NewOrderRegret

hi everyone,

name's marc. my parents just recently bought me a super course raleigh bike at our local thrift store for twenty bucks. i've always liked the sleak look of vintage style bikes, so i was excited about it. here's a photo of the bike:



anyways, the back tire was flat, and the chain was initially tangled, so i disassembled it and came across a problem. i was caught up in excitment so i don't remember how i took it apart.



this portion of the bike (don't know what this is called?) was the hardest part to put together. i really don't think i put it back right, but if i had the the other part bolt before the wheel nut, it would disalign the other side and make the tire hit either the break or frame.



here's another photo and here's one when i had the bike upside down.



so i put it together like that, but i cycled around my street for a little while, and it tends to bend and i have to realign it.



it hits the brake and frame over time and it is annoying flipping the bike over and loosening the bolt to put it in a right position. my parents can't help whatsoever (they aren't hands on type of people), so i was wondering if i could find assistance online prior to seeking a bike specialist. i'm fourteen, and this is a challenge for me.

if anyone can help, please let me know. i would appreciate it greatly. sorry if i used wrong terminology and my post is confusing.

USAZorro

Hook the derailleur over the axle bolt.

NewOrderRegret

i tried that, and i get the extra bolt and washer that i use to hold it. i'm pretty sure i didn't lose any parts.

USAZorro

Take off the derailleur and the rear wheel. Put the Derailleur on first, and then slide the axle into the hook of the derailleur mount.

NewOrderRegret

but then the other side is off centered and isn't aligned. there's like a huge gap on the other side. that seemed like the logical way to assemble it, but it didn't work.

NewOrderRegret

oh, and out of curiosity, what's the back compartment for?

USAZorro

There will be a gap on the other side. You have to align the wheel so it is even, and then tighten it down well so it won't move.

Not sure what you mean by the back compartment.

NewOrderRegret

but it ends up bending wrong and hitting the frame and brake. i would like to think if they intended to have a gap there, they'd fill it to align it easily for you. i tighten it down, and it still gets messed up.

the back compartment, thing behind the seat. does it hold stuff?

USAZorro

Logic would tell you that, but very seldom was that done. You need to position the wheel very carefully. Your quick release lever will have an open and a closed position. Make sure it is in the open position to start. If you're not sure which is which, look at the movement on the side of the lever as you flip it back and forth. It is open when the space between the ends is slightly larger. Then, spin the lever side around until it is almost snug to the bike frame. Make sure the wheel is still in the right spot. Make sure it can spin freely. If it can't, spin the lever side back a quarter turn and reposition it so it does spin freely.

Once the wheel is in a good position, and the axle is almost tight, flip the lever to the closed position. It should require some force to get it all the way closed. If it won't close all the way, flip it back and spin it open a quarter turn and then try to flip it again. If it doesn't require an effort to close it during the last half of the flip from open to close, flip it back to open, and tighten a quarter turn and try again. This should lock the wheel firmly in place. It should not move when your turn the wheel or ride it. If it does move, you may need to replace the quick release mechanism (they are called skewers).

USAZorro

The "back compartment" is a rack. You can mount saddlebags (panniers) in it, or you can carry books or boxes or whatever on it. Some people like having them, others have no use for them and take them off.

luker

you get the patient guy of the week award, zorro.

mswantak

Nah, he just e-mailed me; he's up on his roof with a derailleur hanger and a hunting rifle.

wasabiboys

sorry to throw gas on the fire but isnt that a womens bike? Yeah dude hanging the deraileur shouldn't be that hard. Take off the wheel...mount the derail at the end of the dropout...tighten it down and put the wheel back!

mswantak

Why, you sexist pig! It's a mixte, or a step-through. Women's bike indeed!


Not that there's anything wrong with that...

NewOrderRegret

so it's suppose to look like this?






the gap is suppose to be there?

it still sort of bends towards the frame/brake, but i noticed that's when i pedal hard. am i suppose to be gental and riding at a constant speed? i realized that it bends when i speed up.

anyways, i'm a little teenager and i do not care if it's a womens bike. thx for the input guys.

cuda2k

Yeah, the space is fine. Let me see if I can find a close up of that side on my roadie...

Ah, check out this picture

Shows the gap between the nut and the back of the dropout quite well. And here is the other side.

USAZorro

New, I think that if you tighten it just a little more, it won't slip - even when you pedal hard.

Enjoy the ride. My first "good" bike (after the U08 was stolen within the first month I had it) was a Super Course. A couple years "newer" than yours, but that's beside the point. I loved riding that bike. Makes me get just a little choked up thinking about it. (ok - that last part was an exaggeration).

Hope all goes well from here on.

Z

NewOrderRegret

i tightened it and everything is great. messed around with the gears, and it's such a smooth ride. i love it so much.


thank you guys, i appreciate all the help.

luker

ya dude. That cyclone is a fine derailleur, and should give you a lot of primo shifts...