Hi all, I'm new here, came here because I just bought a new bike.

I bought a Schwinn Ranger at my local Target. I know, I know its not a real Schwinn, but as a college student price was the major factor in my purchase, and I'll only be riding it a mile or 2 everyday on paved surfaces. I'm taking to to my LBS this weekend to have it looked over and to make up a maintinence schedule since the last time I owned a bike I was 12 years old.

Anyway, my bike came with a quick release front wheel, but it seems as though the front brakes don't allow for the quick release. This picture is of the exact model as my bike, so hopefully it will help someone here understand.



Is there a way to "open" the brakes from around the rim so that the wheel can come off?

Thanks, and prepare for many more questions to come!

The curved metal "noodle" that attaches to teh top of the right brake arm is removable, allowing the brake arms to spread and allow wheel removal.

video link: https://www.expertvillage.com/video/4...ront-wheel.htm

Wow... pictures and a video... Thanks!

Nice service jsharr!

I would have posted some popcorn and a coke as well but....................

Welcome to the forums.

Thanks, I plan on having many more questions once I get started riding, probably which upgrades to make first.

Don't upgrade the parts of the bike. Set up a fund to upgrade to a better bike.

+1. The bike you have will be servicable for the use you describe but isn't worth upgrading. Replace what wears out, like brake pads, but only that.

Those brakes are not properly set up... the angle off the arms is way off and my thought is that the spacers on the v-brakes are reversed.

The arms should be almost parallel to the forks... look at jsharr's picture to see how the arm alignment should be.

Thanks for the info, but that's not a picture of my actual bike, just of the model my bike is. I found that picture online and posted it just to show which type of brakes i was talking about; I wasn't sure if that was an important part of how to release the wheel. I'll post a picture of my brakes when I get home to see if they are set up correctly.

There is a single upgrade you'll want to do: get some slick tires to put on there. You don't need the knobbies and they slow you waaaay down. It'll cost about $30 for a pair. I like the Bontrager Road Warriors. Nashbar or Performance makes a good cheap one, too.

Aside from that, don't bother upgrading it. You'll wind up replacing every single part on it (including the frame) before it becomes good, and you'll have spent a lot more than a new bike would have cost, particularly if you get one used.

Alternately, keep an eye out for junk bikes with parts you can swap out that will do what you want. A low-value bike is a great way to learn about working on bikes.

Like, a steel threadless fork will weigh less than that shock, which probably isn't that good anyway, and you find them all over the place.

In the best of worlds...
Seriously though, arm angle differences like that have so little impact on brake performance that pretty much the only reason for changing them are aestethic.

Is the "noodle" the real name of that metal thingy? I like that.

Yep, that what the industry calls it.


BTW, I noticed you're in Gainesville and the avitar certainly says you're a "Gator". What major?

the brake cables will stretch. so will the shift cables.

make sure your LBS shows you where and how to tighten your brake cables.

Make sure your handlebars are on tight and that they won't twist out of alignment or come out all together.

Invest in a decent bicycle tool kit, and a bicycle repair book. You're gonna need it. If you learn to do your own wrenching this bike can be very reliable and in good ridable condition, for as many years as you want to keep repairing and replacing parts.

If you don't learn to do your own wrenching. In the long run this bike will cost you more in repairs/adjustments than a $1200 bike would. These bikes are SIMPLE to work on and its well worth to learn how.

Finally, it has already been said; Slicker thinner tires will make your experience MUCH more enjoyable. The knobbies are for offroad trails, and if you inspect your bike closely you will find a sticker hidden somewhere that says "THIS BIKE IS NOT INTENDED FOR OFF ROAD USE". So you can't even use it off road so those tires are useless to you.

Wow, I feel like a complete jack*****. My wife has the same bike and all this time I've been loosening the brake cable every time I want to take the wheels off to change a flat and then retightening it after I've replaced them. I've done that for years...

Guess that's why it's great that I've finally found this forum.

Yep, they come in different radii, and angles.
The rubber part is also know as a 'worm'.

I'm between Finance and Econ with the possibility of picking up a second major. Why do you ask? I see you're from PA, but are you also a Gator?

I'm not but my son is completing a PhD program at UF in the Physical Therapy Department so we've been to Gainesville numerous times on visits. We rode the "Horsefarm 100" century a couple of years ago. too. Nice place.

We also have friends whe are (were) Gators from back in the '60's and they were insufferable during the Football/Basketball national chamionship runs.

It appears that your son is a genius. congrats. I've got much respect for people that go into the sciences. I did engineering for a bit and almost killed myself.
We are pretty good a football/basketball so a little bragging is never a bad thing.
Sorry for hijacking the thread.