Bike Servicing

[tjdixon911]

I;m thinking of Selling my Mountain Bike and wanted to give it a service before hand, Thinking I could do it myself but just wondered if there was a checklist of things to do....

Thanks

Tom

[thehappyotter]

I guess it depends how much time & effort you want/need to put into it.

A quick clean down and re-grease would probably suffice for something which has led a leisurely life but a full strip down and rebuild might be better for a bike which has led a hard life.

Basics would be:
De-grease and clean then re-lube drivechain.
Check tubes and tyre pressures/tread.
Grease headset if not sealed.
Check brake pads/disks for wear.
Check cables for stretch and adjust or replace as needed.

My bike is currently in the middle of a total strip down and looks like this:







I can'r find my bottom bracket tool so am waiting for a new one to arrive before that comes out.

[mk1fan]

You don't give any details of your bike.

I would:
Wash the bike thoroughly with brush and bucket with soapy water (fairy is fine) rather than a jet wash.
Lube the derailieurs.
Lube any cables (this can be done without releasing them from the derailieurs if you have slotted cable guides).
Clean out the muck from the jockey wheels on the rear derailieur, the rear cassette, and the chain. Lube them (FYI - WD40 and GT85 aren't suitable for chains. They're too thin.). Check the chain for stiff links.
Check gears work correctly.
Check the wheels for trueness (easy if you have V brakes) and spoke tension.
Check hubs turn smoothly.
Check tyres for cracking or splits. Check tyre pressures.
Check seatpost hasn't 'fused' ino the frame and is greased.
Check handle bars, gear levers and brake levers are n the right position and secure.
Check headset for play and smoothnes.
Check forks for play and smoothness (assumed suspension) and establish whether they can be seviced or not.
Check any remaining bolts are adequately tightened.
Wipe over frame with a clean cloth with GT85 or WD40 on it. Avoiding rubbing it into any braking components (disc or V).

After doing all that the bike should look and work great. You may not wish to sell it!

[Neil G60]

I'd use Hope "Sh1t Shifter" for the washing rather than Fairy. Much kinder to bearing seals and it has a much more powerful degreasing action. It's also ace at cleaning alloy wheels on your motor!

[mk1fan]

Or Muck Off, but as the poster didn't relay any info on the typr of bike and assuming a limited knowledge of bike maintenance (else why would they post) they propbably don't want to spend £25 odd on getting specific cleaners and brushes just to clean a £100 ride about bike.

[tjdixon911]

Thanks for the info, it will be handy to know this info when I get my new bike seens as this one is now sold

I checked everything for tightness and gave it a clean using my alloy wheel cleaner which did a very good job then gave all moving parts a bit of an oil.

Now I need to find a replacement

[mk1fan]

What's your budget and want sort of riding are you going to do?

[tjdixon911]

mk1fan said:

What's your budget and want sort of riding are you going to do?

See my other topic Ref: Specialized Hardrock pro, which I think you have reponded too recently;

I have also been looking at the Marin Bobcat but also looking into Kona's, GT's and Giants (Can't remember the names of some of the others...) Looking to spend anywhere between £300-£400 can you recommend anything different? Or is it worth spending a little more for something else?

Thanks

Tom

[snotrag]

You should be able to get yourself a very capable bike for that amount Tom.

All the manufacturers you list make good bikes at this range. A lot of it will come down to what is available at your local shop, and also on test rides. All the bikes will ride and fit you differently - For instance I particularly like the ride of most Kona Hardtails, but not really the equivalent Giants.

Its just like comparing the drive of cars.

If you wanted to spend more money, then what you'll be looking at is reductions in weight, more of the componentry being 'Branded' as opposed to generic components, and better quality components.

You are, I'm afraid, spoilt for choice at anything between £300 to £3000 pounds, there are masses of good bikes avaiable now.

Whereabouts are you? On the off-chance I can reccomend some shops.

Final piece of advice that I always used to give to customers.

Based on your above post, I'm hoping that your planning on doing some proper fun mountain bike rides. So, don't spend all your budget on the bike. You will have a much, much more fulfilling experience if you also take the time to choose yourself a good lightweight helmet, some good eye protection, comfy cycling gloves/mitts, some padded shorts (wear em under baggies so you dont have to look a spaz) and a basic repair/emergency toolkit/spare tubes package.

Pretty sure I've probably just made things 100x more complex for you now, HTH

[snotrag]

Echo, echo, echo...

Edited by snotrag on Wednesday 8th August 13:33

[tjdixon911]

snotrag said:

You should be able to get yourself a very capable bike for that amount Tom.

All the manufacturers you list make good bikes at this range. A lot of it will come down to what is available at your local shop, and also on test rides. All the bikes will ride and fit you differently - For instance I particularly like the ride of most Kona Hardtails, but not really the equivalent Giants.

Its just like comparing the drive of cars.

If you wanted to spend more money, then what you'll be looking at is reductions in weight, more of the componentry being 'Branded' as opposed to generic components, and better quality components.

You are, I'm afraid, spoilt for choice at anything between £300 to £3000 pounds, there are masses of good bikes avaiable now.

Whereabouts are you? On the off-chance I can reccomend some shops.

Final piece of advice that I always used to give to customers.

