Bicycle riders: question for you

[Presidentcokedupfratboy]

I have had my bicycle for a year. Do you ever bring your bike to a shop for a tuneup?

[Lethe]

1. yea, its a good idea unless you are a bike repair person

:)

[NNadir]

2. Absolutely.

I typically do it every two to three years, unless the gears go out of whack, in which case I do it sooner.

It is particularly important as the chain stretches, and has teeth wear on the gears. These things happening is a good indication that you are using your bicycle enough.

[jobycom]

3. Do you mean does the bike need it, or can you do it yourself?

If your basic question is "Does a bike need a tune up on a semi-regular basis?" the answer is yes. The more complex the bike, the more it needs it. You can get away without one indefinitely, just fixing what breaks, but your bike will get old more quickly, and sometimes break or wear out before its time, and it will get increasingly less efficient to ride. A loose steering column can ruin the frame, for instance, and loose bearings can wear out and make the bike harder to peddle, or even ruin parts.

If your question is "Can I learn to tune it myself," or "Can I just fix things as I go along," the answer is yes, mostly. It's fun to learn your own bike by fixing it. Buy a couple of tools and a manual, or just do like me and Google. There are plenty of sites with advice and instructions.

It can be frustrating, though, if you aren't good with tools, or don't have the tools, or just don't know the bike that well. I've spent too long trying to take apart sealed bearings, for instance, and tuning your shifters is always fun. Or brakes. You learn a lot, but if you don't care to learn it, it's easier to give it to someone else. Plus there are little things that a bike pro will see right away that you might not unless you accidentally stumble on it, or see a site that mentions it specifically. Like a loose steering column.

But yeah, cables and chains stretch, bearings wear out, nuts loosen, metal deforms, lubes dry out. It needs maintenance.

[flvegan]

4. Once a year.

Tear apart the front and rear shock, check the brakes, clean the cranks and rear sprocket.

I do monthly cleaning maintenance on the gears, but it's good to have a pro take care of it once a year just to be sure.