How to fix java?

Problems with bike. How do I fix it?

• I got a $350 Giant Sedona from the bike shop. i got it a little less than a year and a half ago. other than a few very minor repairs that i could do, it hasn't broken or even really needed a tune up. i waited to long. the seat wont stay up. i can barely tighten it. no matter what i do with the tightening lever it always slowly shrinks down and wiggles around. it doesnt matter how tight or how loose the lever is. how do i fix that? also, i had to take my front wheel off to fit it in my friends car. we were trying to put it back on a couple weeks ago. we had done it once before but this time we were getting annoyed so i think we just left it. now, the front tire wont move unless i make. i have to use my hand to get it to move just a little bit. i think there is something pressing on the tire causing it to be like that but im not sure what. also, my brakes are really crappy. i dont use them much but id be screwed if i really needed to one day. i fix them with the barrel adjusters on my handlebars all the time and it doesnt help. i think my brake pads are like nothing. just from being worn out over the last year. I will NOT, i repeat NOT, take it to the bike shop 1, because they dont really fix anything, they charge a lot, and keep the bike for about 2 weeks. so im doing it myself. i know how to fix all the small things on a bike. but i cant figure out how to fix this stuff.

• Answer:

  Seat: You are trying to tighten it by turning the lever, most surely. That will not work. Look at it and see if there is a Open/Close sign stamped on it. If there is one, when it is closed, you should see the close sign, not the open. If there is not a sign, look at the shape of it. When it is open, you will see the concave side and when it is closed, you will see the convex side of it. To tighten, start with the concave side facing you. Go as far as you can without force, Then go back about 1/2 turn making it looser. Then flip the lever so you see the convex side facing you. it may take a few attempts before you get it right. Wheel: If you didn't release the front brake, the tire may be pinched against the pad. Or the wheel may be set crocked in the fork. Brakes: I don't think you can wear out pads in a year. I have the same ones for over 20 years. Your brakes may have a quick release lever that may be in the open position. Check that. Make sure the cables go through all the cable guides and housing stops. Take all the tension from the cable turning the barrels all the way in clockwise. Release the anchor bolt of the cable at the break. Pull the cable with pliers to take all the slack. Tighten the anchor bolt.