Newbie maintenance
03-26-09, 04:02 PM
#1
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Newbie maintenance
Hello all. 3 years ago, you all helped me get started commuter biking. With your help, I'm now biking most days. I spend more time on 2 wheels than 4.
Right now, I know nothing about maintenance. Nothing. My local bike pro applies WD40 every so often, and I tell him about any things which don't seem right. I'd like to be able to do basic maintenance (lube and simple repairs), but I'm very limited:
1. I'm super unhandy. That is, my mechanical ability allows me to change light bulbs, and quickly falls off.
2. Low budget, both in terms of what I can spend and how much time I can spend reading and learning.
Like I said, I just want to do be able to do routine maintenance (WD40 or whatever) and simple repairs (my brake cable was too loose, he opened the clamp and pulled the cable tighter). So:
1. Is there a simple, easy, low cost way to do basic chain/gear/derailleur lube?
2. Is there a simple, cheap mutlitool that I can use for basic repairs, and a simple guide telling me how to do them?
Thanks again for your help.
Right now, I know nothing about maintenance. Nothing. My local bike pro applies WD40 every so often, and I tell him about any things which don't seem right. I'd like to be able to do basic maintenance (lube and simple repairs), but I'm very limited:
1. I'm super unhandy. That is, my mechanical ability allows me to change light bulbs, and quickly falls off.
2. Low budget, both in terms of what I can spend and how much time I can spend reading and learning.
Like I said, I just want to do be able to do routine maintenance (WD40 or whatever) and simple repairs (my brake cable was too loose, he opened the clamp and pulled the cable tighter). So:
1. Is there a simple, easy, low cost way to do basic chain/gear/derailleur lube?
2. Is there a simple, cheap mutlitool that I can use for basic repairs, and a simple guide telling me how to do them?
Thanks again for your help.
03-26-09, 04:33 PM
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+1 on Sheldon Brown and Park Tool sites. AND STOP USING WD-40!!!! That stuff is a solvent NOT a lube.
03-26-09, 06:22 PM
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Thrifty Bill
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03-26-09, 07:43 PM
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aka Phil Jungels
Cleaning and oiling - the two easiest things there are. Next comes minor adjustment of cables......
03-28-09, 07:51 PM
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I looked at Sheldown Brown, but it was a bit too advanced for me. His chain cleaning seems to require a lot of time, money, and learning.
I'm looking for the quick & simple version, even if it's not pro level. Certainly better than nothing.
What do you recommend over WD40?
I'm looking for the quick & simple version, even if it's not pro level. Certainly better than nothing.
What do you recommend over WD40?
03-28-09, 08:02 PM
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Dupont Teflon Multi-Use Lubricant/Spray. About $4-5.00 at your local Lowes Hardware store. Good for lubing chains and cables.
https://www.webbikeworld.com/t2/motor...chain-lube.htm
https://www.webbikeworld.com/t2/motor...chain-lube.htm
03-28-09, 08:12 PM
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Check out the video clips at bicycletutor.com, for any particular maintenance proceedure you might want to try. Be sure to watch his tutorial on WD40. bk
03-28-09, 08:17 PM
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Or Tri-Flow Teflon spray or liquid from your LBS (or Finish Line Teflon-based lube). Or Boeshield T-9. Your LBS will have one of these in stock, I'll wager.
And DON'T use WD-40 as a lubricant. It actually will displace/dissolve what good grease/oil is present and leave you bone-dry and attractive to rust. Here's a video regards using WD-40 on chains:
https://bicycletutor.com/no-wd40-bike-chain/
And DON'T use WD-40 as a lubricant. It actually will displace/dissolve what good grease/oil is present and leave you bone-dry and attractive to rust. Here's a video regards using WD-40 on chains:
https://bicycletutor.com/no-wd40-bike-chain/
