I originally found bikeforums while looking for some mtn biking connections. Then I stumbled into the car free forum and was absolutely hooked. I've always wanted to get away from driving even though I love my car, but with the price of gas I've made more of an effort. So after lurking for a couple weeks, I registered and decided to make a lifestyle change from bike light to car light. I absolutely love it. I've biked more than I've driven the last week and I want to do it more. My schedule doesn't really permit a car free life.

Enough about that... As I've been riding, I've thought of some stuff I thought I'd ask the car free folks.

How often do you do a full tune up on your bike? Is this an annual thing, or do you do it after x amount of miles?
How often do you have to replace your tires?

My final thought came to me as I was crusing home yesterday and I say it tongue in cheek. A person who says they are not dependent on gas, or they are doing their part to save the environment because they drive a hybrid car is like the smoker who says they are not addicted to cigarettes or they are cutting back simply because they decided to smoke the lights.

Sorry if the questions have been answered before.

Most bike maintenance, for me, falls in the category of things it's worth it to pay a professional to do. I like to work with my hands, I'm mechanically minded, and I can do general bicycle stuff, but I prefer to have the LBS do that sort of thing. No more than they charge me, and considering their higher level of competence, and taking into account that they are a locally-owned shop (I like to support that), it makes more sense - for me - to take it in. Of course, I am not completely dependant on my bike - I'm car-free, but can walk anywhere I would normally ride.

How often do I get an overhaul/change tires? Whenever I need it. I tend not to even think too much about maintenace until something goes wrong. On the other hand, when the new wheel for my single-speed project finally gets in, I'll probably take the other bike in - it needs a checkup, and some cables replaced. I have no idea how many miles tires last me, I don't have an odometer or track milage.

Keep in mind that although I'm car-free, I'm mainly a utility cyclist, I don't have very far to ride to do anything where I live. My last job I very rarely rode to work (walked instead) because it seemed too close! Anyway, my use level is probably more like a typical car-lite cyclist.


My final thought came to me as I was crusing home yesterday and I say it tongue in cheek. A person who says they are not dependent on gas, or they are doing their part to save the environment because they drive a hybrid car is like the smoker who says they are not addicted to cigarettes or they are cutting back simply because they decided to smoke the lights.

:) As a former smoker who quit several times, I'd say that's a pretty good analogy.

How often do you do a full tune up on your bike? Is this an annual thing, or do you do it after x amount of miles?
How often do you have to replace your tires?

The full tuneups, even with the "winter special" don't seem to be worth it. I futz with stuff that seems out of whack and if I screw it up I take it to one of the mechanics I trust. One or two of the mechanics in town are willing to talk to you and give you tips on do it yourself. If my life is busy I tend to pay them to do it, if I have some time to kill I try it myself.

I replace tires when they seem worn out. I use Mr. Tuffy tire liner and get tough tires like Schwable or Armadillo.
I don't put many miles per day on my bikes except on nice weekends. My job is only a few miles away and may soon move to a few blocks away.

Welcome to transportational cycling.

I maintain my bicycles myself-the general daily, weekly and monthly oiling and cleanup. The major overhaul and yearly check-ups are done by my LBS. This is to insure a double check of my own maintanence schedule's work as well as I respect a good mechanic professional eye to scan for something major to crop up. Tires-I replace as needed. Ususally when they show a good sign of wear. Then I do an upgrade to a puncture resistant variety.

I follow the general consensus of fixing things as they need it, rather than doing a major tune-up at regular time intervals as you would with a car. It's really easy to inspect your bike every day before you ride, and takes about a minute. Here's my routine:


Pinch the front tire to estimate tire pressure. Put air in if needed (every 2 or 3 days, on average).
Lift the front end up and spin the wheel, while visually inspecting to see if the wheel is true and the spokes are intact. Also listen to make sure the brake isn't rubbing. Then squeeze the brake lever while the wheel is spinning to make sure the front brake is OK. Tighten the brake cable if needed.
Wiggle the front wheel hard. If it moves you have a problem with the hub or worse, the quick release. Don't ride if the QR is messed up.
Repeat the first three steps with the rear wheel. At the same time, give the cranks a spin to make sure the bottom bracket and drivetrain are OK.
visually inspect the derailleurs, gear cables and shifters.
Make sure the handle bars are straight and moving freely.
Inspect your reflectors and lights. Replace batteries if needed.
As you're riding, always listen to the bike. It should be silent. Any noise indicates a problem.

I follow the general consensus of fixing things as they need it, rather than doing a major tune-up at regular time intervals as you would with a car. It's really easy to inspect your bike every day before you ride, and takes about a minute. Here's my routine:


Pinch the front tire to estimate tire pressure. Put air in if needed (every 2 or 3 days, on average).
Lift the front end up and spin the wheel, while visually inspecting to see if the wheel is true and the spokes are intact. Also listen to make sure the brake isn't rubbing. Then squeeze the brake lever while the wheel is spinning to make sure the front brake is OK.
Repeat the first two steps with the rear wheel. At the same time, give the cranks a spin to make sure the drivetrain is OK.
visually inspect the derailleurs, gear cables and shifters.
Make sure the handle bars are straight and moving freely.
Inspect your reflectors and lights. Replace batteries if needed.
As you're riding, always listen to the bike. It should be silent. Any noise indicates a problem.

To check for multiple problems at once, lift the bike a few inches off the ground and drop it. Loose things rattle. I usually notice tire pressure by how the bike handles in fast corners, low tire pressure causes a squirm. For the front tire, when I push the tire against the step as I open the door I notice if it is soft. I think what Roody is trying to say is that when you ride every day, you tune into the bike. You naturally do little things like listening to your bike along quite stretches or always taking that last corner hard. Anything out of the ordinary catches your attention.

My final thought came to me as I was crusing home yesterday and I say it tongue in cheek. A person who says they are not dependent on gas, or they are doing their part to save the environment because they drive a hybrid car is like the smoker who says they are not addicted to cigarettes or they are cutting back simply because they decided to smoke the lights.


For most people gas is still cheap even at $3 a gallon compared to the cost of just owning a car (deprecation, interest on loan/lease, insurance, repairs, parking). Of course if you have a reliable cheap old car, can park it for free and insure only for liabilty, the price of gas does become significant.