When to service a new bike

Chronicbint
Chronicbint Posts: 172
edited June 2010 in MTB beginners
Hi

Had my bike about 2 months but have only ridden about 100 miles, various woods, some single track, roads, river tracks. I believe cables can stretch and what not, so when should I get it serviced?

cheers :)

Comments

  • peter413
    peter413 Posts: 4,909
    When stuff goes wrong
    Transition Patrol
    Cube LTD 29er

    Glentress Trailfairies
  • Chronicbint
    Chronicbint Posts: 172
    hmm right. :lol:

    I was told by the shop I bought it may require a service in 6 weeks but I haven't ridden it that much. They do a free service but sadly I live too far away. :(
  • blister pus
    blister pus Posts: 5,610
    If you bought from your LBS the first service is usually free and they recommend you come in after 6 - 8 weeks of good use. If you feel like things are loosening up and you're noticing the difference have a word with them, if not, leave it till you do.

    Best bet is to start learning to maintain and fix things yourself really. place to start is here in forums and FAQs . I started out knowing nothing and ended up building a bike from scratch and selecting the parts. A lot like that here.
  • Chronicbint
    Chronicbint Posts: 172
    I am learning bits and pieces but for now I don't have enough knowledge to service it. Not really noticed anything loosening as such, will wait for a few more rides I think then.

    Cheers. :D
  • .blitz
    .blitz Posts: 6,197
    As above, bikes aren't like cars they need fettling to keep 'em running sweet.

    If you notice something different about your bike, post up here. Best way to learn is to fix a little bit at a time.
  • Tom Barton
    Tom Barton Posts: 516
    .blitz wrote:
    As above, bikes aren't like cars they need fettling to keep 'em running sweet.

    If you notice something different about your bike, post up here. Best way to learn is to fix a little bit at a time.

    Good advice that. Thats hows I've done it over the years, start by learning how to do basic cleaning, preventative maintenence - keeping the drivechain nice and clean, dont blast hubs with hose pipes etc. Then moving on to how to take it apart and put back together again and how to fine tune gears etc and then eventually you start getting onto things like bleeding brakes etc. You'll pick it up one job at a time and then the cost of tools is spread out as well :-)
    Lapierre Spicy 516 XTR custom (2013) -http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=10017&t=12932332
  • Chronicbint
    Chronicbint Posts: 172
    Yeah good advice, I can manage the cleaning ok, been cleaning my chain although I have not got the guts to remove it yet....seems shimano needs some pin I dont have.....

    Think I will pay for a service this time just for peace of mind and then start learning more.
    :lol:
  • blister pus
    blister pus Posts: 5,610
    like I said, if you bought from a LBS the first service is usually free and it's not a bad idea to take them up on the offer. it'll give you time to bone up on things like simple maintenance fixes and get a good multi tool and by the time it comes round to replace the chain (chain stretch) you can replace it with a SRAM chain that uses powerlinks for easy chain removal.

    just take it all step by step. as things go wrong, learn to fix, have a go. use the forums and FAQs, plenty of tutorials on youtube and the like too.

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