My bicycle pedals only turn backwards, which is not much use. What could be wrong (that I could fix myself)?

Sounds like the rear derailleur is getting in the way of progress. If you can't diagnose it yourself, chances are, you probably can't fix it yourself. Still, follow the chain through the rear derailleur and see if it's seated and turning properly on both the large (mounted on the wheel) and small (the tiny one on the derailleur) rings. If it's not, try moving the chain so that it is. If the derailleur appears to be physically broken, you could try replacing it yourself. And if that doesn't work, take it in to a shop. No harm in trying--good luck.

Your bike is 30 years old and while there may be basiclly nothing wrong with the bike but the chain is skipping.

I'm guessing the kind of regular maintenance one must do such as;

* cleaning and lube the bike PROPERLY every few hundred miles or 2-3 rides or whenever it performs badly (ie chain skipping, any kind of noise).

* have you ever changed the cables or checked for stretch?

* Do you have a chain tool? You can even use a ruler if you know how.

You would not run a car for 30 years without any kind of work, you'd at least change the oil, get a tune up now and then.

Right? Right 8-)

Your bike is the same way.

There is work that needs to be done every time you ride (minor) and things you do every few rides or so (minor still) and you'll probably need a tune up once or twice a year.

If you don't do ANY of that this yourself or have it done at a shop this is what happens.

It's time to take your bike to a LBS (local bike shop) and ask them to look at your bike.

While you're there pick up some tools such as Park , Planet Bike, ask them what you need minimally to maintain your bike another 30 years 8-)

i might say it rather is none of your agency if it replaced into MY toddler. If it replaced into the toddler of a buddy or acquaintance, then you might ask them first. i might say it replaced into an obsession, and no count how 'risk-free' you're making your babies, existence is volatile. you won't be in a position to assure *each thing*. the superb of intentions (a toddler's risk-free practices) does not supercede the rights of a determine. various of my babies have been fairly delicate to the belts, so as quickly as I pulled them out of the motor vehicle, i might regulate their seatbelts to a greater delicate, unfastened point. If somebody might have tightened it, it might have led to a screaming hissy in fantastic condition. you don't recognize the situations in the back of having somebody elses toddler the way they're, and having had seven babies, i may be horribly indignant if some chick i did not recognize got here as much as me on the line and advised me i replaced into doing issues incorrect. you're fortunate you have not been caught with the aid of somebody, and you're fortunate you have not been harm. you could guess if some stranger replaced into messing with my toddler, i might have the shop carry them and get in touch with the police for tried kidnapping. in spite of the story. you won't be in a position to be too risk-free (sarcasm) and that i might touch SNOPES with regard to the toddler flying out of the motor vehicle and carseat. If some thing like that had unquestionably got here approximately, the motor vehicle seat risk-free practices human beings might have all of it over the newspapers. unquestionably...flew OUT of the carseat, then OUT of the motor vehicle? She would desire to have been using like a MANIAC...

Could be lots of things, many of which you probably can't fix yourself. Hard to say without more description.