Doing my own Gold Service

curium
curium Posts: 815
edited February 2011 in Workshop
I was looking on the Cycles UK Ltd website (my LBS) to see how much for a brake cable (see thread) when I noticed they do bike servicing.

I would not consider forking over the money they wont but I would be interested in performing the Gold Service myself. Here is what it consists of:
Gold Service - £99.00

Our Gold service offers you a complete overhaul of your cycle returning its mechanical condition to as new
As Silver Service Plus:
- Full strip down to frame and forks
- Frame and forks cleaned and checked for alignment
- All threads checked and cleaned
- Bottom bracket removed, cleaned, checked for wear and re fitted with fresh grease and adjusted
- Headset removed, cleaned, checked for wear and re fitted with fresh grease and adjusted
- Hubs disassembled, cleaned, checked for wear and reassembled with fresh grease and adjusted
- Cables removed and replaced with new
- Chain cleaned & re lubricated, gears fine tuned
- Brake pads checked and replaced if required, brakes tuned
- All other parts removed, check for wear, cleaned and re lubricated replacing any parts where necessary
I have a 2009 Specialized Tricross Sport. What additional tools would I require to do this?

I think it would be a great way to prepare for spring and help me learn about my bike!

Cheers!

Comments

  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    Set of Allen keys
    Screw driver
    Cable cutters
    BB cup tool
    Cone wrenches for wheels (depends on model of wheel)
    Grease
    Degreaser / chain cleaner
    Chain lube

    You'll need spare inner cables and maybe brake pads too
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • Berk Bonebonce
    Berk Bonebonce Posts: 1,245
    I am left wondering just how many bikes would actually benefit from a Cycles UK Gold Service? 90% of their Gold Service might not be needed in the case of 90% of the bikes that get one. There is a case for servicing aspects of your bike ... that actually need servicing.
  • darren H
    darren H Posts: 122
    Question is though how often do you perform a service.

    I would never give a lbs now 99 quid to just service a bike.
    If your on your bike most days like me then servicing just becomes a regular task.

    Friday i did 84 miles and then another 50 odd on saturday. Today i went for a run but you can bet i will be thouroughly cleaning and maintaining some part of the bike.
    After a crap bit of work on one of my bikes a few years ago i decided to do it myself.

    Spend the 99 quid on tools and have a go yourself , good luck.
  • curium
    curium Posts: 815
    darren H wrote:
    Spend the 99 quid on tools and have a go yourself , good luck.
    Just what I was thinking :d
    Just wanted to be aware of any pitfalls.
  • darren H
    darren H Posts: 122
    No pifalls mate. If you get stuck or want a bit of info just ask on here.
    Be careful not to make the cardinal sin of overtightening nuts bolts etc when you put things back together.
  • rake
    rake Posts: 3,204
    just be clinically clean with bearings.
  • Yossie
    Yossie Posts: 2,600
    To do it properly please also add to the list:

    Torque wrench (and list of settings)
    Cassette removal tool and chain whip
    Cable outers for new cable inners
    WD or similar to flush stuff out with and loosen cack bolts
    Jar of spare bolts and washers to replace shot ones
    Cable ends
    Pedal spanner
    Hose pipe and big bucket of soapy water to clean the bike so its spotless before you start
    Large cup of coffee
    Cold beer for when you are finished

    If you're going to do it properly I also suggest that you get really anal and do stuff like undo the bolt that holds the seat to the seat post, remove and clean out all the gank between the seat and the seat post, regrease, clean out all the spindles, drop out the pedals and regrease, take out all the bolts form teh stem, clean regrease, re grease seat post etc etc. Take of fteh casette, clean out, re-torque into place.

    Strip out and clean/regrease/replace headset bearings.

    Start at the the front and work your way back taking everything off.

    Take your time over it (long weekend) and it'll be well smart, like.
  • colsoop
    colsoop Posts: 217
    I don't think the price is too bad really but the work is not hard to do and with an investment of roughly that sort of money you can get all the tools you need to do the work yourself.

    The above lists are pretty comprehensive although i do find a small paintbrush a good tool for greasing if you don't like using your finger :wink:

    I invested in a tool kit and a workstand and its the best money i spent, you learn so much about the bike and there are quite a few tutorials for doing the various jobs.

    Try park tools website or the workshop section here for the tutorials.

    Use a nice clean surface for laying parts that you have stripped, i use old bed sheets.
    A dirty floor or work surface is a pain for finding stray bolts and bits that roll off.

    Good luck :)

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