Raleigh Gear Probs

[lofty]

I`m having probs with my Raleigh Oakland rear gears and i`d like to try and fix them myself , Save a few pennies and all that !

I`ve called a few repair places and they`ve said that the chain is most likely worn and maybe the cassette ! Is that something that i can do at home with basic tools ?

The rear cassette is a Shimano 6 speed and i can`t see this one on any online shops and i don`t know which chain to get either !

I know you prob need more info to help and i`ll be happy to provide it if any one can let me know what`s required ?

Cheers Lofty

 

[Oldlegs]

How many miles have you done on them and what is the problem?

Quite possibly all you need to do is adjust the cable tension.

Buy a new chain and cassette is a stock (and profitable) answer from the less reputable end of the bike trade.

 

[lofty]

How many miles have you done on them and what is the problem?

Quite possibly all you need to do is adjust the cable tension.

Buy a new chain and cassette is a stock (and profitable) answer from the less reputable end of the bike trade.

About 1000 , Very rough guess ! They only seem to slip when i put a lot of pressure on the pedals , if that`s any help ?

 

[Oldlegs]

Sounds like cable tension - a six speed chain should last say 5k miles, the cassette more like 15k.

See here for a vid
View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipTjWnxunHI


loads more on youtube or for text try Park Tools or Sheldon Brown websites.

 

[yashicamat]

Sounds like cable tension - a six speed chain should last say 5k miles, the cassette more like 15k.

I'm not so sure about that . . . . maybe that chain/casstte could last that long, but that assumes it's kept properly cleaned and lubricated (I'm not suggesting the OP isn't maintaining the bike properly by the way!).

Back to the OP's question:

Easy way to check chain wear (and therefore probable wear anywhere else on the drivetrain) is to hold the cranks on the bike so the chain comes under tension, then hold a 12" ruler up to the chain and line the 0 up with the centre of a rivet. Then see how far away the closest rivet is from the 12" mark on the ruler. If the distance between this rivet and the 12" mark is less than 1/16" then the chain is OK still and so is probably the drivetrain, hence your problem lies elsewhere (such as gear adjustment, chain tension etc.). If it's at 1/16" then replace the chain and you'll probably be OK without any damage. If it's 1/8" or more away from the rivet, then the chain is pretty badly worn and I expect the sprockets and possibly chainring will need replacing too.

Have a peek here for more info on wear - it's an interesting article anyway: Sheldon Brown - Chains & Gears

 

[accountantpete]

Shouldn't be too expensive just to change the cassette and chain - you can find something like this on eBay (although you will need the tool to get the old cassette off).