Annual bike service
Hi all,
I've had my road bike a year now, its done a couple of thousand miles and I'm thinking it needs a bit of a sort out. What sorts of things do you guys generally think need doing in an annual service? If I took it to my LBS what would they do in a full service?
Also, quick question - if I change my cables what sort of lube should I use on the cables? Is normal chain lube (eg FL cross country wet) ok?
Cheers,
Dave
I've had my road bike a year now, its done a couple of thousand miles and I'm thinking it needs a bit of a sort out. What sorts of things do you guys generally think need doing in an annual service? If I took it to my LBS what would they do in a full service?
Also, quick question - if I change my cables what sort of lube should I use on the cables? Is normal chain lube (eg FL cross country wet) ok?
Cheers,
Dave
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Comments
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Personally I do:
Thoroughly clean chain, sprockets, jockey wheels, cassette, inspect for wear and replace if required.
Fit new derailleur cables - I use new Shimano cable from bulk reels that don't need lubrication from new. Check limit screws and reindex gears.
Inspect brake cables and replace if required. Inspect brake blocks and replace if required.
Strip down, clean and regrease headset bearings.
Strip down, clean and regrease wheel bearings.
Check spoke tensions and adjust if required - retrue wheels.
Check tyres for wear, cuts, embeddedglass etc. Replace if required.
Examine rims for wear.
New bar tape.
Remove seatpost, clean post and seattube, empty frame of water(!), spray inside of steel frames with ACF50, replace seatpin with appropriate compound - assembly compound for metal/metal, carbon compound for carbon.
Remove pedals, regrease pedal bearings, refit with fresh assembly compound.
Correct any apparent issues: Creaking bottom brackets get stripped, cleaned, new assembly compound and reassembled for example.
Overall bolt check - check everything is tightened correctly.
That's probably a leisurely and therapeutic 4 hour session in the workshop with a couple of beers and some music on.0 -
Not that I am recommending Evans, but their web site shows what they do for various services - http://www.evanscycles.com/servicing/wo ... price-list
Decent cable sets may not need any lube (and sometimes it is recommended that you dont lube). If changing cables why not invest in a set of fully lined ones? I have Transfil Mudlovers and the inner seal extends from shifter to mech, and they have been entirely maintenance free for 2 years of all weather riding. They cost about £15 per set.0 -
The only things I do annually are grease the headset, wheel and pedal bearings. I do this in autumn in readiness for the winter. I also change the batteries in the LEDS (which stay on the bike all year) in autumn and then usually at christmas - the christmas ones stay in until the following September.
Everything else gets done as and when it's needed. Tyres, spokes, rims, brakes, cables and gears are checked on a weekly basis as are all nuts, bolts and other fasteners. Anything needing replacement is replaced sooner rather than later.
On the road bike the chain, gears and wheel bearings are oiled either after a wet run or every couple of months or so - I also do the exposed cables at the same time (I use 'finish line'). On the hack they're done when I remember or it's running so roughly I'm using 50% extra power just to keep the pedals moving.
Chains and cassettes tend to be replaced in the spring for the summer. It's pointless changing them in the winter as the mud and salt from the wet roads just trashes them again.
The bar tape has been replaced on the road bike once in the six years I've had the bike and it will get replaced again this autumn when the bike's resprayed. It's due a major rebuild as there's now more rust on the frame than paint, the cage on the rear deraillure's bent where I hit a post earlier in the summer, the saddle's spliting, the wear indicator's showing on the rear wheel and the mudguards both have splits in them (the front one gives off a strangely pleasing 'boing' whenever I hit a bump!). Looking at the rust I get the feeling that the top-tube may well need to be replaced also.
What your LBS will do will differ between LBS's so ask them. Most will lubricate and adjust everything that can be oiled or adjusted and fit new items where needed (up to an agreed limit unless otherwise told). Some will clean the bike for you as part of the service, some require a clean bike to start with.
Most will replace cables before they need it in my opinion.
Edinburgh cycles di my road bike a couple of years ago (when I couldn't be bothered doing it my self!). It was probably the easiest £80 they earned that week.
Bob0
