If you are having a mechanical issue and have not been able to find a solution please follow the suggestions below. When not interacting in-person or in real time it helps cut down on the shotgun approach (try these 5 things) and irrelevant guesses. It's wasteful to get the info piecemeal or to scroll through to see what's been covered. It also shows respect for the people offering their time and expertise.
- If you aren't familiar with bike terms Google bike parts diagram and refer to whatever image is most helpful to you in order to use terms with which we are familiar. It's critical to do so if you are not native English speaking, as translation programs do a poor job with bicycle terms.
- What is the make, model, size (as relevant) age, etc. of the item and/or component you are having problems with?
- Describe the problem in terms of specific symptoms - what you hear, feel or see, rather than conclusions (my brakes are broken). What exactly happens? Include what it looks like, sounds, feel, pattern of sound, etc.
- When did the problems start or did it come on gradually? If the latter, did you make any changes or remember any significant events just before it started? (In the case of a bicycle things like new part, repair, an accident, the bike falling over, being transported, friend borrowed the bike, etc.)
- Is the problem constant or intermittent (comes and goes)?
- Under what conditions does it occur? (Such things as gear combination*, pedal pressure, in/out of saddle, hard braking, etc.) *In the case of multispeed bike gear problems DO NOT use 1st, 3rd gear, low/high, etc. Rather use "smallest rear cog with all chainwheels," "3rd smallest rear cog with small chainwheel".
- What sources have you checked for info, what have you tried to fix the problem, what have you eliminated (and how)? If it is a new bike have you returned it to the shop? If no why not; if yes what was the result?