The Motor Forum

Rodge · Posted: Sat Jul 26, 2008 5:22 pm Post subject: New boots!

Well, on Thursday, I bought new tyres for the car and today, I paid a visit to Helfrauds and bought two new tyres for my poor old Mountain bike.
It's seen very little action in the last 10 years or so and being in need of exercise, I decided to reboot it and get it on the road.
A pair of road tyres and a pair of puncture sealant innertubes later, I took it out for a quick spin around the block.

Damn it feels weird being on a push bike again. I swiftly noticed how good the brakes still are, how good the new tyres are and how the front deraileur will only change between 2 gears instead of three. I adjusted this to get the two higher gears which makes it more rideable. Any advice on this would be good. It's a Shimano Altus 20 system if that means anything.

I found myself doing about 25mph and wanting to pull wheelies, yet realising that a 34 year old with a beer belly would probably look very stupid doing this.

The plan is to get out for a few miles maybe twice a week and get my fitness up again before entering Le Tour next year.

I can but dream!
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Blarno · Posted: Sun Jul 27, 2008 6:46 am Post subject:

The front mech probably needs the adjustment screws winding out a bit. It should travel easily between the 3 chainrings. Easiest way to do it is to wind out both the screws, loosen the cable and start again. Pull the cable reasonably tight when the chain is on the smallest chainring and it should be reasonably easy from there. The screws are only there to prevent the mech travelling too far.
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Rodge · Posted: Sun Jul 27, 2008 9:00 am Post subject:

Thanks. The cable may have stretched while it was not in use so that would explain it.
It's a bit like having a new toy, being on the bike again.
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