Looking for cheap parts

congo_90

Hey all.
Been noticing problems with the cassette on my bike lately. Seems to be properly worn down. It can *kind of work* but its a laborious task.
This is the one part i've never swapped out on a bike.
Where around the west Dublin area could I source this part? I used to go to a bike shop but feel intimidated anytime I go in even though he's good (Maynooth).
Thanks all. I'd like to try fit myself with the right tools as I'm doing work on the bike next week when i've some free time to straighten out the back wheel. Damn potholes!

CheGuedara

Changing a cassette is a fairly handy job that you should be able to do without going to a bike shop.

All you need is:

1. Buy your new cassette - you can usually pick up one for your correct gear set up (7-8-9-10-11 speed, whatever) on www.chainreactioncycles.com.

2. Buy a cassette tool

3. Buy a chain whip

Then just follow Sheldons easy instructions and you're done.

Dont forget it's good practice to fit a new chain along side a new cassette (again CRC are hard to beat) - you might need to get a chain breaker remove the old one and to cut the new one to the same length and a splitting link will make joining and future removal for cleaning much easier

dario28

My pedals were 65quid here and 120 in a certain shop on Parnell St.

http://www.cyclingbargains.com/index.php

See some other good prices also

cdaly_

CheGuedara wrote:

a chain breaker remove the old one and to cut the new one to the same length and a splitting link will make joining and future removal for cleaning much easier

Interesting that. When I was a kid, our bike chains all had split links. Then, when I built my first 'racer' (at the grand old age of 14), the guys in the Rutland cycle shop said "oh no, racer chains don't use split links, we use this tool instead"...

blorg

cdaly_ wrote: »

Interesting that. When I was a kid, our bike chains all had split links. Then, when I built my first 'racer' (at the grand old age of 14), the guys in the Rutland cycle shop said "oh no, racer chains don't use split links, we use this tool instead"...

Many racer chains didn't for a long time; Shimano have only introduced a quick link system very recently and it isn't even standard I don't think with the new chains. To be honest Shimano's pin joining system works absolutely fine in my experience.

I tried cleaning the chain off the bike once... never again. I find it easier and quicker to clean on the bike. I use the Park Tool chain cleaner.

CheGuedara is right in that if your cassette is worn you will definitely have to replace the chain also, no question there.

What sort of cassette do you have at the moment?

Raam

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/KMC_10_Speed_Chain_Links/5360031117/

I use those in my chains.

Un-pop the link, pull out the chain
Wipe/scrub as required with your degreaser/cleaner of choice.
Replace
Lube
Wipe

congo_90

I have stock parts from a trek 3900. Can't remember the actual make right now. Any time I've replaced a chain was with the split link type. No tools required. Why do i have to change the chain though? I'm not a racer as you can see but i need to utilise all gears especially the higher ones. I'm not near a computer till tomorrow so I'll check out those links then. Thanks for all the info!

blorg

This is what came with your bike (in 11-32.) - £20 for the 11-32

If you want cheaper there is this one from Shimano - £10

This is a cheap 8 speed chain - £7 (Note no Power Link with this, you can buy one separately if you want, or indeed use any 8 speed chain, they are all compatible.)

Cassette and chain wear together. Technically the chain wears and in turn causes the wear on the cassette. Chains wear quicker than cassettes; if you replace your chain before it has worn too much you would not need to replace the cassette. Rule of thumb would be 3-4 chains before the cassette needs replacing. You can tell if your chain is worn using a simple chain measuring tool or just a 12" ruler. However if your cassette is worn there is little hope that your chain is not. If you just replace the cassette the old chain will still skip and potentially damage the new cassette faster.

You will need a chain breaker in any case whether using a quick link or not as you will have to shorten the chain to the correct length before fitting it to the bike. Easiest way is just to keep it the same length as what you have on there now.

Bear in mind that if you have to buy the tools your local bike shop may well work out as cheap. Of course when you have the tools you can do it yourself in the future.