Originally Posted by
hhk25
I've somehow turned into the neighbourhood bike mechanic. I work on my bike on my driveway on a stand. My neighbours see this and come over with their bikes and ask for help. Often these bikes have been neglected for years.
I feel your pain. We have a shop in town now, so more and more I've been pointing people toward the shop. (I highly recommend sending people to a shop).
I think I need a more systematic approach. So how do the pros do it? When they get an unfamiliar bike and it's shifting rough, how do you approach it?
I start from first principles by checking the hanger alignment using a gauge made for the purpose, then limit and b-screw settings, then dialing in the indexing. Very often I install new cables and housing, because any bike that someone brings me typically needs pretty much everything done to it anyway.
And clean everything. And lube the chain. And hope the shifter isn't some whack-a-mole grip-shifter from the dime store.