Good post! My car mechanic says the same thing to me. Of course, I say the same things to my clients when I tell them they have to do maintenance on their computers if they want them running in tip top shape. How many people do that? Tom? :)

I took a 2 day "rip your bike apart and put it back together again" course from my LBS and it was INVALUABLE!!! Loved it. Before that, I could barely oil my own chain. ;)
M~

bless you for this post Tom. Don't know how many times I've stood next to someone in transition with something not working on their bikes (simple stuff too) and wondered...damn..you spent how much on that bike and it looks like THAT??? I feel anal about keeping my drivetrain as clean as I keep it sometimes...but I'd feel worse about it having a season or two worth of grunge on it. Even had to loan out my backup race bike to someone who suddenly broke a der cable on their bike with about 20mins to race time (it was seriously rusted and about three years past its prime). Makes me mad and sad all at the same time to see such things..but then I really love my bike.

I'm pretty anal about it too. My LBS actually compliments me on how clean I keep the drivetrain. (I think most people only come in when the rear derailleur is attached to the wheel.) The last two times I went in for a tuneup(once before a century, then before IMLP) they spent five minutes looking at my bike then told me it didn't need a tune up. I think they're just using reverse psychology to get me to make them take my money by refusing to work on my bike. Instead I have to use to service money to buy parts I don't need out of guilt. It's very frustrating.

I think the Rohloff chain tool is possibly the best $25 I've ever spent on my bike.

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Also,we really put heart and soul into these bikes. WE take really good care of them and fuss and fiddle over them until all hours of the night.

A couple times I've damn near cried, heck, one time I did cry, when customers just take these bikes from us and wreck them. They abuse them. It is funny- all that money and time and effort and care, and they ride it in the rain, put it on the outside of their (empty) truck on a rack and just neglect it. They don't even take care of it.

If you had a brand, new Ferrari, BMW, Mercedes or whatever you're into would you beat the tar out of it?

Man, it's sad. Please guys, people put heart and soul into these bikes. They were expensive. Baby them.

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Tom Demerly
The Tri Shop.com

I'd love to maintain my bike better, but how about giving some advice - I put on new cables and housings and rebuilt my brakes. However, only a couple hundred miles later the rear brake is so corroded from sweat and humidity that I can't use the rear brake. The brakes are stock cervelo brakes from a P2k, the cables and housing are standard dura ace.

Is there a particular grease I should be using? Should I just upgrade the brakes - if so upgrade to what Ultegra, Campy? Am I a candidate for those hard to use, expensive cable sets?

My LBS has no advice except take the brakes apart every week and clean them.

I put on the Profile QS2 brake levers with the return spring and that seems to have helped my stock Cervelo brakes with their performance. They are cheap so probably worth a shot. I don't see how ultegra or dura-ace brakes would be any less susceptible to sweat mucking them up...

You're right. Just did my pre race bike check up and noticed that three of my chain ring bolts were quite loose. Would have been embarrasing if my chain ring fell off during the race this weekend.

Good advice, Tom. It is a shame to see expensive bikes taken care of so poorly. I see it at every race. Taking just a few minutes after each ride and will save you a big expense down the road.

After every ride you should remove all sweat, salt, dirt, and dried beverage from the frame paint, brakes (especially rear), seatpost, aerbars, and anywhere else you may have dripped sweat. And clean the rear axle. This is a spot that gets hits with sweat a lot and I see caked with rust on bikes. Most axles are steel. This is the bare minimum after every ride. Remember, sweat contains salt which is corrosive and corrossion can start in a few hours in humid climates on aluminum frames and steel parts. I use Cinch for this step.

Lube/check all cables once a month. Check all bolts and fittings. Clean/lube chain as necessary. A clean chain will make your cassettes and chain rings last longer. Clean the cassette.

I'm kind of anal about the cleanliness of my bike. But then again, my bikes are 2001 models and look newer than some 2004 models. I would be glad to have my mother eat off my downtube anytime.

A CLEAN BIKE IS A FAST BIKE !!! Learn it, live it. Your bike will thank you. And so will Tom and your wallet.

Tom, you have transition and changing a tire clinics listed on your website. Do you ever do basic maintenance clinics?

As someone who is soon to take delivery of his first road bike in 20 years can we get a list going of your favorite bike maintenance tips? I know absolutely nothing about bikes...except that they cost a lot..and like all my other gear, I want it to perform, last a long time and look good.

What is your top bike maintenance tip?

