I hesitate to ask
03-17-15, 05:06 PM
#26
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I agree with Andrew. You can improve the bike for very little money. You already know that you began with a low-end bike, but it has posibilities.
1. Remove the wheels and lube and adjust the bearings (you may find them tight and nearly dry - even though new).
2. Do the same with the fork, lube and adjust the headset bearings.
3. You may as well tackle the 1 piece crank - just because.
4. Check your brakes (not breaks - sorry). If the pads are adjusted close to the rim, you can check how true the wheels are. You may have to true the wheels or center the brakes.
5. Check to see if you can shift through all gears cleanly. If not, it could be a minor trim adjustment, high/low limit, bent derailleur hanger, and more.
6. Remove the pedals, grease the threads lightly, and re-install.
Park Tool's website has lots of information as does the late Sheldon Brown's site.
You can make this a decent commuter.
1. Remove the wheels and lube and adjust the bearings (you may find them tight and nearly dry - even though new).
2. Do the same with the fork, lube and adjust the headset bearings.
3. You may as well tackle the 1 piece crank - just because.
4. Check your brakes (not breaks - sorry). If the pads are adjusted close to the rim, you can check how true the wheels are. You may have to true the wheels or center the brakes.
5. Check to see if you can shift through all gears cleanly. If not, it could be a minor trim adjustment, high/low limit, bent derailleur hanger, and more.
6. Remove the pedals, grease the threads lightly, and re-install.
Park Tool's website has lots of information as does the late Sheldon Brown's site.
You can make this a decent commuter.
03-17-15, 05:23 PM
#27
Tortoise Wins by a Hare!
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Do not invest $$ into new parts. Grease, adjust and, tune with all the parts you have on it now, and see what you got.
Barring a huge defect, I feel fairly certain this bike can be made more road worthy, (you said it already rode nice) and last at least until you can find something nicer.
Save your money for your next bike.
Barring a huge defect, I feel fairly certain this bike can be made more road worthy, (you said it already rode nice) and last at least until you can find something nicer.
Save your money for your next bike.
03-17-15, 05:44 PM
#28
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Basic bike components can usually work pretty well. The big exception is the rear axle. If you mostly ride on the street or trails it will probably hold up OK but if you try to do a lot of off roading where it's rough you might bend it pretty easily.
03-17-15, 06:19 PM
#29
Tortoise Wins by a Hare!
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03-17-15, 07:35 PM
#30
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It would be fine to tear into and work on but as others have said, if you have to purchase anything beyond a Wally world bell cable set and possibly the cheapest tires you can find, you're throwing money away.
