I Really need help,please!!!?

I found this old bike in my garden shed, left by my landlord. Its not mine I know nothing about it. In fact I'm a layman. I know nothing about the parts. I only enjoy riding but haven't ride for a long time. First question:



If I found the pedals too hard to push, anything I can do to adjust? A Yahoo answerer told me that it might be because my gearing's too high. If so, which part I need to adjust? Second question,



How do I know if this bike is EZ fire or Gripshift gear type? What's the difference? Does it matter if I only go out for fun, for relaxing or sometimes ride in the park? Not for racing nor stunt.

I Really need help,please!!!?
There could be a number of reasons why it's too hard to turn the crank (another word for the pedals).



First of all, and the most obvious is that your gearing may be too high. You'll need to shift down a gear or two. What does this mean? On the bike you have at least one gear at the front, up to three. At the back you may have one gear, up to 9. Now, I'll assume you have a 21 speed bike. This means you have three gears at the front, 7 at the back. This is common, but there are many other possibilities.



If it's too hard, you'll need to move the chain from the gear on the front to a smaller gear. This means that if you're on the large gear, try the middle or small gear. At the back, you'll want the chain to be on a larger gear.The smaller the gear at the back, the harder it is to pedal (but the faster you go).



Other possibilities include:



Rusted out chain. It's hard to fix this properly. You'll need to go out and buy a new chain. If it's not rusted, try lubing it with a chain grease. If you don't have any, try white lithium auto grease. If you don't have that, go get some. If you don't want to, you could fix it in a pinch with WD-40. WD-40 would just be a temporary fix. If you don't have any of that, go out and get some.



Other possibilities include:



Your bottom bracket is all buggered up. This is the part where the "pedal's arms" connect to the frame. You'll need to take it apart, grease up the inside (you can use that same white lithium grease), or replace any worn out ball bearings.



Or:



Your axles and hubs could be buggered up. This is where the front and back wheel connect to the bike. You may have to take it apart, re-grease it, and replace any necessary ball bearings.



Another possibility:



Your rims are bent, and they touch the brake pads when the wheel spins. Lift up the front end of your bike so that the front wheel is off the ground. Spin the wheel. Does it spin nice and smooth? Or... does it slow down quickly? If it slows down quickly, your problem may be just in the front wheel. Try the same with the back. Does it spin freely?



If your rims are bent, they'll hit the brake pads occasionally. You'll need to go to the store and buy a spoke key.



So, order of things I'd check (this is my opinion):



Check the gearing

Check the chain

Check the wheels

Check the bottom bracket



If the problem isn't within the first two steps, I'd advise you to just buy a new bike. The bike your landlord left is probably a piece of crud bike (and that's why he left it). Bikes are not expensive. Garage sales will sell working bikes real cheap. If you can't find one there, you could go to a bike store and ask for a used bike within a certain price range. If you don't want to do that, try a general store like wal-mart or Canadian Tire (depending where you live). They'll have real cheap bikes that work (these are not stunt or racing bikes, just leisure ride bikes).



Have fun!
Reply:theVisionary gives good answer

all I can add is my own "Have fun: Enjoy!"

I Love Bike Riding!