Real Dumbass bike question....
Discussion
Hi I have been given a nice old mountain bike with 15 gears. Shimano twist grip things.
My last bike was a 10 speed racer when I was 15 - I am now 39 and have forgotten how to use the gears. I keep making the chain come off.
I am guessing the right shift is what you use most, then the left shift when you get into top gear on the right.
I recall something about not getting the chain at a funny angle. I guess I am doing this, that is why the chain comes off.
Real dumbass question but I really have forgotten how to do this.
Any advice appreciated.
Dan.
My last bike was a 10 speed racer when I was 15 - I am now 39 and have forgotten how to use the gears. I keep making the chain come off.
I am guessing the right shift is what you use most, then the left shift when you get into top gear on the right.
I recall something about not getting the chain at a funny angle. I guess I am doing this, that is why the chain comes off.
Real dumbass question but I really have forgotten how to do this.
Any advice appreciated.
Dan.
Wow, well yeah back to basics.
Yes the right hand (rear) is for fine changes. The left is for big jumps I.E. From flat to climbing etc.
Gripshift/15 speed to me, makes me think it's more than a few years old? Ether way there's probably a + / - adjustment skrew on the derailer, this will stop you overshifting.
You need to try to avoid extremes in gears I.E. first in rear and on the top at front, causes the chain to run at an angle, wears it out quicker, causes it to drop off or even snap. It's just a learning curve.
Hope you enjoy your return to biking!
Yes the right hand (rear) is for fine changes. The left is for big jumps I.E. From flat to climbing etc.
Gripshift/15 speed to me, makes me think it's more than a few years old? Ether way there's probably a + / - adjustment skrew on the derailer, this will stop you overshifting.
You need to try to avoid extremes in gears I.E. first in rear and on the top at front, causes the chain to run at an angle, wears it out quicker, causes it to drop off or even snap. It's just a learning curve.
Hope you enjoy your return to biking!
Even though its got 15 gears, you've probably only got 7-9 effective ratios.
Basically for your:-
Smallest front chainring you could use the biggest 2/3 rear sprockets.
Middle front chainring use the middle 3 rear sprockets
Biggest front chain ring use the smallest 2/3 rear sprockets
Everyting else will just overlap with the other ratio's available and cause too much chain angle and wear.
My suggestion would be to get it down to your LBS (local bike shop) for a thoroughly good service.
If your lucky the parts if still available will be dirt cheap and then it shouldn't be too difficult to getting working right again, however you may find that a large proportion of the replacement parts could be obsolete, at that point you may as well look at comparing the cost against a cheap entry level bike from say Giant, so unless there are particulary emotional reasons why you want to use this you might be better off with a new one.
Basically for your:-
Smallest front chainring you could use the biggest 2/3 rear sprockets.
Middle front chainring use the middle 3 rear sprockets
Biggest front chain ring use the smallest 2/3 rear sprockets
Everyting else will just overlap with the other ratio's available and cause too much chain angle and wear.
My suggestion would be to get it down to your LBS (local bike shop) for a thoroughly good service.
If your lucky the parts if still available will be dirt cheap and then it shouldn't be too difficult to getting working right again, however you may find that a large proportion of the replacement parts could be obsolete, at that point you may as well look at comparing the cost against a cheap entry level bike from say Giant, so unless there are particulary emotional reasons why you want to use this you might be better off with a new one.
Edited by OneDs on Tuesday 27th October 13:13
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