Caring for my new bike
- Thread starter simonf7
- Start date
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GuyBoden
Guru
- Location
- Warrington
I didn't realise you had to clean them.
It's all down to the conditions that you ride in/on.
No hard and fast rule to cleaning. It just depends on how anal you want to be about it. My Defy 1 is 2 years old. I cleaned it when laying it up for the Summer and it's sitting in my garage looking like a brand new bike. It's only done around 1,800, but I have seen bikes in significantly worse condition after a month.
Plan to do the same on the Bianchi in a month or so, weather dependent. I feel a lot happier knowing it is ready to go when the better weather comes around.
No hard and fast rule to cleaning. It just depends on how anal you want to be about it. My Defy 1 is 2 years old. I cleaned it when laying it up for the Summer and it's sitting in my garage looking like a brand new bike. It's only done around 1,800, but I have seen bikes in significantly worse condition after a month.
Plan to do the same on the Bianchi in a month or so, weather dependent. I feel a lot happier knowing it is ready to go when the better weather comes around.
bozmandb9
Insert witty title here
- Location
- South Oxfordshire
I must admit I don't really get some of this. I will always want to use my best bike most of the time. Bikes tend to depreciate pretty quickly, buy a bike three months ago, and it's probably already lost 33% due to end of season sales. After a year probably 50%. Having a nice bike sitting around not being used, and just losing money, does not really excite me. I'd rather buy a nice bike, and enjoy using it as much as possible.
Having said that, I'm quite onboard with a lot of the care advice. I keep my bikes looking pretty much brand new, even when I bought them secondhand. I just don't get why you would avoid taking a bike out in the wet, or put it away all winter! It's not like we have a reliable summer with great weather when it never rains. Half the time the weather can be better in Winter than summer anyway.
Also gotto remember bikes are made to be used, to be strong, resilient, etc. Shouldn't be any necessity to wrap them up in cotton wool!
Having said that, I'm quite onboard with a lot of the care advice. I keep my bikes looking pretty much brand new, even when I bought them secondhand. I just don't get why you would avoid taking a bike out in the wet, or put it away all winter! It's not like we have a reliable summer with great weather when it never rains. Half the time the weather can be better in Winter than summer anyway.
Also gotto remember bikes are made to be used, to be strong, resilient, etc. Shouldn't be any necessity to wrap them up in cotton wool!
The terms Winter and Summer, when applied to bikes that you use, are when you have stereotypical Winter or Summer weather. So good weather in Winter will bring the better bike out. Poor weather in Summer will bring the Winter bike out.
Feels daft just explaining that. Surely you didn't think otherwise?
bozmandb9
Insert witty title here
- Location
- South Oxfordshire
The terms Winter and Summer, when applied to bikes that you use, are when you have stereotypical Winter or Summer weather. So good weather in Winter will bring the better bike out. Poor weather in Summer will bring the Winter bike out.
Feels daft just explaining that. Surely you didn't think otherwise?
Some people refer to laying up their bikes, for the winter. My point is that I like to use my best bike in all seasons, whatever the weather. If it gets wet, I can dry it! Don't see the point in having a less good bike to prevent my preferred ride from getting a little damp. And yes, if the headset bearings rust due to salty roads etc, I'll replace them, if the whole bike is knackered after some years, I'll replace it, but at least I'll have had good use out of it.
I am thinking of getting a cheaper bike for the odd occasion when I don't want to 'dress up' i.e. lycra and cleats, and one I can lock up anywhere.
ETA. At the moment this is all hypothetical, since I only have my 'best bike' but part of the reason for this so far, has been my rejection of the idea of keeping my bike for 'best'. To me it's a bit like keeping the sofa's in the front room covered in their delivery plastic so they don't get dirty!
I have to agree with you, I won't deny that, as I feel the same. Probably why I have done 20% more miles on my newer bike in 1 year of ownership, than I have done on my older bike in the 2.5 years I have had it.
The thing is, it's all down to the order in which you buy your bikes.
I had the Defy 1, when I first dipped my toe in after not riding for 20 years. Was hooked within days. The Defy 1 is s great bike, without question, but I fancied something more exotic when my CBR got written off.
Then bought the Bianchi, which I love. Amazing bike and loves the looks of it. Problem was, I always wanted a Bianchi, so should have gone that way first.
Upon getting the Bianchi, what do I do with the Defy? Sell it at a significant loss, or keep it for the days when weather is poor or where there may be a risk of frost or black ice, etc?
To me, this scenario makes total sense, as I already have the cheaper bike.
Your scenario, of buying a cheaper bike in order to protect your more expensive bike, is somewhat more difficult to get my head around. I don't mean the really cheap one that you want to lock up anywhere, but if you were to do the opposite of my order of purchases.
