Bike servicing

phenian said:

I am planning my first 5 day tour soon and decided I would
get my bike serviced before hand. Looking around at local
prices, I thought it would be better to spend the money on
a basic toolkit and a stand and learn to do it myself.

Can people:
1. suggest what I should service (my bike is a couple
of years old and although I haven't had it that
long, I suspect it has not been very well
maintained)

* Any non-cartridge type bearings that you can get at -
that's usually hubs and headset.
* Cables - replace if they're looking dodgy, otherwise
lubricate
* Brake blocks - check/replace
* Pedals, seatpost, stem (if conventional "quill" type) -
remove, grease threads/shafts, refit
* Check for loose spokes

Quoted message said:

2. what should constitute the essential tools I should
get (as well as any advice on a cheap but cheerful
stand). Are the toolsets that are currently being
given away with a Cycling Weekly subscription any
good (I have quite a few of these already) or should
I go for a few well chosen but better quality tools?

I think that's the Bike Hand kit (or rebranded same) - Some
of those tools are fine. I suggest getting one and
supplement it with more/better tools as and when required.

A set of allen keys and a cassette remover goes a long way.

~PB

"phenian" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I am planning my first 5 day tour soon

Where? If its up the Orinoco you may need more than a
trip down the Loire (where bike shops can be found with
some ease).

Quoted message said:

and decided I would get my bike serviced before hand.

Sensible -- even for a short tour.

Quoted message said:

Looking around at local prices, I thought it would be
better to spend the money on a basic toolkit and a stand
and learn to do

it

Quoted message said:

myself.

You need a basic tool kit anyway. A stand is a bit of a
luxury. The knowledge is always useful.

Quoted message said:

Can people:
1. suggest what I should service (my bike is a couple
of years old and although I haven't had it that
long, I suspect it has not been very well
maintained)

Anything that is loose, manky or otherwise suspect. Make sure:-

+ all stuff that should be tight is.
+ all stuff that should be lubricated is.
+ brakes work & gears change nicely
+ wheels are true & tight.

If not, fix it.

Quoted message said:

2. what should constitute the essential tools I should
get (as well as any advice on a cheap but cheerful
stand). Are the toolsets that are currently being
given away with a Cycling Weekly subscription any
good (I have quite a few of these already) or should
I go for a few well chosen

but

Quoted message said:

better quality tools?

Once you've done your service you will have a pretty good
idea of what tools you need.

Don't forget the most obvious -- stuff to fix a puncture.

T

in message <[email hidden]>, phenian

(') said:

I am planning my first 5 day tour soon and decided I would
get my bike serviced before hand. Looking around at local
prices, I thought it would be better to spend the money on
a basic toolkit and a stand and learn to do it myself.

Can people:
1. suggest what I should service (my bike is a couple
of years old and although I haven't had it that
long, I suspect it has not been very well
maintained)
2. what should constitute the essential tools I should
get (as well as any advice on a cheap but cheerful
stand). Are the toolsets that are currently being
given away with a Cycling Weekly subscription any
good (I have quite a few of these already) or should
I go for a few well chosen but better quality tools?

The 'bicycle special' tools I keep include

Spoke keys Crank extractor Cone spanners Chain stretch gauge
Chain tool Cable cutter Shock pump (useful only for
suspension bikes with air suspension units)

All of these are extremely useful and I wouldn't be without
them. None of them are that expensive.

I have one of these patent chain cleaning baths but I would
personally say I don't rate 'em. Best way to clean your
chain is to take it off the bike, swill it round in some
parafin, hang it out to dry on the washing line and then
relube it.

I've also recently got myself a proper workstand and wheel
building jig which are nice but they're nowhere near
necessary.

One thing I don't have which would be useful is a chain whip

For the rest you can do 90% of jobs on a modern bike with
just alan keys and screwdrivers.

Finally my bike toolkit includes

Tub of LM (lithium) grease Spray tin of SG1 white grease
Spray tin of Finish Line Cross Country chain lube

All of which are very useful, and

Spray tin of GT 85

which is quite useful in some specific situations but really
isn't good stuff to use on a bike.

--
[email hidden] (Simon Brooke)
jasmine.org.uk~simonOpen ↗

;; I'll have a proper rant later, when I get the
time.