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


Old bike cant climb hills or shift
#1
Ive got a rusty bike that my friend gave me. It is a cheap walmart bike, and was neglected for about a year. Needless to say the bike will not shift at all. The part of the shifter on the handle bar for the back gears will move all the way, but the gears will not change at all. The other shifter is completely jammed.

Additionally, you can ride it okay as long as the pressure on the pedals isnt too bad, but once i go up a hill the bike gives way kinda. The chain doesnt pop off. There is just no more resistance from the bike for about a revolution or after the incident. This will repeat constantly going up a hill.

Ive lubed up everything and tried to fiddle with it, but this is the first time ive really looked into bike repair.
  Reply
#2
If the shifter moves, but the derailleur at the back does not, the cable is probably disconnected or broken.

On the jammed front derailleur, try detaching the cable and try to move it by hand so see if it is seized or if the cable itself is locked up somewhere.

The slipping under heavy pedaling pressure could be a worn chain & cassette. Or if could be a worn out ratchet on the inside of the freewheel.

A lot of this may be fixable with a little twiddling and lubing. But if you are starting to look at $100 worth of parts, it may make sense to give up and buy a new bike sadly. Walmart bike often aren't worth putting money in to, semi-disposable.
  Reply


Possibly Related Threads...

Forum Jump:

[-]
10 Latest Posts
First long distance ride..
Yesterday 09:06 PM
How often check or change mechanical dis...
Yesterday 08:59 PM
Pre Ride Food Intake
Yesterday 07:22 AM
New Member
Yesterday 07:20 AM
Attack // Force tire style narrow front ...
Yesterday 12:27 AM
Pros & Cons of presta valve vs schrader ...
Yesterday 12:16 AM
1987 Tommaso Alloy lugged frame
06-18-2025 09:05 PM
Thoughts on paceline riding
06-18-2025 09:56 AM
Wearable Fitness Trackers
06-18-2025 08:23 AM
1999 Schwinn Searcher LE
06-17-2025 11:57 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. rydabent
18 posts
no avatar 2. Criminal
18 posts
no avatar 3. GirishH
18 posts
no avatar 4. Flowrider
17 posts
no avatar 5. SPINMAN
13 posts