Noisy new Electra
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Noisy new Electra
Hello, my new Electra 3-speed cruiser is really noisy, especially on the third gear. Is this just internal gears, or normal for Electra, or what?
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Originally Posted by pepsbandit
Electra 3-speed cruiser
You might want to take it by a local bike shop (LBS) and have someone look at it. Probably no big deal.
Oh, and you might get a better answer in one of the other forums (bicycle mechanics, recreational & family, etc.).
Now get out there and ride!

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A few possibilities... Check to see if the chain is too tight, give it a wiggle, it should move about half and inch up and down, but not much more or less. Also, make sure the chainline is good, it should be a perfectly straight shot from chainring to cog (though I doubt that would be a problem on a new bike).
Also, what brand is the rear hub? Does it have a little 'nipple' on it with a cap that opens? If so, it is an oil bath hub, and needs to be lubricated with some mid-weight motor oil squeeze into that hole. Some hubs are oil bath, and others aren't.. I'm not so sure about the new ones.
Finally, sometimes the cheaper three speeds are just a bit louder by nature. If the above things look good, I wouldn't worry about it. If it really bothers you, take it to the shop you bought it from and ask them, they should know for sure.
peace,
sam
Also, what brand is the rear hub? Does it have a little 'nipple' on it with a cap that opens? If so, it is an oil bath hub, and needs to be lubricated with some mid-weight motor oil squeeze into that hole. Some hubs are oil bath, and others aren't.. I'm not so sure about the new ones.
Finally, sometimes the cheaper three speeds are just a bit louder by nature. If the above things look good, I wouldn't worry about it. If it really bothers you, take it to the shop you bought it from and ask them, they should know for sure.
peace,
sam
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I was just at Snider's in Bako yesterday. They are nice looking bikes. The 3 speed Electra set-ups were Shimano Nexus--Shimano hub.
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I had a "Creaky Crank" on my Trek Solo Ride 300 that started at about the 100 mile mark. The shop I bought it from overhauled the bottom bracket and it has been fine ever since. I have a Shimano Nexus 7 speed hub and it is absolutely silent. I looked at the Electras, but decided on the Trek after I saw the Trek interchange rack system. The Electras are very cool, though.
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Originally Posted by pepsbandit
Hello, my new Electra 3-speed cruiser is really noisy, especially on the third gear. Is this just internal gears, or normal for Electra, or what?

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Gear cables stretch. There should be a barrel adjuster for the cable length and an index mark somewhere that you need to line up (in fourth gear for the Nexus-7). In my experience the Nexus-7 hubs are a little noisier or 'crunchy' in first and third gear; some of the noise might be a design issue with the hub, might be similar for the 3-speed.