Show us your mixte!

[HillSlugger]

Does it feel like it's trying to shift from one gear to another or like the chain in slipping off of whatever gear it is in? The latter suggests tooth or chain wear. The former suggests a derailleur issue. I could be that the friction shifter screw needs to be tightened.

[F8th637]

Does it feel like it's trying to shift from one gear to another or like the chain in slipping off of whatever gear it is in? The latter suggests tooth or chain wear. The former suggests a derailleur issue. I could be that the friction shifter screw needs to be tightened.

Well, I feel like it jumps. For instance, there is this one long hill on the W&OD where I get off and I have to stand on that hill at the end because my legs aren't strong enough and I only have at the the most 12 gears. Towards the top, something jumps and if I'm not careful I could bash my chin on the handlebars if I was REALLY pushing. I'm leaning more towards the fact that the chain slips off of whatever gear it is in. Would a tune-up not catch a derailleur issue or the fact that the friction shifter screw needs to be tightened?

[HillSlugger]

Well, I feel like it jumps. For instance, there is this one long hill on the W&OD where I get off and I have to stand on that hill at the end because my legs aren't strong enough and I only have at the the most 12 gears. Towards the top, something jumps and if I'm not careful I could bash my chin on the handlebars if I was REALLY pushing. I'm leaning more towards the fact that the chain slips off of whatever gear it is in. Would a tune-up not catch a derailleur issue or the fact that the friction shifter screw needs to be tightened?

It depends on how well the tuneup was done. Also, unfortunately, some issues don't show up until everything is under load and can be easily missed while a bike is in the repair stand.

Maybe DebW has more insight.

[DebW]

Ohh, that is exciting! So I bought uforgot's Honey Brooks saddle for my mixte this past weekend. My main issue with the bike right now is that the chain skips if I'm pedaling too hard which happens in my hilly area. I've measured the chain links and it seems to still be the right length but the bike is probably over 20 years old. I took it for a tune-up last November but that didn't resolve the chain-skipping issue but I also didn't tell them about it like a dimwit. What else should I check out before hauling it back to the bike shop?

Well, I feel like it jumps. For instance, there is this one long hill on the W&OD where I get off and I have to stand on that hill at the end because my legs aren't strong enough and I only have at the the most 12 gears. Towards the top, something jumps and if I'm not careful I could bash my chin on the handlebars if I was REALLY pushing. I'm leaning more towards the fact that the chain slips off of whatever gear it is in. Would a tune-up not catch a derailleur issue or the fact that the friction shifter screw needs to be tightened?

It depends on how well the tuneup was done. Also, unfortunately, some issues don't show up until everything is under load and can be easily missed while a bike is in the repair stand.

Maybe DebW has more insight.

F8th, you've probably got a worn drivetrain. A tune-up wouldn't catch this unless the mechanic took it for a test ride on a hill. The chain is actually skipping over a tooth on the rear cog. Can you make it skip like that on any cog, or only one? Often one or two freewheel cogs that get used the most will get worn and produce skipping. Simplest solution is to replace both the chain and the freewheel. But if the chain shows no indication of having lengthened, as you say, I'd try replacing just the freewheel first and see if the problem goes away.

[F8th637]

Thanks, Deb. I actually brought it to my favorite nearby LBS yesterday after installing uforgot's Brooks saddle and told them of the problem I was having. He is going to replace the chain and the cassette since those are probably original to the bike and at least 20 years old.

He loves my Lotus and my Brooks saddle so I told him of my plans to change it to be it more upright. He pulled a handlebar from out back and I was sold. He told me to pick some grips and I didn't like any of the ones out there. I told him I wanted something that would match the saddle like the Brooks bar tape and he goes, "Ahhh, someone's been going to Rivendell's website." Haa, guilty as charged! So we went through some catalogs and found a cheaper pair of leather or leather-looking grips. He's also going to take care of that wayward cabling problem I seem to have. My transformed mixte should be ready on Friday.

I wasn't planning on spending the money for that right away but I am so excited to take her out for a spin. I also noticed they had lots of baskets and that they seem to carry Basil but I didn't see any of the panniers. I'm going to put the rack and fenders on her and will post pics when she's all done. Can't wait!

[furryblue]

My new mixte, went for my first ride this past weekend.

[uforgot]

Very nice! How about a little background on it? The stories are almost as much fun as the pics for me!