Mountain Biking - Bike Servicing

I have always taken my bike to my LBS to be serviced instead of doing it myself (apart from basic stuff like lubing etc.) but the guy who owns my LBS is becoming really rude and i dont want to give him any more business. So...
I have decided to start doing it all myself so my question for you.

How often should i be servicing my bike and what exactly should i be doing? Ie how often should i replace brake cables and stuff.

and what specific things should i be doing after riding trails? I always try to make sure that the bike is cleaned off and any water is cleaned off chain and other parts to stop rust but what else should i be doing?

Thanks guys :)

If you have disc brakes clean the rotors with isophropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol).

The guy at my LBS has become somewhat rude to me. But I deserve it. I went and bought a bike at a different shop. :)

Well what annoyed was that when i bought the bike 4-5 years ago from him ( i was there with my dad) he was friendly and nice but once i had bought the bike and went back there to ask his advice or had a problem he was always rude and a bit condescending (sp?) and unfortunately there arent any other bike stores very close (but i think i have found one i really like even if it is a bit further than the old one)

Just do whatever you need to do. If your discs need cleaning, clean them. If your derailler needs adjusting, adjust it. If your brake cable has snapped, replace it. Its simple. And if you dont know how to do things, ask on this forum or download the manual. I do plenty of my own servicing and only take my bike to the LBS if it is a must.

Regular maintanence items. Brake and Shifter cables should be replaced at the beginning of each riding season. I replace my chains on a regular basis. Probably about 3 times a year. More often if I get a lot of riding in. This will save your cassette. I replace my cassette about every 4th chain.

Get a new set of tires when you get the urge to buy a new bike. A new set of tires will make your bike "feel" new.

Change your fork oil (if you have fork oil) about twice a season.

Change your grips about once a year.

Cleaning of your chain is dependant on the conditions. If you ride in dry conditions you could probably get away with only cleaning every 3 rides. If it's wet, you'll have to clean it more often. Lube it after every cleaning.

Disc rotors, I wipe them down with alcholol every 4th or 5th ride or when they start squeling.

L8R

a2psyklnut your regular maintenance wow.! sounds like you do some long heavy riding

Any lbs owner who is rude to any customer, whether right or wrong is an a$$hole. A local shop where I live was run by someone who frankly speaking, was one of the biggest a$$holes and was rude to everyone. A friend of mine bought a bike from him for his younger daughter. It developed problems so Chris and kiddie rode to the shop one day with the idea of getting it looked over as a warranty problem. The owner of the shop really started to mouth at Chris (in front of his daughter). Chris took his daughter out of the shop, phoned for his wife to come collect her. When she did, Chris spent the rest of the afternoon standing outside the shop and told everyone what to expect when they went in. Fortunately, the tossing idiot closed down some time later and it was taken over and refurbished by Evans Cycles here in the UK (Crawley branch). Now I have a local shop that is friendly and willing to spend time with me. A positive result for our town. Hopefully that wank*r won't open another shop anytime soon.

Result!

I don't think ****** is a bad word over here.

I guess it is!!!

Start with good basic repair manual. Bikes are fairly simple and it's easy to envision how things work or supposed to work, compared to cars with cramped engine compartments and computer modules. Also, I always suggest good quality tools. They're a bit more expensive, but they'll last a lifetime. And use the proper tools (don't substiture pliers for an open end wrench). If you want to avoid the LBS, you can easily get items on-line. Plus, when you work on your own bike, you'll find yourself being critical of your own work and you'll become a better mechanic and take more pride in your rig. Also, if you know how to fix things, you'll be able to solve problems on the trail. And help fellow cyclists, too!

Are there any good basic repair manuals any of you could recommend? I'm trying to get an idea of the regular maintenance I will need to be doing. Living in Denver, I've been seeing mostly dry conditions so I will need to find a service schedule for those conditions. I've been on mostly paved and level bike paths as I get used to the cardio and the bike, but I've also started to go to a nearby park with a dirt path and lots of climbs and descents. I have a K2 Zed 3.0 with disc brakes.

My old LBS dude when I was living in Scarborough was great. He was as misreable as sin, real grumpy old git. But no matter what I brought or wanted he always did it there and then and always gave me money off of the price on the ticket.

My old LBS dude when I was living in Scarborough was great. He was as misreable as sin, real grumpy old git. But no matter what I brought or wanted he always did it there and then and always gave me money off of the price on the ticket.

Thats the shop I go to, only on the other side of the world. Maybe their related? Does his mech have many piercings too?. :)

WOW, someone searched DEEP into the archives for this thread...

I'd say with brakes, you need to clean/adjust whenever you feel it needs it. If they are stopping on a dime, they are likely fine. I'd say a cable lube/cleaning is good to do every season.
Check your spokes for tightness every couple rides (i just learned that by breaking two spokes...i have been looking for new rims, and probably neglecting my old ones because of that).
You should probably do a thorough(sp?) wheel truing (seeing if it is straight) a couple times a season. But whenever you tighten your spokes do a quick check.
Chain...replacing your chain a few times a years sounds completely insane to me...wow. Most people can easily get away with it lasting more than one season, especially if they take care of it.
With suspension, check for leaks.
Wheels/hubs...i probably should take care of mine better, but a few times a season i take them off the bike and spray WD40 inside by the bearings...and do my darnedest to push some grease in there without taking the bearings out.
You really should lube your chain with every ride...unless its just a few blocks to the store.