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"A society is defined not only by what it creates, but by what it refuses to destroy."
John Sawhill

This behavior is just an typical expression of their personality, they live their lives expectiny others to take care of their stuff because they are paying for it. I personally do not let anyone else touch my bike unless I have a problem that I can not figure out, or do not have the tools to fix. If I could wipe down my bike while I was riding I would. Maybe I feel this way because I built my bike and my wife's bike, and I do not know how many hours it took to make everything perfect. I can not imagine anyone would care as much about my bike as I do, no matter how much I paid.

Maybe if some of the last minute people were turned away they would change their approach, but I highly doubt it.

Funny, I've gone the other way. I managed a bike shop for several years and wrenched for years before that. When I was in the shop my bike was meticulous, and we ensured that all bikes that left our shop were as well.. Now I have an office job and my bike is filthy. It gets what it needs in terms of parts, and it always rides fairly well, BUT there's gatorade on the down tube, worn bar tape, and poorly trued wheels (not too bad...but not perfect). I realized once i was out of the shop that a spotless bike doesn't go any faster or improve the enjoyment of the ride. As long as it works well, I'm happy. I just don't have the time to wipe it down after every ride. I bunny hop curbs. I ride it in the rain and don't dry it off. And you know what, it doesn't seem to matter. It's a bike and it'll be replaced at some point. Frankly, I think I enjoy riding more now that I don't fret over the 'little things'. But everyone's mileage will vary.

Now, if I could only get out of the office to ride as much as I used to....

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"Oh man, it's going to take days to kill all these people!" - Jens Voigt

Yes, yes, please share your favorite bike maintenance tips please. This is one of the things I find the most frustrating about triathlon. As a swimmer/runner coming into the sport I feel like there is this secret cycling club that I cannot join where you learn such skills. There are also rules that no one else knows, like don't go on group rides with aerobars. I think you have to be born into it.

I am always afraid of doing bike maintenance because I know there are things I shouldn't do, as they will mess up my bike forever. Like, I shouldn't take it to the car wash to clean. So I end up cleaning it every other week, and then just hoping my twice a year LBS bike tune up is good for the rest...

The way to avoid this is good 'ol P.M.C.S. Preventive Maintenance Checks and Services.

I would, but I can't find a -10 for my P2K. And as much time as I spent yelling at my soldiers for doing PMCS from memory, I wouldn't want to set a bad example by not using the correct manual. :)

Chris

Thanks for the timely reminder. I do check my bike before each ride and do regular maintanence on it..but great idea..get it tuned up and ready to go for Wisconsin..

Rant away ...we listen!!

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Trying to find ways to pass the time.

TOM

I always wash my bike before each race, inspect everything, do not use a bike carrier (I put my bike in the back of the explorer), hell I even pump up my tires to race pressure the night before to be sure I don't have a leak. I learned all this from www.michiganbikesport.com

THANK YOU for you helpful PSA! I know my bike is in good hands.



PS. I need you to overhaul it this winter... it is a b-2 Felt (2years old).



-Matt West

Cars come with a maintenance schedule. So what is it for bikes?

Every ride I should do ______

Every week I should do ______

Every month I should do ________

Every off season I should do _______

Every ______ I should do ________

Will somebody please fill in the blanks for me?

I figure I need to take care of what I've got, since Tom also tells people not to buy used, so there is not much chance I'll be buying new soon if there isn't a market for my old aluminum.

I'm guilty.

My only defense is that my bike is likely better off if I don't touch it at all, other than to ride it. A couple of weeks ago I attempted to clean my wife's bike, and by the time I was done with it, it needed a trip to the local mechanic and a new chain. No kidding.

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"People think it must be fun to be a super genius, but they don't realize how hard it is to put up with all the idiots in the world."

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Here is what I do. I am not a professional mechanic, or a bike shop owner, but I've never had any major problems with my bikes.

before every ride : inflate tires (every 2 days) check brakes, quick visual check of tires and brake pads, headset. During ride, mental note if shifting is out.

Every week: thorough wash, degrease and relube drivetrain and all pivot points, lube chain. Check all bolts for tightness, inspect frame for cracks, check wheels for trueness.

Every month, same as weekly, but also recheck saddle height and tilt.

Every 6 months, completely strip frame, including BB, thoroughly clean and reassemble. Replace all inner cables and check outers. Reglue tubulars if they have been on for more than 6 months.

After each ride in the rain, hose down the bike afterwards and relube chain and pivot points.

