Chain in the wrong gear
07-09-16 | 08:56 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Chain in the wrong gear
I just got a new bike and the chain isn't on the right gear. I tried shifting it all the way down to 7 and then back up but it only goes to third gear even after going to second and then first. I read the manual but I'm a bike noob. Anybody know what's wrong? This is the bike I got. (I know since 99% of the people on here are enthusiasts and probably cringe at Walmart bikes but I like this one and it was cheap). 26" Men's Kent Bayside Cruiser Bike - Walmart.com
07-09-16 | 09:35 PM
#2
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 6,496
Likes: 6
From: SoCal
You need to adjust the rear derailleur. It could be the limit screw or cable tension. There are plenty of good videos on YouTube that explain how to adjust the rear derailleur. I'd watch a few and go from there
07-09-16 | 11:38 PM
#3
Mad bike riding scientist
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 29,167
Likes: 6,235
From: Denver, CO
Bikes: Some silver ones, a red one, a black and orange one, and a few titanium ones
I just got a new bike and the chain isn't on the right gear. I tried shifting it all the way down to 7 and then back up but it only goes to third gear even after going to second and then first. I read the manual but I'm a bike noob. Anybody know what's wrong? This is the bike I got. (I know since 99% of the people on here are enthusiasts and probably cringe at Walmart bikes but I like this one and it was cheap). 26" Men's Kent Bayside Cruiser Bike - Walmart.com
I suspect a cable problem. The cable is probably loose, which happens with new bikes...the cable needs some time to stretch and reach an equilibrium. To check, shift the bike into the highest gear (smallest cog on the back) and pull on the cable. The cable should be taut but not super tight like a guitar string. If you can pull it away from the frame any significant distance (1/4" is a significant distance), you'll need tighten the cable. There's a barrel adjuster on the shifter which you can screw outward to take up the slack.
If the shifting is random...i.e. you can shift down to the first or second gear sometimes but not always or the cable seems to be binding, take a look at the outer cable. Shift all the way down to first gear then, without pedaling, upshift.
Your cable should look like this
This will release the tension on the cable and let you pull it away from the stops.
Inspect the ends of the cable. If the ends look like this
You'll need to replace the housing. That's more involved we can cross that bridge when and if you get to it.
You may also see end like this
Lots of manufacturers trim back their cables like this and it can cause the ends to squeeze down on the cable which may cause intermittent problems. It warrants watching.
Finally, most of the reason that bike people cringe at Helmart bikes is because they are poorly made and difficult to get to work properly. I work on them all the time at my local co-op and, while we perform enough miracles to put us on the Vatican's radar, we have a devil of a time keeping the Helmart bikes operational for long periods of time. That, unfortunately, is the point. Helmart bikes are meant to be cheap and they really aren't meant to be ridden all that much. They sell them cheap and know that the bike will sit in a garage for a long time and then be scrapped.
A bike shop bike is much more expensive but it will last a lot longer and not need as much tending as a bicycle shaped object from a big box store. You don't save any money if you have to constantly fix the bike or you never ride it because you can't keep it running properly. Ride your bike, keep asking questions and try to fall in love with bicycling. Just don't fall in love with this bike. It's gonna break your heart.
__________________
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Dreamin' of Bemidji Down the Mississippi (in part)
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
Stuart Black
Dreamin' of Bemidji Down the Mississippi (in part)
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
07-10-16 | 09:29 PM
#4
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 19,359
Likes: 5,492
From: Rochester, NY
Bikes: Stewart S&S coupled sport tourer, Stewart Sunday light, Stewart Commuting, Stewart Touring, Co Motion Tandem, Stewart 3-Spd, Stewart Track, Fuji Finest, Mongoose Tomac ATB, GT Bravado ATB, JCP Folder, Stewart 650B ATB
A comment about bikes produced for the lowest cost (as in big box buys). Many years ago the cheap brands had Huffy as a leader. The CEO of Huffy stated that the average life mileage of a Huffy was 76 miles, before theft, disposal, crashes, disinterest or other reasons to no longer use the bike were had. 76 miles...
If anything in today's data centric world current big box brand leaders have figured out if the average lifespan is really 75.6 miles and figure that having a bike be able to last longer is just wasteful.
Andy.
If anything in today's data centric world current big box brand leaders have figured out if the average lifespan is really 75.6 miles and figure that having a bike be able to last longer is just wasteful.
Andy.
07-11-16 | 08:00 AM
#5
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 30,225
Likes: 649
From: St Peters, Missouri
Bikes: Catrike 559 I own some others but they don't get ridden very much.
All the derailleur adjusting in the world won't help if it's out of alignment so check this first:
1. Shift into a gear combination that makes the derailleur arm point downward.
2. Prop your bike up straight and view your derailleur from the back.
3. If the derailleur arm seems to point toward the rear wheel, gently bend it back so that it's vertical.
Now go to the Park tool website and check the installing the rear derailleur tutorial. Disconnect your rear derailleur cable and start with step one. Do the steps in order and don't skip any steps. Oh - and when you reattach the derailleur cable, make sure that your shifter is in the high gear position.