Based on your above post, I'm hoping that your planning on doing some proper fun mountain bike rides. So, don't spend all your budget on the bike. You will have a much, much more fulfilling experience if you also take the time to choose yourself a good lightweight helmet, some good eye protection, comfy cycling gloves/mitts, some padded shorts (wear em under baggies so you dont have to look a spaz) and a basic repair/emergency toolkit/spare tubes package.

Pretty sure I've probably just made things 100x more complex for you now, HTH

Thanks for the advice.

I'm based in Mildenhall, there are a good few cycle shops in Cambridge to try out and a couple in Bury St Edmunds... We are fortunate to have alot of forest round there so I don't have to travel to far to go off road!

It would be good to find a shop nearby where all the bikes are together, which seems difficult as not many seem to stock all makes.

I keep looking at the alternatives on the net but its hard to see what they are really like!

[mk1fan]

D'oh. I did check to see if you had previously posted the question. Obviously not well enough.

I agree with what snotrag says. The choices I gave were over budget.

tbh you can't really go wrong with the Spesh. Before you buy any bike test ride it first. What I find good in bike you may not. Most of the magazines (mbuk, mbr, wmb) have a 'begineers' section where they review entry level bikes. I have a look to night at the last few months editions and post up what they have reviewed for you.

[tjdixon911]

mk1fan said:

D'oh. I did check to see if you had previously posted the question. Obviously not well enough.

I agree with what snotrag says. The choices I gave were over budget.

tbh you can't really go wrong with the Spesh. Before you buy any bike test ride it first. What I find good in bike you may not. Most of the magazines (mbuk, mbr, wmb) have a 'begineers' section where they review entry level bikes. I have a look to night at the last few months editions and post up what they have reviewed for you.

Thanks, I did buy Septembers MBUK today so will have a read of that tonight.

[tjdixon911]

I'm going to head up to this shop on Saturday for a look at what they have to offer, www.paulscycles.co.uk there seem to be some good deals on there from the likes of GT, Trek, Giant, Dawes, claud butler etc, if anyone has the time could they look and make some recommendations for my budget? (Ideally under £400). I am still keen on the Specialized Hardrock Sport but wanted to see some alternatives before deciding.

Thanks

Tom

[snotrag]

Just looking now, give us a minute.... Looks like theres some good deals on ATM.

[GVK]

This Giant XtC 4.5 looks a good bike for just over £400 !

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b...

Edited by GVK on Thursday 9th August 19:01

[snotrag]

Starting at the top, I know its over budget but hey....

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b... Kona Caldera


That is a very capable bike, used to have one very similar. Very good frame, and the cheapest your likely to find one with a Marzocchi fork, which is a fair bit better than the budget RockShox's.
Also has very good brakes and chainset - I reckon thats a very good buy for £550 sheets.

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b... DAWES Thorn Hill


...Till i found this one. Again, Marzocchi fork, brakes are not so hot though. Again, very good for the money, but there appears to be some areas that may be a little cheap, (transmission)

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b... Giant Terrago

Again this looks like a good overall spec, Another good quality frame. Standout are the brakes, giant MPH are actually rebodied oldd Hope C2's, and very good for the money. However the fork would not fill me with confidence, I wouldnt like to comment on its long term performance. Lockout is unneccassary to be honest.

Rest of them are here - http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b...
You need to go and ride them, and see what prices you can get in store. My preference would be with either of the Kona's on there, mainly because I love the frames.


ETA - that XTC does look cracking at 425. Again, its got the great brakes and a better fork than the one I posted. Get a test ride on that one for sure.

The site doesnt seem to list the bikes properly, not sure how i missed that one. also be warned a lot of those offer are in limited sizes. If your average sized you may struggle with stock.

Edited by snotrag on Thursday 9th August 19:06

[tjdixon911]

Thanks for all the help. I had noticed that the sizes were limited on some bikes, my old Carrera was a 19" Frame which is the size I'll be looking for again (I'm 6Ft 1 ish!)

I quite like the Kona brand so that is of interest but its a bit above my pice range, the Dawes (I guess all the bits could be upgraded as and when if required)one looks good also as do the Giants. how do you think these really compare spec wise to the Specialized Hardrock pro, that looks very good value to me @ £329 with Hyd discs.

Any thoughts on the Trek 4300 disc? http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b... I quite like the look of this one but no-one mentioned any trek bikes above...

Thanks

Tom

[BadgerBenji]

The giant terrago, in my opinion is the bike of choice from that list, the fork is ok, never had any returned with problems, the disc is hydraulic and a very well tested setup, with a good backup of parts available. So if it was my money it would be the giant. Have sold both trek and giant in the past, and spec for spec you always get more for your money with the giant, they might not have the glitz that trek somehow has but they are the better bike.

[pdV6]

snotrag said:

Starting at the top, I know its over budget but hey....

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b... Kona Caldera


That is a very capable bike, used to have one very similar. Very good frame, and the cheapest your likely to find one with a Marzocchi fork, which is a fair bit better than the budget RockShox's.
Also has very good brakes and chainset - I reckon thats a very good buy for £550 sheets.

That's a steal! The '07 version is virtually identical (apart from paint colour) and is £750.

I must admit to having a soft spot for Konas, despite never having owned one...