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2006-06-06 9:18 PM

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Master
2447
200010010010010025
White Oak, Texas
Subject: Bike questions from a NOOB.
Ok folks a long list of cycling questions as I know as close to nothing about cycling as possible I am a complete NOOB. Please help me with what you can. The bike is a Cannondale r-800 with shimano 600 components.

1. What is a good place to see riding positions for a road bike?
2. I have a very odd cracking noise coming from the crank area seems to get worst the harder I peddle I noticed the shifter or break cables just touch the frame near this point might this be it?
3. The crank gears are 53/39 what should the cassette be?
4. Looking at the cassette I see several teeth are pointed or steeply angled on one side I guess this is a bad sign of wear? What problems will this cause and what is a choice of gears?
5. If the cassette needs to be replaced does anyone have an old one they don’t need between this bike and Vet bills I am now broke…


2006-06-07 7:30 AM
in reply to: #445559

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Cycling Guru
15134
50005000500010025
Fulton, MD
Subject: RE: Bike questions from a NOOB.
1) Bikesportmichigan

2) You need to have your bottom bracket rebuilt/replaced and the threads lubed where they contact the bottom bracket shell on the frame. Also, check for any hairline cracks in that area as well. Also, put some lube on the threads of the crank bolts as they attach the are to the bottom bracket spindle. And C-dales are notoriuos for bottom bracket "creaking."

3) Whatever you feel is appropriate for where you are. I'd say starting out getting a 12 - 25 would be fine. And if it is old 600 stuff, than it would probably be a 7-speed I'm guessing?? You cannot upgrade to an 8/9/10 without replacing the wheel, but you could do that at a later time (and new shifters, etc.).

4) No, while they may be worn, the angles and sharpness is also the Shimano design. The front chainrings will often have a few "bent" teeth on them, and we used to get customers calling us back within hours of picking up their bike complaining it was defective, and we had to explain that this is just Shimano design .......

5) Nope, sorry, can't help there. But as I said in #3, verify what you have before you go shopping. There should be places that have the cassette you need relatively cheap, but you will also have to replace your chain and chainrings as part of replacing the cassette.

Edited by Daremo 2006-06-07 7:31 AM
2006-06-07 1:14 PM
in reply to: #445559

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Master
2447
200010010010010025
White Oak, Texas
Subject: RE: Bike questions from a NOOB.
Thanks for the help the LBS adjusted the crank and the noise is gone. This is an 8 speed so i guess some things have been changed but ill keep what is on it for now i would like to go to a 3 ring on the crank but i do not know if I can.
2006-06-07 5:32 PM
in reply to: #445559

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Pro
4578
20002000500252525
Vancouver, BC
Subject: RE: Bike questions from a NOOB.
I think it might be more expensive than it is worth to go to 3 chain rings in the front. You probably need a new shifter, front derailleur, maybe new derailleur (long cage) and possibly a bottom bracket.

Jen
2006-06-08 8:29 AM
in reply to: #446688

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Cycling Guru
15134
50005000500010025
Fulton, MD
Subject: RE: Bike questions from a NOOB.
For a triple all you will probably need is the front der., crank and bottom bracket. Your shifter should be okay, but don't quote me on that .........

But by replacing your chainrings with a new crank you will need a new chain and cassette, so once again it adds up.
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