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Probably getting to the point of the year when I'll properly strip down check and rebuild the bike. while it's easy to wash re-lube and just go over things to check after a ride, I really only do the major stuff (headsets check, BB bearings out and re-lube; that sort of stuff) every 9 months/ year or so...I'm very much of the school of "If it's working OK, leave it alone"
What's your cleaning routine, should I be doing this sort of stuff more often? less often? what stuff do you check?
I check it over after ( or before) a ride every ride - thats looking for duff bearings, brakes working properly that sort of thing. I fix anything I find at the time. I never go further than that.
As above overall check after most rides and replace stuff as and when required.
Meh, if it aint broke....
Although I do tend to nurse any drivetrain components through the winter, can't see any point of putting new cassette/ring/chain on at this time of year if i can help it.
Clean when it needs it and check it over then.
What tj said. Bearings cost relatively little and tend to last a couple of years, at least, nowadays so I don't see the point in regreasing them. Nearest I'll get to stripping down is removing the shock to feel if the suspension bearing move freely.
I do ours about every 6 months because it’s quite a nice way to spend a rainy quiet Saturday
Bearings never last more than a year so usually do them every spring. Forks and shocks when needed or at least annually. Check pads and chain wear every week. Everything else as needed.
Due to living where I do, the bikes basically get unridden between December and May, so usually do a full service in April. Strip bike clean everything replace bearings as required, new chain, cables , full bleed etc
My bikes get what they need, when they need it. I'm pretty good at being able to tell if they're not happy.
I tend to do stuff on the wife's bikes more regularly as I don't get the same level of feedback from her.
In all fairness, most stuff can be spotted during a thorough clean which they get very regularly
Full strip down and rebuild every spring to clear out the winter crap and again in the autumn to make sure everything is prepped for wet weather (grease where it should be, anti-seize where prudent) every autumn.
Other than that it's a quick check-over after every ride and replace things as necessary. I do keep track of parts mileages using Strava though so if a part is coming up to it's usual replacement/service time I pay more attention to those parts. Although this year everything's out of synch as the Rocket has hardly been used and the Fuel EX is getting a hammering. The hardtail is just a cheap beater bike so that just gets stuff as it's needed and donations from the other bikes. The Fuel EX is next to be replaced though as the shock is worn and no replacement parts are available, that will donate parts to the hardtail when it dies.
I have an apple note with a list of when parts were last replaced, I find it handy to know what life I'm getting out of stuff and therefore when they next then might need sorting. Thats how come I know my cassette has been on since 2017! I wish someone would come up with an app that links in with strava and therefore keeps track of mileage on particular bikes once you tell if a new part has been fit and flags alerts when it thinks components like chains should be replaced. As well as keep track of pressure changes and tweaks in a more polished format.
Strip, check, rebuild every 6 months with a new chain for good measure (low end KMC's) - replace what's needed. Annually get new cables as well (cheap Clarks bulk buy). Maybe overkill but I have never suffered a broken chain or shitty shifting while on a ride.
Post ride is just a wipe of the slidey bits and clean of the chain/jockeys, etc then lube. Only have two bikes (FS and 'winter' hardtail) so not a great chore for me.
I wish someone would come up with an app that links in with strava and therefore keeps track of mileage on particular bikes once you tell if a new part has been fit and flags alerts when it thinks components like chains should be replaced.
Strava does this under "my gear". I use it, it is handy to know when stuff needs replacing.
Saying that, I don't think Strava alerts you when components need changing. It does for running shoes but not cycling stuff.
I wish someone would come up with an app that links in with strava and therefore keeps track of mileage on particular bikes once you tell if a new part has been fit and flags alerts when it thinks components like chains should be replaced. As well as keep track of pressure changes and tweaks in a more polished format.
I've though about doing similar on some kind of database, including a 'stores management' function so you'd have a stock of consumable parts ready to go at all times rather than having to wait on stuff being delivered.
But, you know, I realise that any time invested in producing such a thing is better spent riding my bikes. 😁
I am pretty thorough after most rides, unless it’s fine conditions, but I tend to check the chain every 6months and then weigh up if it’s worth replacing that or it’s past point of return and just ride till it dies; I’m about to check where I am and I suspect it’ll be rude till it dies.
I’ve never touched the bearings on my full suss. They don’t creak, don’t feel like they have any drag etc., though I understand I might not notice the incremental drop in performance.
Erm...
I service my Fork and shock twice a year, alternating between lower/air-can and full service. It's March/Sept for me, but only because I got the bike in March. It's not like I've got the time to do it all as part of one big job, it usually gets spread over a couple of weekends, i'll check all the bearings at the same time.
It gets hosed down and given the good news with a shift brush/muc-off when it's dirty, that might mean once a month in summer, once a ride in winter.
I've just had to concede Smoove has reached it's limit for this year, especially when local lockdown meant I was riding in sloppy mud, so I'm on wet lube again, I'll spend Nov-Feb grinding the shit out of it, then fit a new chain/cassette/ring in March, I know I could probably treat it better and extend the life, but I've never managed it.
Currently on my list of 'when I get time' jobs:
Put more sealant in the back tyre, it's losing 10psi between rides.
Strip, clean and grease the dropper, it's getting a bit stiff, I'm hoping this Bird branded dropper is pretty close to my old Shimano Pro one, there aren't any servicing guides for it.