Bought this bike on marketplace from someone who bought it new and then had it sitting in his garage for a while.
I know very little about bikes as I bought this to try to get into it, with that being said the gears are very stiff. On the right hand side I can’t get the gear to slide past about 4 and on the left it won’t go past 2. Nothing looks wrong with it, I’m not even sure something IS wrong with it and I don’t know how this stuff works.
Also this is a NEXT gauntlet 18 speed.
by nixxyworld
4 Comments
This is a very low end bike with very low end components, it will never feel great. That being said, you can isolate whether it’s a problem with the shifter or with the cable by disconnecting the cable (at the derailleur clamping bolt).
Disconnect, then shift. If shifting now becomes very easy, it’s a problem with the cable. If shifting stays hard, it’s a problem with the shifter.
If it’s a problem with the cable, first reconnect at the proper cable tension, then try again. If it doesn’t improve, change the cable.
If it’s a problem with the shifter, spray the inside liberally with WD-40, then try again. If that doesn’t help, it’s time to replace the shifter with something better.
Sorry to have to say this, but grip shift gears from a cheap, no name brand like this will often be stiff, even when brand new.
It might help to lubricate the gear cables, as they may have siezed up in the cable outer. The best way to do that is to slacken the cables off so you can pull the outer away to get to the metal cable inside.
Lift the back wheel of the ground, turn the pedals and twist the grip shifters towards you as far as you can. Then put the bike down and twist the shifters away from you as far as they go, without turning the pedals. That will loosen the cable so you can pull it away and slide the outer to get to the metal inner cable.
Put some oil on the inner cable, and if you have some spray oil, try and get some of that into the cable outer.
It might help, but those shifters are always going to be stiff I reckon. Good luck 👍
Honestly, a local shop worth its salt is going to really discourage you from fixing this (toy) bike. If they take even $50 from you to fix it, they are stealing your money, as this is a $150 department store bike. Go spend like $500 on a used bike from a local shop that’s actually worth repairing. It will last you years if not decades as long as it’s not stored outdoors and taken care of. Consider this bike a cheap lesson.
Just to make sure. Are you shifting while pedalling? Photos of front and rear derailleurs (chain shifting mechanisms at pedals and rear wheel) would be helpful.
Likely culprits are shifting cables and their holdings. They need to be cleaned/lubed or out right replaced