GT Performer questions.

[Crazyrcer]

Question #1: I have a GT Perfomer that I am riding on gravel and grass. I'm wondering if this is a bad idea? I'm not sure if it would be bad for the bearings or anything like that.

Question #2: Somtimes when I crank I hear a strange poping noise. It sounds like the chain is slipping or somthing like that. Usually it only happens when I'm going slow and suddely speed up. The crank, chain and sprokets don't seem to have any visible problems. Has anyone else had this problem or know what it is? BTW: This is one the same GT Performer ('03).

Thanks

[FireTeamCharlie]

Shouldn't make a difference as long as it has seal bearing,

[bmxrdr88]

is your f/w blown, thats all i can think of that wuld make that sound.

[jaybay]

The popping sound could be bad bottom bracket bearings, or a bad freewheel. You need to be a genius mechanic to get inside a freewheel to check it - so start with a check on the BB bearings. The races may be shot. If everything's fine - you might want to just buy a new freewheel. Also - check and make sure your front and back cogs are properly aligned. If one of the cogs is crooked, exerting pressure may cause the chain to jump on the cogs enough to make a noise - but not enough to knock the chain off.

[bmxrdr88]

ive gotten into a f/w a few times, and its not easy.

[queensrider86]

your freewheel could be bent .i once had a 16t freewheel and it stuck out under the frame dropouts. this is when i just started, so sometimes i would grind on my freewheel.

[bmichaelx]

Theres 2 things that I think that it could be
1. your pedals could be cracked. When I had some crappy Redline pedals they cracked and whenever I would pedal thay clicked back and forth.
2. If you have a one piece crank then youcrank could be cracked to. Look right under pedal on your crank.