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Bike repair help from a good neighbor? — Brooklynian

Bike repair help from a good neighbor?

jimmy
edited November -1 in Park Slope
I bought a used bike on the cheap last week - because it's in my nature, I started taking it apart to see if I couldn't clean it up a bit and see how it worked - naturally, being a doofus who doesn't think too far ahead, I failed to take pictures or worry about how I was going to put it back together.

It's certainly cleaner now, but I can't, for the life of me, figure out the correct way to get the derailleur functioning or the gears to shift (the chain has no tension). Plus, which is always fun, I've ended up with an extra screw...

Is there anyone in the 'hood who would be willing to work with me, either in person or via email, to try to get it working? There must be plenty of bike enthusiasts around here who are just aching to showcase their talents, I'm guessing it wouldn't be difficult to fix for someone who knows how, I'm just not that guy. Plus, I'm too cheap/too curious as to how it actually works to take it to a shop just yet.

Comments

  • I can't help, but if you do end up at a shop, the new one on 9th Ave/6th St seems like a place where they would let you watch or maybe work with you. My bf has been there a couple of times for little things and really liked the help he got.
  • Cool, thanks - good to know
  • Did you put the spring back in correctly? It should provide tension to the chain. You might have to wind up the spring a bit (in the direction that will push the lower pulley/arm towards the back of the bike).

    Take a look here and see if it helps: http://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=76

    If not, try posting a picture of the derailleur and I'll see if anything stands out as an easy fix.
  • also check out bicycletutor.com

    lots of great video tutorials
  • arches wrote: Did you put the spring back in correctly? It should provide tension to the chain. You might have to wind up the spring a bit (in the direction that will push the lower pulley/arm towards the back of the bike).

    Take a look here and see if it helps: http://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=76

    If not, try posting a picture of the derailleur and I'll see if anything stands out as an easy fix.
    Cool, actually I think maybe the spring might be the problem, I'll give it a shot tonight when I get home - if not, I'll take some pics - thanks!
  • vidro3 wrote: also check out bicycletutor.com

    lots of great video tutorials
    Thanks, yeah, I had seen that amidst (many) google searches - it is good, yeah, but didn't have what I needed - thanks though!
  • I'm proud when I patch a tube and change a tire on the side of the road, but people I know who are more ambitious with repairs generally check out one of these manuals. It might help.

    http://www.amazon.com/Lennard-Zinn/e/B001JP36Q0/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1
  • Flo wrote: I'm proud when I patch a tube and change a tire on the side of the road, but people I know who are more ambitious with repairs generally check out one of these manuals. It might help.

    http://www.amazon.com/Lennard-Zinn/e/B001JP36Q0/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1
    Thanks - I was more looking to get back on the road, say, tonight, but I'll keep that in mind for future study - appreciate it
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