Good luck!
1. Shift into a gear combination that makes the derailleur arm point downward.
2. Prop your bike up straight and view your derailleur from the back.
3. If the derailleur arm seems to point toward the rear wheel, gently bend it back so that it's vertical.
Now go to the Park tool website and check the installing the rear derailleur tutorial. Disconnect your rear derailleur cable and start with step one. Do the steps in order and don't skip any steps. Oh - and when you reattach the derailleur cable, make sure that your shifter is in the high gear position.
Good luck!
__________________
My greatest fear is all of my kids standing around my coffin and talking about "how sensible" dad was.
My greatest fear is all of my kids standing around my coffin and talking about "how sensible" dad was.
07-12-16 | 04:42 PM
#6
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Sorry it took so long to reply but this worked! It changes gears perfectly now. I don't plan on keeping this bike forever. I will try to make it last as long as possible but I'll get a higher end bike in the future when/if I get more serious about riding.
07-12-16 | 04:43 PM
#7
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Sorry it took so long to reply but this worked! It changes gears perfectly now. I don't plan on keeping this bike forever. I will try to make it last as long as possible but I'll get a higher end bike in the future when/if I get more serious about riding.
I doubt that it has anything to do with the limit screws. They are seldom a problem. Once they are set they don't need further adjustment unless you bend something.
I suspect a cable problem. The cable is probably loose, which happens with new bikes...the cable needs some time to stretch and reach an equilibrium. To check, shift the bike into the highest gear (smallest cog on the back) and pull on the cable. The cable should be taut but not super tight like a guitar string. If you can pull it away from the frame any significant distance (1/4" is a significant distance), you'll need tighten the cable. There's a barrel adjuster on the shifter which you can screw outward to take up the slack.
If the shifting is random...i.e. you can shift down to the first or second gear sometimes but not always or the cable seems to be binding, take a look at the outer cable. Shift all the way down to first gear then, without pedaling, upshift.
Your cable should look like this
This will release the tension on the cable and let you pull it away from the stops.
Inspect the ends of the cable. If the ends look like this
You'll need to replace the housing. That's more involved we can cross that bridge when and if you get to it.
You may also see end like this
Lots of manufacturers trim back their cables like this and it can cause the ends to squeeze down on the cable which may cause intermittent problems. It warrants watching.
Finally, most of the reason that bike people cringe at Helmart bikes is because they are poorly made and difficult to get to work properly. I work on them all the time at my local co-op and, while we perform enough miracles to put us on the Vatican's radar, we have a devil of a time keeping the Helmart bikes operational for long periods of time. That, unfortunately, is the point. Helmart bikes are meant to be cheap and they really aren't meant to be ridden all that much. They sell them cheap and know that the bike will sit in a garage for a long time and then be scrapped.
A bike shop bike is much more expensive but it will last a lot longer and not need as much tending as a bicycle shaped object from a big box store. You don't save any money if you have to constantly fix the bike or you never ride it because you can't keep it running properly. Ride your bike, keep asking questions and try to fall in love with bicycling. Just don't fall in love with this bike. It's gonna break your heart.
I suspect a cable problem. The cable is probably loose, which happens with new bikes...the cable needs some time to stretch and reach an equilibrium. To check, shift the bike into the highest gear (smallest cog on the back) and pull on the cable. The cable should be taut but not super tight like a guitar string. If you can pull it away from the frame any significant distance (1/4" is a significant distance), you'll need tighten the cable. There's a barrel adjuster on the shifter which you can screw outward to take up the slack.
If the shifting is random...i.e. you can shift down to the first or second gear sometimes but not always or the cable seems to be binding, take a look at the outer cable. Shift all the way down to first gear then, without pedaling, upshift.
Your cable should look like this
This will release the tension on the cable and let you pull it away from the stops.
Inspect the ends of the cable. If the ends look like this
You'll need to replace the housing. That's more involved we can cross that bridge when and if you get to it.
You may also see end like this
Lots of manufacturers trim back their cables like this and it can cause the ends to squeeze down on the cable which may cause intermittent problems. It warrants watching.
Finally, most of the reason that bike people cringe at Helmart bikes is because they are poorly made and difficult to get to work properly. I work on them all the time at my local co-op and, while we perform enough miracles to put us on the Vatican's radar, we have a devil of a time keeping the Helmart bikes operational for long periods of time. That, unfortunately, is the point. Helmart bikes are meant to be cheap and they really aren't meant to be ridden all that much. They sell them cheap and know that the bike will sit in a garage for a long time and then be scrapped.
A bike shop bike is much more expensive but it will last a lot longer and not need as much tending as a bicycle shaped object from a big box store. You don't save any money if you have to constantly fix the bike or you never ride it because you can't keep it running properly. Ride your bike, keep asking questions and try to fall in love with bicycling. Just don't fall in love with this bike. It's gonna break your heart.
