do derailers seize up?

"MisNomer" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Problem. Bike shifts ok on the back. The front doesn't seem to have any "play". On another bike
the back doesn't shift and front does. Same

problem

Quoted message said:

no "play". Is this a problem with the cables or the derailer part?

Please explain play, and what kind of bike and shifters? Lots of things can affect shifting. But
probably the most common is issues with the cables. They could be rusted in the housing, a kink, or
the housing could have been pinched, often by hanging on a bike rack. The chain is then next
possible culprit. If there stiff links, the chain will not pass well (or at all) through the rear
derailleur). I had a crash from such a thing happening. Finally, the pivots on the derailleur can be
sticking, but this normally only happens on a damaged or really cheap derailleur.

Quoted message said:

Liz who is thinking that maybe i should just get a nice new bike and forget

about

Quoted message said:

learning this stuff.

New or old bike, you need to learn this stuff. It aint rocket science and is well worth it. All it
will take is saving you a long walk home one day to be worth any time spent learning the basics. New
bikes need maintenance too, and new bikes become old bikes :-)

John Rees

Thanks John.

Play means "the cage doesn't move back and forth " when the shift lever is pulled / pushed.

Both bikes have Shimano gears . Cheap bikes - probably. Good to learn on?

The cables on one are plastic wrapped and the other is naked. Also another "strange" thing is
that the cable (with the plastic tubing) doesn't seem to retract with the shifter. So maybe it is
the cable.

take care Liz

Hey! Look what "John Rees" <[email hidden]> wrote :

Quoted message said:

Please explain play, and what kind of bike and shifters? Lots of things can affect shifting. But
probably the most common is issues with the cables. They could be rusted in the housing, a kink, or
the housing could have been pinched, often by hanging on a bike rack. The chain is then next
possible culprit. If there stiff links, the chain will not pass well (or at all) through the rear
derailleur). I had a crash from such a thing happening. Finally, the pivots on the derailleur can
be sticking, but this normally only happens on a damaged or really cheap derailleur.

Quoted message said:

Liz who is thinking that maybe i should just get a nice new bike and forget

about

Quoted message said:

learning this stuff.

New or old bike, you need to learn this stuff. It aint rocket science and is well worth it. All it
will take is saving you a long walk home one day to be worth any time spent learning the basics.
New bikes need maintenance too, and new bikes become old bikes :-)

John Rees

Well ive determined that the cage/ derailler isn't seized. Those things really take alot of force to
move. Tomorrow it gets a new cable.

take care Liz who's family thinks shes crazy.

Hey! Look what MisNomer <[email hidden]> wrote :

Quoted message said:

Problem. Bike shifts ok on the back. The front doesn't seem to have any "play". On another bike the
back doesn't shift and front does. Same problem no "play". Is this a problem with the cables or the
derailer part?

take care Liz who is thinking that maybe i should just get a nice new bike and forget about
learning this stuff.