Bicycle advice please

[marionsmith]

Paging forum Dads and Mums

I have a bicycle that I have recently started using.  Before I started using it it spent possibly many years sitting in a damp cellar.

When I press down with the right hand pedal, it makes an ungodly ratcheting noise.  Only on the downward push.  WHY??

It didn't do it so much when I first started using the bike and has got worse.  Its much worse going up hills.  It didn't seem to do it when it was raining.

Theory 1 was that it was the chain, and more oil has ben applied.  Theory 2 is that it is the bit between the pedals that has gotten wobbly.

I'm afraid I don't know anything about bike maintenance so any help /clues would be appreciated.

TIA

Marion

[Mantis]

I assume it has gears and that it has a Derailleur (Its the bit that hangs off the rear wheels axle and moves when you change gear) if it is not quite in gear it will click like you have described.

There are adjuster screws that should stop it but only adjust slightly and try then adjust again.

HTH

[MattC]

It could be that the bearings have run dry or failed in the crank or even in the pedal itself.

hth

Matt

[Charisma Bypass]

Probably your bottom bracket [ http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gloss_bo-z.html#bottom ] needs re-greasing. You need to use "special" grease for this if possible, probably cost about £5 for a bike shop to do as it's literally 2 minutes work.

Or more likely, completely replacing => about £25 including fitting in a bike shop.

[marionsmith]

Thank you for your replies.  I'll have a look at the weekend.

The gears are interesting - it has two settngs, one for clicking between gears and one for going incrementally - supposedly smoothly - between them.  I went for the incremental option, and its not very positive about changing gears, so that could be it.

I suspect I'm going to be buying some tools and some grease over the weekend:  the 'ole stilletto heel hammer just isn't going to be up to the job.

[ash]

Agree with Burt.

Either BB, or if its on the down on just one side, then perhaps a pedal bearing.

I also need to email Burt 

[kimpossible]

Probably your bottom bracket [ http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gloss_bo-z.html#bottom ] needs re-greasing. You need to use "special" grease for this if possible, probably cost about £5 for a bike shop to do as it's literally 2 minutes work.

Or more likely, completely replacing => about £25 including fitting in a bike shop.

Greasy bottom bracket *snigger*   

[marionsmith]

My housemate has had a look at it and reckons its the bottom bracket too.  He has a posh mountain bike and proper tools and stuff (no sniggering at the back please) so I think he might know a bit about repairing bikes.

I'm starting to think bike shop and get a professional to sort it out.  I hope there's one closer than Arnold.