Southern California - Bike maintenance

What are you guys/gals doing maintenance wise to your bikes on a regular basis? And what products do you use?

What are you guys/gals doing maintenance wise to your bikes on a regular basis? And what products do you use?

Clean and oil the chain. Clean rear cassette.

Drop off bike to Matt at Kings, leave big tip.. bike is perfect every time :D

No regular maintenance.....just occasional drivetrain cleaning when it looks dirty. When something breaks, wears out, or needs adjustment, I fix it myself. I use whatever lube I can get a decent deal on. I'm not too picky. In all the years of riding I have never taken a bike into a shop for maintenance.

Drop off bike to Matt at Kings, leave big tip.. bike is perfect every time :D

Kings huh?

$375 for tune up plus tax, 20% Tip = almost $500 bucks.

Thats what I'm calling "Hollywood Style" bike riding.

I'm happy for you Gretzky :-)

Thanks guys, I figured that oiling the chain was necessary but dont know how often to do it. My bike cost me what it would cost to take it in for a tune up at king's so i wont be seeing them for a while lol. I own a Fuji Absolut LX so its not a full on race bike but I really like it. I was thinking of changing the Kenda tires for something from continental. It is hard to find any reviews on this bike, what is the general consensus on this bike?

I usually do maintenance on my bikes every 200-300 miles depending on how things feel and/or sound (maybe earlier if i've been riding in crappy conditions).

Mostly it involves cleaning the chain with a chain cleaner (or if easily removable, take it off and let it soak in degreaser), remove cassette and soak in degreaser, wipe down chainrings, hit derailuers with degreaser (usually White Lightning Clean Streak or auotmotive brake cleaner, just afew shots), reassemble everything, give bike a light wash to remove dirt (garden hose on low power, bucket of soapy water, and a sponge), dry what i can with a towel, then relube the chain and derailuers and maybe the brake caliper pivot points.

If i'm feeling lazy and the bike isn't too dirty, i'll just wipe down the chain and lube it. :)

Kings huh?

$375 for tune up plus tax, 20% Tip = almost $500 bucks.

Thats what I'm calling "Hollywood Style" bike riding.

I'm happy for you Gretzky :-)

Can't say that I have ever paid anywhere close to that, including tip ;)

Just recently I stripped my mountain bike down to the frame (leaving only headset cups and rear brake caliper), soaked drivetrain parts in simple green, and repacked hub bearings. That's like a once a year job though. I use:
Park Bike Grease (though almost any grease will work)
Prolink (for the chain)
Simple Green (for cleaning)

I usually just clean the bike occasionally with the spray Simple Green and wipe off method, and lube the chain occasionally.

I do all the maintenance myself, and if I don't know how to do something, I ask around / read (Sheldon Brown) until I can manage it. In my less than abundant free time, I've been converting my workshop into a cooperative bicycle workspace; Riverside needs it. (I'll be officially announcing it soon.)

Products:
Simple Green for general cleaning
White Lightning lube, because it's what the LBS carries and it seems to work
Various Pedro's tools / supplies
Various Park Tools / supplies

I'm not fussy about tires or tubes or anything like that. I prefer function over fashion and weight doesn't bother me. If the bike gets heavier, I just work harder -- no worries. As a daily commuter and someone who doesn't pretend to be a racer, I look for parts that seem built to last and are within a reasonable budget. This usually means heavy but sturdy components. So far, so good.

Can't say that I have ever paid anywhere close to that, including tip ;)


I hear ya. I never been to that store but just looking at the website even their basic tune ups are waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too expensive. (at least for me)

After every ride: check tires for bits of things stuck in the rubber and pick them out. Look the whole thing over for any obvious problems. Quick lube of chain using Rock'nRoll chain lube.

Every two weeks or so: lube pivot points on brakes/derailleurs with Tri-Flow; lube Speedplay cleats with Tri-Flow.

Wash as needed, then do the lube thing on pivot points and chain.

Replace parts as they wear or break (cables, chain, cassette, brake pads, etc.).

Do buy the Zinn book on maintenance, and read Sheldon brown's website, and feel free to ask in the Mechanics forum here (and here, too) for any help you need.

It's not really that hard to do a good job with basic stuff. Have fun and good luck!

History: built bikes out of the box for a sporting goods store as a teen, worked in a bike shop in the 80's, military trained helicopter mechanic, built and maintain my daily driver, recently built my latest road bike.
Qualifications to diagnose, repair, modify and maintain my own bike: extensive.
Philosphy: I do it for the fun of it.
Routine: quik clean and polish of frame with light wax cleaner (KIT EZ Glaze) after every ride. Clean metal parts with an oil dampened cloth after a coastal cruise. Regular attention to any place where dirt and dust accumulates. Every 3 or 4 months I degrease and relube the drive train parts. Wheels get cleaned every week or so. Check wheel true often. Lub chain when noisy.