I just started cycling about 3 months ago and I would like to learn how to do my own maintenance. My roommate brought home a 5 speed MTB that isnt in great shape so I figured it would be good for me to practice on. The frame is in good shape but the drive train is a little rusted out. I wanted to just grab some cheap parts off Amazon or Ebay and learn to install them. What type of measurements do I need to take to determine what type of parts I can place on the bike? Such as finding a crank that fits

It currently has Shimano stuff with no type of model number or anything on them. The crank has no ID on it at all. I was looking at Alivio stuff on Amazon and I can get a crank, FD, RD, and shifters for less than 150 bucks total. Yeah, I will need some other parts as well but this will get me started. Also, I'm sure I could find even cheaper parts, such as this Shimano Tourney line. I'm not worried about being able to take the bike on long ride in the future or anything I just want to learn how to service a bike but I would like to work with parts that arent rusted out to bad.

Any suggestions? Thanks in advance for any replies.

Have you searched the forum, this question comes up fairly regularly. Being realistic, you will struggle to get 5 speed kit for an MTB, as everything has been at least 7 speed for the last 20 years, unless real low end, like a BSO.

For costs, even using Shimano Tourney, you would probably find it cheaper to get a new / 2nd hand bike with this fitted, rather than buying parts individually. For measuring, get a set of vernier caliper; and look on the Park tools website for how to guides.

Just tear it down, clean everything and reassemble what you've got. I took a '77 Schwinn Le Tour II out of a dumpster and made it a decent riding bike. It was pretty trashed but I was able to get it road-worthy with nothing but bar tape, tires and brake pads. Had to take a dremmel to many of the parts just to get the rust off. Ended up using the bike as a commuter for a while. This was the finished product:



Advantages of going this way include: minimal to no expense (except time); no fear of getting parts that aren't compatible; more intimate knowledge of how each part functions (nothing like spending time cleaning rust off of a derailluer, making sure lube gets in to all the mechanism and making sure it operates smoothly to get intimately familiar with how it works); and, if you mess it up, you've still gained some knowledge at a minimum cost.

@jimc101 , I figured I would not be able to find many 5 speed parts and that is ok with me. And you're right, the Park Tools site is very handy. I also plan on picking up the Park Tool kit AK-37 because it seems like it will cover all the tools I will need.

@CACycling , I will probably try your suggestions first, to just stick with what I have. Only problem is the rear shifter is broken beyong repair. This link, https://www.amazon.com/SHIMANO-TY-15-...7830185&sr=1-2 , looks like the exact shifters that are on the bike so I may have to purchase those.

I'll just start breaking the bike down tonight with the tools I currently have and then go from there.

I've rebuilt a lot of mtbs over the years. The best way to hold the cost down, is to find a donor bike, and swap parts. For instance, I picked up a 1988 Cannondale SM700 MTB at a garage sale last weekend, didn't have wheels, no chain, ripped up saddle, but everything else was there. And the frame is good. As luck would have it, about a week ago, I picked up a mid grade, Novara MTB (REI brand) at a thrift store, suspension fork is shot, frame is scraped up, but it has good quality parts on it (all STX). Out of these two bikes, I'll build one good bike, and spend very little doing it. I paid $25 total, for both bikes. Some parts are repeats, so I'll end up with a couple of extra derailleurs, brake calipers, crankset, seat post, bars, stem, and bottom bracket. I'll add a new chain ($5), cables, tires, bearings and grease, and it will be ready to go. I'll have less than $50 into the finished bike. And all of those left over parts will come in handy, as I have about a half dozen other mtbs to build up/repair.


Spending $150 just on parts for an old mtb is an expensive option. Finished, ready to ride, mtbs with those shifters you posted above would go for about $100. The Cannondale I picked up has better components and shifters, so it will bring more, but not a lot. Sometimes I just rebuild a bike to get it back on the road.


Over the years, bikes have paid for bikes, tools, keeper bikes and more. Early on, I did very little work on them (lack of skill and tools). My first project was a $10 garage sale bike: cleaned it up, trued the wheels, adjusted the cables, and moved it on to a new owner three days later. I learned as I went, getting more tools, more knowledge and more comfort with the whole process. With hundreds of projects, I have yet to have bought $150 in parts for a single bike. Donor bikes rule.

Personally, I prefer to buy tools as needed. Depending on the type(s) and age(s) of bikes you work on and the type of components on them (Shimano/Campy/SRAM), buying a kit will give you a number of tools you may never use and you'll still find tools you'll need that aren't in the kit.

Plus, many of the tools are very common and, if you have any tools at all, they may be duplicates of what you already have. Stuff like open end wrenches, screwdrivers, allen wrenches, etc. don't need to be blue and say "Park Tools" on the side. I just bought the tools I needed as I needed them.

Looks like the shifters come with new cables so that is a plus. Good luck and keep reading and asking questions.

@CACycling , I agree with in buying a kit you may end up with tools that you never touch. I have been looking at the Park Tool AK-37 kit. It also includes some open end wrenches, screwdrivers, but these are things I actually do not have. It also comes with many speciality tools. The chain tool alone sells for $25 on Amazon but I can purchase the entire kit for $200. Granted $200 is a lot of money but I probably would save that in cost I would pay to the bike shop for their help. I'm sure you're familar with the tool kit but here is a link to is. https://www.parktool.com/product/adva...tool-kit-ak-37

As you are starting from scratch (no tools whatsoever), that isn't a bad way to go. I'd also pick up a regular set of allen wrenches. The Y-shaped ones are handy but won't work in some situations. You'll also need a few things to really tear down the MTB you are starting with. A freewheel puller to match the freewheel. A 10" or 12" adjustable wrench and rubber mallet are also handy for removing freewheels. And some BB tools for cup and cone style BBs (assuming that is what is on the MTB). Probably want to invest in a larger tool box as well 'cause there are a bunch of cool tools out there that you will find invaluable the more you get into wrenching.

Yes the MTB does have a freewheel and not a cassette. I looked up cup and cone BB tools but I did not find much. Do you have an example? Some people suggested using a large set of pliers like channel locks and a wrench.

Park HCW-4, HCW-5 & HCW-11 depending on BB and possibly a pin spanner like the Park SPA-1. I will admit to servicing more than one cup and cone BB using large groove joint pliers (Channel-Locks), large adjustable wrench, needle nose pliers and a screwdriver. It can be done but the right tools make it easier.

I acquired another MTB, 5 speed as well. Between the two I should be able to make one decent bike. Here are a few pictures. The silver one has a broken rear shifter.

Need to aim higher if you want to make a little $$ reworking them. Focus on bike shop branded bikes, they usually will have the original shop's sticker on them.

I wasnt looking to sell, just learn how to work on bikes. I figured I could take it to the light trails by the lake.

Fix up to learn if you like, but don't spend much money - those bikes (or bikes very similar) can be purchased for less than $100 each. Fixing up without replacing many parts will teach you more than just buying and installing new.

(Note that I said they 'can' be purchased. I did not say they 'should' be purchased.)

Also - Some of the parts you were talking about buying - specifically the Alivio cranks and bottom bracket - will not fit on your two bikes as they use a different bottom bracket and crank design that is not compatible with good quality stuff.

Also - Free bikes are seldom worth the price.