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| *Vultures Knob>>>Bike Repair |
Is now a good time to replace my bicycle? |
Two year old Gary Fisher tarpon, has over 6,000 miles on it, the third speed gear is no longer working, the 5-7 gears are having trouble holding the chain and the rear brake gets stuck. Is their faith in repairing this bicycle or has it lived a good life needs to be repaired? Any suggestions on a cheap ($300-500) bicycle that can take heavy usage, off/on road capabilities and can handle adverse weather conditions? I need something strong. Congratulations of riding 6,000 miles, that's a nice big number. I can't say what I'm about to say with all certainty,because I haven't seen your bike inperson, but it will just be my best guess from years of experience designing and building bikes and frames. Sounds like your drivetrain is just completely worn out, and depending on when during your 6,000 miles you've done any repairs, you'll need to have the drivetrain replaced and rebuilt. It sounds like you'll dfinetly need a new chain, a new gear cluster on the rear wheel, new shifter cables and new bearings in the hubs and bottok bracket. You may also need a new rear deraileur. It sounds like a brake adjustment, and most likely wheel truing will solve your brake rubbing problem. Genrally speaking, Gary Fisher bikes are really well made (I know for a fact that some of the originals still make it out onto the fire roads in Marin County now and again), and depending on the component mix that came with te bike, your bike is saveable. Even though you'll need to replace a bunch of parts, and you'll need a few hours of mechanic labor time, it should still cost less than $300 to get your bike on the road again. That being said, it won't be much less than $300, so you may better of getting a whole new bike, because you'll start to see small annoying things giving way at about 6,000 miles. Again, depending on how hard and what you've ridden, it might be time to retire that frame for safety's sake, especially if it is aluminum. Al frames eventually crack, and when they crak, it isn't like steel where they deform aslowly and bend, Al frames just snap,it's the nature of the metals properties. If you really, really love your Gary Fisher, and feel it's the perfect bik for you then by all means keep the bike, replace the components and get it tuned up. It will probably go another 6,000 miles. If you can bare to part with her,get a whole newbike. A whole new bike will be less of a headache,and you can feel comfortabe knowing you got the most out of the bike, and rode it into retirement. I have good reccomendation for you, the Kona Jake it's a cyclocross bike, which measn kt's strong, can take a good beating and it's a fast, responsive ride on or off the road. With that many miles, you need to get your bike into a local bike shop. You will likely need a new chain, rear cassette, front chainrings and brake adjustments. The overhaul should cost 100 dollars or so plus parts, but you could get by for less than 200. Gary Fisher makes very good bikes and the frame can last you well over 10 years. However, just like a car, your bike needs periodic maintenance. If you spend 300-500 dollars on a new bike, but don't do any maintenance, you will be asking the same question in two more years. Depending on the conditions you ride in, you should be cleaning and lubing your chain and cables frequently. The more dirt, dust, mud and water that your bike is in, the more maintenance required. This is all easy to do, you just need someone to show you. When you take your bike in to get fixed, just ask them to show you what to do for preventative maintenance. If the bicycle feels comfortable to you and you really like it, don't replace it unless the frame itself is damaged. Bicycle components (chain, sprockets, cables, derailleurs, chainrings,etc.) have to be replaced every so often. BTW, congratulations on the mileage. You are, indeed, a very serious rider. With that many miles on the bike, I would just replace it. There is probably no integrity left in the bike meaning the frame. I ride almost everyday 25-40 miles a day and I take mine in for maintenence at least 2-3 times a summer. I have also found that sometimes you can replace one part and then another goes bad making you spend more money on labor and parts....just like a car. In my opinion, Gary Fisher's are tanks. Maybe you want to consider a lighter, stiffer frame with better components. Replace the rear wheel, including cassette and chain. Better do the brake shoes too. Get the cables replace by ur local bike shop. Use the money saved to get the extra goodies you've always wanted (better seat, new forks, derailleurs, etc.). Fisher makes a good frame, and you'll probably not find much better for the price range ur looking at... 6000 miles in 2 years, at an average of 57.5 miles a week on a $200-300 bike, not bad! Sounds like the bike got trashed in this time. I think you got your moneys worth and served you well. But being a $300 bike and the expected usage and maybe distance it might be going try getting a higher end bike with better components. Try getting something like a Trek 4500,Specialized Rock Hopper or Hardrock or better. Regular maintenance from you or a good bike shop will get you more miles from your bike(s). Good luck! |
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