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Bike maintenance

 
 
 
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GenesisNemesis

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Anyone have bike maintenance knowedge? I'm interested in getting into cycling, but there are a couple problems with my bike. Firstly, my handle bar is too low, and secondly the bike chain makes a clicking noise. How do I fix those things?
 
GenesisNemesis said:
Anyone have bike maintenance knowedge? I'm interested in getting into cycling, but there are a couple problems with my bike. Firstly, my handle bar is too low, and secondly the bike chain makes a clicking noise. How do I fix those things?
Click to expand...

Depending upon the bike design you could get a longer head stem (what attaches the handlebars to the frame).

Regarding the chain - it can be noisy because
1. It has lots of dust, grit etc. on it. Give it a good clean
2. It is worn - replace it
3. Your cranks (teeth at pedals) are worn
4. Your rear gears are worn
5. Combination of 2-4.

Try 1 first. It is the cheapest and easiest
 
You do not know how to raise and lower the handlebar?

I expect there are a number of books on bikes and maintenance.

Keep the chain and bearings lubricated.
Adjust the brakes and change brake pads when needed.
Get a tire pressure gauge and keep tires at the right pressure.

In the 70s-80s I got around on a bike. A bike shop will probably be happy to walk you through it.
 
You'll need the right tools if you are going to do all your own repairs, and there are some specialty tools you'd need. But you should be able to adjust the handlebar with just an allen wrench. Loosen that bolt at the top and move it up and down.

The clicking could also be from the bottom bracket and the ball bearings. To get in there will take some specialty tools.

You really don't need a book because you can find how to instructions for most any repair on youtube.

Happy trails.
 
On some bikes the stem is not very long and cannot be raised. This is typical of mountain bikes. But the handlebar can likely be rotated to bring the ends/grips up higher. There are also bar ends which can be attached to give more height. But the easiest thing is to raise the stem if that is possible.

The chain noise could be any number of things. Flip the bike over so it is resting on the seat and the handlebar and have a closer look. Sounds like it might be rubbing on the guide.
 
My hubby and I are taking a “date night” bike repair and maintenance course at the local shop. Check to see if you have one nearby. It will be acouple of hours well spent
 
Also make sure your frame and gears and tires match what you want to do. What you want for general riding around and day tripping on the road is not the same as what you want for off road and mountain biking.
 
T.G.G. Moogly said:
On some bikes the stem is not very long and cannot be raised. This is typical of mountain bikes. But the handlebar can likely be rotated to bring the ends/grips up higher. There are also bar ends which can be attached to give more height. But the easiest thing is to raise the stem if that is possible.

The chain noise could be any number of things. Flip the bike over so it is resting on the seat and the handlebar and have a closer look. Sounds like it might be rubbing on the guide.
Click to expand...

Unfortunately I apparently made the mistake of getting a mountain bike when I had no intention of mountain biking.
 
There are tons of info on bike gearing on the net. A brief intro.

https://www.cyclist.co.uk/in-depth/1747/the-cyclist-guide-to-the-right-gear-ratios-for-climbing
https://www.whycycle.co.uk/buying-a-bike/bike-jargon-buster/bike-gears-explained/

The gea5 shift mechanism on a bicycle is essentially a manual transmission, physics wise the same as a car or motorcycle.

When you start you want a lot of torque to get going. A low gear ration. 1 to 1 means for 1 revolution of the pedal the back wheel turns 1 revolution. When you gain speed on level ground you shift to a higher gear to reduce the number of times you pedal for a revolution of the rear wheel.

When you are cruising on level ground you will be pedaling slowoy without much effort.

A dragster on a track has drive chain bending low end tore. It does not need high gears. Same with a mountain bike.

The distance you go per pedal revolution damps on the gear ratio selected and the radius of the rear wheel. Lower gears on a trail mean better pedal control but higher instantaneous torque supplied by your legs.

To make a long story short the comfort of use depends on gear ratios and wheel diameter. I think track bike racing uses 1 gear.

a 3 speed may be fine. 3 speed bikes used to be the norm.
https://livehealthy.chron.com/10speed-bicycles-vs-3speed


And no matter what you choose you will always think you should have picked something else.


I bought a 10speed Motobecane around 1978. Someone I knew observed I paid more for the bike than I did for my old VW I drove. Learned to take it all apart Had a hell of a time with the bearings the first time.
 
Youtube is your best, least expensive resource. I never adjust anything on my bike without referring to some video or other on Youtube first. I could experiment, have a frustrating time, and maybe break something. Or I can spend 20 minutes looking for a relevant youtube vid and see the steps performed and take some mental notes, and it all goes much more smoothly.
 
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