6 week check up

[ChrisV]

Just bought a Giant Escape 3 2016.

My LBS doesn't have this bike nor any other lower end hybrid type - they seem to major in MTBs and kids' bikes - otherwise I would have bought it there.

I bought it off the net; my last bike was from a local shop so I could take it there for 6 week check and subsequent services.

My question is: is it worth taking to LBS for the 6 week check or is it things that are easy enough to adjust myself with a bit of video watching. I'm not sure how much they would charge for this so not sure if it is worth it.

 

[NorthernDave]

I'd imagine that the LBS will be happy to do any work you want them to on the bike.
Why not consider a basic maintenance course so you can do the everyday stuff yourself if you're not confident now?

 

[midlife]

Kick the tyres and light the fires.......If everything is tight and its working just ride it

Shaun

 

[Smokin Joe]

They'll check the indexing which will probably need a tweak as the cables bed in and stretch a little, ditto the brakes. Loads of videos on YouTube and just a few minutes twiddling the adjusters. Childs play.

The wheels may need truing, not a complicated job but needs care as it is easy to go wrong and make a pigs ear of it if you are not used to it. If they do go more than a couple of millimetre out of true it's worth taking the wheels in separately to have them done and most LBS won't charge more than £10 - £20.

Other than that it's just a case of going round all the nuts and bolts and making sure nothing has come loose. From what I read here most shops charge between £30 - £50 for a basic service. It is worth doing the easy stuff yourself just for the knowledge you will gain.

 

[ChrisV]

I might look into a basic course if there's one local. Not the handiest at such things.

 

[Tim Hall]

I might look into a basic course if there's one local. Not the handiest at such things.

An idle bit of googling led me to Dawson Bike Club, who offer such courses. Linky

TRAINING
Dawson Bike Club aims to make it easier for everyone to cycle more. We provide basic training in cycle maintenance, and welcome volunteers who want to learn on-the-job.

Any use?

 

[ChrisV]

That looks good, cheers!!

 

[biggs682]

Check to see if it should be done and by whom just in case any future warranty issues arise

 

[Milkfloat]

Double check if the warranty is affected by not having a 6 week check done.

 

[NorthernDave]

Check to see if it should be done and by whom just in case any future warranty issues arise

Double check if the warranty is affected by not having a 6 week check done.

A very good point.

 

[Pale Rider]

If you'd still rather use a shop, worth asking a couple for a quote - as you live in a relatively cheap part of the country you may be pleasantly surprised.

My local bike shop would do the work for £20-25, much cheaper than down south.

The fact a shop can do that tells you there isn't a lot to it, which brings us back to doing it yourself.

 

[EasyPeez]

I would echo some of the points above about learning to do it yourself.

Gear indexing will be the main one you'll need to tweak (possibly well before 6 weeks, depending on how many miles you do) - Youtube has some good videos on how to do it, and there are a few threads on here that go into more detail -stick "indexing gears" into the search bar.

Your brakes might also need a check, and the process and diffculty level for this is broadly similar to adjusting the gears.

Wheels might not need touching at all, but if they do that truing requires more expertise and is harder to put right if done badly.

You could book onto one of these and take your bike with you?
http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/info/cycle-maintenance-and-wheel-building-classes/

Or suss out which is the friendliest LBS near you and ask if they can do you a 6 week check, but also ask if they can book it in when they expect to be quiet and if they'll then show you what they are doing rather than just doing it for you? I've learned loads from getting friendly with a local bike shop owner and getting him to guide me in doing bits of maintenance, on days when he's quiet.