Any work I should do?

[Markymark]

So, my hybrid commuter had done around 6k miles in central London in all weather. It's running well and brakes/gears/wheels/chain etc all seem fine to me and have been regularly maintained. The trouble is, as I'm no expert it's difficult to know if it's running as well as it could be.

Is there anything I should be doing around now, for example, stripping the front gears/cranks/rear derailleurs? I'm sure I could take it apart, clean and put back together. The trouble is I'll take it apart, not know what I'm looking for, clean it, put it back together and needn't have bothered as I've not noticed something important.

Any advice?

 

[ianrauk]

You Tube.. it's your virtual teacher.

If your components are Shimano, then google 'Shimano Tech Docs'. They have manuals and breakdowns of all their components.

When you take something apart, lay the bits out piece by piece in the order you take them off, then when you come to put it back together, just do the reverse.

 

[Markymark]

Thank you. Should I be doing it though if I can not feel anything wrong?

 

[ianrauk]

Thank you. Should I be doing it though if I can not feel anything wrong?

Crack on. It's a great way to learn.

 

[PeteXXX]

If you don't fancy taking your 'proper' bike apart, buy a cheapy similar to yours, from the local paper, http://www.preloved.co.uk/ or gumtree and take it apart, give the whole lot a good clean and a fettle and reassemble it.
You can then sell it on, keep it, or if it didn't go too well, take it down the tip....

 

[MontyVeda]

Thank you. Should I be doing it though if I can not feel anything wrong?

if it's not broke... don't fix it.... but as Ianrauk says, taking it apart and putting it back together is a great way to learn.

 

[Nigeyy]

If you have been maintaining it, it should be fine. Some older and top of the line Shimano stuff has unsealed wheel bearings, and sometimes headsets need a good clean and relube based on what kind of weather conditions you cycle through...... But unless your bottom bracket is a bit gritty, and needs replacing (chances are it is sealed)you should be fine. Good way to learn though. As well as keeping things in order, I recommend taping parts to a piece of scrap cardboard and/or taking photos with a digital camera if you are unsure.