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Swimming Workout of the Day:

Favourite Swim Sets:

2020 National Masters Champion - M50-54 - 50m Butterfly

Tom has that exact schedule on his site. Here is the link.

http://www.bikesportmichigan.com/bikes/maintsched.shtml

 
Tom, I love my bike, with deep, deep passion. If any SOB tried to harm my bike, I would protect it as I would my family, with my life's blood if necessary.
As soon as I get 1000ks on my DUAL, that baby is going back to the shop for some TLC.

Did I mention that I really like my bike?

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kiwipat

per ardua ad astra

Park Tools has a really helpful website with a lot of info and pictures for how to work on your bike. I took their course at my LBS and agree that a quick course is the best investment I have made in my cycling. It was more than worth the money in not having to go to my LBS for stuff I can easily do myself. Plus, there iis just something about a clean drive train. After it's been dirty for awhile, it's like having a brand new bike.

Here's the checklist from the helpful guys at Park Tools (who have a pretty useful website by the way), I jst listed their "every ride" and "monthly" checks:

Every ride:
- Check your chain lubrication
- Check your frame for obvious cracks or damage
- Take a quick look at your stem and bars
- Check your tires and tire pressure
- Check your wheel trueness after your ride

Monthly
-Check your bottom bracket for play in the bearings by dropping the chain off your chain ring and spinning the crank. Check for smoothness
- Check your brake cables for fraying
- Inspect brake pads for wear
- Lube your brake pivots
- Check your chain length
- Check crankarm bolts for tightness
- Check chainring teath for wear
- Check derailleur screws and index settings as required
- Inspect your frame closely for cracks or bends
- Check handlebars for bending
- Check tightness of saddle binder bolts
- Lube spoke nipples to prevent corrosion

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Slowguy

(insert pithy phrase here...)

I know an ex pro triathlete who kept all his bikes outside. Instead of dog crap he had Hed wheels and bikes everywhere in his back yard. Looked like an obstacle course.

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Brian Stover USAT LII
Accelerate3 Coaching
Insta

All the years I worked at B&L in Kona, I was always blown away by the condition of a lot of the bikes that would come in right before Ironman. Couldn't believe some people qualified on something in such crappy condition and they at times were risking their lives training for Ironman on them. One mechanic who came over for Ironman one day snorted "yeah, that's the difference between cyclists and triathletes....cyclists take care of their bikes, triathletes don't." I was offended by this statement but unfortunately found out it was for the most part true. Even just wiping down the frame and around the working parts is good for your bike and gives you a chance to see if everything looks alright or needs to be addresses by your LBS.

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______________________________
Have you hugged Your Mom today?

Since I bought my bike as a box of components, I learned a lot building it, along with the Zinn book.

I have a much better appreciation of when things aren't quite right. I clean it weekly, more if it's been raining during a ride. For me, the biggest thing is cleaning the chain and relubing it. That more than anything seems to keep it running sweetly, and I always listen to the bike when I'm out and make a mental note of whether anything squeeks, grinds or doesn't shift quite right.

The important thing seems to be regularity, and not putting things off until later.

J.

Every ride I should do ______ check your brakes..everything else every ride out can make do...but just once you miss this point and it could very well be your last ride..never ever ever not check them..also a good idea to check tires for nicks/cuts/wear hate to blow out mid ride

Every week I should do ______ check that your headset it tight..only takes a minute to do..lock your front brakes and puch against the front wheel..you will feel movement if it is loose...same goes for seatpost and seat...check for brake pad wear. Those little metal bumps on you Shimano pads tell you when it is time to change them. Glazed or worn brake pads are about as effective as no brake pads in an emergency stop situation. Some times you can wear them faster than you think and even a week can make a difference if you ride over less than ideal road conditions. Might be a good idea to check some bolts too. Chainring, stem, ect.

Every month I should do ________ either do it yourself or take it to a LBS for drivetrain cleaning...when you get done/get it back take a dapm cloth (and maybe mild soap) to everything else. Get grit out of nooks and crannies in things like brakes and derailleurs (even a little bit of grit can slow down a shift..when you're trying to go up a hill is not a good time to find this out). Wipe off sweat, grime, Gatorade etc. If stuff builds up it will be harder to clean the longer you leave it. Try and really clean joining parts of different metals (and lube slightly when reinstalling). Had a friend with a steel fork tube and an aluminum stem that he left out in the damp a bit too long...had to torch the two to get them apart. Water+opposite (and even similar) metals+time=superglue Even worse when you add sweat.

