Service Intervals
Posted by Ashley on Aug 11, 2009 | Bike Maintenance
The following are examples of the type of service you should perform yourself. All other service, maintenance and repair should be performed in a properly equipped facility by a qualified bicycle mechanic using the correct tools and procedures specified by the manufacturer.
Break-in Period: Your bike will last longer and work better if you break it in before riding it hard. Control cables and wheel spokes may stretch or "seat" when a new bike is first used and may require readjustment. We offer a 30 Day Tune-up where we tighten all of your cables and true up the wheels.
Before Every Ride:
1. Nuts and Bolts: Make sure all screws and fasteners are tightened down. Check the seatpost, the handlebar stem, and any accessories you may have on your bike to make sure the screws are tight and will not come loose as you ride.
2. Tires and Wheels: The tires should be inflated to their recommended pressure before each long ride. You can find the recommended pressure along the sidewall of the tire, and use a tire gauge to check the p.s.i. on them. Also, spin the wheel around slowly and look for cuts in the tread and sidewall. Replace any damaged tire before going on a ride. Make sure that the wheels are true by spinning them and checking for brake clearance and side-to-side wobble. If a wheel wobbles side to side even slightly, or rubs of hits the brake pads, you should bring your bike in and have it trued.
3. Brakes: Grab both brake levers and push the bike forward. Tires should skid, if not have the brake system checked.
4. Handlebar and Saddle: Make sure the saddle and handlebar stem are parallel to the bike's center line and clamped tight enough so that you can't twist them out of alignment.
After Every Long or Hard Ride: If the bike has been exposed to water or grit, or at least every 100 miles, clean the bike and lightly lubricate the chain's rollers with a good quality bicycle chain lubricant. Wipe off excess lubricant with a lint-free cloth.
After Every Long or Hard Ride or after Every 10 to 20 Hours of Riding:
1. Squeeze the front brake and rock the bike forward and back. Make sure everything feels solid; if you feel a clunk with each forward or backward movement of the bike, you probably have a loose headset and should have it tightened.
2. Lift the front wheel off the ground and swing it from side to side. If you feel any binding of roughness in the steering, you may have a tight headset and should have it checked out.
3. Grab one pedal and rock it toward and away from the centerline of the bike; then do the same with the other pedal. If anything feels loose then your pedals may need to be tightened.
4. Check the frame, particularly in the area around all the tube joints, the handlebars, the stem, and the seatpost for any deep scratches, cracks or discoloration. These are signs of stress-caused fatigue and indicate that a part is at the end of its useful life and needs to be replaced.
A Basic Tune-up is recommended once a year if you are riding it often, and before riding if it has been laying around for a number of months.