NDG

I got my first good road bike last year and used it 2-3 times per week for training in order to keep in shape.
I rode approcimately 2000 km over the summer. Now that winter is over, I just stored my cross country skis and am getting ready to start riding again. Besides adjusting the derailleurs and brakes and cleaning the chain, what essential maintenance shoud I perform considering my usage? I want to perform the maintenance myself (got Zinn's book). Thanks.

johnny99

The main thing you need to do is clean and oil the chain regularly. Also check for chain wear, though that shouldn't be a problem at 2000k unless you ride in really dirty conditions (or don't oil enough). Maybe check the brake pads for wear/dirt and check the tires for wear/cuts. And check the wheels for trueness. If you regularly ride in the rain, repacking your wheel bearings may be a good idea. That's about it.

botto 

apart from what you mentioned, and a little lubricant in/on the brakes/chain/fd/rd/brifters you should be fine.

2000km isn't that much.

NDG

After what number of Km would it become important to repack the wheel bearings (and perhaps also the other bearings in the direction)?

botto 

if you ride regularly in the rain, and i don't mean getting caught in a summer shower for 5 mins, then it's a good idea to do it at least once a year.

if you're riding only 2,000-5,000 km a year, then you're probably fine doing it every 2-3 years.

NDG

Thanks. And how do you decide when the chain should be replaced?

operator

when chain is around 1/16" over mark replace.
1/8" and you're looking to replace chain, cassete, chainset.

ericgu

You need a chain wear tool - that will tell you whether the chain is stretched to the point that it needs to be replaced.

NDG

Thanks. I will get that. If I understand correctly, taking good care of the chain and replacing it in due time can save a lot of money by preventing wear of the drive train, rigth? Is it worth it to get a high quality chain or are basic models just as good?

zfeldman

You mean a ruler?

billallbritten

a good ruler with fine markings works well, start with one end of ruler centered on a pin, check the 12" mark on the ruler. If the pin nearest that mark is on the 12" mark or less than 1/16" beyond, you're okay. 1/16" is marginal, 1/8" over 12", according to SheldonBrown, you've probably toasted your cassette with overly stretched chain and it may need replacement, too.

See: https://www.sheldonbrown.com/chains.html

Park and others make little tools that drop between pins and do the same think - measure stretch.

operator

Go to your dollar store, and pick up a ruler.

...

operator

... dp

NDG

Reading Sheldon Brown's info on the topic, I see that there is a great difference between a 1/8" and a 1/16" chain strech. Considering this, is a ruler accurate enough?