General Maintenance advice wanted ...

mrtuk

Just wondering what maintenance is really needed on a commuting bike? For example how many miles before needing to:
- service the gears/brakes (assuming not internal hub gears !)? .. or does this even need doing while they feel like they're working OK?
- do a full strip down and re-grease?
- replace the chain?
- replace the crankset?
... etc

Also, does it depend on season? ... e.g. would you do a 'bigger' service just before the winter?

Any thoughts appreciated.

TuckerUK

Keep the chain clean & lubed Check chain wear with a ruler (not with a chain measuring device that measures roller wear) and replace when past 12 & 1/16” for a 12" length. After 3 chains you'll probably find you need a new cassette and some new chain rings.

Repack your hubs with new bearings yearly (or 6 monthly even).

Everything else as and when it needs it.

sc999cs

TuckerUK wrote:

Check chain wear with a ruler (not with a chain measuring device that measures roller wear) .

So what's the difference between roller wear and chain wear then?

The Rookie

What a numpty, use a measuring device like 99.9% of bike users.

Simon

desweller

The Beginner wrote:

What a numpty, use a measuring device like 99.9% of bike users.

Simon

Do they :shock: ?

I would have thought only proper keeners (or the mathematically challenged) would spend money on a chain checker when a ruler does a perfectly good job...

Pedant alert: A ruler is a measuring device...

Gussio

Don't bother with maintenance. Change the chain when it snaps and use the money saved towards reconstructive surgery.

Blue Meanie

Put bike into big-ring, pull chain off front of chainring - the 'old' way of measuring chain 'stretch' before we had these new-fangled chain-worriers.

I serviced a commuting friends bike recently (again, groan), replacing his shimano disc calipers with avid (his choice). Couldn't quite get them to run 'perfect' so insisted he drop the bike off at my shed for 'proper service' which involved:
Soapy water and a cloth - 35mins! (dirty bike)
degreaser for chain - 15mins
strip down hubs, clean and replace grease - 15mins
Replace gear cable - 10mins
Re-set brakes - 15mins
Re-Lube bike - 10mins (and wipe off excess)

Only 'specialist' tools I used wear chain-tool and 15mm cone spanner, what a result though. Brakes are now completely 'over the handlebars' and the chain/drivetrain is quiet and shiny. (Replaced his chain, cassette and chainring about 2 months ago).