Looking for some Cycle repair guidance

[LonesomeTriZ]

I have a Montague Paratrooper and I am having some trouble with it. I know very little about bikes but I am mechanically inclined. I just need some guidance on how to find the problem and repair it. First off, is this a good quality bike? I am not all that familiar with them or their reputation. One of the problems I am having is the main gear cluster by the pedals will not shift gears. I see the shifting mechanism moving, but it is not moving the chain. Is this a simple cable adjustment or is there something else I should look into. Also, when I hold the bike up and apply pressure to the pedals to make everything spin it spins quietly and freely. But, when I am on it I hear some kind of grinding or rubbing noise. It reminds me of the sound a bearing makes before it goes bad. Could that be inside the bottom bracket? Also, what is the name of the tool I need to take that assembly apart and what kind of price tag does it carry? I plan to ride this bike to the school when I start the Police Academy in a few weeks so the clock is ticking. I appreciate any help I can get.

Oh, here is the bike I have:
http://www.montagueco.com/bikes/paratrooper-folding-bike.html

[MudBug]

its a cable adjustment. there should be some kind of adjuster where it is mounted on the lower seat post. If its moving, thats good. Its just not moving enough to do its job and knowck the chain onto the lower/higher sprocket. hope this helps

[LonesomeTriZ]

Thanks. I just went out there and tried to adjust the cable but now I cannot get the slack out of it. I wonder if the problem is up in the shifter.

[RoscoW]

Cables do stretch, you can undo the cable at the derailler end and take the slack out. For the bottom bracket you will need a crank puller and a bottom bracket socket if it is a cartrige type

http://www.parktool.com/products/detail.asp?cat=26&item=CWP%2D7

http://www.parktool.com/products/detail.asp?cat=25&item=BBT%2D22

lots of good info here
http://www.parktool.com/repair/

Ross..

[LonesomeTriZ]

Thanks man! Those links are awsome.

[86trizinger]

I took my mountain bike to a local shop.. They took 20 minutes and had everything adjusted better then when it came new. Only cost me $12 to fix and well worth it.. I would call around and see what a shop says.. quick and easy, plus they guarantee their work.

[LonesomeTriZ]

If it would be that cheap it is worth it. The only problem is I will not learn how to do this stuff on my own.