Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Road Cycling
Reload this Page >

Routine Maintenence?

Notices
Road Cycling “It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them. Thus you remember them as they actually are, while in a motor car only a high hill impresses you, and you have no such accurate remembrance of country you have driven through as you gain by riding a bicycle.” -- Ernest Hemingway

Routine Maintenence?

Old 10-12-07, 11:37 AM
  #1  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 521
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Routine Maintenence?

hey everyone, lately i've just been riding about 4 days a week for about 30 miles a day just for fun and enjoyment. I just joined my college cycling team and was wondering what routine maintenence i should keep up with???

back at home my LBS does it for free and i just took it in every other week on one of my rides.

At college i could bring my bike back home (its only a 2 hour drive) and get it all done on the weekends, but i figure its a good thing for me to learn to do this on my own. As a member of hte cycling club i get access to the whole shop so i can use all the oil, tools, stands and whatever i need.

So what should i be checking up on and how often??? I'm going to be riding 30-50 miles 5+ days a week now.
LIUser22 is offline  
Old 10-12-07, 11:40 AM
  #2  
Throw the stick!!!!
 
LowCel's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Charleston, WV
Posts: 18,150

Bikes: GMC Denali

Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 176 Post(s)
Liked 92 Times in 31 Posts
I oil the chain occasionally and air my tires up every ride. Other than that I generally change the chain every 2,500 - 3,000 miles and change the cables once a season. Other than that I really don't do much to my bikes except for the rare cable adjustment.
__________________
I may be fat but I'm slow enough to make up for it.
LowCel is offline  
Old 10-12-07, 02:25 PM
  #3  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 521
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
sounds good, ill ask the guys at my bike shop what they do as well.
LIUser22 is offline  
Old 10-12-07, 02:56 PM
  #4  
Black La Lane
 
GeoLes's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Maplewood, NJ
Posts: 317

Bikes: EPX 303 (You probably never heard of it)

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Have to agree. I wipe the frame down after every ride. I Clean and lube chain from time to time. I like a clean chain, so I use a wax lube (White Lightning). When it begins to get dirty to the touch, I run it through a rag saturated with cleaner and reapply lube. Occasionally, I will get out the chain scrubber and do a thorough clean job. I also wipe tires down with a damp cloth and some dish washing liquid. I use a little rubbing alcohol on rims and brake pads, it keeps spokes looking shiney too. Once a month I place a drop of lube on deraileur moving parts. At least once a year it is a good idea to flip the bike over and dip a little lube in the cable housing, then run the bike through the gears to move it along the cable. Don't neglect your cleats. I use SpeedPlays, so a litte WD40 for cleaning and a drip or White Lightning on the springs. Never walk in them without cleat covers.
GeoLes is offline  
Old 10-14-07, 01:28 AM
  #5  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 521
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
thanks for the advice geoles, i detail cars and i treat my bike no less than my car. I wash it once a week and when i first got the frame i put a layer of sealent on it to protect the finish and protect it from fade.

As for the cleats, i ride with a pair of sandals that i just slip on, i usually take 5 steps max on the cleats when im off the bike
LIUser22 is offline  
Old 10-14-07, 01:31 AM
  #6  
Gorntastic!
 
v1k1ng1001's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: United States of Mexico
Posts: 3,424
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Performance and Nashbar are running a velodroid sale through the end of October.

__________________
v1k1ng1001 is offline  
Old 10-14-07, 03:45 AM
  #7  
部門ニ/自転車オタク
 
NomadVW's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Sterling, VA
Posts: 3,173

Bikes: 2008 Blue T16, 2009 Blue RC8, 2012 Blue Norcross CX, 2016 Blue Axino SL, 2016 Scott Scale, Fixie, Fetish Cycles Road Bike (on the trainer)

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
300+ miles a week here. I lube the chain only after exceptionally wet weather riding. I clean the bike about every other week. I air up the tires when they feel low. That's my "routine" maintenance.

Otherwise it's a chain change @ 3000+ km or when it starts to shift poorly. Tires change every 3000+ km or if I notice any significant cutting in the tire. Look at and if necessary true the wheels about the same time I change tires. Clean/oil derailleurs only if necessary for proper shifting (all that chain grease holds them together and keeps them from squeaking!)
__________________
Envision, Energize, Enable
NomadVW is offline  

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.