To Bike Forums, Rob59!

This could be easy. It all depends. Do you guys have a bicycle co-op somewhere, nearby?

Just locate your nearest bicycle co-op. Volunteer a few hours on the weekends in order to purchase membership with your volunteer time. Once you've established membership, you'll be able to bring your MTB bike into the co-op workshop for any mechanical adjustments or installations. You should replace your chain and both derailleurs (front and rear). However, don't use Altus. You might want to go with Alivio or Deore or something. When you do this, you'll be upgrading your bicycle with better components.

Let the co-op leadership know what your upgrading goals are after they've inspected your bicycle, before you make any component purchases. Let them tell you exactly what you're going to need to replace. It's quite possible that you might very well, not need the components that I've already prematurely suggested.

Good Luck!

- Slim

PS.

Bicycle co-ops have seasoned bicycle mechanics, who will help you to perform any kind of installation or make any type of mechanical adjustment on your bike.