Hello from Utah
05-11-09, 10:49 PM
#1
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Hello from Utah
What's going on all?
Long story short, I'm a 22 year old USU sophomore. I've been feeling the cycling ache for a while now (I haven't ridden a bike for a good six or eight years), and I discovered an interesting fact: My dad has a relatively nice mountain bike in the shed. I took it out earlier today to find it was in rather terrible shape--he hasn't ridden or maintained the bike for years. The chain's all rusted and, well, I'd describe more about it if I knew anything at all about bikes and bike maintenance.
Point being, I'm going to restore it and start riding it; it'll be my summer project. I've spent the last few hours doing research and I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed at the vocabulary alone, not to mention the nightmare that fixing this beast up can become, apparently. However, I am determined to learn.
My first problem is that I'm not too sure what kind of bike this is. I know it's a Schwinn, and it has to be 4 or more years old. I was not able to find a model number anywhere, so here's a pic if you guys could help identify it (as well as a pic of the tools that were attached to it in a little bag); see below.
Now, aside from the obvious chain replacement and tire inflation, I'm wondering if you guys could give me a few tips on what to look for, where to begin, and what projects a supreme newbie can start on without having to pay the LBS to do it for me (although I'm certain I'll make quite a few trips down there in the next week or two), since my ultimate goal is to learn how to fix and maintain the bike myself.
Long story short, I'm a 22 year old USU sophomore. I've been feeling the cycling ache for a while now (I haven't ridden a bike for a good six or eight years), and I discovered an interesting fact: My dad has a relatively nice mountain bike in the shed. I took it out earlier today to find it was in rather terrible shape--he hasn't ridden or maintained the bike for years. The chain's all rusted and, well, I'd describe more about it if I knew anything at all about bikes and bike maintenance.
Point being, I'm going to restore it and start riding it; it'll be my summer project. I've spent the last few hours doing research and I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed at the vocabulary alone, not to mention the nightmare that fixing this beast up can become, apparently. However, I am determined to learn.
My first problem is that I'm not too sure what kind of bike this is. I know it's a Schwinn, and it has to be 4 or more years old. I was not able to find a model number anywhere, so here's a pic if you guys could help identify it (as well as a pic of the tools that were attached to it in a little bag); see below.
Now, aside from the obvious chain replacement and tire inflation, I'm wondering if you guys could give me a few tips on what to look for, where to begin, and what projects a supreme newbie can start on without having to pay the LBS to do it for me (although I'm certain I'll make quite a few trips down there in the next week or two), since my ultimate goal is to learn how to fix and maintain the bike myself.
05-12-09, 07:32 AM
#2
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Location: niagara region
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Bikes: 1987 bianchi campione d'italia, 1970's eatons glider, 1990's hybrid, 1992 trek antelope
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First thing to do is get a well lit area to work on the bike organized. Looks like you have a chain-breaker in that kit. You will need some Metric allen wrenches and other bike specific tools once you really get into it. A good book from your local library can come in handy, such as Zinn and the art of mountain bike maintenance. If you want, you can google bike tutor and watch some videos.
