Hard to change gears on brand new bike?

Question

I just bought a brand new bike and i can't change the 123 gears, i have to use 2 hands to change them but i can change the 1234567 gears just fine, it's a mongoose mountain bike, silver white black and yellow and i bought it at walmart

Answer 1

I agree with Jay. However, I would not take it to a shop. You might find that you'll have to make MANY trips to make small adjustments. They'll add up. Unfortunately, that is the all quality you bought. Oh well.
There is salvation: Sheldon Brown. He has many diagrams and texts to help the "layman" fix his own bike.

Check it out: They're called derailleurs.
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/derailer-adjustment.html

P.S. Just fiddle around with it...you'll get it down!

Answer 2

The front derailleur is often harder to engage than the rear, but it should not require the strength of two hands. I think you may have fallen into the trap of buying a bike at a big box store. These bikes are of lesser quality and are almost never properly assembled and adjusted. You may need to bring this bike to bike store for adjustment. Unfortunately this may eat up the money you saved by buying it at Walmart.

Answer 3

Sorry, pal. had you bought it at a real bike shop, they would have shown you all that stuff, given you a warranty AND at least a year's worth of free service.

You bought your bike at Wal-Mart, so you're gonna have to suffer with all the other WD-40 using rednecks.