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I don't think this winter is ever gonna get over, I'm really tired of it. I rode today for the first time in a week because of snow. The road shoulders are a mess of coarse sand, broken glass and car parts from fender benders. Drivers here understand the rain, but when it snows they get dangerous, they either drive too fast or too slow.
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I`m really impressed!
Sounds like you`re doing great! 10,000 miles or km in 18 months is impressive and that your LBS is only charging $20/ hr is a steal! Here rates are closer to $60/ hr.
Sounds like good advice from your LBS - just upgrade if you want to, and considering the milage you`re getting out of those bottom end components - its entirely optional! |
In addition to Sheldon Brown and Park tool sites for repair advice here are some others.
http://bicycletutor.com/ - Lots of videos http://www.mytenspeeds.com/My_TenSpeeds_1/ - Geared toward older stuff but much is still relevant |
I started doing my own maintenance way back around '74 when I got my first "serious" bike. I'm a do-it-yourself sort of guy anyway and paying shop prices for simple repairs and adjustments seemed silly.
Now, I not only maintain my own but I refurbish and repair old bikes for re-sale and maintain our fleet of 25 police bikes as well. I started out with the Bicycling magazine repair manual (still available, I believe, and excellent) and a set of basic Nashbar tools and have just upgraded as needed. |
It is normal? Yes. Is it unavoidable? No.
Most American style bikes are equipped with race style components which aren't made for durability. Upgrade your bike to an internal gear hub, hub brake, internal bottom bracket bearings (most bikes already have this, but the industry is trying to push people to external ones which wear out faster), etc and it will last much longer between maintenance intervals. |
Good job on putting miles on your bike.
If you choose to not do maintenance yourself - check with your LBS to see what kind of maintenance contract, or extended warrantee they have. My LBS has a plan, for $179 a year, they will guarantee everything, and that's with anything it needs, period. They even include a complete annual tuneup. |
Originally Posted by Wanderer
(Post 12321731)
Good job on putting miles on your bike.
If you choose to not do maintenance yourself - check with your LBS to see what kind of maintenance contract, or extended warrantee they have. My LBS has a plan, for $179 a year, they will guarantee everything, and that's with anything it needs, period. They even include a complete annual tuneup. |
Good morning folks:)
My rear derailleur is now causing me trouble because of a week spring that doesn't keep enough tension on the chain and I am going to replace it. I would like to buy on line to save a few bucks, but I don't have any idea what to buy. Whats now on my bike is a Shimano Alivo and I would like to upgrade but want to keep the price down a bit. I'm totally confused, my bike is a Giant Hybrid 8 speed and I need help buying something that will fit and be a good choice for my bike. Any suggestions to help pick out a new derailleur would be appreciated. Thank in advance Harold |
Originally Posted by Harold K
(Post 12257075)
The riding conditions here are not ideal at this time of year. Western Washington winters are a mix of rain snow and wind. They sand the roads when it snows and don't do much of a road shoulder cleanup. All that and gets into the chain and sprockets, one ride and my bike looks like hell, that can't be good for it either, so I will keep pressure washing but will be more careful how I do it. It's supposed to be nice today changing to rain snow mix tomorrow, cold with snow on Thursday and Friday. This is not normal for here, the snow chance is usually over by the end of January, Damn is this winter ever going to end, I'm thinking about moving to someplace warmer.
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