Hi,
I have a Marin Lucas Valley. The below link shows the spec of the bike:
http://www.ykkbikes.com/content/2012-marin-lucas-valley
It's in desperate need of a clean and, no doubt, service. As a novice, I have some questions.
Question 1 - Cleaning
The cassette and chainring are full of grime. What I have done is sprayed loads of WD40 on them, with a layer of Fairy washing up liquid, then some more WD40. I will let that settle for a couple of days before I get round to washing it off. I have since read washing up liquid contains salt which isn't ideal, a bit late now. I intend to wash the whole bike with warm soapy water and then dry it thoroughly with a cloth. I will use a toothbrush around the cassette and chainring.
--Is the washing up liquid I've applied likely cause damage if washed fully off, followed by a good dose of lubricant spray?
Question 2 - Lubricant
I have use in the past GT85 with some Finish Line Wet Oil. I found the wet oil really attracts dirt.
--Is it just fine to use a healthy dose of GT85 all over (cassette, chainring, brake cables, etc..)?
Question 3 - Inner Tube
As you can see from the spec, the bike has Alex DC19 rims. They have Presta valves currently.
--Can I use Schrader valves with these rims or do I have to stick with Presta?
The tyres on the bike are 700c by 28mm.
--What size inner tube is suitable for this tyre (i.e. 700c by 20mm-25mm, or 700c by 28mm-32mm)?
--What length of value is suitable for the rim (42mm, 60mm, 80mm)? I think 42mm are on there currently. --Any benefit with going for longer valves?
Question 4 - Tyre
The tyres on the bike are 700c by 28mm.
--Does anyone know the largest (width) tyre I can use on this bike (for example, will it take 700c by 32mm)?
Question 5 - Chainring
The cassette looks fine, however the chainring has two teeth (if I can call them that), on opposite sides of the chainring, that are bent out (sidewards, actually inwards) by 1-1.5mm. The bike still changes gears fine.
--Are teeth being bent inwards ever so slightly normal?
--Should I attempt to bend the each tooth back just a tad? What would you riders do?
Questions 6 - Pump
I've lost my foot pump and wish to purchase an old school type hand pump (not a bracket attachable pump) so I can fit it in my ruck sack. I find smaller bracket pumps flimsy.
Will a pump like the be robust and strong enough to fully inflate a 700c tyre?
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-Halfords-Essentials-High-Volume-Bike-Bicyle-Pump
A lot of these hand pumps have Schrader connectors/adapters.
--I've seen these small brass Presta to Schrader adapters online (see below link) for about a £1. Do these actually work or do they fail when attempting high pressure inflation (as it will mean I can simply buy a Schrader pump of my choice and use the adapter)?
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-x-BRASS-ADAPTOR-PRESTA-TO-SCHRADER-BICYCLE-VALVE
I hope these questions are suitable for this forum. I am a novice and would like to attempt to service my bike myself. There is plenty of videos online but they don't necessary answer my specific questions.
Thank you in advance.
I have a Marin Lucas Valley. The below link shows the spec of the bike:
http://www.ykkbikes.com/content/2012-marin-lucas-valley
It's in desperate need of a clean and, no doubt, service. As a novice, I have some questions.
Question 1 - Cleaning
The cassette and chainring are full of grime. What I have done is sprayed loads of WD40 on them, with a layer of Fairy washing up liquid, then some more WD40. I will let that settle for a couple of days before I get round to washing it off. I have since read washing up liquid contains salt which isn't ideal, a bit late now. I intend to wash the whole bike with warm soapy water and then dry it thoroughly with a cloth. I will use a toothbrush around the cassette and chainring.
--Is the washing up liquid I've applied likely cause damage if washed fully off, followed by a good dose of lubricant spray?
Question 2 - Lubricant
I have use in the past GT85 with some Finish Line Wet Oil. I found the wet oil really attracts dirt.
--Is it just fine to use a healthy dose of GT85 all over (cassette, chainring, brake cables, etc..)?
Question 3 - Inner Tube
As you can see from the spec, the bike has Alex DC19 rims. They have Presta valves currently.
--Can I use Schrader valves with these rims or do I have to stick with Presta?
The tyres on the bike are 700c by 28mm.
--What size inner tube is suitable for this tyre (i.e. 700c by 20mm-25mm, or 700c by 28mm-32mm)?
--What length of value is suitable for the rim (42mm, 60mm, 80mm)? I think 42mm are on there currently. --Any benefit with going for longer valves?
Question 4 - Tyre
The tyres on the bike are 700c by 28mm.
--Does anyone know the largest (width) tyre I can use on this bike (for example, will it take 700c by 32mm)?
Question 5 - Chainring
The cassette looks fine, however the chainring has two teeth (if I can call them that), on opposite sides of the chainring, that are bent out (sidewards, actually inwards) by 1-1.5mm. The bike still changes gears fine.
--Are teeth being bent inwards ever so slightly normal?
--Should I attempt to bend the each tooth back just a tad? What would you riders do?
Questions 6 - Pump
I've lost my foot pump and wish to purchase an old school type hand pump (not a bracket attachable pump) so I can fit it in my ruck sack. I find smaller bracket pumps flimsy.
Will a pump like the be robust and strong enough to fully inflate a 700c tyre?
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-Halfords-Essentials-High-Volume-Bike-Bicyle-Pump
A lot of these hand pumps have Schrader connectors/adapters.
--I've seen these small brass Presta to Schrader adapters online (see below link) for about a £1. Do these actually work or do they fail when attempting high pressure inflation (as it will mean I can simply buy a Schrader pump of my choice and use the adapter)?
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-x-BRASS-ADAPTOR-PRESTA-TO-SCHRADER-BICYCLE-VALVE
I hope these questions are suitable for this forum. I am a novice and would like to attempt to service my bike myself. There is plenty of videos online but they don't necessary answer my specific questions.
Thank you in advance.
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