koolerb

My neighbors kid has a Wallmart Mongoose mountain bike and came to me with a badly bent front derailleur. I straighten, adjusted and got him back on the road. But on it's best day this component was a piece of garbage. I told him next time I order parts I'd see if I could get him a replacement. I'm looking at an Altus 7/8 speed to replace what ever the heck is on his bike right now. Should 7/8 speed spacing be the same across brands? His is top pull. I'll check the tube diameter before I order. Anything else I should be watching out for?

maddog34

you chose well... Altus is a step up from the Tourney line of components, yet reasonably priced... make certain the clamp size and arc to fit the chain rings is correct.... and i'd advise putting a new chain on, the stock ones on the walmart bikes are junk, straight from the factory... A KMC Z51 will work, and comes with a wonderful device called the "Missing Link", an easy to install master link! $10-15, or even less, shipped to your door... Size the chain by matching link count to the stock one.... the KMC Z51's come in 116 link length usually... if you shop around, you might find one already the correct length, too.

set the der. up so that about 1-2mm clearance is between the der. cage, and large chain ring's teeth when it's over the large chain ring....

1nterceptor

Used one? Any coops in the area? Craigslist?