Servicing after 10 years
Discussion
I have a Claud Butler mountain bike. Been sitting the garage for 10 years unused. Thinking of taking it with me to the New Forrest and use it to tour around. What do I need to look at? Im assuming oil the chain etc
Could I just stick it into a bike shop to make sure everything is ok?
Could I just stick it into a bike shop to make sure everything is ok?
Just pick it up, spin the wheels, test the brakes, put some air in the tyres, then get on and ride it.
Your body will probably need more work than the bike initially!
After 10 years, I would expect the tyres might have got hard on the tread, and may well have cracks in the sidewalls, make sure there's plenty of pressure in them to protect the weak sidewalls.
The brake blocks may have got rather hard and slippy and you might find your hands ache from having to squeeze them so much.
If it has been left with tension on the gear cables, you'll need to adjust them to make proper gear changes.
Your body will probably need more work than the bike initially!
After 10 years, I would expect the tyres might have got hard on the tread, and may well have cracks in the sidewalls, make sure there's plenty of pressure in them to protect the weak sidewalls.
The brake blocks may have got rather hard and slippy and you might find your hands ache from having to squeeze them so much.
If it has been left with tension on the gear cables, you'll need to adjust them to make proper gear changes.
I would just put some air in the tyres and take it for a gentle spin.
if it ain't broke, dont fix it.
That being said, after 10 years I would be amazed if it ain't broke. it will almost certainly need new gear and brake cables, headset re greasing and chain oiling.
Though even if it has aged well, it would probably still be worth replacing the tyres at least, because as Paul said, after 10 years they will be cracked and brittle and puncture easily and probably not very grippy anymore.
ETA:
Or yes you could just take it into your friendly local bike shop and get them to give it a quick once over, any bike shop worth its salt will be happy to do that sort of work.
if it ain't broke, dont fix it.
That being said, after 10 years I would be amazed if it ain't broke. it will almost certainly need new gear and brake cables, headset re greasing and chain oiling.
Though even if it has aged well, it would probably still be worth replacing the tyres at least, because as Paul said, after 10 years they will be cracked and brittle and puncture easily and probably not very grippy anymore.
ETA:
Or yes you could just take it into your friendly local bike shop and get them to give it a quick once over, any bike shop worth its salt will be happy to do that sort of work.
Edited by deadtom on Sunday 8th January 00:24
Was in the same situation 6 months ago with a 10 year old Carrera that hadn't been used for the last 9 and a half years.
Pumped up the tyres and sprayed a bit of wd40 in the right areas and all was fine. Rode it 40 miles a week for the next 5 months (before I could assure the wife it wasn't just a fad and could justify upgrading) and all I spent money on was tyres, tubes, grips, pedals and brake blocks. So nothing had gone wrong in those 10 garage years and nothing went wrong in the next 800 off road miles.
Pumped up the tyres and sprayed a bit of wd40 in the right areas and all was fine. Rode it 40 miles a week for the next 5 months (before I could assure the wife it wasn't just a fad and could justify upgrading) and all I spent money on was tyres, tubes, grips, pedals and brake blocks. So nothing had gone wrong in those 10 garage years and nothing went wrong in the next 800 off road miles.
deadtom said:
Or yes you could just take it into your friendly local bike shop and get them to give it a quick once over, any bike shop worth its salt will be happy to do that sort of work.
http://www.markscyclerepairs.com/pricelist.html
Cotty said:
I found a local guy that will take a look at it on Saturday
http://www.markscyclerepairs.com/pricelist.html
good find, looks like he offers a good servicehttp://www.markscyclerepairs.com/pricelist.html
If you're taking it to Marks, see if saying "rolls recomended you" gets you any money off...
(I used to work with him, and am supposed to be going for a ride in the near future actually! - and he does know his stuff, which is nice!)
Oh - and if he says rolls who, say Rich from halfords! (many many moons ago!)
(I used to work with him, and am supposed to be going for a ride in the near future actually! - and he does know his stuff, which is nice!)
Oh - and if he says rolls who, say Rich from halfords! (many many moons ago!)
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