General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Bike Maintenance- How much do you do on your own? Rss Feed  
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2005-03-24 3:39 PM

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Subject: Bike Maintenance- How much do you do on your own?
I bought Zinn and the Art of Road Bike Maintenance, so that I could do a few of the simpler items by myself. It made me think about what other people around do.

How much of your own maintenance do you do?

I am sure that it varies from hardly any to doing all of the maintenance yourself.

As for me, I am just starting out small cleaning the drivetrain adding lube. I think I might try to adjust my derailluers as my next "maintenance" project.

Edited by mnewton 2005-03-24 3:51 PM


2005-03-24 3:49 PM
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Subject: RE: Bike Maintenance- How much do you do on your own?
Since my dad showed me how to fix a flat with my first ten speed when I was 8, I do all my own maintenance. Get some good tools with Zinns book and an experienced friend and you can learn how to do everything. A good bike stand is desireable if you are going to relube bottom brakets and adjust derailluers and such.
2005-03-24 3:56 PM
in reply to: #133798

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Subject: RE: Bike Maintenance- How much do you do on your own?

mnewton - 2005-03-24 2:39 PM I bought Zinn and the Art of Road Bike Maintenance, so that I could do a few of the simpler items by myself. It made me think about what other people around do. How much of your own maintenance do you do? I am sure that it varies from hardly any to doing all of the maintenance yourself. As for me, I am just starting out small cleaning the drivetrain adding lube. I think I might try to adjust my derailluers as my next "maintenance" project.

Not much more than that. But certainly everyone should know how to:

  • Change a flat and rotate or change a tire, when it wears out.
  • Clean and lube the drive train
  • Adjust the derailleurs (barrel adjustment and stop limits)
  • Change out pedals and cleats
  • Make other fit adjustments (e.g., seat height and tilt, handlebars)
  • Adjust brakes.

Other than that, I have a good independent bike tech that will do a basic tuneup, which includes truing the wheels, for $25.

2005-03-24 4:07 PM
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Buttercup
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Subject: RE: Bike Maintenance- How much do you do on your own?
I learned how to adjust my derailleurs and brakes and change a tire. But, frankly, I'd rather let the bike tech at my LBS do it. Gives me an excuse to go to my LBS and fondle new gear.
2005-03-24 5:14 PM
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Subject: RE: Bike Maintenance- How much do you do on your own?
I really need to learn how to adjust my deraillers well. I used to be able to tear apart and rebuild my own bikes...but since SIS I haven't been able to acurately adjust my own and it bothers me.

I have sora and tiagra and it needs to be readjusted every week.....I like to shift when I'm standing on the pedals at full stroke....

My LBS charged me $5 to redo my front derailler because I had screwed it up so bad that I lost my big ring and middle ring....

I can tell you it made it near impossible to do without a stand.

2005-03-24 9:31 PM
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Subject: RE: Bike Maintenance- How much do you do on your own?
I pump up my tires! The rest goes to the shop. (ok, I can change a tube too, but God help me if I have to do it in a race).


2005-03-24 11:07 PM
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Subject: RE: Bike Maintenance- How much do you do on your own?
Well let's see... I like to have the LBS do a periodic tune-up, maybe once a year. Generally, I do most of the basics myself. Fit, minor derailleur adjustments, etc. I've totally stripped down and rebuilt the RD on my mountain bike, and replaced its bottom bracket and crankset.

I'm not brave enough to true a wheel, though it's something I'd like to learn. And for some reason I have a hard time getting brakes aligned.

I'm in favor of doing as much as you can yourself and learning as you go...
2005-03-25 8:09 AM
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Subject: RE: Bike Maintenance- How much do you do on your own?
I do pretty much everything except pressing in headset races, frame alignment,  and facing/chasing bottom bracket threads. I suck at truing wheels though and I usually end up having to have the LBS straighten out my messes.
2005-03-26 12:36 PM
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Subject: RE: Bike Maintenance- How much do you do on your own?
I do pretty much everything myself except headset pressing and frame alignment. It is not that hard to learn. I took a class from the park tool school at my LBS about 2 years ago. I do tue my wheels too-but I am not very good at it.
Everyone should learn the basics-like derailer adjustment and the like. It really sucks when you can't shift properly and you have to waste a day taking the bike to the LBS. Especially when you see it is not that hard. You do really need a stand and a decent set of tools to do much more than lubing the chain and changing tires, but it is money well spent in the long run.
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