When am I suppose to go in for my first tune up?
#2
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Maintenance such as lubes and cleaning come often...100km or so.
Tune ups,IMO...fall into the category,
If it ain't broken, don't fix it...
Tune ups,IMO...fall into the category,
If it ain't broken, don't fix it...
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go to the book store and buy "Zinn and the Art of Road Bike Maintainence" by Leonard Zinn. Never take your bike "in" to be fixed. Shops are focused on finishing quick not doing it right. Road bike are easily maintained and tuned with Zinn and about $70 in tools. Which will be saved times over from avoiding costly and commonly crappy shop service.
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Hummmmmmmmmmmm, maybe I will. I probably have most of the tools already since I have a set of tools for my motorcycle. HOW easy is it? I guess I am just lazy... I do not want to take the time to figure it out. I just want to ride the bike! However, I probably will learn down the road... I mean I just started road biking not too long ago. I will pick up maintainance skills as I proceed with my biking hobby. I don't what to buy the extra tools then spend time adjusting it then at the end I make it worse... I think I will let the pros handle it for now, and later I will work on it myself.
Thats my 636.. wonderful bike with the -1 upfront!
Thats my 636.. wonderful bike with the -1 upfront!
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They recommend a bike tuneup in case the brake and derailleur cables gain more slack and the spokes in the wheels fall out of true.
If you have a hex key and spoke wrench, there's no need to go back to the LBS.
If you have a hex key and spoke wrench, there's no need to go back to the LBS.
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But if u dont know the difference between a hex key and an allen wrench (usually a 5mm, what u actually use to adjust the brakes and derailluers) I'd say take it to the shop before u strip out all the bolts...
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Yea, I will still probably take the bike in the shop for it to get tuned up. I think the book will provide a lot of useful information. I will just read it when I have leisure time, then work on my bike as I go along.
I don't want to get the book in order to work on the bike..
I don't want to get the book in order to work on the bike..
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Damn man, I wish I had a motard. I really want to pick up an Aprilia SXV or KTM. Too bad I cant afford another toy right now..
#13
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I take my bikes in once a year for a tune up. Some say you should change out your cables once a year. At the shops they always say it's not necessary. You do not want a brake cable to snap when doing a downhill. I change out my chains every 3000-4000 miles.
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I take mine in every 1,000 miles and let a professional look it over. It costs much more than $70 for the torque wrenches necessary to verify if everything is still torqued directly. But my LBS does quality work and I am not mechanically inclined nor want to be. Also my philosophy is that with any hobby, I don't want to work on it, just use it.
I was just thinking the other day that other than an occasional flat tire and my front derailleur getting out of alignment once, I have not had any other mechanical problems in a year. I just air up the tires, keep the bike cleaned, chain cleaned and lubed, and inspect the bike and wheels for cracks/proper spoke tension/wobble, and ride. And of course take it in for routine maintenace. The chain had to be replaced at 2,400 miles (did not get the bike in right at 2,000 miles which was my second 1,000 mile interval) and I expect to need new brake pads since I am coming up on 4,000 miles. I think the current chain will last longer because I am cleaning and lubing the chain more.
https://bgindy.com/page.cfm?pageID=448
This is a link to my LBS's recommended maintenance chart for reference.
I was just thinking the other day that other than an occasional flat tire and my front derailleur getting out of alignment once, I have not had any other mechanical problems in a year. I just air up the tires, keep the bike cleaned, chain cleaned and lubed, and inspect the bike and wheels for cracks/proper spoke tension/wobble, and ride. And of course take it in for routine maintenace. The chain had to be replaced at 2,400 miles (did not get the bike in right at 2,000 miles which was my second 1,000 mile interval) and I expect to need new brake pads since I am coming up on 4,000 miles. I think the current chain will last longer because I am cleaning and lubing the chain more.
https://bgindy.com/page.cfm?pageID=448
This is a link to my LBS's recommended maintenance chart for reference.
