Servicing

[Iainj837]

I am thinking of getting the touring bike serviced.
I'm thinking of getting a full service I.E complete strip down to the frame.
Does anyone else get this done and do you do it yourself or get the LBS

 

[Vapin' Joe]

If it ain't broke don't fix it. A bike doesn't need servicing like a car, do it as required. If it rattles tighten it, if it squeaks oil it and if a part wears out replace it.

I do all my own maintenance.

 

[Cycleops]

Why do you think it needs to be stripped to the frame? What does it need in your opinion?
Has anything worn out or needs replacing?

You can do most service items yourself with a minimum of tools.

 

[Globalti]

If you've allowed it to drift out of adjustment to the point where it needs readjusting, you're taking a risk every time you ride it. Owning and riding a bike is about keeping on top of maintenance and heading off problems before they bring you to a stop.

 

[HMS_Dave]

I was watching a video about a guy who did over 20000 miles on a trek touring bike converted to an hub motor ebike. Other than service items, nothing serious was replaced. You could strip it down and do a nut and bolt restoration, like you can an old car or a watch or whatever, but what is the motivation for it?

As a side note, i have noticed that one of your blog posts is dated 3rd July 2020. Are we having a nice summer so far?

 

[Iainj837]

I was watching a video about a guy who did over 20000 miles on a trek touring bike converted to an hub motor ebike. Other than service items, nothing serious was replaced. You could strip it down and do a nut and bolt restoration, like you can an old car or a watch or whatever, but what is the motivation for it?

As a side note, i have noticed that one of your blog posts is dated 3rd July 2020. Are we having a nice summer so far?

The reason is to keep the welcome post at the top and the only way was put a future date 😂😂

 

[Sharky]

Never had a bike "serviced" by a LBS, but there have been a few occasions when I have been a bit unsure of a correct part and rather than buy one from wiggle/ribble etc and end up with the wrong one, have gone to the LBS and they have supplied and fitted the correct item and usually a lot quicker than I could have done and cost effective.

Even had a cassette replaced on my tandem trike by no less than Ken Rogers himself.

For most things like brake checking and transmission tweaking, I would do myself.

If the touring bike implies that you are going on a tour, then it might be prudent to change all the cables as they can rust in out of sight places and can snap on you unexpectedly. But normally I wouldn't change anything unless I knew it was quite as it should be.

 

[PaulSB]

I am thinking of getting the touring bike serviced.
I'm thinking of getting a full service I.E complete strip down to the frame.
Does anyone else get this done and do you do it yourself or get the LBS

The only reason I can think of for a full strip back to the frame is cleaning. Doing this would allow you to get at every nook and cranny.

 

[Globalti]

For most cyclists a good "coat of looking-over" ought to suffice. I used to do the same every week with my Land Rover, which needed a lot of maintenance.

 

[Drago]

I do all my own.

As above, for the most part if it's working well then leave well alone. Aside from that I'll repack headset bearing and wheel bearings with grease nkw and again (and BB on my older bikes thqt require it) periodically, depending on the mileage.

Beyond that, theres no mystery. Keep an eye on your tyres for damage and wear, and eyeball the cables for signs of fraying etc.

 

[SkipdiverJohn]

Given some of the other threads on here about things like cranks coming off and BB's failing prematurely after being worked on by some monkey masquerading as a "mechanic" in a bike shop, I think I'll stick to my 100% DIY maintenance & repair regime. At least if something does go wrong I'll know who to blame.

 

[Vantage]

Built it myself and I'll not let anyone with a screwdriver near it.
Once in a while I do like to completely strip it to nothing and rebuild again.
Last night having finished rebuilding my front wheel I discovered rust on the disc rotor. Not happy about that. Sorted it and doing the rear disc today.
A good clean every now and then including wiping the chain with new oil usually suffices and the rebuild happens about once a year after winter.
My bike runs perfect. Nearly.

 

[Globalti]

I went through a brief spell of fixing up bikes for cash and I soon realised three things:

You can't make a living from repairing bikes no matter how much you charge.

There's nothing more depressing than being handed a filthy neglected bike and told to fix it, because you know your skills won't be appreciated.

Fixing up bikes is tough and boring and makes your back ache if you haven't got a work stand.

 

[Domus]

Started this morning on changing the inner and outer cables on the "Summer Bike" it is almost 2 years old and never seen bad weather apart from being caught out now and then. Just finished the brake cables and am amazed at how nasty the old cables look and how stiff the outers have become. The joy of doing it myself is I know it has been done and I can take my time. Coffee o'clock now so will tackle the gear cables shortly.
Hard work this retirement lark 👍

 

[Ming the Merciless]

As above do your own maintenance as and when required. That's the beauty of the bike. It'll also give you confidence when touring that first of all everything is as it should be and if anything should fail you know how to fix it.