Have questions or want to discuss cycling? Join Now or Sign In to participate in the BikeRide community.


Bike stalls every few pedals - '86 free spirit
#1
I'm having issues with my bike. I just adopted it from my old neighbor's garage, and just changed the tires. It's a 12-speed 1986 Free Spirit, and in decent condition. I just changed both tires and tubes, since the back one was still original and rotted.

The problem is essentially that the bike it stalling every few pedals. It will go about twenty feet, then it feels like the breaks are pushing down, only on the back pedal. I have checked to make sure the breaks aren't affecting it, and they are not. It's a lot of resistance to push through, and despite the speed, will stop the bike when it gets to this point. I can run the pedals backwards and then try to go forward, but they end up with the same resistance. I have oiled it as well. Changing the gears does nothing either. I barely have the strength to push it out as well, so it is very aggravating.

If you could give me any advice I would be very glad to get this thing riding!
  Reply
#2
Check and see if the rear wheel has any side play around the axle area, what does the rear wheel do when you lift up the rear wheel and spin it by hand? Does the crank spin freely if you were to take the chain off the chainrings and spin it? check that and get back to us
There are two kinds of people in the world, "Those who help themselves to people, and those who help people!"
  Reply
#3
I'm not sure what you mean by "side play."
The tire spins fine when I lift it, and the crank moves fine with the chain off.
  Reply
#4
It sounds like either the brakes are rubbing, the wheel is rubbing on the frame, or one of the bearing races is jamming up. Have you checked the front wheel yet for rubbing or not spinning smoothly? It is possible the wheels would spin ok up in the air but jam when you have weight on them. But I would at least expect a lot of clicking or grinding to come out of the hubs if the bearings are bad enough to stop the bike.
  Reply
#5
(04-09-2012, 12:25 AM)jordynwebs Wrote:  I'm not sure what you mean by "side play."
The tire spins fine when I lift it, and the crank moves fine with the chain off.

Try to move the tire side to side with respect to the frame. There should be less than 1/32" of side to side play. If there is more, the wheel bearings need to be rebuilt; and worst case the the hub replaced (cheaper to purchase a whole new wheel, which will stiil require bearing adjustment). This applies to both the front and rear wheels.
Nigel
  Reply


Possibly Related Threads...

Forum Jump:

[-]
10 Latest Posts
New Travel Battery
Today 04:31 AM
Bike lines @San Diego
Yesterday 10:05 AM
The great thing about trikes
Yesterday 09:58 AM
Pros and cons of hydraulic brakes
Yesterday 05:18 AM
Pros & Cons of presta valve vs schrader ...
Yesterday 01:19 AM
Peak Power - how to calculate
07-20-2025 12:39 PM
Biking with helmet laws
07-20-2025 09:56 AM
Velotric Nomad battery - does anyone els...
07-19-2025 04:57 AM
New rider — happy to be here
07-17-2025 10:47 PM
Best bike for tall and big rider
07-17-2025 09:43 AM

[-]
Join BikeRide on Strava
Feel free to join if you are on Strava: www.strava.com/clubs/bikeridecom

[-]
Top 5 Posters This Month
no avatar 1. GirishH
30 posts
no avatar 2. Flowrider
19 posts
no avatar 3. meamoantonio
16 posts
no avatar 4. rydabent
16 posts
no avatar 5. enkei
15 posts