I am trying to fix a friends bike... I'm no bike expert by the way...
She brings the bike over at the start of each year, for a clean up... to get the tires blown up etc...
Anyway... it's a mountain bike... and when I tried to ride it to see how it was going, the pedals just spin when I pedal, they have no effect on the wheel.... it's like the chain has come off...(but the chain is working fine)
Also, some times when I pedal the wheel, does actually turn... so it is an intermitent problem.... anyone got any ideas how to fix it?
I am trying to fix a friends bike... I'm no bike expert by the way...
She brings the bike over at the start of each year, for a clean up... to get the tires blown up etc...
Anyway... it's a mountain bike... and when I tried to ride it to see how it was going, the pedals just spin when I pedal, they have no effect on the wheel.... it's like the chain has come off...(but the chain is working fine)
Also, some times when I pedal the wheel, does actually turn... so it is an intermitent problem.... anyone got any ideas how to fix it?
Thanks. Ken.
It's in the freehub or freewheel. Either broken or stiff grease. A freewheel can be loosen up by dribbling light oil thru it. Better to take it to a bike shop.
Try laying the bike on its side with the freewheel up. Put a little penetrating oil on the flat part of the freewheel very close to the axel. If it dissappears its probably going down into the right spot. There are ratchets down in there that have frozen in the open or closed position, but don't even think of going in for a look. And next year, try this same trick before she puts it up for the winter.
