New bike - badly setup? Maintenance advice.

joeKel73

Hi all

New to cycling. Got a bike a few weeks ago and using it to commute Mon-Fri, 18km round trip.

I noticed in the last few days it's not sounding as smooth as it was. As I'm using more of the gear range now I notice it seems to be grinding a bit against the guards in some gear combinations. This can't be right?

I had a good look after the cycle home this evening and this is how it's looking...




Is this the result of badly setup derailleurs or bad practice on my behalf? Also did not like the look of the rusty looking grime on the chain... any maintenance advice on lubricating and cleaning welcome. Or links to a good source of advice. Want to keep the bike in good nick so very surprised to see the likes of this after just a few weeks.

Thanks

sgriffin

It can be a common problem on new bikes that after a few weeks of cycling gears may go out of tune. The gear cables will stretch, and send the gears out of tune. Most bike shops will welcome you back after 6-8 weeks to allow for this and to re-tune/tension gear and brake cables.

easygoing39

The rust on the chain is there because you have'nt oiled it since you purchased the bike.Best way to clean the chain is to remove it and wash it out in a container with petrol/white spirits/diesel (I prefer petrol) and a old paint brush.Let the chain dry,re-fit on bike and apply cycle oil (not WD40).From time to time you should also clean the gears on the back wheel/chainset,again using the paintbrush and choice of cleaning liquid.
As a rule,when youre chain gets a good wetting in the rain, re-oil it before using the bike again.

funnights74

Can't believe there's spots of rust on a relatively new bike chain :eek:, anyway dash back to the shop where you purchased it, most offer a free first service once the bike has been broken in, you won't believe the difference this makes.
While you're there ask about cleaning liquids for your chain and cassette and a decent synthetic lubricant to keep everything running smoothly for the foreseeable future, they will give you advice on how frequently this should be applied.

joeKel73

Thanks for the advice - I'll get in to the bike shop on Friday for some proper bike lubricants and see if they'll have a look at it.

Seaneh

The grinding in certain combinations sounds like cross chaining, which should be avoided.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24vfX2PtSMM

petethedrummer

funnights74 wrote: »

Can't believe there's spots of rust on a relatively new bike chain :eek:,

It only takes a couple of days for rust to form on an un-lubed chain. It's only surface rust (as long as you don't leave it too long) and can be easily brushed off.

BofaDeezNuhtz

Shih looks raped :eek:

Mycroft H

funnights74 wrote: »

Can't believe there's spots of rust on a relatively new bike chain :eek:.

A cycle in the rain can quickly wash lubricants away.

As for what lubricant? 3 in 1 works well, it's less than a euro in tesco. Most of the fancy expensive lubricants are all but overkill for general day to day use.

Craig06

BX 19 wrote: »

A cycle in the rain can quickly wash lubricants away.

As for what lubricant? 3 in 1 works well, it's less than a euro in tesco. Most of the fancy expensive lubricants are all but overkill for general day to day use.

That's why you use wet lube in the rain.

dastardly00

funnights74 wrote: »

Can't believe there's spots of rust on a relatively new bike chain :eek:

petethedrummer wrote: »

It only takes a couple of days for rust to form on an un-lubed chain. It's only surface rust (as long as you don't leave it too long) and can be easily brushed off.

When the bike is being ridden in Galway, rust will form unbelievably quickly if components aren't lubricated!