Hi guys, just got a free bike off back street (ask home owner for permission) it needs fixing up but looks in decent enough condition

[Punkawallah]

£30 will be for the seat as want a comfy one.

And like the other poster said. I want to learn.

Also love the fact I'm saving something from landfil.

There is a map of charity bike shops that might be a good source of any parts needed - I’m thinking of the saddle.

https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/bike-refurb-repair-charities.300919/

 

[Drencrom]

Hi guys got a free bike and stuck already on taking it apart.

I'm struggling to remove the bolt on the Shimano Tourney gear mechanism and I'm not even sure if I should be removing this bolt?

Is there another way that I've missed to take it apart?


I've got Allen keys and they don't fit. What size shall I order or is this bolt not made for an Allen key?

 

[Ajax Bay]

I've taken some photos. Hope they're clear enough.
What do you think?

Since you ask, and bearing in mind this is a dual suspension (and therefore heavy) bike - and I'm guessing rough cross terrain riding is not your primary use.
The rusty freewheel (5sp?) and rusty chain could be made to work. The freewheel might come off, if you're lucky skillful and strong. I'd be taking a wire brush to it and then oil will lubricate. A replacement chain is cheap (6sp). Need to remove the chain (by pushing out a pin) in order to get it in better nick. But then refitting with a quicklink will cost almost as much as a new chain. Procure new chain.
The chainset looks pretty far gone. I assume it is a cheap MTB triple with rivetted rings and a 'guard' screwed on. Square taper. Any MTB chainset will do as a replacement. The bike charity list might have somewhere close to you and they'll have tens, or more.
You talk about buying a seat for £30. How will you decide which one is comfortable, before buying?
It's certain that all the cables, inner and outer will need replacing. Perhaps the brake pads will be OK.
I also note the nipples are showing rust: these are steel nipples (as opposed to brass) and mean the spokes are galvanised (and rusting where not black).
Tyres look OK though I see a displaced inner tube (see valve).
What do I think? I think you should return it to its previous neglecter and go to your local tip/recycling centre where you'll find a better bike which will offer you an opportunity to learn and a far better end result.

 

[Drencrom]

Since you ask, and bearing in mind this is a dual suspension (and therefore heavy) bike - and I'm guessing rough cross terrain riding is not your primary use.
The rusty freewheel (6sp?) and rusty chain could be made to work. The freewheel might come off, if you're lucky skillful and strong. I'd be taking a wire brush to it and then oil will lubricate. A replacement chain is cheap (6-7sp). Need to remove the chain (by pushing out a pin) in order to get it in better nick. But then refitting with a quicklink will cost almost as much as a new chain. Procure new chain.
The chainset looks pretty far gone. I assume it is a cheap MTB triple with rivetted rings and a 'guard' screwed on. Square taper. Any MTB chainset will do as a replacement. The bike charity list might have somewhere close to you and they'll have tens, or more.
You talk about buying a seat for £30. How will you decide which one is comfortable, before buying?
It's certain that all the cables, inner and outer will need replacing. Perhaps the brake pads will be OK.
I also note the nipples are showing rust: these are steel nipples (as opposed to brass) and mean the spokes are galvanised (and rusting where not black).
Tyres look OK though I see a displaced inner tube (see valve).
What do I think? I think you should return it to its previous neglecter and go to your local tip/recycling centre where you'll find a better bike which will offer you an opportunity to learn and a far better end result.

Thanks for all that advice. I'll buy a new chain.

Can I remove the rust from the spoke nipples?

I'm gonna get a bike pump and deflated the wheels. Can the displaced inner tube me mended?

I'm going off reviews on Amazon for the seat.

Will send it back if I'm not satisfied.

 

[Sharky]

It seems you can get a brand new rear mech for about £14, so you need to balance the cost against the effort needed to dismantle and renovate.

New chain, cables, brake shoes and cassette as well, should give a good facelift to the bike.

Guessing £50 - £70 should be needed for this, so need to consider how much the end product will be worth to you.

 

[Drencrom]

That's sounds about right. I'm looking to spend £100 and £30 of that will be a new seat.

 

[lenfield]

Is it that Muddy Fox MTB? You can get one in working order for £25.
https://www.gumtree.com/p/other-bikes/-£25-muddy-fox-shout-mountain-bike-26-inch-wheels-/1477956427

 

[Sharky]

That's sounds about right. I'm looking to spend £100 and £30 of that will be a new seat.

You might find that somebody on here will have a saddle in their "parts" bin for a few pennies.

 

[fritz katzenjammer]

Normally you wouldn’t remove that bolt on a Tourney derailleur, standard practice at the shop would be to take the chain off instead. You’ll want to be doing this anyway to replace the rusty little bugger ( or at least give it a proper clean and soaking )

Tourney derailleurs, although total crap to a bike snob, are pretty bulletproof proof and will work acceptably well if anywhere near straight. If they aren’t straight they can take some horrible abuse if you want to just pull it straight gorilla style. Don’t bother with the ‘B’ adjustment screw, they do absolutely nothing even when new.

When reinstalling the chain make sure you route it through the cage properly, watching the little cross tabs, run the chain outside of one of these and you’ll have no end of weird shifting and grinding noises…. Although I’ve seen them work anyway.

Although it’s a cheap, cheerful and reliable piece of hardware Shimano really could do better for no more cost and should therefore be ashamed of themselves for continuing to sell this thing.

although not nearly as ashamed as they should be for Cues. No excuse there as it’s not as good as the stuff it replaced.

 

[Webbo2]

That's sounds about right. I'm looking to spend £100 and £30 of that will be a new seat.

You said in the other thread £30 on a comfy seat. If it’s something with padding you might be disappointed.

 

[Webbo2]

Thanks for all that advice. I'll buy a new chain. That’s a tenner

Can I remove the rust from the spoke nipples? Yes but if you need slacken or tighten them if the wheels are out of true, they might be seized.

I'm gonna get a bike pump and deflated the wheels. Can the displaced inner tube me mended? Due mean inflate the tyres and mend the inner tubes. Yes for both but the age of the tyres and inner tubes might mean their only fit for the bin.

I'm going off reviews on Amazon for the seat. You need to look on specific cycling sites for real reviews.

Will send it back if I'm not satisfied.

 

[Drencrom]

The wheels look in decent condition. Almost new. It's just the rust on the spoke nipples.

 

[Drencrom]

Is it that Muddy Fox MTB? You can get one in working order for £25.
https://www.gumtree.com/p/other-bikes/-£25-muddy-fox-shout-mountain-bike-26-inch-wheels-/1477956427

Mine is duel suspension and also I think mine is smaller.

I'm only 5'4"

I think this bike belonged the neighbor's teenager.

 

[Drencrom]

You might find that somebody on here will have a saddle in their "parts" bin for a few pennies.

I was hoping I could source some parts on here.

The one on it is in good condition, just I find the seats really uncomfortable.

Someone said I might be disappointed in the padded saddles so I might just leave it be.

I won't be going on long rides.

 

[lenfield]

Mine is duel suspension and also I think mine is smaller.

I'm only 5'4"

I think this bike belonged the neighbor's teenager.

In that case you could get one in working order for £30.
https://www.gumtree.com/p/mountain-bikes/teens-muddy-fox-mountain-bike-/1513976570
If you are not careful you could spend a lot more on it than it's actually worth. I've done the same sort of thing in the past.