job). To replace the cassette (if it is a cassette) you'd need a chain whip and a cassette tool, or if it's a freewheel you'd need a freewheel extractor and strong arms.

I don't know how much a set of chainrings would be. Say £50? (based on what Spa charge for their cheapest) A cassette/freewheel would be about £10-20. A chain about a tenner. The tools - maybe another £50. All finger-in-the-air.

The problem would be the danger of addiction. You'd do this, then you'd think, I'd better replace the gear cables too. And you'd fancy changing the gear mechanisms. And those brakes, they could do with an upgrade ... And you'd need to get yourself a bike stand while working on it. And you'd best get a pedal spanner. And perhaps replace the bottom bracket, for which you need another special tool ... And a decent set of allen keys. And that saddle's seen better days. And to keep it all in good nick some fancy lube. And before you know it ...

Oh yes I got into trouble with "her indoors" because I got home with a box of goodies from Halfords

 

[cyberknight]

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

I don't own a phone, besides the screens not big enough for what do on my comp, and when away from the comp I don't need tech in my life 24/7

I do have a "smartphone " but i dont use it for emails or the net , i have enough to do away from the pc without checking emails etc every 5 mins which seems to be the norm nowadays .Drives me nuts at work when people who are supposed to be working sneak off to play with their phones .