Bike Servicing
South Tyne Rider
Posts: 76
Hello guys
Just got my bike back from a service and it feels brand new - I just want to gauge opinion on how often this should be done? It's not a cheap process - granted my back wheel had to be rebuilt almost, it has set me back £75 but I was just wondering when is the next time I should take it in? How often do you take yours in for a once-over? Every 1000 miles? A specific time of the year?
Just got my bike back from a service and it feels brand new - I just want to gauge opinion on how often this should be done? It's not a cheap process - granted my back wheel had to be rebuilt almost, it has set me back £75 but I was just wondering when is the next time I should take it in? How often do you take yours in for a once-over? Every 1000 miles? A specific time of the year?
0
Comments
-
What do you define as a "service"? Can't answer your question without knowing what type of riding you do (smooth roads, dirt, wet, dry, etc.), what bike, do you beat up your equipment or are you an easy rider? Even with that info it's hard to give a precise answer. 1000 miles sounds excessive for almost any conditions if you need to check your wheels or adjust/replace cables, etc. that often. Best thing is to learn how to maintain your bike yourself as different parts need servicing at different intervals and you will eventually learn from experience when something needs checking/servicing not to mention the cost savings. Endless amount of info on how to maintain a bike available from YouTube, Bike Radar, Park Tools website, etc., etc.0
-
What do you define as a "service"? Can't answer your question without knowing what type of riding you do (smooth roads, dirt, wet, dry, etc.), what bike, do you beat up your equipment or are you an easy rider? Even with that info it's hard to give a precise answer. 1000 miles sounds excessive for almost any conditions if you need to check your wheels or adjust/replace cables, etc. that often. Best thing is to learn how to maintain your bike yourself as different parts need servicing at different intervals and you will eventually learn from experience when something needs checking/servicing not to mention the cost savings. Endless amount of info on how to maintain a bike available from YouTube, Bike Radar, Park Tools website, etc., etc.
I do about 60 miles a week on road, just cycling to work really, but this has caused some distress to the rear wheel. I do need to look at maintenance - you're right. I'm crap at it, but I don't mind throwing it in for a proper professional service now and again - I just need to know when's the best time to do it without overdoing it!0 -
I probably do a slightly higher weekly mileage than you, but leisure riding rather than commuting. I do go out whatever the weather though, and do a lot of night riding, so the bikes aren't particularly well treated.
If I was having to have bikes serviced by a bike shop I'd probably say once a year or only when something needs fixing? But be prepared for a large bill if you tell them they can replace anything they think needs doing...
As it is I just keep an eye on the bikes and maintain / fix as required myself:
I wipe the chain down and relube it whenever I think it needs doing. Summer that can be once a fortnight, this time of year weekly, and if I've been out on a really filthy day it gets done as soon as I get back.
When a chain is over 6 months old I'll start checking it say monthly for wear. At 0.75% worn I'll replace the chain. When a new chain skips on the old cassette I'll replace the cassette too. Seem to get 4 chains per cassette this way.
Tyres are squeezed before every ride and probably topped up weekly. They are only replaced when they are completely worn out or sustain terminal damage.
Gear and brake cables are only replaced when they stop working well, fray or snap. Some of mine are still the originals... Occasionally I'll have to tweak the rear indexing or take up a bit of brake cable slack due to wear in the blocks; that's what the barrel adjusters are for.
Brake blocks get a look at now and again, mainly to check clearance / alignment. I do so little braking that I'm still on the original Shimano blocks after 8 years and there's still plenty of meat on them. At the same time I'll look for the rim wear indicators; again still on the 8 year old originals due to little braking.
Once a year I'll treat each bike to a more detailed once over and clean, grease and adjust the hub bearings and lube the freehub. The cassette comes off to do this so that too gets a good clean and polish. If I'm feeling generous I'll also replace the cable outers and the bartape for that new bike effect. That only seems to happen every 4 or 5 years though.
Occasionally I'll clean and regrease the bearings in the SPD pedals.
I'll only replace the BB and headset when they start to fail; I've only had to replace one HT2 BB in 8 years / 2 bikes.
The DIY approach is definitely a lot cheaper because I'm not paying somebody else to do it, components are invariably cheaper online, and I only fix / replace stuff that really needs doing. We'll gloss over the amount I've spent on tools...
The bonus is that it's immensely satisfying, and I'm intimately acquainted with the workings of both bikes so I can easily tell if something's not quite right.0 -
Rereading your post above, if you're destroying your rear wheel it suggests it isn't up to the job. So either it was badly built to start with, or it's not strong enough for your weight.
If you suspect the former, are you the original owner and could you consider a warranty claim? The things should be fit for purpose after all.
If the latter, what's your weight, what@s the wheel, how many spokes does it have?0
