Maintenance schedule
 

At this time in my life, I have not the time or inclination to maintain my own bikes. I have a shop I use and the bike mechanic is top notch. I am fussy about my bikes. I use two of them when I commute to work and they must be reliable and minimize problems; my boss would love to come down on me about unreliability of bike commuting.
I have my chain changed at about 3000 miles, no matter what. My question. I put about 3,000-4,000 miles apiece on my two main bikes.
What needs be done on whatever schedule of bike maintenance to keep them in tip top shape.? My mechanic says once a year he looks at all major components.
My job is very demanding time wise and very exaustive. In my free time I need to ride, not additional chores.. The yard gets neglected enough as is.

CZ,
Once a year is probably OK for most things. Ideally some things might be done more often, but that's an ideal. At your mileage, hubs would be about the only thing that might be at the edge of the envelope, but I don't think doing them once a year would cause damage unless you do a lot of dirty riding. Think of all the bikes out there that NEVER get serviced. Obviously, your chain would appreciate being cleaned and lubed every 2-3 weeks.
Regards,
Raymond

Added: You know, until today I have been reading your name as cycles-a-lot. I just realized it's cycle zealot. Doh!

Probaby the best thing for you do is to have the bikes overhauled about once a year or every 3000-4000 miles. What that SHOULD entail is a complete teardown of the bike, cleaning and regreasing of all bearings and hubs which should include the headset and bottom bracket. replacement of the brake and shifter cables, inspection of the handlebars, frame, and aluminum parts for cracks or damage, and trueing and tensioning the spokes. Of course clean or replace the chain as necessary, clean the cogset and chainwheels. Clean and lubricate everything else that needs it. I am amazed that you are getting away with only replacing your chain if you have 3000 miles on your bike. If you have a proper overhaul performed you bike should ride like new. Generally an overhaul can cost from 135 - 200 dollars. But you need to ask what they do and them write it out. The term overhaul means different things to different shops. Also you should buy a book such as Zinn and the ART of Road Bike Maintenace or the MTB equivalent whatever the case may be. That way you will understand what the shop is doing and why. A a former bike commuter I can tell you that one day on the way to work someting will break, and when it does, you want to know how to get going again. My old boss was none too keen on my commuting either. Now I cannot find a safe way to do it. I have tried twice but I have to cross a bridge and use the interstate to get to the other side of a river, its just too congested with no shoulder.

Take care of the bike.

Thanks DonTx and Rainman. My trusted mechanic charges more like $60 for his inspection. Today he replaced all the cables on my oldest road bike. Rides great. He looks at all my bikes each Spring.
I am prepared on my commutes for items such as chains breaking. Guess I need think about being prepared for broken spokes. I think a well maintained bike is very reliable.?
By hub maintenance I wonder what that involves. My bikes have the sealed bearings. Is not lubrication unnecessary here. ?They are sealed. When these bearings start to make noises, they are replaced? No? My oldest road bike is really pretty much totally rebuilt. I use it for being lugged upon aircraft to be mauled.
My racing bike is a Klein with sealed bearings. Probably 9,000 miles. Wonder how long sealed bearings last.? Thanks again.

I have my LBS overhaul my bike every spring as well, the price is $120.00; they do quite a job. including a full tear down of the bike the bearings and surfaces are cleaned, inspected, re-greased, re-assembled, and adjusted. They also change out all the cables on the bike, the break pads, the chain, and true the wheels. They will call me if theres any major parts that need to be replaced before putting the bike back together and test riding it :)

I think this year when i have my bike overhauled, im going to stick around and watch them do everything. I can do a basic tune up my self, and usualy do that monthly. However i am clueless on the major stuff (overhaul of the hubs, headset & bottom bracket).

If you ride all year round, then there may be a better time to service than in spring, when bike shops start to get busy.
I sevice mine in Sept, before the winter weather sets in.
You could take your bikes in when he is really quiet, usually after Jan sales. The mechanic may have more time on his hands.

Handbuilt wheels are vital for a reliable bike , and a spare set of wheels (or 2nd bike) will keep you riding whilst you fix it or get it repaied. My commuting wheels are handbuilt from low-end components. They are very reliable and tough.

I clean my Mtb after two trail rides, this includes drivetrain cleaning and new oils
And i grease my hubs, headset and pivots once a year.

I replace my cogs, chain, rings and cables if i`m not happy anymore with the performance, i hate it if things don`t work as the should be!!! (anyone experiences the same feeling?)

The same treatment for my touring bike, but i intend to ride longer periods without cleaning.

There is a lot to said for grease injection, inplace of heavily sealed bearings. You can flush out dirt and metal flakes from the bearings with a simple squirt of grease, without disturbing the orientation of the balls.
Does anyone use injection ? Campy Recod has the holes, but is too well sealed for the system to work with grease. Suntour and WTB have injection ports in some of their kit.