Well, looks like my bicycle broke again today. The rear tire was totally flat and parts of the tire liners were sticking out (and looked torn). No idea how (or when) that happened, but that's how I found it today when I was pulling it out of my balcony to go do the groceries.

So brought the (mostly rust-covered) bike in the apartment (where I can work with AC) and started to dismantle the rear wheel to pull out the tire. I managed to get the gear shift mechanism out and then pull out the wheel. So far so good.

Uh oh, looks like the tire tube is punctured, and one of the liners is torn in 2 places.

No problem, I thought. I have spares after all! Installing the new liner and new tube is a piece of cake. 15 minutes into this little exercise, the wheel is ready to be placed back on the bike.

Odd, it seems the gear shifting mechanism doesn't fit back in place. I took it apart and put it back before. Why isn't it working this time? Uh oh, looks like something broke there. Noooooooooo!

bob->bike--;  // Seems I'm down one bike

Oh well, now I have an excuse to get a new bike. After almost 15 years, and a lot of spare parts, it's time to move on.

snif

It's always sad to have to throw out a part of your childhood.

That is a sad story But, I guess, change happens.

Now use the old bike to make a killer robot.

I'm really thinking of getting a bike myself, I used to go bike riding a lot as a kid but it would be a really good thing for getting outdoors more. Sorry to hear about your bike Bob

Anyway, I love buying a new bike and flying around in the park on it.

http://www.tfu.info/2004/Mini-Con/TFUHighWire/botthumb.jpg
http://www.tfu.info/2004/Mini-Con/TFUHighWire/altthumb.jpg

^ copy and paste those links to view the real image, instead of the anti-watermark image.

Or not...

I was thinking about getting a bike for campus living, but why do that when you can attach an electric motor to a shopping cart? Think of the storage space on that puppy; you could put all your books in there.

Yeah and you can strap yourself into the child seat in the front

23yrold, that's awesome!

Yeah, I recently endured a similar experience, I had my bike of 8 years stolen. I built the bike from parts I mailed ordered when I was in the army. It was awesome; it had lx/xt components on it, it was super light. I rode that thing all over Friedberg, Germany. It'd been everywhere with me for the last eight years and some jackass stole it. It was very depressing . I love bike riding so I went and bought a new bike last week. I got a Giant Yukon; front shock with disc brakes. The thing weighs a ton, but it rides pretty well.

I hear someone might be willing to loan a bike he's not able to use for a while.

Oh, that is evil

He changed his post now, instead of hotlinking he attached the images.

You want to get the Chopper!

From Raleigh of Nottingham:
http://www.raleighbikes.com/cyclesproductdetails.aspx?ID=103
http://www.raleighbikes.com/media/BIKES/BIKESLARGE/CHOBLK06.jpg

Pssh, get a unicycle. It's twice the bike with half the wheels.

I'd bet the original problem was caused by never checking spoke tightness. If you tap the spokes with a screwdriver, the tight ones will "sing" fairly high pitch, vice versa. You can turn the little screw dohickey next to the rim with the tines of an old dinner fork. If you let them get loose, they'll poke inward at the inner tube etc.

http://www2.jsonline.com/desk/histwis/images/hist5big.jpg

Ooh, do they make those in 30 gear models?

I do propose, sir, that two wheeled pedalled vehicles should have a larger front wheel.
Well, sir, I do concur with your proposition. That type of wheel ratio is indeed the best.
Agreed.
Yes, yes.
Indeed.
Quite.

Oh dear, I believe I forgot my pants.
Oh dear, indeed, sir.

Talking to yourself again William?

That's really evil!

Anyway Bob, I'm sorry for you / your bike. You just said "something" broke there - are you sure there isn't any chance to recover the bike?

Probably, but the incremental cost of replacing the gear switch mechanism is pretty high. At that point, it's just better to toss the old rusty bike and get a new one.