Bike Services

Breathless Commuter Man

I am hopeless at mechanical stuff and can just about change an inner tube and the brake blocks as required. I have just had a service at my new (very excited about this as it is very local) LBS. Its like riding a new bike I am so pleased and the cost was about £20 so doubly pleased.

My question is how often should I be getting my bike serviced. I ride about 250 miles commuting a month.

what do you think? Thanks in advance.

lost_in_thought

I tend to only take mine in when there's something wrong with it.

I would check if there's any warranty or similar you would be voiding by not getting it serviced, you don't get full service history points on reselling! If not, perhaps whenever you go for away for a week and won't miss it, or similar... Probably not more than once a year anyway!

ChrisLS

...there is nothing sweeter than a newly serviced bike... 8)

Bikerbaboon

ChrisLS wrote:

...there is nothing sweeter than a newly serviced bike... 8)

A new bike ? :shock:

beverick

It rather depends on what they do at the service. I let the LBS loose on my bikes when I either can't be bothered/haven't the time to do to myself or there's something needs doing that I either don't trust myself to do (headset lube!) or I need specialist tools that would cost more than the "service" (bottom bracket refit).

I give the road bike a good 'fettle' in the spring for the summer (as it's predominantly a summer only ride) and the hack gets sorted in late autumn (October) in preparation for the abuse it'll get over the winter. I actually did it last weekend due to holiday and work commitments over the next six weeks.

Other than that bikes are remarkably simple things to maintain even with 'modern' fittings such as STI gears.

Cassette gears have taken the pain out of fitting new cogs on the back wheel and quick links have taken the pain out of replacing chains. Cotterless chainwheels mean no more 'big hammer' tactics to release the cranks and quick release levers take the pain out of wheel removal. Cartridge bearings in wheels and the advent of cartridge bottom brackets mean that maintenance of bearings is no more than dribbling 3-in-1 into the shell every couple of months (anyone want a set of cone-spanners!) and alloy rims don't need polishing to stop rust.

Maintaining a bike is a doddle these days!

Bob

gtvlusso

Hiya,

I build and fix everything myself. I suppose that I am used to it as I have always had rubbish cars and various racing motorbikes to maintain. However, don't be scared of trying and it only takes a few tools and a little space to fix a bicycle!

It really is simple and you can save a fortune on servicing/daily maint and upgrades. Don't let magazines put you off with their articles on perfect tools and perfect environments, I do everything in my shed - I dangle the bikes from hooks in the ceiling and work from there - maintain my racing bike, commuter and mountain bikes with ease! The only thing I would buy is a small torque wrench for carbon accesories, good socket set with allen sockets, spanners and cable cutters. There are some specific tools (like BB tools and cassette tools), but nothing extravegant.

Just have a go - LBS can always sort if you screw something up!

Simonb256

My bike is fairly badly maintained unfortunatly, shes done some 5,000 miles and only had new tyres, BB, rear brake, new pads, cassette and chain..

I think she needs some TLC, just don't have the time...

Though most of it is a doddle with the correct tools...

the_hundredth_idiot

I'm fine with changing brake pads, putting on chain lube, etc. But I thought I'd take it to the next level and change the casssette and chain. I'm generally reasonably handy with mechanical stuff (I just think of it as oversized mechano) but have never got around to it with a bike before.

But, the bike shop near my office said (very honestly, I thought, if slightly oddly) to not bother changing the cassette and chain but just wait until the chain snapped and then get a new one! Honest but ... :?

So, I've got my shimano tool, just need a chain whip and a link extractor. Oh, and the new cassette and chain. Plus, some babywipes (see http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtop ... start=1740)

Jon8a

£20 is pretty good. I've built my last couple of bikes myself so can do the servicing I normally check them over briefly before I ride for loose spokes and rusty bits, cracks damage. I tend to notice things too as I'm riding which I'll later investigate.

I'd probably go for once every 6 months (works out at 10p per day).

If you are interested then the park tools website has a very good repair section. It's worth getting familiar with your bike for the day it brakes while your riding and you need to get somewhere. Most things are just a case of turning bolts or screws.

il_principe

Defo learn to do the simple stuff yourself. £20 might sound cheap but in most cases all they will be doing is adjusting cable tension in which case that’s £20 wasted really. Plus if you do things yourself you can source the cheapest components online, LBS will charge you their rate which will invariably be more expensive!

Breathless Commuter Man

Thanks all. looks like Mrs BCM is going to put up with some bike tinkering time.

spen666

Bikerbaboon wrote:

ChrisLS wrote:

...there is nothing sweeter than a newly serviced bike... 8)

A new bike ? :shock:

sweets?

Bikerbaboon

spen666 wrote:

Bikerbaboon wrote:

ChrisLS wrote:

...there is nothing sweeter than a newly serviced bike... 8)

A new bike ? :shock:

sweets?

a new bike thats just been serviced thats made from sugar ?

william79

I've started servicing / fitting upgrade parts myself. I try to wash the commuter grime off once a month & adjust / lube as required.

Used to go to the lbs for servicing but one treats you as an inconvenience :shock: even though I bought the mtb (still has their sticker on) & the other 3 shops have fully booked diaries for about 10 working days :shock: Not ideal when you rely on it daily.

So I'm buying the odd tools here and there & learning a lot as I go.