So took the advice and stripped and cleaned the bike, the set all the gears. Was working reasonably well, although the gear change still felt sluggish. The rear derailleur was still a little twisted with the two jockey wheels slightly inwards but working ok.
Out for a ride today and the rear wheel quick release seems to have given way. The wheel bounced out and the whole derailleur mech went into the spokes! Managed to get it back together and reasonably straight but only two gears to get home!
So now I need to replace the rear mech which is a Shimano RD-M430. 27 speed. Can anyone recommend an equivalent as I guess the original is not longer available.
will fit a new chain as well, so any suggestions welcome.
I don’t know how easy it is to remove the rear cassette but if I could find that I’d do the whole thing.
Finally, to cap it off, two punctures on the way back. hawthorn goes through anything, but I had hoped the Schwalbe Rapidrob tyres were meant to be a bit more resistant.