Bike servicing

SimonSteer
SimonSteer Posts: 45
edited February 2009 in Workshop
Hi all

Getting back on the bike again after a lazy few months. Have signed up for my first sportive in April. Would it be wise to take the bike to LBS for a service. I have no clue on how or what to service myself. The bike is about a year and a half old

Comments

  • robmanic1
    robmanic1 Posts: 2,150
    Yes, or better yet, buy yourself a good maintenance book and learn to do it yourself. It's great tinkering with bikes, and the more you do the more you'll learn (and it's much cheaper!). Plus, if you have any mechanical problems when you're out and about, you'll have more chance of being able to fix 'em.
    Pictures are better than words because some words are big and hard to understand.

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/34335188@N07/3336802663/
  • ScottieP
    ScottieP Posts: 599
    What is a good road bike maintenance book .... I am pretty clueless mechanically so Roadbike maintenance for Dummies would be perfect :D

    Thanks
    ScottieP
    My cycling blog: http://girodilento.com/
  • robmanic1
    robmanic1 Posts: 2,150
    [urlhttp://www.amazon.com/Zinn-Mountain-Bike-Maintenance-Third/dp/1884737994[/url]

    Gets good reviews
    Pictures are better than words because some words are big and hard to understand.

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/34335188@N07/3336802663/
  • ScottieP
    ScottieP Posts: 599
    Thanks!
    My cycling blog: http://girodilento.com/
  • schlepcycling
    schlepcycling Posts: 1,614
    You could also try the Park Tools website they have some great tutorials http://www.parktool.com/repair/ or Bicycle Tutor http://bicycletutor.com/ or even You Tube
    'Hello to Jason Isaacs'
  • iain_j
    iain_j Posts: 1,941
    +1 for DIY maintenance - I used to let the bike shop do all mine but it works out pretty expensive. It's quite satisfying being able to fix things yourself, not to mention quite important if your bike "breaks down" miles from anywhere.

    Haven't seen the Zinn book but I've got Basic Maintenance & Repair by Ed Pavelka. Despite the name it covers a lot - replacing bearings, cables, adjusting derailleurs, truing wheels, etc. Also guides on tools to have, routine maintenance and post-crash checks. It's quite small too so I'd throw it in a pannier for a tour too.
  • OOtzen-Booty
    OOtzen-Booty Posts: 116
    schlepcycling wrote:
    You could also try the Park Tools website they have some great tutorials http://www.parktool.com/repair/ or Bicycle Tutor http://bicycletutor.com/ or even You Tube

    Cheers for links at last I mat attempt some DIY
  • SimonSteer
    SimonSteer Posts: 45
    Thanks for all the advice chaps. I think I'll get it serviced at LBS this time, then buy a book and do it myself in the future.
    Couple more questions:
    1. Anyone have any experience of Total Fitness in Bath, as I may get it serviced there?
    2. How regularly should a bike be serviced, and to what degree of thoroughness?
    Thanks
  • alfablue
    alfablue Posts: 8,497
    Total Fitness are okay, but the best service is at John's Bikes, Walcot Street.
  • alfablue
    alfablue Posts: 8,497
    As for how often you service the bike, the great advantage of getting to know how to do it yourself is that you can do what is needed as and when required. So you can do a "rolling" service, keeping an eye on chains, cables, brakes, gear setup etc, and just fettle it as soon as they are less than perfect / worn.
  • stfc1
    stfc1 Posts: 505
    alfablue wrote:
    Total Fitness are okay, but the best service is at John's Bikes, Walcot Street.

    +1 for John's Bikes.

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