General wear & tear?
R_T_A
Posts: 488
I bought my warhorse on the C2W in April (Giant Escape R1. Yes a hybrid - deal with it 
).
Even though I've been commuting for a whole year, I'm still getting used to the speed at which parts wear out. I wondered what the noise was on my bike and was a bit surprised I'd done nearly 2,000 miles on one chain :oops:
I've also just had to replace my bottom bracket. Is that normal? It feels 4 months/2,000 miles is a bit quick, but that may be I'm still used to weekend MTB riding in my head.
If it's just me, what checks should I be doing on a monthly basis to make sure I'm not pushing my bike home in the rain?
).Even though I've been commuting for a whole year, I'm still getting used to the speed at which parts wear out. I wondered what the noise was on my bike and was a bit surprised I'd done nearly 2,000 miles on one chain :oops:
I've also just had to replace my bottom bracket. Is that normal? It feels 4 months/2,000 miles is a bit quick, but that may be I'm still used to weekend MTB riding in my head.
If it's just me, what checks should I be doing on a monthly basis to make sure I'm not pushing my bike home in the rain?
Giant Escape R1
FCN 8
"Build a man a fire, and he'll be warm for a day. Set a man on fire, and he'll be warm for the rest of his life."
- Terry Pratchett.
FCN 8
"Build a man a fire, and he'll be warm for a day. Set a man on fire, and he'll be warm for the rest of his life."
- Terry Pratchett.
0
Comments
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Generally speaking things don't just suddenly fail completely one day.
They wear out gradually and you'll have at least a couple of rides' leeway and probably a few weeks' worth tbh. You'll become aware of the problem when it's in the early stages (slight noises, usually) and then the decision is up to you as to whether you want to run it into the ground and live with the noise or get it replaced straight away to keep everything quiet.
Listen to the noises and your own instincts. If something 'just feels wrong' then something is wrong.0 -
Unfortunately, the bottom brackets on mass manufactured bikes tend to be the first thing to go. They are often cheap unbranded affairs. Once replaced, however, bottom brackets last quite a while (depending on usage). So don't be too alarmed.
Apart from that, besides brake pads, it's mainly chains and cassettes/freewheels that need replacing. Dirt in these areas creates a lovely grinding paste, guaranteed to wear out bicycle parts. If your chain wears at the links, it will lengthen (so-called 'stretching'). This will create wear on your sprockets and chainwheels. So keeping the chain clean (and/or replacing it regularly) will help most of your parts' longevity.0 -
My (10 month old, 2,000 mile) bike needs new brake pads - felt pretty quick wear at first but I am riding in London most of the time so lots of stop/start. I really ought to check the chain. Tyres look fine so far.
But I have noticed a squeak over the last few weeks - and it seems to be coming from the bottom bracket - classic sound that you get from cheap, knacked hybrids - every pedal rotation squeaks at the same point (but quite faint rather than loud). My bike's got a Campag Veloce BB so should be good quality, and I can't believe I lay down enough awesome to wear it out in 2,000 miles. I keep meaning to have a better look at it (Sheldon says it can be any number of things rather than the BB).
Otherwise, I'd agree with laughingboy - most stuff will last for ages and, as Jamey said, even the consumables don't tend to fail just like that. One bike shop, when I asked whether I should replace the chain on my old MTB, replied: when it breaks. A lot of bikes out there have ancient, worn chains and cassettes yet still seem to work fine(ish).Never be tempted to race against a Barclays Cycle Hire bike. If you do, there are only two outcomes. Of these, by far the better is that you now have the scalp of a Boris Bike.0 -
Jamey wrote:You'll become aware of the problem when it's in the early stages (slight noises, usually)
...
Listen to the noises and your own instincts. If something 'just feels wrong' then something is wrong.
That's where I am now, and I can't stand the noise :evil:Laughingboy wrote:Unfortunately, the bottom brackets on mass manufactured bikes tend to be the first thing to go. They are often cheap unbranded affairs. Once replaced, however, bottom brackets last quite a while (depending on usage). So don't be too alarmed.
A good snippet of information to know. Thanks all for the feedback - I thought it either
shoddy equipment;
dodgy LBS;
me pedalling too heavily :shock:Giant Escape R1
FCN 8
"Build a man a fire, and he'll be warm for a day. Set a man on fire, and he'll be warm for the rest of his life."
- Terry Pratchett.0 -
That is what happens when you buy a hybrid
:twisted: x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
Commuting / Winter rides - Jamis Renegade Expert
Pootling / Offroad - All-City Macho Man Disc
Fast rides Cannondale SuperSix Ultegra0 -
R_T_A wrote:I thought it either
shoddy equipment;
dodgy LBS;
me pedalling too heavily :shock:
If you do pedal too heavily, there's a chance that the bike won't be harmed - your knees will go first. 0 -
laughingboy wrote:
If you do pedal too heavily, there's a chance that the bike won't be harmed - your knees will go first.
Yeah - think I'm already there too...shame you can replace knees as readily
Just picked up the bike from the LBS (yes I'm lazy) and ridden it back to the office with a new BB. What a difference!
And I'll ignore the roadie jingoism :roll: Giant Escape R1
FCN 8
"Build a man a fire, and he'll be warm for a day. Set a man on fire, and he'll be warm for the rest of his life."
- Terry Pratchett.0
