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06-13-08, 09:24 AM
I'm new to BikeForums and quite new to bicycle mechanics in general (hello to everyone! hope you're all having a great start to your day). I purchased a used Trek 700 off of craigslist a while back after being fed up with my Canadian Tire Supercycle mountain bike.
There are a few adjustments I want to make, and want some help regarding them:
This bicycle uses friction shifting, mounted at the ends of the drop handlebars. Now I actually quite like this friction shifting thing, but lately some of the "speeds" have been causing problems (at low cadences, the bicycle will shift into different gears sporadically many times before settling back onto the right one). I'm not positive, but I think this goes away if I have the friction shift in the exact position. The chain looks a bit suspect and I want to replace this, but I don't know if this will help (when it isn't auto-shifting, the bike rides VERY smoothly with no noises whatsoever).
Speaking of friction shifting, what are your opinions on changing to an indexed system? Will it likely work with my rear derailleur? How can I check? Are there good brands of index shifters that will fit into the holes at the end of the drop handlebars?
Finally, I want to know if adjusting the handlebars is a good idea. Currently I get quite the back arch if I use the drop portion of the 'bars and often find myself sitting more upright and using the straight portion. Should I put the handlebars higher to relieve back stress? I would rather use the drop portion, as the brakes are best accessible there.
Finally, if you could recommend brands of bicycle grease and cleaner to look for, I would be very grateful. Thanks all! I hope in time I will be able to answer questions instead of just asking... :)
There are a few adjustments I want to make, and want some help regarding them:
This bicycle uses friction shifting, mounted at the ends of the drop handlebars. Now I actually quite like this friction shifting thing, but lately some of the "speeds" have been causing problems (at low cadences, the bicycle will shift into different gears sporadically many times before settling back onto the right one). I'm not positive, but I think this goes away if I have the friction shift in the exact position. The chain looks a bit suspect and I want to replace this, but I don't know if this will help (when it isn't auto-shifting, the bike rides VERY smoothly with no noises whatsoever).
Speaking of friction shifting, what are your opinions on changing to an indexed system? Will it likely work with my rear derailleur? How can I check? Are there good brands of index shifters that will fit into the holes at the end of the drop handlebars?
Finally, I want to know if adjusting the handlebars is a good idea. Currently I get quite the back arch if I use the drop portion of the 'bars and often find myself sitting more upright and using the straight portion. Should I put the handlebars higher to relieve back stress? I would rather use the drop portion, as the brakes are best accessible there.
Finally, if you could recommend brands of bicycle grease and cleaner to look for, I would be very grateful. Thanks all! I hope in time I will be able to answer questions instead of just asking... :)