Have I bought the right bike?

[2DDav]

Okay, looking for (yet more) advice. I recently started a thread regarding my 2011 Giant Revel 3 which has had continuing cable adjustment issues since it was bought. Now I bought the bike as I used to enjoy going out occasionally and wanted something cheap to see if I would get back into it. However since Ive started out again Im finding Im enjoying being out on the bike more than I did before, and infact the mileage Im doing on a single evening (although not massive by the standard in here at around 15-20miles) are roughly double what I used to do and gradually increasing.
Now Im starting to debate whether the bike I have (being as it was the cheaper end of the range at £250) is up to what its being asked to do and is it worth looking at upgrading, or if its just been badly setup.

Rather than waffle on too long Ill bullet point:


1 - Front deraullier constantly needs adjusting for some reason, it can be adjusted and be fine yet after another 15miles gear changes become un-smooth and gradually cant change into the required gear, it also means that some of the changes are pretty harsh. Several opinions seem to be from bad setup to cheap cables yet no-ones got to the bottom of it. (this is a particular bug bear and is really starting to de-tracting from the whole cycling thing

2 - Brake wise it doesnt have disc/caliper brakes and after 2 months the rear set of brake blocks are worn, the left side is worn at an angle and all-round they are getting a bit low the bakes at least will need replaced (explains why stopping the bike has became harder)

3 - Its a 21 speed bike, but Im finding that more and more as fitness increases Im running out of higher end gears and could really do with more.

Any opinions?

[Bacon Is Proof]

Sounds to me like you have already decided to get a new bike.

I've never had problems setting up gears, I just followed the Shimano instructions that came with my bike.
I've never failed to set up gears perfectly, but without having a look myself, I doubt I could help.
I've had to adjust the cable tension once on my bike (assuming a tiny bit of cable stretch) and I change gear whilst wheelying standing up with no jumping or skipping of the chain, so it can be done.

But yes, you've got a crap bike, buy yourself a better one.

Sorry.

[2DDav]

Bacon Is Proof said:

Sounds to me like you have already decided to get a new bike.

I've never had problems setting up gears, I just followed the Shimano instructions that came with my bike.
I've never failed to set up gears perfectly, but without having a look myself, I doubt I could help.
I've had to adjust the cable tension once on my bike (assuming a tiny bit of cable stretch) and I change gear whilst wheelying standing up with no jumping or skipping of the chain, so it can be done.

But yes, you've got a crap bike, buy yourself a better one.

Sorry.

Your right.......I kinda have decided Id like a new bike, however man maths dictate that someone else has to say its the only option before proceeding.

The cable tension has been adjusted 3 times and seems fine (cant see it having stretched that much). There are the 2 screws on top of the deraullier that always seem to need adjusting here and there after so long, yet I cant see why it would need adjusting as much. I did pop in for a chat to Edinburgh Bike co-op yesterday and their opinion (without seeing it to be fair), was there had to be something else going on other than cable stretching etc. as of the same model bikes that they have sold they have yet to have one come back.








So on that note, anyone got any suggestions of what to look for. Budget £600-800. Will be used for road/cycle path/canal path/forrest tracks predominantly, wont be doing heavy off road stuff & dont want a full suspension bike?

[itsnotarace]

This is much more likely to be a cable kink or poor routing that is causing this. You shouldn't need to adjust the screws on the mech once they are set. First of all check the outers of the cable to see they have been crimped properly and there are no rough edges or bits for the cable to catch on when it passes through. This normally happens when the outer has been cut with poor quality cable cutters. Check the ends of all the outers and see if they are all square and you can put an awl down the end and check there are no obstructions. Second thing would be to replace the actual cable inner, they are only a couple of quid.

[Bacon Is Proof]

Do you want to stick with a MTB or go for a hybrid?
£6-800 buys a lot of bike.

[2DDav]

I would probably stick with the mtb and stick my semi slicks on. If/when I upgrade I want to do so to something that's going to last.