Bike Service - Justified?

Hi all,
I’ve had my bike for a couple of years now and think its time it had a service. I regularly do checks (such as brakes, etc) but not being a professional I worry that I might miss something.
I’m shortly going to do quote a long charity ride (Ridgeway) and was wondering if there was a real cost benefit I getting a service. Also my local bike shop seems to offer everything from a complete strip down to brake tightening, so I’m pretty mystified what level to go for.
Any advice would be gratefully received.
Cheers
Caher.

 

In news:[email protected], Caher <[email protected]> typed:
> Hi all, I've had my bike for a couple of years now and think its time it had a service. I
> regularly do checks (such as brakes, etc) but not being a professional I worry that I might miss
> something. I'm shortly going to do quote a long charity ride (Ridgeway) and was wondering if there
> was a real cost benefit I getting a service. Also my local bike shop seems to offer everything
> from a complete strip down to brake tightening, so I'm pretty mystified what level to go for. Any
> advice would be gratefully received. Cheers Caher.
>

After two years it could probably do with a bit of a strip down e.g regreasing wheel bearings etc.
That will tend to be quite expensive though. For now its probably the quickest way but for the
future get yourself a good maintainance guide and do it yourself. Done a bit at a time rather than
in one big go is much less onerous.

Tony

--
http://www.raven-family.com

"All truth goes through three steps: First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed.
Finally, it is accepted as self-evident." Arthur Schopenhauer

 

"Tony Raven" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
> In news:[email protected], Caher <[email protected]> typed:
> > Hi all, I've had my bike for a couple of years now and think its time it had a service. I
> > regularly do checks (such as brakes, etc) but not being a professional I worry that I might miss
> > something. I'm shortly going to do quote a long charity ride (Ridgeway) and was wondering if
> > there was a real cost benefit I getting a service. Also my local bike shop seems to offer
> > everything from a complete strip down to brake tightening, so I'm pretty mystified what level to
> > go for. Any advice would be gratefully received. Cheers Caher.
> >
>
> After two years it could probably do with a bit of a strip down e.g regreasing wheel bearings etc.
> That will tend to be quite expensive
though.
> For now its probably the quickest way but for the future get yourself a
good
> maintainance guide and do it yourself. Done a bit at a time rather than
in
> one big go is much less onerous.
>
> Tony
>
> --
> http://www.raven-family.com
>
> "All truth goes through three steps: First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed.
> Finally, it is accepted as self-evident." Arthur Schopenhauer
>
>

Also, just as an afterthought, just having the bike for 2 years doesn't necessarily warrant a
service. However, if you've been riding it significant mileage during that time, then it probably
does ;-) Sorry, Dave.

 

Caher wrote:
> Hi all, I've had my bike for a couple of years now and think its time it had a service. I
> regularly do checks (such as brakes, etc) but not being a professional I worry that I might miss
> something. I'm shortly going to do quote a long charity ride (Ridgeway) and was wondering if there
> was a real cost benefit I getting a service. Also my local bike shop seems to offer everything
> from a complete strip down to brake tightening, so I'm pretty mystified what level to go for. Any
> advice would be gratefully received. Cheers Caher.

By now, bike could probably do with its bearings regreased and possibly new cables, so cost of
service could be justified. But these jobs are unlikely to be needed urgently, and even bearings in
poor condition usually continue working for hundreds of miles+ (I write from experience: BB and hub
bearings in hack bike were appaling!).

Depends how much you trust the shop but there is a chance they could make it worse by poor assembly
or adjustment. If bike has survived ok this far, it'll almost certainly be ok on the charity ride.
Take along a decent puncture & mini tool kit anyway.

Check each cable for corrosion or fraying at the points where it anchors to brake/derailleur and
nipple in lever/shifter if possible.

Check tyres have no bad cuts or holes, etc and wheels are running reasonably true, with no loose
spokes. Make sure all bolts are tight (but don't use a crazy amount of force testing/tightening).
(On non-suspension fork bike) Test headset by applying front brake and rocking bike back and forth -
should be no play.

~PB

 

On 22 May 2003 20:30:25 +0950, Caher <[email protected]> wrote:

>Hi all, I’ve had my bike for a couple of years now and think its time it had a service. I regularly
>do checks (such as brakes, etc) but not being a professional I worry that I might miss something.
>I’m shortly going to do quote a long charity ride (Ridgeway) and was wondering if there was a real
>cost benefit I getting a service. Also my local bike shop seems to offer everything from a complete
>strip down to brake tightening, so I’m pretty mystified what level to go for. Any advice would be
>gratefully received.

Hi Caher

If you're anything like me - a no-hoper mechanic - then paying for a good tune up or full service is
well worth the money.

I do my best to keep myself well oiled - sorry, I make sure my bikes are kept reasonably clean and
lubricated (another bad choice of word)
- but reasonably often I know that I'm incapable of getting my bikes back into tip-top condition. At
these times I take them into my LBS.

It's money well spent, IMO. Of course, if you're capable of servicing your own bike(s) then you
certainly will save money by servicing yourself.

James

--
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/c.butty/Dscf0632.jpg

 

In message <[email protected]>, Caher <[email protected]> writes
>Hi all, I’ve had my bike for a couple of years now and think its time it had a service. I
>regularly do checks (such as brakes, etc) but not being a professional I worry that I might miss
>something. I’m shortly going to do quote a long charity ride (Ridgeway) and was wondering if
>there was a real cost benefit I getting a service. Also my local bike shop seems to offer
>everything from a complete strip down to brake tightening, so I’m pretty mystified what level to
>go for. Any advice would be gratefully received. Cheers Caher.

Why not take it into your LBS and ask them? Any good shop mechanic should be willing to cast his eye
across the bike on the spot and suggest what needs doing, and what would be helpful, but not
necessary. Listen to their view, then make your own mind up. Get them to scribble down their
recommendations, then you can post them here if you want our view, or if you're not completely
satisfied with their quote, try somewhere else too.

IMHO, (as a cycle mechanic ) it'd be worth just having the bike checked if you're not confident,
just to make sure your charity ride goes without a hitch, whether this be by a shop, yourself and a
technical manual, or a friend with more experience. Again, if you've got any questions about how a
certain part works or how to adjust it, ask your LBS. If they can't help you then I'd look
elsewhere.*

* Ten minutes before they close and a packed is probably not the best time to do this.....

--
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