bike maintenance tasks

rmiller

Quick question for the bike gearheads out there.. 

I bought my bike in July/august 2011, and after a year, put on about 2700 miles.  The shop then suggested a new chain, based on the spacing using the tool, and also replacing the shifter cables.  I went with the chain, but declined the shifter cables.  This was in June of last year.

This past weekend, one of the shifter cables broke, reminding me of the suggestion from the shop, and making me think the guy was maybe right.  This past year I put on another 3000 miles, and while at the shop to get the shifter cable replaced, the guy pointed out sharkfinning of the big chainring cog.  He wanted to test it to see if it shifts cleanly (before cable snapped, I was thinking to myself that the shifting action has been very, very smooth and solid recently - so I actually think the big chainring is fine) before committing to replacing it.  He also suggested a new chain, as it was getting worn out.

I'm wondering if this sounds kind of excessive - replacing chains after 2500-3000 miles, and potentially a big chainring after around 5700 miles.  I read stuff on forums about chains lasting several thousand miles, and chainrings lasting multiple times that.  I don't ride in wet weather nor in really dirty conditions.  I generally keep the chain pretty clean - lubing with white lightning every few hundred miles, and using a chain cleaner device every 700-1000 or so (on the shorter side for when I'm riding more outdoors).

I guess I just feel like I don't ride all that much, especially compared to some people - so I'm surprised that a new chain every year and proactively replacing shifter cables once/year may be standard practice. 

Dino Sarti

I generally just consider what you going through to routine up keep. Better to replace at the normal signs of wear then be stuck by the road like with a broken cable. Chains, cogs, rings they are all consumable and will wear differently, but they will wear. So your experience may not match someone else's.

Question - have you had your headset looked at? That's another one that should get regular service. That bearing get killed over time by sweat and sports drink. When it goes bad it can ruin your frame. It should be serviced annually.

Scott Alexander

I have my LBS replace chain and all cables (brakes and deraileurs) at the beginning of every year, period.

This is at the same time I get a general "tune up" for the bike. I usually do the road bike in Feb some time, then the tri bike about two months before my first race (whenever that may be).

rmiller

Thanks for the feedback. I knew that at some point, it is what it is - and if I'm harder on my equipment than others - then so be it. But it's also reassuring to know that others find that things like chain and cables get replaced on a yearly basis.

Dino - I never had my headset looked at. Thanks for the tip!

bmr94539

Yes, cables, shrouds, chains, tubes, tires. I keep them in stock and replace early. However, I have broken a shifter cable on the road, so maybe not early enough.

How do you guys handle sealed bearings? Do you just replace those? How often? I wonder about my bottom bracket, although headset is a good point also. I'd like to spray in some lube or something, but that seems like the wrong thing to do . Does your LBS replace/repack your bearings?

Dino Sarti

I am probably over worried about headsets. I was at the LBS early this year for my pre-season overhaul and saw a high end carbon bike they had taken a dremel to in an effort to get the seized headset bearing out of. It didn't work and the frame was junk....

wareagledusty

I do most of my own wrenching, including building up my bikes, and routine maintenance is a must. With that said I enjoy doing the work because it is normally done late in the evening and involves a cold beer or three. My rule of thumb is that if it is a part with bearings (headset and bb) then I need to pull the at least once a year and clean and repack with grease. Chains I typically change annually though I have done that more often, cables pretty much annually though I try to time that To be 4-6 weeks before my "A" race so the cables have time to stretch.

rmiller

When I picked up my bike last night from the shop, I asked about the bearings.. basically, he just said when you start feeling them or can tell they are grinding is about the only symptom you can expect. The bearings int he crank or in the wheels may be one thing (sealed, harder to get to) - but the headset bearing is probably something that is more easily replaced on a regular basis just as a maintenance task.

bmr94539

Thanks for the feedback. Yeah, my headset is pretty easy. On some bikes (maybe older ones?) the headset bearings were pressed in, but on mine they weren't.