View Single Post
Old 05-02-09 | 12:23 PM
  #5  
Sixty Fiver's Avatar
Sixty Fiver
Bicycle Repair Man !!!
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 27,266
Likes: 149
From: YEG

Bikes: See my sig...

Originally Posted by j3ffr3y
+1, ijgrant's maintenance schedule would be great, but it much too time consuming.
It is great and is pretty much the same as mine.

Servicing your bike is dependent on many factors and time is the least of them... the mileage you ride, the type of riding you do, and the climate you ride in are more significant.

Chain life varies but 2500 miles seems to be around average... when I am riding at my maximum that meant I was replacing a chain every 2.5 months. You should know how to check your chain for wear and this can be done with a ruler... a new chain measures 12 inches between 12 pairs of links (measuring from the center of the pins) and when that measurement gets to 12 1/16 it is time for a new chain as this will prolong the life of the drive.

Fixed gear and SS bikes can enjoy longer chain life because the chain runs straight and has no deflection like a geared bike... keep it clean and oiled (do as needed) and it will run smoother and last longer.

I do a quick bike check before every ride and it only takes a minute to check your wheels for proper air pressure, check the wheel and bearings, check chain tension, and inspect tyres for any damage. I also do a quick brake check to make sure the pads are aligned and have not picked up any debris, and that the cables are tight.

Steel frames need a little more care than Al frames and keeping them clean and using a wax / polish or wiping them down with a little light oil (really old school) will keep them shiny and prevent rust.

I overhaul all the bearings on my higher mileage bikes at least once a year and sometimes will do this every six months on bikes that see harsher weather like rain and snow... this also warrants a more frequent schedule for cleaning and oiling one's chain.

In the past 3 - 4 years I have ridden nearly 25,000 miles and those miles have been worry and trouble free.
Sixty Fiver is offline  
Reply