New Dual Suspension Bike - Gear Issue's

DaleTheWhale · 3 Mar 2013 at 19:43

Hi,

I bought my girlfriend a new bike today, a dual suspension link below.

http://www.hawkcycles.co.uk/AMMACO-LE-MANS-18-SPEED--26inch-WHEEL-6-11-product-221.html

It's brand new however when we went for a cycle today, the chain does not like shifting gears. It's a standard 18 speed cycle, however when the bike is in say 2:5 the chain feel like it's going to snap as it not clicking in properly. The same applies for when changing from say 1:6 to 2:6, it sometimes just does not change at all and stays in first gear. The bike cycles fine in 2:6 smoothly and no issues with the chain trying to click in or out of gear. But I'm just unsure as it's brand new & I've had bike from there in the past and they've been fine. I've got a few pictures below of the bike to show the chain.

I'm thinking the chain might need some more grease? As It may have been in the shop a while, but i'm no good with bike fixing. If it's something I can't fix, then I can bring it back to the shop the next weekend as i'm at work all week, but I would like to have a few rides this week!

Thanks - Pictures of the chain are below:

[DOD]Asprilla · 3 Mar 2013 at 19:56

Gears need indexing by the sounds of things.

Essentially the tension in the rear gear cable is wrong and so the rear dérailleur is frequently in the wrong position.

It can be very tricky and time consuming to sort out, but it's not technically challenging. It just involves turning the barrel adjuster where the cable housing enters the rear derailleur and / or adjusting the high and low limit screws on the back of the derailleur.

Sounds easy but it will drive you up the wall the first few times you do it.

If you don't have the patience of a saint then I'd get a bike shop to do it. Also be aware that it will probably need re-ding in a few weeks as the cables stretch slightly when initially set-up.

DaleTheWhale · 3 Mar 2013 at 20:11

Think taking it back to the shop may be the best thing to do then I guess, I don't want to be fiddling around with it that much when I bought it today aha! I checked the grease on the chain compared to my own bike, and there is barely any on there. Could this be a factor to it not switching gear properly. Just gave it another ride and the second it's in 2:5 it just keeps clicking and clicking trying to snap into place.

Added some new pictures, should be a little clearer.

[DOD]Asprilla · 3 Mar 2013 at 21:11

Grease won't be an issue; it doesn't affect shifting only protects the metal bits in the drive train from wear against each other.

neil_g · 4 Mar 2013 at 13:03

the shop (or at least any decent one) should've given it a once over before letting you take it home. if its been sat on display for a while and left in gear with tension on the cables they've probably stretched out a bit (normal) causing the gears to go out.