Last edited by dekindy; 09-11-07 at 05:42 AM.
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Is telling a novice mechanic to true their own wheels prudent advice? IMHO unless there is one spoke that is loose and needs tightening to provide a temporary fix until it can be looked at by someone who knows what they are doing, this is definitely left to professionals, especially the rear wheel.
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Yes, everything really is that easy. Wheel truing and dishing along with headset work is the only maintainence you won't want to do (mostly because of the cost of a truing stand or head tube re-aimer). Also check out Park Tool website (parktool.com), there is a link at the top titled "Repair Help" which is and interactive repair guide that is good for beginners because of step-by-step instructions and photos. You could also purchase their book Park Tool Big Blue Book of Bicycle Maintainence as a handy shop reference.
And about torque-wrenches, unless you're riding a carbon frame with carbon components, proper torque onto Al frames and components is pretty forgiving. With the exception of your cassette (@40Nm) and your cranks (@300-390In/Lbs). If you ever strip a screw, its easy to use a tap and dye ($19) and retract it with no damage to the bike.
Once again, it really is that easy! Plus, you'll be grateful that you're the bike guru when someone breaks down on a ride and you can overhaul it with a 6-piece multi-tool
And about torque-wrenches, unless you're riding a carbon frame with carbon components, proper torque onto Al frames and components is pretty forgiving. With the exception of your cassette (@40Nm) and your cranks (@300-390In/Lbs). If you ever strip a screw, its easy to use a tap and dye ($19) and retract it with no damage to the bike.
Once again, it really is that easy! Plus, you'll be grateful that you're the bike guru when someone breaks down on a ride and you can overhaul it with a 6-piece multi-tool
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It will take a couple of Hundred miles for cables to stretch or the wheels to show any spokes out of line. Unless you have a computer that shows the milage- How is the shop going to know the milage you have done?
It is a good idea to get the "Free" Check up done but If the gears are causing a problem- or a wheel is out of true- or there is a sqeak coming from the pedals- Tell the shop when you take it in-
It is a good idea to get the "Free" Check up done but If the gears are causing a problem- or a wheel is out of true- or there is a sqeak coming from the pedals- Tell the shop when you take it in-
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That's the great thing about frequent upgrades; things get changed out and lubed up fairly often .
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Just bought a bike on Friday. LBS told me to come back in either 30 days or around 100 miles (going to have to take it in tomorrow then) to get it tuned. Came with the purchase of the bike, so NO CHARGE !!!! . also, the bike came with a lifetime of adjustments.
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Is telling a novice mechanic to true their own wheels prudent advice? IMHO unless there is one spoke that is loose and needs tightening to provide a temporary fix until it can be looked at by someone who knows what they are doing, this is definitely left to professionals, especially the rear wheel.
#22
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for comparsion sake. Cars are supposed to cost like 60 cents a mile to maintin. Bikes like 02 cents, I recall reading. Guess that would include tires. Seems major problems takes a couple years to develop. Most expensive repairs I recall are like replacing bottom brackets , rims, handlebar shifters.
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Hmmmm.....Let's see...I got my 07 Roubaix Expert in early March...The bike has 7000km's on her and she's been in to the shop zero times...All that has needed to be done is adjustment of the rear derailleur and that is simply done at home or on the road.
I check the bolts and such, clean and lube the drivetrain...That's basically it...
Once winter hit I'll probably tear her down and do a real good cleaning...
Bikes are pretty straightforward to work on. Only things I leave to the pro's is the wheels, headset installations and suspension rebuilds on the MTB....BTW I'm no handyman by any means, so if I can do it anyone can.
I check the bolts and such, clean and lube the drivetrain...That's basically it...
Once winter hit I'll probably tear her down and do a real good cleaning...
Bikes are pretty straightforward to work on. Only things I leave to the pro's is the wheels, headset installations and suspension rebuilds on the MTB....BTW I'm no handyman by any means, so if I can do it anyone can.
#25
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