06-09-2010, 01:53 AM
Hi all,
I'm new here and do not have much experience with bikes so I thought I'd ask the pros what they thought of these issues I am having. i watched some of the videos tutorials and they helped - I was able to tighten my brakes and now I to do that.
But the other two problems I have with my new bike, which I purchased from Walmart (yes, I know - bad move) because it was the only one I could afford (it was only $74, it's a men's 26" roadmaster mountain bike, 18speed) are this persistent "knocking" sound every time I pedal and weird chain noises when I use certain gear combination.
The knocking sound comes from the pedal area or the arms that connect to them - it happens on every revolution. Some have mentioned in another thread about the crankshaft? Not sure what that even is.
As for the chain sounds - at first my bike didn't like it when I use the 3 gear (right handlebar) with the 2nd gear (left handle bar). It skip and then fall into place almost causing me to fall. So it played with these two screws on the small gear, to adjust the tension as suggested on a tutorial on this site.
It seemed to fix the problem, but today I tried riding my bike and it is making all sorts of sound with the chain.
Did I buy a terrible bike that will continue to plague me with problems? I feel the bike is probably OK, but the kids who assembled it weren't too concerned with a flawless assembly. Will a tune-up help at the local bike shop? They want $60 (mind you I paid $74 for the bike).
I'm new here and do not have much experience with bikes so I thought I'd ask the pros what they thought of these issues I am having. i watched some of the videos tutorials and they helped - I was able to tighten my brakes and now I to do that.
But the other two problems I have with my new bike, which I purchased from Walmart (yes, I know - bad move) because it was the only one I could afford (it was only $74, it's a men's 26" roadmaster mountain bike, 18speed) are this persistent "knocking" sound every time I pedal and weird chain noises when I use certain gear combination.
The knocking sound comes from the pedal area or the arms that connect to them - it happens on every revolution. Some have mentioned in another thread about the crankshaft? Not sure what that even is.
As for the chain sounds - at first my bike didn't like it when I use the 3 gear (right handlebar) with the 2nd gear (left handle bar). It skip and then fall into place almost causing me to fall. So it played with these two screws on the small gear, to adjust the tension as suggested on a tutorial on this site.
It seemed to fix the problem, but today I tried riding my bike and it is making all sorts of sound with the chain.
Did I buy a terrible bike that will continue to plague me with problems? I feel the bike is probably OK, but the kids who assembled it weren't too concerned with a flawless assembly. Will a tune-up help at the local bike shop? They want $60 (mind you I paid $74 for the bike).