Yesterday I decided to clean up my brother's old 24inch bike (He's now 15 and nearly 6ft so it hasn't been used for a few years!) to see if it was worth selling as it's just taking up space in the garage.
It also has a puncture, and I don't have any inner tubes in that size, but not problem, I can get some. However I'm not too confident about taking the wheel off as it is not quick release. I wasn't really looking but I think it has V brakes, not discs.
The brake handles also feel a bit stiff- is it ok to put a bit of lube in or is this a bad idea?
More problematic- The chain was obviously dry as the sahara desert, and even a bit muddy (though not as bad as I was expecting, given the amout of bike abuse in our household!) It has now been cleaned and lubed- not spotless by any means, but no longer shame inducing at least, but I can still hear a sort of dry grinding noise coming from the cassette or nearby when I spin the pedals backwards (I haven't tried listening for it when the pedals are going forwards). I tried adding a decent amount of lube directly onto the cassette, but it did not make any difference and I'm concerned that something internal might have rusted? (is that possible? because that's what it sounds like)
I know nothing about bike maintenance so please explain things simply!
It also has a puncture, and I don't have any inner tubes in that size, but not problem, I can get some. However I'm not too confident about taking the wheel off as it is not quick release. I wasn't really looking but I think it has V brakes, not discs.
The brake handles also feel a bit stiff- is it ok to put a bit of lube in or is this a bad idea?
More problematic- The chain was obviously dry as the sahara desert, and even a bit muddy (though not as bad as I was expecting, given the amout of bike abuse in our household!) It has now been cleaned and lubed- not spotless by any means, but no longer shame inducing at least, but I can still hear a sort of dry grinding noise coming from the cassette or nearby when I spin the pedals backwards (I haven't tried listening for it when the pedals are going forwards). I tried adding a decent amount of lube directly onto the cassette, but it did not make any difference and I'm concerned that something internal might have rusted? (is that possible? because that's what it sounds like)
I know nothing about bike maintenance so please explain things simply!