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| *Vultures Knob>>>Bike Helmet |
Old bicycle question? |
A couple years ago, my parents bought me a gorgeous bike, but we had no time for me to learn, so in the closet it went. A couple days ago, I unearthed it and my old smiley-face helmet. The helmet didn't fit and the tires were flat. I pumped air into the tires, dusted it off, and had a problem. You see, the problem was, that the brakes are on too tight. So tight, in fact, that they slow down the bike! I knew the tool I needed to loosen them a bit, it was a ring with L-shaped tools, but I can't find it, can I use a substitute? Also, do you have any tips on how to help myself learn to ride? I am too heavy to lean on my parents when I lose balance, and I am bad with balancing. Also, what do I need to inspect when the bike has been in the closet so long? That set of wrenches are called allen wrenches. I agree with the above answer and the twisted handlebar thought. Regarding the 'lopsided' handlebar, stand in front of the bike with the front wheel between your legs and you facing the handlebars, hold the wheel with your legs and turn the bars straight. It sounds like the handlebars may have gotten turned 360 degrees. Now the brake cables are twisted around the headtube. The handlebars need to be turned -"full circle"- to uncoil the brake cables. Check and see if that's the problem. the allen head screw that you want to loosen is probably the one that holds the brake cable to the caliper, don't loosen that unless ... well just don't! More than likely there is a "barrel adjustment" probably close to the brake lever (the part that you squeeze with your hand when you want to stop). This barrel adjustment is like a screw that the cable goes through the long way. The head of the screw is like a cup that holds the cable housing (the plasticey part around the outside) and allows the cable to go through. Screwing this in (so that less threads are exposed) the brake pads will open or move away from the rim, screwing this out will close or tighten the brake pads... You can probably do this with you bare hands, maybe even while riding. The previous answer, about the brake cable being wrapped around the steering tube possibly by having turned the handlebars around in a complete circle might also be right on target. If the chain doesn't feel geasey you need to oil it the tool your talkin bout is a truer,4 spokes,you didn't say if its foot brake or handle,,either way ,it proble needs a good oiling and let it soak for a day or two,,,your balance is abig problem,you will have to do it slowly,over&over&over again<>IS<> Do what I do... take mine in to the shop that it was purchased from for service. good luck and congrats on trying cycling again. |
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