Bike Maintenance....

Discussion in 'The Workshop' started by Dino Brown, May 16, 2008.

  1. Dino Brown

    Dino Brown Sir Smack-Alot

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    What is it with everyone and mechanicals lately? :?:
    Derailler hangers snapping. Single speeds tensioner's. Crank bolts loosening. Spokes snapping. The set-screw holding my front brake lever falling off. Aosty losing his front brake altogether.... #-o

    Speaking of mechanicals....
    Twice in one week, my jaw dropped when told (by Newbs) they had NEVER changed a tire! :eek:
    Didn't know how to repair a busted chain... No clue how to do a minor derailler adjustment... Etc. Etc. Etc. #-o


    What will happen to these family members if "the group" is not there to help them? :?:
    What happens when they go on their next 15 mile solo ride- and no one is within a 20 minutes of them? What if...

    My opinion: An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. :bang:

    The Bible of Bike Repair:
    Zinn & The Art of Mountain Bike Maintenance

    [​IMG]

    Zinn Instructional Video (4 Hours)

    [​IMG]

    Park Tools Repair Center- http://parktool.com/repair/
    (Drag cursor over bike diagram)

    Tubeless Instructional Video- http://www.notubes.com/support_movies.php

    Note: When in doubt.... Take your bike in for service! :beer:

    This Public Service Announcement brought to you by the Iron Horse Bicycle Company! :bang:
     
  2. Rob

    Rob Active Member

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  3. Dino Brown

    Dino Brown Sir Smack-Alot

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    Thanks for the links Woobie! :clap:

    If anyone has advice, opinions, tips, or videos they believe could be useful:
    Your PARTICIPATION would be most appreciated! :beer:
    Replacing a chain
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Auy0KGsXAIg


     
  4. Sharky

    Sharky Active Member

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  5. mtnbikerfred

    mtnbikerfred Super Moderator

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    I'm surprised how many people carry multi-tools, but have never used them (things like the chain-breaker). I'd suggest everyone ask their LBS for a piece of old chain to practice taking apart (without losing the pin) and putting it back together so that it doesn't bind.
     
  6. mfoga

    mfoga Intense Whore

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    I have one question, since I have no idea saying the shop I got it at as unhelpful would be an understatement.

    What needs to be done shocks and forks as far as preventative maintenance?
     
  7. onegymrat

    onegymrat New Member

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    Hey Dino, I totally agree. I know of two avid riders, whom I ride with on occasion, that know very little on how to maintain their bikes. Both of whom do not carry any tools with them. I'd be thrilled if they had a tube with them. They both will either tolerate the bike being out of whack or take it to the shop, even if it's just to tighten the brake cable! If they were newbies, I can understand, but they're veterans of the trail.

    I often wonder what would happen if something on their bikes would go really wrong on the trail. Am I expected to fix it if I'm riding with them?! I don't think we all need to know how to repack our headset bearings or own all the entire Park Tool set, but I would expect avid riders to try and understand how their bike works and how to keep in running smoothly. Especially when they've spent $3000+ on their bikes. I told one of those friends that, unlike his car, after you take it for a "tune-up", on a mountain bike, it WILL go out of whack a bit after a ride or two (shifting).
     
  8. el_d00der1n0

    el_d00der1n0 New Member

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    clean the dirt off.

    every now and then, you're supposed to change the oil.

    i'm doing fork work this weekend. anyone interested in a thread about the work?
     
  9. genusmtbkr5

    genusmtbkr5 STR Moderator

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  10. Dino Brown

    Dino Brown Sir Smack-Alot

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    Sorry Gene! #-o
    Lately, you guys have been spending more time MOVING threads than reading them! :beer:
     
  11. mtnbikerfred

    mtnbikerfred Super Moderator

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    Keep them clean. DO NOT spray high pressure water near them.

    Every month check/tighten bolts on shocks and suspension pivots. Check air pressure in main/preload chambers and boost/negative chambers every month. Write down your pressures so you'll know what they're supposed to be!!

    Every six months, Pull shock bolts and spacers to clean and lightly grease them. Clean under the wipers/seals on forks.

    Every year to 18 months, change your fork oil. Have rear shocked serviced (change seals/bushings, new oil, re-purge with nitrogen).

    It's nice having that "new bike" feel forever.

     
  12. COLEKO

    COLEKO The Flying Hawaiian

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    The one simple thing to do before you ride is a bolt check. Basically just check to see if your bolts are tight in all the main areas like brakes, Handlebars,ETC.
     
  13. GregMiester

    GregMiester Member

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    maintenence or ride, maintenence or ride....I need to learn to do both at the same time!:lol:
     
  14. Dino Brown

    Dino Brown Sir Smack-Alot

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    Three things I do before EVERY RIDE:
    1) Bolt Check
    2) Take a toothbrush to the chain (helps to remove 90% of dust/dirt)
    3) Apply chain lube
     
  15. Code Blue

    Code Blue Guest

    Easy

    Twice in one week, my jaw dropped when told (by Newbs) they had NEVER changed a tire! :eek:
    Didn't know how to repair a busted chain...#-o No clue how to do a minor derailler adjustment... Etc. Etc. Etc.

    Ride a SS with tubeless tires.

    glad I could help
     
  16. ohyeah89

    ohyeah89 LEARN-IMPROVE-TRAIN

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    Okay so I've read the instructions, I've watched the youtube videos and I just don't learn well that way! I taught myself how to change a tire by reading the parktools website but it took 45 minutes!!! (Ha, and I still didn't do it completely correctly, didn't fill the tube up with enough air.) I just learn better in person when I can interact and ask questions! and just havn't had the opportunity to learn this way yet. I'm sure there's other newbs who are the same way...

    I totally agree that bike maintaince is super important, thanks for all the links and suggested reading material, however, my suggestion:

    Any veterans want to set aside like an hour before/after a ride to show newbies some simple stuff (like how to repair a broken chain/bolt check) And then maybe the newbs can buy the knowledgeble ones a beer to show their appreciation? :?: Just an idea...

    and THANKS for the PSA =)
     
  17. Dino Brown

    Dino Brown Sir Smack-Alot

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    If we set-up a clinic... Would you attend? :D

    How 'bout before/after a Newbie Ride? :?:
    EDIT: Weekend clinic it is!
     
  18. ohyeah89

    ohyeah89 LEARN-IMPROVE-TRAIN

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    EXACTLY what I had in mind, one during the weekend though since many of the shops have theirs during the week... or a casual small gathering of STR newbs and someone who can show us the simple stuff...

    Edit: Haha, yay I'm not the only one who likes to keep editing my posts! Of COURSE I would attend and I would promote it like heck to others! Newbie rides tend to have a huge turnout (too much going on to focus on important stuff to learn), maybe Sunday Fully Loop would be more low key? It would also provide a good opportunity for the newbs to "thank" their teachers at Heroes afterward...
     
  19. Frozen208

    Frozen208 No pain no gain

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    Here's one for people who prefer visual learning.

    Bicycle Tutor
     
  20. roguemoog

    roguemoog New Member

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    Ehh...I learned my lesson the hard way after having to walk/coast a few miles when I busted a chain on the trail and didn't carry tools. Now I carry too much!

    I know the basic stuff but I want to pick up a book for getting to know the bike a little better. I think that Zinn seems to be often recommended...I shall check Amazon marketplace! (Good place for cheap books by the way)
     

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