wheel stuck

Greetings.

A holidaying friend of ours is having difficulties in France. She sent us, her riding friends back in Canada, the e-mail below, and we suggested
- a broken axle
- cones incorrectly positioned
- a broken bearing grinding itself up.

None of us are familiar with the Bike Friday. Maybe someone out in the BF community can offer more useful advice.

Thanks for any help you can give.

Doug Barrett
Edmonton, Canada.

From: Patsy ho [patsyho@yahoo.com]
Sent: Monday, July 11, 2005 5:50AM
To: Claire Stock
Subject: "stuck" in France .... free dinner for anyone who can solve my problem....

Anybody out there know why a bike wheel will "stick"? My back wheel has begun to seize up on me for no apparent reason. It's not the brakes, because I have disengaged them, and the wheel still sticks. Sometimes it's more difficult to turn, then other times it eases up. I turned the bike upside down, and changed the gears ... they seem to be working.

Sometimes it starts out turning smoothly, then it will just stop turning, causing a lurching action. I have already spent 15 Euros to have my left crank rethreaded, and the fellows at the shop tell me that he will do an "inspection" of my bike for 40 Euros (60 dollars). I am afraid that his inspection may lead to very costly repairs. I never imagined that a new bike would cause so many problems.....

So, if you can help me solve my problem (and suggesting I go back to the shop doesn't count) I'll buy you dinner, or make a donation to a charity of your choice!

I emailed Bike Friday, but the Website says that they may not be able to respond until July 18th. If you have any suggestion/ answers, please send them before I throw my bike in front of a moving tram!

Desperate in France ...

Patsy