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Jun 2020
8:48am, 27 Jun 2020
24,256 posts
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fetcheveryone
EP - make notes as you go along.
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Jun 2020
8:50am, 27 Jun 2020
8,660 posts
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chunkywizard
Dibble, could I use the £50 voucher towards a service? My bike isn’t broken but hasn’t been services for a couple of years so it would be good to get it checked out and running smoothly.
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Jun 2020
10:05am, 27 Jun 2020
38,339 posts
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LindsD
Me too
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Jun 2020
10:09am, 27 Jun 2020
50,364 posts
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Diogenes
I’ve always found adjusting bicycle brakes of any kind impossible. They invariably end up worse than before I started. I find the best approach is to leave well-alone and once they become completely ineffective, get a new bike.
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Jun 2020
10:43am, 27 Jun 2020
705 posts
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Dibble
The actual definition of eligible repairs for the £50 voucher is:
repairs that are necessary to make cycles roadworthy and fit for purpose
so I assume you would need to convince your local bike shop that your service meets that definition.
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Jun 2020
10:59am, 27 Jun 2020
3,784 posts
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Dillthedog
Dio, I agree! Brakes are so simple and yet a total pain to set up, I’m not sure I’ve ever managed to do it successfully. As are setting up bearings so they are neither too loose nor too tight. But at least Sturmey Archer gears are a thing of the past
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Jun 2020
11:06am, 27 Jun 2020
10,799 posts
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MazH
Hello fetchies, been lurking a while but this is where I need to be
Bought a second hand Marin a few weeks ago. Got her booked in for a service/clean up next Wednesday
Hoping she’ll come out of that in good order. She rides ok (says me who knows nowt!) but is a bit clunky in the middle range of all 3 gears.
So I usually just move up or down to pass it?
Does that sound like a common problem?
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Jun 2020
11:37am, 27 Jun 2020
20,041 posts
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Dvorak
My gears tend to be out at the top or bottom, ok in the middle. Maybe the previous owner only used the middle gears and the teeth are a bit worn? If so, a shiny new cassette doesn't cost much 
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Jun 2020
12:48pm, 27 Jun 2020
41,684 posts
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Lip Gloss
I have no idea about the gears on my bike something on either handle but I seem to have kept them in the middle. I haven’t done many miles as yet as I’m just trying to Practice staying on the thing
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Jun 2020
8:28pm, 27 Jun 2020
1,912 posts
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MudMeanderer
Clunky in what way? Slow to shift, won't stay in one gear?
There are a few potential causes, but generally free or cheap to fix.
It's possible, or indeed fairly likely, that the indexing is slightly out. In theory it's a simple fix (minor tweaks of a little rotating adjuster), but in practice can be an absolute arse and can require a lot of patience to get smooth.
If the cables are slightly mucky and sticky, it can be nigh on impossible to get it well indexed. It's a pretty cheap process to change cables, and for a second hand bike, if they weren't done before you bought it, probably worth getting done.
Also, as Dvorak said above, it could be due to wear on the chain and cassette. These are designed to be consumable, with replacement interval dependent on usage and maintenance/cleaning, but again may be worth getting changed for a second hand bike if not done just before purchase.
Unless it's actually been damaged at some point, it's most likely something a knowledgeable mechanic can easily sort.
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