Time for a big winter service....

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Globalti

Legendary Member
Last night I stripped the roadie down for a clean, adjust and inspection. It only gets used on dry roads but inevitably it gets wet and muddy at this time of year. It is only a couple of months and a few hundred miles since I last did this but here’s what I found:

Both gear cables rusted up and sticking in their outers – (I already knew this from the poor shifting) so both inners replaced and rear derailleur outer replaced.

Chain clogged up with black dried lube – soaked in white spirit and cleaned thoroughly. No need to check for wear as it’s new.

Bottom pulley bearing sticky – disassembled, cleaned and re-lubed with white grease.

Both rims contained smelly stagnant water from after-ride washing, it must be getting in around the valves. Oxidation is appearing around the valve hole on the rear rim. – Drained out water and left by the Aga to dry overnight (I hope).

Grit embedded in brake blocks – picked out with a sharp knife and block faces cleaned with wire wool. Lightly cleaned braking surfaces of rims with wire wool then isopropyl alcohol.

General dirt and dried lube on cassette – removed, disassembled and hub cleaned before replacing. Close inspection shows that the teeth are not worn (it’s on its second chain) but interesting round wear marks are appearing on the sides of the cogs from the rivets in the chain - never seen that before. Note however that cassette and chainrings are beginning to look generally ropey after 5000 miles so might replace with the next new chain, which will be at around 9000 miles.

Polished the frame with car polish but haven’t yet got round to removing the seatpost; I expect to find it gritty and wet so will “ream out” the seat tube with a cloth poked down with a stick and leave overnight to dry.

Inspected the witness cracks in the paint and tugged and squeezed the frame and forks while listening for creaking sounds. Checked BB bearings and cleaned both chainrings.

Other jobs include refitting tyres and tubes with talc then inflating and thoroughly inspecting for cuts.

Then a general setup, light lube of moving parts, lube chain, adjust gears and test ride.

Lastly, open a bottle of Moorhouses Premier Bitter and relax by the fire.
 

Maz

Guru
Excellent - you certainly know your stuff, Globalti!

You can fix my bike now...
http://www.cyclechat.net/threads/top-chain-run-goes-slack.120936/
 
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Globalti

Globalti

Legendary Member
so it doesn't just get used on dry roads then..?

If it's wet I take the CX bike with discs and mudguards; if it's dry the roadie comes out but around here there is loads of water running across the roads as well as mud from farms so it usually comes home a bit mucky and gets a tender warm suds wash and pamper before bed. The CX on the other hand gets a quick rinse with a hose, dry the chain and leave to dry.
 

P.H

Über Member
Good stuff and a decent beer.
There are a couple of things you could do to make it easier
Both gear cables rusted up and sticking in their outers – (I already knew this from the poor shifting) so both inners replaced and rear derailleur outer replaced.
Buy stainless steel cables, they are only a bit dearer, last longer and work better. A bit of light oil also helps as does sealed outers, though I don't bother with either.
Grit embedded in brake blocks – picked out with a sharp knife
Change pads to Koolstop Salmon and that's a job you probably never need to do again.
You'll spend a bit more on pads and a lot less on rims.
 
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Globalti

Globalti

Legendary Member
Thanks, I think the new cables are SS. Actually I usually find that the exposed ends of the steel wire in the outers get rusty and manky before the inners and that's when perfomance begins to drop off. I usually dribble some Finish Line on my fingers and run the cable through them before pushing it through.

The pads on my super little Planet X brakes are green Swisstop (I think?) and seem to be doing better than the regular Shimano black rubber pads I've always used.
 

chewy

Well-Known Member
Location
Devon
Do I do the same or get on with the work I get paid for???? Big choice
ah go on....just do it when you've got time and patience. Approach with the right frame of mind and it can be very therapeutic.

plus that beer will taste all the sweeter with the sense of achievement, not to mention that lovely first ride!!!!





Or take it bike shop, whatever.............
 
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