Tuning up bike after it has been in the garage for 2 years!
06-10-06, 04:10 PM
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Tuning up bike after it has been in the garage for 2 years!
Well, I had knee surgery about 3 months ago and to keep the knee in good shape I am going to start riding my bike some more as there are a lot of places to ride around me. This is actually my brother's bike but he has since moved to Chicago and has no where to store it and said I can have it. It is a Trek 6700.
It needs a tune up though from sitting around so long. There is a few bike shops around me, but I would rather tune it up myself and save some money. I am pretty good with tools and mechanical parts so I think I'll be fine. Both of the tires are flat. I am going to pump them up but what is a good PSI for myself(5,9 155 lbs)? Next, what kind of things should I do or look for? I am going to go to a bike shop to get one of those computer things for the bike that tell mileage and time, anything else I should get while I am there? Is it probably just easier and more cost effective to bring it to the shop and let them fix it? Basically looking for a bike tune up guide.
Thanks!
It needs a tune up though from sitting around so long. There is a few bike shops around me, but I would rather tune it up myself and save some money. I am pretty good with tools and mechanical parts so I think I'll be fine. Both of the tires are flat. I am going to pump them up but what is a good PSI for myself(5,9 155 lbs)? Next, what kind of things should I do or look for? I am going to go to a bike shop to get one of those computer things for the bike that tell mileage and time, anything else I should get while I am there? Is it probably just easier and more cost effective to bring it to the shop and let them fix it? Basically looking for a bike tune up guide.
Thanks!
06-10-06, 06:21 PM
#2
Death fork? Naaaah!!
Pump the tires up to what it says on the sidewalls.
Spin the wheels, and if the bearings don't rumble get on it and ride. That will tell you what, if anything, you should do next.
Top
(who usually works on bikes that have been sitting 15 years before they went to the dump).
Spin the wheels, and if the bearings don't rumble get on it and ride. That will tell you what, if anything, you should do next.
Top
(who usually works on bikes that have been sitting 15 years before they went to the dump).
06-10-06, 06:32 PM
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If knobbies they will run in the 45-60# range depending on what you ride on. If you plan road or semipaved trail rides a switch to slicks would be a good idea. Slicks will run $15-25 each depending on source. Slicks take a bit higher pressure, as top 506 says check the sidewall but 60-75# is the range.
The headset should turn freely without a gritty feel also. If the chain is not totally rusted or grunged with grease/dirt it could use a cleaning and lubing. The brakes need to brake and the brake handles should not bottom out onto the bar. You will need to check the cables for rust and replace any with rust or broken strands, especially the brake cables. Check the tires for full thickness rubber cracks (down to carcass) or cuts. Spin the wheels and look for wobbles and jumps in the rim and for places where the brakes grab the rims (indicates bent rim, not good). www.parktool.com has a repair section that covers the basics pretty well though not this specifically but how to deal with any problems that pop up. Apart from rust and hardened grease not much can go wrong with a bike in 2yrs.
Steve
The headset should turn freely without a gritty feel also. If the chain is not totally rusted or grunged with grease/dirt it could use a cleaning and lubing. The brakes need to brake and the brake handles should not bottom out onto the bar. You will need to check the cables for rust and replace any with rust or broken strands, especially the brake cables. Check the tires for full thickness rubber cracks (down to carcass) or cuts. Spin the wheels and look for wobbles and jumps in the rim and for places where the brakes grab the rims (indicates bent rim, not good). www.parktool.com has a repair section that covers the basics pretty well though not this specifically but how to deal with any problems that pop up. Apart from rust and hardened grease not much can go wrong with a bike in 2yrs.
Steve
