Have questions or want to discuss cycling? Join Now or Sign In to participate in the BikeRide community.

New: Take Part in the Latest Giveaway coming soon


Old bike cant climb hills or shift
#1
Ive got a rusty bike that my friend gave me. It is a cheap walmart bike, and was neglected for about a year. Needless to say the bike will not shift at all. The part of the shifter on the handle bar for the back gears will move all the way, but the gears will not change at all. The other shifter is completely jammed.

Additionally, you can ride it okay as long as the pressure on the pedals isnt too bad, but once i go up a hill the bike gives way kinda. The chain doesnt pop off. There is just no more resistance from the bike for about a revolution or after the incident. This will repeat constantly going up a hill.

Ive lubed up everything and tried to fiddle with it, but this is the first time ive really looked into bike repair.
  Reply
#2
If the shifter moves, but the derailleur at the back does not, the cable is probably disconnected or broken.

On the jammed front derailleur, try detaching the cable and try to move it by hand so see if it is seized or if the cable itself is locked up somewhere.

The slipping under heavy pedaling pressure could be a worn chain & cassette. Or if could be a worn out ratchet on the inside of the freewheel.

A lot of this may be fixable with a little twiddling and lubing. But if you are starting to look at $100 worth of parts, it may make sense to give up and buy a new bike sadly. Walmart bike often aren't worth putting money in to, semi-disposable.
  Reply


Possibly Related Threads...

Forum Jump:

[-]
10 Latest Posts
What is your dream cycling destination?
Yesterday 01:39 PM
2010 Specialized Hardrock
Yesterday 05:54 AM
QUINTANA ROO "KILO" 1999
04-22-2024 02:04 PM
How much do you bike per year?
04-22-2024 01:35 PM
Christmas presents for cycling
04-22-2024 01:31 PM
$10,000?
04-22-2024 01:26 PM
Do you have a four foot rule?
04-22-2024 01:12 PM
Fat bikes for ever..
04-22-2024 12:23 PM
Rear hub issue
04-21-2024 09:01 PM
Lectric One
04-17-2024 09:58 PM

[-]
Join BikeRide on Strava
Feel free to join if you are on Strava: www.strava.com/clubs/bikeridecom

[-]
Top 5 Posters This Month
no avatar 1. Jesper
28 posts
no avatar 2. enkei
25 posts
no avatar 3. GirishH
15 posts
no avatar 4. meamoantonio
13 posts
no avatar 5. Frankly
12 posts