Bike servicing

[vickster]

Stupid question probably but how often should a hybrid be serviced? I have done around 700 (mainly dry) miles on my Sirrus this year and not had it serviced. Being female and inept, I did dribble some oil on the chain and have pumped up the tyres but done nowt else. Never had a p******e or any other issues

 

[Sara_H]

Stupid question probably but how often should a hybrid be serviced? I have done around 700 (mainly dry) miles on my Sirrus this year and not had it serviced. Being female and inept, I did dribble some oil on the chain and have pumped up the tyres but done nowt else. Never had a p******e or any other issues

I'm interested in the answer too - I've never serviced my bike

I have a bike maintenance book in the house that my ex husband left behind - maybe I should read it!!!!

 

[Zoof]

Let me see now; the baits set!

With plenty of ground-bait put in!

You two; should take up fishing!

Good hunting Zoof!

 

[spudgun]

vickster - i don't know how to fix or service my bike and currently don't have the time or inclination to do so. so i'm taking it for a service this week (after about 800 miles in the last 2 months), mainly to ensure it is in decent working order for my tour at the end of the month. it might be a waste of £45, but it might not. but it gives me peace of mind that it's all checked out. the local bike shop are excellent. i would change tyres after 1500 miles personally - i'm sure you can get a lot more out of them, but again, it's more important to me to try and avoid loads of punctures on old tyres! hopefully someone who knows what they are talking about will offer an opinion!

 

[fenfirsttimer]

I have a second hand bike which I have never touched as far as maintenance goes( only had it 3 months ) but as I am increasing the distance from home that I am cycling have booked it in for a service and once over at a local cycle shop that was recommended to me.

I am going to ask the chap a few questions whilst I am there too as I tried to release my front wheel after watching a you tube vidoe on how to do it but stll can't! Maybe in a couple of years I will be doing it myself. I looked at the maintenance classes offered by Evans but there is no branch near me.

 

[fenfirsttimer]

Back from the bike service. Good deal at £27 including new brake cable I thought. Also he showed me how to take off the wheels and informed me my seat was set above the safe level for the post! Something I had not spotted. So I am really glad I made the decision to have a service.

It suddenly feels squeaky clean and I am now even prouder of it.

I've fitted a cycle computer bought from Andy (Thanks ) and can't wait to get out and see how fast I go...( not very I hasten to add ) and how true my distances are on the short runs I do. I just love the numbers thing......

 

[marinyork]

Don't get a service. Get parts fixed when required. Much better imho.

 

[numbnuts]

everything you need to know about bikes
http://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-help
and if you get stuck post on here and someone will put you right

 

[vickster]

Me servicing...Not going to happen...I am clueless and cack handed! I work so I can pay others to do techie stuff for me , same with DIY

 

[Cosmicned]

I've always done my own servicing since I was a kid - but a bike I bought second hand recently needed the front wheel 'trueing' properly & the back wheel's cones needed sorting etc - all done and dusted at my LBS for £35 - money well spent imho...

 

[Davidc]

Vickster, even if you don't it would make sense to try and learn how to tell when things need to be done. Then you'll know when you need to ay someone else without getting ripped off. If you don't want to do your own bike servicing and repairs why should you, but know enough to not do them in an informed way!

What Marinyork says is sensible, and much what I practice, but I do routine servicing and checks as well. Maintaining and working on the bike is part of the enjoyment from it for me but nothing gets replaced until it needs to be.

Being female is no excuse - I've known a number of females who are as good at or better than me at bike maintenance. Preferring to pay someone else to do it is amuch better reason.

 

[vickster]

Being me and inept is the best excuse

I should learn how to change a tyre or put the chain back on, that I recognise, but I am not going to start taking bits off and adjusting and changing or whatever

I have an excellent LBS locally, wouldn't rip me off, but in case of emergency I should know the basics I suppose Maybe I'll ask them to show me at some point. Did ask me if I needed inner tubes when I got the bike, I laughed as I wouldn't have a clue...never had one of those evil p_ things...

 

[HLaB]

Stupid question probably but how often should a hybrid be serviced?

How long is a piece of string ! I wouldn't expect anything major would need done at 700 dry miles though.

Depending what you are doing with the bike and how reliant, like marinyork I think its more cost efficient to wear parts out and then replace.

 

[vickster]

I think I am more interested in keeping the gears working smoothly and the brakes doing what they should...bit like servicing a car? I do this every year regardless of miles covered or obvious issues...maybe not the same with bikes?

 

[HLaB]

Just keep your cables clean that's the main thing and apply a little lube to the pivot points of the deraileurs, not really something to pay somebody for. Keep your eye on the brake block thickness and tighten (rotate the barrel adjuster) the cable a little until they need replaced, thats a simple enough job too. Chains will eventually snap or you can pre empt it with a chain checker and replace the cassette at the same time. Thats about all you need to do to keep it running smoothly :-)