Jan 3, 2010
Why Do The Pedals Of My Mountain Bike Just Spin?
I have an old mountain bike that I really don’t care to fix up. Only one or two gears work. The problem is when I pedal, usually after I have coasted, the pedals will just spin. They will catch again but sometimes it takes awhile sometimes not. This is very annoying. The chain doesn’t come off. Is there an easy way to fix it or just get rid of it.
Related posts:
- How Do I Fix A Gearshifter On A Mountain Bike ? Hi the Gear Shifter on my Mountain bike doesnt work, whenever i go to change gear it doesnt stay on the gear i put it to it slides back down to gear 6 . So if i put it on...
- What Type Of Mountain Bike Should I Buy? Im looking at buying a mountain bike to just ride around town and occasionally maybe go trailing with it. I dont want to spend more than like $400 b/c it will be rode in town more than on trails. Any...
- What Is The Proper Way To Shift Gears On A Mountain Bike? I have a 21 speed Giant brand mountain bike, 3 high gears and 7 low. I only switch the low gear when I’m in first gear and trying to climb a hill. I only switch the high gear when the...
- What Are Some Good Places To Ride My Mountain Bike In San Jose? I have a mountain bike that Im eager to use on some fun trails. I enjoy scenic trails with some downhill if it’s possible. I don’t mind driving a little. I just dont know where to go. What are the...
- What Type Of Exercises Can I Do With My Mountain Bike? I work on a mountain bike, as in 8 hours straight, pedaling around a parking garage. I’ve been doing things such as pedaling up the up-ramps, carrying my bike up and down stairs and doing a couple miles in the...
This could one of three things. Either the chain has stretched and can no longer engage with the teeth of the chainrings and gear cassette; or the chainring and cassette teeth have worn so badly that the chain can no longer engage with them or the freewheel/freehub has seen better days.
The first two will require a new chain, and almost certainly new cassette and chainrings too. The second will require a new freewheel/freehub. A stretched chain and worn teeth are a problem because they can cause a phenomenon known as chainsuck, when the chain belongs entangled and locks up the rear wheel – if you’re travelling any faster than walking pace, this may well lead to injury.
Since you don’t want to fix it up I assume you’re not experienced in cycle maintenance, and getting it done in a bike shop is likely to cost more than I suspect the bike is worth. So, all in all, you’re probably best off just getting a new bike.
You probably need a new freewheel, the pawls inside the freewheel are gummed up and not catching. Take the wheel to the bike shop and have them replace it.
Stop riding with your feet off the pedals. I bet you STOP the bike using your feet too, huh?