Servicing

[Adam4868]

What about if you can't be arsed or you've no time,work and drinking ! I take my bikes occasionally to a local mechanic who does as asked.Allways to a better standard than I can.Anyone in the north west of the country I'd highly recommend him.He only fixes bikes,no sales involved.

 

[Globalti]

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 👍

There is approximately one post a week on here from people asking why their gears aren't indexing properly and I'm sick of typing the reply telling them to change that outer cable where it curves around to the RD because they get crudded up with rust and muck.

 

[carlosfandangus]

There is approximately one post a week on here from people asking why their gears aren't indexing properly and I'm sick of typing the reply telling them to change that outer cable where it curves around to the RD because they get crudded up with rust and muck.

Going to do mine now, it is not shifting down properly, the cable moves and becomes slack on the chainstay, however the derailleur does not move down, not gunked up, however the loop may be to short

 

[Racing roadkill]

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

I do it whenever I deem it necessary, I do it myself.

 

[DRM]

There is approximately one post a week on here from people asking why their gears aren't indexing properly and I'm sick of typing the reply telling them to change that outer cable where it curves around to the RD because they get crudded up with rust and muck.

Before it gets to that point, it’s not exactly hard to change down at the the shifter with the rear wheel not moving allowing the cable to go slack, unhook the outer & slide it along the loose cable, apply a thin film of grease and put it back in place, clean the plastic guide under the BB & spin the wheel to retension the cables

 

[SkipdiverJohn]

What about if you can't be arsed or you've no time,work and drinking !

I spend plenty of time both working and drinking, but I always still do my own maintenance. You make the time, even if it means sacrificing some drinking time. If you simply can't be arsed, or getting your hands dirty is beneath you, then you deserve all the cowboy workmanship and repeated bike problems that befalls you!

 

[roadrash]

If you simply can't be arsed, or getting your hands dirty is beneath you, then you deserve all the cowboy workmanship and repeated bike problems that befalls you

total bolox, you are saying that if someone pays for a service provided by someone else , then be prepared for cowboy workmanship and problems. load of shyte that statement is , i take it you dont pay anyone else for doing anything , anything at all.

As for....If you simply can't be arsed, or getting your hands dirty is beneath you, people have a choice and it doesnt make them wrong just because they choose different to you.

i do all my own maintenance but dont look down on those that dont

 

[Adam4868]

I spend plenty of time both working and drinking, but I always still do my own maintenance. You make the time, even if it means sacrificing some drinking time. If you simply can't be arsed, or getting your hands dirty is beneath you, then you deserve all the cowboy workmanship and repeated bike problems that befalls you!

If I want to pay someone to do work for me I do and I will.I can service my car but sometimes I choose not to. I get my hands dirty most days at work thanks,although I don't see it as a badge of honour,just work.
So if I can't be arsed I won't,don't know where you get the cowboy workmanship from ? I'm happy with my mechanics service.

 

[alicat]

Is this a record? We've got to post 21 before someone started criticising another post then to post 22 before someone different had a go at the first criticiser and somebody 'liked' that criticism. And in no time at all we'll have long forgotten the OP and their question.

To answer the OP, I do what needs to be done as long as I feel confident to have a go and if I do I bribe a better-skilled friend with beer. As you were, @SkipdiverJohn, @roadrash and @vickster.

 

[Drago]

I do my own (oo-oer matron!) but have no issue with folk taking their bikes to the shop.

I do have issues with people coming out with guff like "saving time" to justify taking it to the shop. Unless you live in the flat above the shop you won't save a second, and even then its marginal by the time you've lugged the thing down the stairs.

If you don't know how, or you do know how but can't be arrissed, or you fancy the bloke/chick in the shop, or whatever, then just say so. Inventing rubbish to justify it just makes you look like a plum.

 

[pawl]

Before it gets to that point, it’s not exactly hard to change down at the the shifter with the rear wheel not moving allowing the cable to go slack, unhook the outer & slide it along the loose cable, apply a thin film of grease and put it back in place, clean the plastic guide under the BB & spin the wheel to retension the cables

Exactly what I do.

 

[Pale Rider]

I can understand a skilled home mechanic might enjoy using their lovingly assembled collection of tools to pull the bike to pieces and put it back together again.

But I can't see the point of paying someone else to do it.

 

[lane]

I spend plenty of time both working and drinking, but I always still do my own maintenance. You make the time, even if it means sacrificing some drinking time. If you simply can't be arsed, or getting your hands dirty is beneath you, then you deserve all the cowboy workmanship and repeated bike problems that befalls you!

Or alternatively if you don't enjoy it or find easy, find a good local mechanic and help keep him or her in business. It's generally not that expensive either. Ridiculous to think that means it beneath you. Someone who finds it difficult will have respect for the me mechanics skill.

 

[SkipdiverJohn]

I do have issues with people coming out with guff like "saving time" to justify taking it to the shop. Unless you live in the flat above the shop you won't save a second, and even then its marginal by the time you've lugged the thing down the stairs.

Exactly. You've got to drop it at the LBS, get home again, do without it for however long it takes them to get around to it, go back and pick it up, then get home again. All that messing around could easily add up to a good half a day or more, in which time you could have done the job yourself at home, at a time convenient to you rather than convenient to the LBS - and pre-ordered any stuff online that you knew you were likely to need.

 

[Adam4868]

Exactly. You've got to drop it at the LBS, get home again, do without it for however long it takes them to get around to it, go back and pick it up, then get home again. All that messing around could easily add up to a good half a day or more, in which time you could have done the job yourself at home, at a time convenient to you rather than convenient to the LBS - and pre-ordered any stuff online that you knew you were likely to need.

Or you could drop it off before/on your way to work and pick it up on your way home.You can actually pay someone to do a job for you as people sometimes pay me to do a job for them.Sometimes John you have to spend some money,keep it local and keep someone in buisness.Hes a excellent mechanic aswell.
PM me if you want his number