Bought this one for $70 and need some help with the tune up (first time). Assume I have all tools/gear at my disposal. Let me know if you see anything that needs fixing! Thanks!
by Low_Measurement_8796
Bought this one for $70 and need some help with the tune up (first time). Assume I have all tools/gear at my disposal. Let me know if you see anything that needs fixing! Thanks!
by Low_Measurement_8796
9 Comments
Most important, you need to fix the brakes, they are off the rims.
Is that spoke eyelet cracked through or is that paint that’s cracked? Either way I would not ride rusted out rims. A new wheelset would cost about $150 just to get rolling but the bike most likely needs more than that.
I would cut my losses, this Roadmaster isn’t a bike I’d start dropping significant amounts of money into
If you really want to ride this:
1) Replace the rusted wheel with the cheapest safe second-hand wheel you can find (that matches the size). Even something salvaged from hard rubbish is likely to be better.
2) Check the cables are moving relatively smoothly.
3) Adjust the brakes so they properly contact the pads and don’t sit too far from the rim. Here’s the [relevant Park Tool video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOrIVc5lG-k&t=6s&ab_channel=ParkTool).
4) Apply bike specific lube to the chain, then spin the pedals backwards for about 30 second before wiping excess lube off the chain.
5) Adjust the derailleur so it works as well as it can. Here’s the [relevant Park Tool video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkZxPIZ1ngY&ab_channel=ParkTool).
6) Pump the tires to about 40psi.
If after doing all of that the bike isn’t working well, cut your losses and find something better. It’s not worth spending any more money on that bike.
Had that cheap Walmart bike, and it gave me nothing, but problems. Drivetrain had to be tuned on a daily basis. Save up to get a new bike it is not worth putting time and money into it.
Dumpster
In the Bin. There’s one in better shape at the corner of Parliament and Dundas right now. Recycle
Wheels are shot, need replacing. Doesn’t have to be new, but definitely find another pair that’s not rusting and bubbling on the rims like that. If you have access to tools, play around and use this bike to practice and learn on. It has horizontal dropouts so it could be a good candidate to convert to a single speed if you’re into that idea. I wouldn’t invest a lot more money in this bike personally but play around with it. Worst case scenario, donate it to a shop or group that repairs and gives away bikes
Return it and get your money back. Because of that rusted out wheel, the bike is unsafe.
Follow the advice in the other comments as far as tune up, if you decide to keep it. But even when everything is adjusted as well as possible, it’ll still shift and brake poorly. In many ways, it’s impossible to tune well.
I speak from experience. Been building up and tuning bikes as a hobby for 25 years. I can pretty much get any real bike (those sold at bike shops) shifting and braking perfectly, no matter how old they are what original shape they were in.
But when I helped friends/family to tune up their shitty department store bikes, often I’d spend 2 hour and still end up with shitty shifting and braking.
This bike will be a good way to learn how to overhaul. Repack hubs, BB, headset, change the cables, lube the chain and all the pivot points. Don’t put any money into new parts. Clean & polish it up, ride it.