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LSD05 11-15-10 04:45 AM

New bike!!!
 
Hi I have recently purchased a new bike off of a friend of mine. The frame is a Kona, The front suspension forks ( i think that's what they're called) are Marzocchi Bomber 2001. It has front and back disk brakes and like this little thing where you can twist to change how far the brake lever pulls back.. it has Hope parts all over it i.e quick release tyres.. and handlebar thing..

Basically the thing is i don't know much about bikes.. I've always wanted a decent bike like a kona or specialized but if it weren't from the shop then i wouldn't know if it was decent or not. i was just wondering if anyone can tell me by the sound of it whether it was a good buy or not? I paid £80 for it.. so not too bad.. Also the back brake is UNBELIEVABLY noisy.. squeaks like CRAZYYYY!!! no other issues as far as i can think... umm..

From what i can guess someone has bought a Kona and has upgraded the parts on it.. it could also do with a service.. suggest i do that myself??

Thanks in advance for any help and ill try posting some picture up later tonight..

Ciao x

ArthurIhde 11-15-10 05:35 AM

have you post some more pics?

LSD05 11-15-10 06:22 AM

well im at work now finish at 5.. so should get some picks on here by about 7 tonight.. it seems like a decent bike.. the disk brakes are HUGE its the the Rear one seems to make the loudest grind iv ever heard on a bike.. and TBH the whole bike is quiet noisy.. even when normally riding it.. doesnt sound like a bad noise like it shouldnt make that noise just compared to my friends GT and Carrera its alot louder!!

BCRider 11-15-10 11:57 AM

The names on the parts are all good from the sounds of it.

My first thought was that your brakes were squealing. But your second post says they are grinding. Grinding is bad because it suggests that your pads are worn out and that the steel backing plates of the pads are rubbing the rotor. If this is the case and you're scoring the rotor badly you're in for a new rotor.

With the higher tech options such as hydraulic disc brakes you may not need to know HOW to fix them but you need to spend some time and learn how to at least inspect them and how to switch out the pads so you can get in and clean them. In my book this is not an option unless you basically want to be a slave to the local bike shop. There's some other basics that you SHOULD learn as well such as how to best clean and lube your chain, trimming the shifting and monitoring chain wear so you know when to replace it. From there you can learn to do the subsequent work yourself or you may opt to let the bike shop do it and just pay them. But knowing the basic for caring for, adjusting and inspecting all the systems on your bike are up to you and you need to learn them.

Since you may be on borrowed time with the rear brake I'd suggest you just take it into the bike shop and have them do a quick once over inspection. In particular ask them to check the pads for wear. If I'm right and they are totally shot then hopefully the shop will have replacement pads. Otherwise ride home carefully and slower than normal using the one brake that is good. Then find and buy new pads for your brakes before you ruin the rotor. Oh, if I'm right and the pads are done ask them to look at the rotor to make sure it isn't shot now as a result. Generally if you can drag a finger nail over it and it catches in the wear grooves easily instead of just "buzzing" over it then the rotor is toast.

You asked about a service and if you should do it. Since by your own admission you don't know diddly about bikes and even less about hydraulics I'd suggest you have the shop do a full service including the wheel bearings. It'll cost a bundle but it'll bring the bike up to full operation and you'll know that you're not damaging anything by continuing to ride it with a bad situation. From there buy the specialty tools needed and do your own work. You can learn as you go and get help here for each job. But trying to learn to do the whole bike all at once is not something I'd recomend. You COULD do it but by the time you learn to do each step and pick up the specialty tools needed for some of it you're looking at a few weeks of your spare time before you have it all back together and can ride again. Sure, the bike shop can do a stem to stern full tune up in a couple of hours. But they know what they are doing and have all the tools. In your case learning as you go you're looking at easily 6 to 8 times as many hours. Not to mention the shopping trips to buy the tools and any supplies.

LSD05 11-15-10 12:34 PM

thanks i really aprichiate the help and info.. umm.. as for the grinding.. i would say its more of a squeak.. but an IMMENSLY loud squeak.. i think ill take it down to Halfords then rather then give it a go.. ive just taken pictures of it but cant seem to upload them?? haha any help on that??

LSD05 11-15-10 12:50 PM

6 Attachment(s)
Hi sorry just managed to get them up loaded.. any help would be much appreciated .

Thanks in advance..


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