Too much time on maintenance?

[brokenbetty]

Personally, I couldn't be bothered with half an hour after each ride.

I build up a layer of oily grime over the winter, keep adding a bit more oil (Finish Line Green)...

Same with the layer of gritty grime on the frame.

Then give the whole thing a wash every few weeks.

Hey, I build up a layer of oily grime over winter too!

Oh - you were talking about the bike

 

[brokenbetty]

Personally, I couldn't be bothered with half an hour after each ride.

I build up a layer of oily grime over the winter, keep adding a bit more oil (Finish Line Green)...

Same with the layer of gritty grime on the frame.

Then give the whole thing a wash every few weeks.

Hey, I build up a layer of oily grime over winter too!

Oh - you were talking about the bike

 

[beanzontoast]

How many thousand miles do you manage without tweaking? A lot depends on weather, road conditions and mileage, but it seems that I don't manage many months without something grating or needing cleaning.

Looking for positives in all this time I'm spending, I'm hoping that keeping on top of the chain and gears will at least reduce wear a little and pay me back in giving a longer component life. I haven't any evidence to support this yet - main commuter's done about 800 miles since having changed quite a lot of components last summer - but I'm hoping...

 

[beanzontoast]

How many thousand miles do you manage without tweaking? A lot depends on weather, road conditions and mileage, but it seems that I don't manage many months without something grating or needing cleaning.

Looking for positives in all this time I'm spending, I'm hoping that keeping on top of the chain and gears will at least reduce wear a little and pay me back in giving a longer component life. I haven't any evidence to support this yet - main commuter's done about 800 miles since having changed quite a lot of components last summer - but I'm hoping...

 

[beanzontoast]

How many thousand miles do you manage without tweaking? A lot depends on weather, road conditions and mileage, but it seems that I don't manage many months without something grating or needing cleaning.

Looking for positives in all this time I'm spending, I'm hoping that keeping on top of the chain and gears will at least reduce wear a little and pay me back in giving a longer component life. I haven't any evidence to support this yet - main commuter's done about 800 miles since having changed quite a lot of components last summer - but I'm hoping...

 

[GilesM]

I think - seriously - a bigger and better shed might help a bit. It's such a tight squeeze in there with me and 2 bikes. If I had more room to move around the bike, it might seem less of a pain. No room in the house to do this sort of stuff and we don't have a garage. Checking the tyres over is probably the one thing I wish it was easier to do, especially in winter.

I think this is the obvious answer, a bigger shed and bike stand, I've always enjoyed working on my bikes, but since I finished my garage and bought a bike stand then my bikes rerely go out dirty, two hours in the garage a couple of nights a week is really enjoyable, especially now I've fitted a heater.

 

[GilesM]

I think - seriously - a bigger and better shed might help a bit. It's such a tight squeeze in there with me and 2 bikes. If I had more room to move around the bike, it might seem less of a pain. No room in the house to do this sort of stuff and we don't have a garage. Checking the tyres over is probably the one thing I wish it was easier to do, especially in winter.

I think this is the obvious answer, a bigger shed and bike stand, I've always enjoyed working on my bikes, but since I finished my garage and bought a bike stand then my bikes rerely go out dirty, two hours in the garage a couple of nights a week is really enjoyable, especially now I've fitted a heater.

 

[GilesM]

I think - seriously - a bigger and better shed might help a bit. It's such a tight squeeze in there with me and 2 bikes. If I had more room to move around the bike, it might seem less of a pain. No room in the house to do this sort of stuff and we don't have a garage. Checking the tyres over is probably the one thing I wish it was easier to do, especially in winter.

I think this is the obvious answer, a bigger shed and bike stand, I've always enjoyed working on my bikes, but since I finished my garage and bought a bike stand then my bikes rerely go out dirty, two hours in the garage a couple of nights a week is really enjoyable, especially now I've fitted a heater.

 

[redjedi]

I like to think I look after my bike, but I don't go to your extremes.

I'll normally wipe and lube the chain once a week. I'll rinse of any grime after a wet ride with a hose pipe (gently), and remove any stubborn dirt with a wet wipe.

After an average dry ride, it'll go straight into the shed without a care. I may pop out before going to bed to make sure the tyres don't have puncture.

Then once a month a give it a full wash / service. I will almost completely disassemble it and wash and lube everything. In the summer this can be more often as it's a nice way to spend a sunny afternoon

 

[redjedi]

I like to think I look after my bike, but I don't go to your extremes.

I'll normally wipe and lube the chain once a week. I'll rinse of any grime after a wet ride with a hose pipe (gently), and remove any stubborn dirt with a wet wipe.

After an average dry ride, it'll go straight into the shed without a care. I may pop out before going to bed to make sure the tyres don't have puncture.

Then once a month a give it a full wash / service. I will almost completely disassemble it and wash and lube everything. In the summer this can be more often as it's a nice way to spend a sunny afternoon

 

[redjedi]

I like to think I look after my bike, but I don't go to your extremes.

I'll normally wipe and lube the chain once a week. I'll rinse of any grime after a wet ride with a hose pipe (gently), and remove any stubborn dirt with a wet wipe.

After an average dry ride, it'll go straight into the shed without a care. I may pop out before going to bed to make sure the tyres don't have puncture.

Then once a month a give it a full wash / service. I will almost completely disassemble it and wash and lube everything. In the summer this can be more often as it's a nice way to spend a sunny afternoon

 

[dodgy]

I've never heard of anyone drying their tyres before!

 

[dodgy]

I've never heard of anyone drying their tyres before!

 

[dodgy]

I've never heard of anyone drying their tyres before!

 

[SimonC]

How many thousand miles do you manage without tweaking? A lot depends on weather, road conditions and mileage, but it seems that I don't manage many months without something grating or needing cleaning.

Rode all thru last winter commuting and training, then thru summer racing, training and commuting, all on same bike with/without mudguards, did thousands of miles and never had to adjust gears, or fit a new chain or cassette.

Just fitted new chain and cassette this weekend, just because I thought I should since its been on for ages.