Every off season I should do _______Overhaul. All of it. You might need new tires, cables, pads, chain/rings/cassette (if changing one for heavens sake change all three...if you only change one the wear from the other two will wear it out in half the time), bar tape...it might need to have new grease in the hubs, bottom bracket, headset (if applicable) and sometimes even pedals. If needed torque all bolts that require it to exact spec. Some manufacturers of stems will only warranty them if you follow the guidelines to the letter. And doing them up too loose..well you don't need to be a mechanic to see what's coming.

Every ______time I ride I should do ________whatever it takes to make sure my ride will be a safe one. Having the best training ride of your life interupted by a catostrophic failure means nothing when your season is abruptly ended. Unlike the complex intricacies of cars engines and computers it takes very little care to keep your bike in at least acceptable working condition. And in doing so she will reward you with bringing you home as safe and sound as the morons in their cars will allow all the time letting you do so maintenance worry free.

I feel exactly the same. I love riding and I feel that life too short for lubricating, cleaning and worrying about it. Once every 6 months I send it to the shop for a complete service. I never have any problems with the bike. I ride it everyday. In any condition. I can’t afford the time of cleaning it and looking after it. I don’t work in a bike shop but also in an office. When I am home I want to rest, not to clean a bike. I pay more so that I don’t need to look after it – it is well built and can cope with my demands.

In fact I think that those who touch it (the bike) all the time, rebuilding it and so on have more problems with their bikes. All this tightening nuts over and over. I know people who now and again rebuild the whole bike. I think that there is no need for that. I used the same bike for three years it rides like new despite rain, mud and whatever. When a bit goes it can be replaced. When the whole thing goes – great!! An opportunity to get a new bike.

I keep all my bikes IN the house. Not the garage. This is Florida. Garages here are 150 degrees and 100% humidity most of the time. I also go to my LBS and let THEM check out my race bike twice a year even though I've been doing it for eons. Why? Because bikes are like wives, we take them granted and start overlooking problems. Nothing like a fresh eye. Last time I did this my LBS showed me my chain line was slightly off because my crank had worked ever so slightly loose in 6 months (probably that pot hole I hit in Clermont going downhill at 50 mph). It's worth the $40.

-Robert

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"How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world." ~Anne Frank

Tri-Newbies has a great list of things to do. As a newbie myself, I love it but don't know if anything is missing.

http://trinewbies.com/BikeClean/Welcome.asp

Tom I looked at your check list on your site

I f I may I would suggest adding

- check your cleats for wear...

as a critical maintenance check
Pulling out of your pedals is dangerous and avoidable with new cleats.

Tom,

You are going to hurt business if you tell people to maintain their bikes. The sooner they fall apart the sooner they can buy new ones.

Heck, the local shop just took $50 in labor out of me for a bottom bracket changeout. Problem is even Campy mirage lasts forever. After seven years I figured I should replace BB, even though I was having no problems. Only problem was it pretty much seized into the steel frame after seven years and numerous rides in the rain.. It took them a week to get it out including soaking the whole BB in the shell. They mechs were complaining about how hard it was, but for $50 I don't feel so bad.

Couldn't you use more work like this?

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"When I first had the opportunity to compete in triathlon, it was the chicks and their skimpy race clothing that drew me in. Everyone was so welcoming and the lifestyle so obviously narcissistic. I fed off of that vain energy. To me it is what the sport is all about."

Tom,

How often should I take my entire Reynold's Ouzo Pro Aero fork completely out of the headtube and inspect it? There is rarely a ride I don't hit something pretty hard, and I'm checking the bearing snugness each and every ride, as well as at any rest stops. Almost never have to adjust it. But, could I be missing a developing crack by not tearing it down periodically? I've never had a carbon fork/steerer break, but, I know it happens. I don't want it happening especially when screaming downhill at 45+...which I do almost every ride I go on...I have a very nice hill (Cemetary Hill...people are dying to get to the top of this hill ;)) to climb that I try and do at least twice almost every ride.

I've never even seen a crack or carbon fiber failure...would I need a magnifying lens?

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Quid quid latine dictum sit altum videtur
(That which is said in Latin sounds profound)

There really is no excuse for good bike maintenance. Let be honest (no offence to the mechanics out there) but bicycles are not rocket science. Everyone should be able to adjust a derailleur, remove cranks and bottom brackets, replace cables and adjust brakes. The only things I take my bike to the LBS for anymore is headset removal (and that rarely) because I dont have a headset press, or warranty issues.

"I know an ex pro triathlete who kept all his bikes outside. "

At the other end of the scale, I know an AG'er who keeps his bike in the bedroom and his wife tolerates it. He's got a garage and a basement at his place so go figure.