Update:

[tango_kid]

Sorry i havent replied much recently i have been on m hoidays

Well i fiddled and found out that the previous owner had a screw on the front brakes which had bad threads so i relaced that and had a washer put in.

That seemed to sort out the front brakes when they had been put in place.

It then turned out that a spring in the gear changer had been put in out of place. So when that had been addresed the gears began to work.

Now i have just bought some back brakes off ebay and when they are fitted i will just need to use minor adjustments to get the bike back working well again.

cheers for all the encouragement,
Mike

P.S. If i were to ride my bike into school what would be the cheapest lock which you would trust to keep it secure (one which i can leave at school). As i have bought a £5 cheap lock but am not sure this would work.

 

[SimonRoberts0204]

How rough is your school? If you have a decent lockup with CCTV surveillance like I did when I was at school, you shouldnt need anything too robust.

... how much do you trust your classmates? !

 

[fossyant]

Look for the On-guard or Magnum Locks - get a half decent D-lock - what budget do you have for a lock. £35 will get you a gold standard Magnum D from Halfords.

 

[tango_kid]

Well i don't have a set budget as i am still paying for the brakes and so am short on money but before the end of the school holidays i would like a lock. How would this one do:
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Onguard_Mastiff_80cm_Chain_Lock/5360015429/
Cheers,
Mike

 

[Downward]

Shame your school don't provide subsidised locks from the local Police - £5 for a Sold Secure around here.

It's worth asking

 

[fossyant]

That onguard would probably do - I've got their Beast chain - leave that one at work.

It will be way better than what the others had. Also use the cable to secure the front wheel - 80cm won't do both.

 

[-walsh-]

glad you got the bike sorted!

 

[tango_kid]

Cheers, only the front brake to go now...
The school isnt the worst but there have been bikes stolen before.
I took the bike out today on a short 9 miler and although i do not know the exact average speed i am sure it was well over my record of 15. Also i beat my top speed record on a flat and wasnt going all out as i do not trust the front brale 100%

 

[summerdays]

Another place to look for locks can be on Amazon - they do Onguard and Magnum locks. If your lock is better than the average locks in the bike shed then your bike should be OK - but don't leave it overnight there. At my son's school that seems to = 50% chance of it going missing if left overnight, whereas only a few go missing during school hours over the whole year - usually the ones with £5 cable locks. Also you can probably leave the lock at school each night rather than lugging it home to save on a bit of weight (though that might depend on whether you need to lock it up elsewhere or at home).

 

[tango_kid]

Cheers for all replys