Ayush

This is my first bike maintainence post! I've been meaning to ask you good people these questions

I've few problems with my new MTB:
1. My cantilever brakes are not adjusted properly. Can someone please help me? They are very ineffective and take ages to stop I've got new non-worn out brake shoes though.

2. What is the best height for your saddle? I'm 6feet tall and weigh about 58kgs.

3. I can hear squeaking sounds from my rear suspenison (swing arm) What is the solution?

4. At times I can hear the chain rub against the front cage slightly. Trimming doesnt help What should I do?

5. Some rear gears give a jerk while upshifting and downshifting which in turn jerks the pedal and is dangerous . What to do?

6. What type of lube should I use on my chain? In my country I dont have proper bike shops available so I dont know if I will be able to procure the right one..

7. My front shifter has become slighly tight. Especially while shifting from 2nd to 3rd chainwheel. What should I do?

I've attacthed pics for illustration. Hope to get opinions of members!

Thanks all

edit: pls guys some help!

edit2:some mistakes

Ayush

Hello! Anyone willling to help please?

Bikewer

Well.... You say this is a new bike? Take it back to the dealer and have him adress these problems. Most sound like minor tune-up-lube issues. However, it sounds more like this is "New to You". Cantileiver brakes are not found on many contemporary bikes.
They are a pain to set up and adjust. If the pads are worn, there's your first step. Doing new pads is going to be a chore for a first-timer, as you must not only get them on and lined up, but toed-in as well. Park Tool and Sheldon Brown's site should have instructions.

The other issues are mostly minor adjustment things that could be adressed with cleaning, lubing, and minor cable/derailleur adjustments. Having a shop do this will be expensive, as they will charge shop rate.

On looking more closely at the pictures.... You do not have cantileiver brakes. Then again, they are not ordinary V-brakes either. I suspect this is a very inexpensive bike, as it looks like the brake arms are stamped steel. They have elements of both types. Good luck getting your problems ironed out....but I fear you may be trying to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear, as they used to say.

DiegoFrogs

Your rims are steel. Steel is very ineffective as far as braking is concerned. In order to increase braking power, probably your best bet is to replace them with aluminum. I suspect this may be difficult, depending on your location. (are you in China?)

As far as lube, the grease belongs INSIDE of the pedal. You'd have to re-pack the bearings inside the pedal in order to lube it. I suspect you won't be able to get the proper wrench, if you can re-pack the pedals that came on that bike at all.

I'm not so sure there are good solutions to the problems that you have... Sorry

MtbVA

If you go to park tools website they have a lot of repair tips. https://www.parktool.com/repair/

1. Brakes can be a little tricky, may take a few tries, sometimes as your tightening the bolt the pad will twist a little.

2. Set the seat height so that your legs are almost straight when the pedal is on the down stroke.

3. It's probably a bushing not a bearing - use a lot of waterproof grease

4. Chain rub - if it only happens on the small & not the big ring and the adjuster screws aren't helping - loosen clamp bolt slowly and twist the cage.

5. try adjusting the gears either at the rear derailer or at the shifter.

6. What on the pedal are you trying to lube?

7. Possibly needs adjusting or maybe the cable is dragging due to dirt inside cable housing.

Don't take this wrong way, but your bike seems inexpensive - meaning the manufacture uses cheap parts.
Some of your problems may not be fixable without changing parts.

Ayush

@bikewer well it is a new bike but the thing is here the mechanics are pathetic and have very low knowledge. So I’m thinking of solving my problems myself.

I did install new pads, so that’s not the issue.. and I do have cantilevers as the description on Sheldon brown’s site matches with mine. Yes this is an inexpensive bike. Costed me about 83USD. But the thing is this the best and the most inexpensive bike to Indian standards! I couldn’t have got anything better here.. so this is it.

“a silk purse out of a sow's ear” ?? what do u mean? Having decent brakes is too much too ask?

@frogs yes I have steel rims. I think aluminum rims are unheard of here. So I have to do with this. I am in India. I’m sorry I meant to say that I wanted to lube the chain. My bad..

@mtbva and what would be the correct handlebar height in this respect?

“It's probably a bushing not a bearing” pls explain.
Is there any grade or specification for waterproof grease? And where should I apply it?

Chain rub is mostly happening on the big ring L

Yes I do have a cheap bike. But it’s the best available here. So this is it.

@all i have a new problem.. the joint of the handlebar and fork is constantly becoming loose.. what could be wrong?


thanks all....

Ayush

update

I spent hours trying to adjuct the brakes according to sheldonbrown's site. I can say they are better than before. At least decent. Earlier they were like... well ... ****!

Now the front brakes are squealing though. Anyone with any more hints/tips please?

neil0502

Search the forum for 'squeal,' 'squealing,' 'brake squeal.' Many possible fixes exist.