As most cyclists and triathletes wind down their training/riding and transition towards the winter season they forget the importance of getting their bike checked in for routine maintenance. Whether you plan to ride through the winter (props to you!) or hang the bike up or ride the stationary trainer, here are a couple things to consider as you move into the winter season:
1. Replace the chain, cassette, and chain rings: It is not uncommon for the average rider to put 2,000 or more miles on the bike during warmer months. If you have been putting a lot of miles on the bike, now is the time to replace the chain. It is recommended to replace the chain every 1,500-2,500 miles. Keeping it on the bike longer can cause undo wear to the cassette and chain rings. Typically we recommend replacing your chain rings and cassette every 2-3 chain changes (~6,000 miles). Bring your bike in and we can check the chain wear for you and make recommendations for maintaining you chain including what chain lubes to use, how to apply lubricants, and what to look for in the future.
2. Replace cables and housing: Cables and housing are subject to a lot of wear. While modern cables and housing are much more resilient and resistant to contamination due to teflon and other coatings on the inside of the housing, they still need replacing at least once a year. Moisture and dirt can make their way into the housing and lurk there until the cables begin to rust and cause corrosion of the cable or clog up the housing and make shifting and braking rough. Consider upgrading to teflon coated cables instead of the standard stainless cables. These will get longer life and stay smooth inside the housing longer.
3. Pull and re-grease the bottom bracket: How many times have you heard that annoying clicking and creaking coming from down below as you pedal? How many times have you had your bottom bracket pulled and re-greased? There tends to be a correlation between those answers. Like your cables and housing, moisture can make it's way past the crank inside the bottom bracket and lodge itself in your frame. When you start putting force through the pedals, the threads on the bottom bracket start to creak against the threads of your frame. The last thing you want is a seized bottom bracket and thus a ruined frame. We recommend having your bottom bracket pulled and re-greased once a year.
4. Don't forget the wheels! For some reason wheels seem to be the most overlooked part of the bike. We all make sure to stay regular on the maintenance of our drivetrain, wipe down our frames after a wet ride, and check our brake pads for wear. Make sure to have your wheels checked by a qualified professional for true and your hubs checked for tightness and routine maintenance. Wheel truing is an inexpensive but essential thing to have done to your bike.
While you are at it, have your tires checked. If you plan to do some winter riding it may be worth the investment in a set of winter tires that are more flat resistant. Some people like to replace the standard 700x23 tires on their road bikes with some 25's. Check out the Continental Grand Prix 4-season or Ultra Gatorskin for a great winter tire.
5. Have your bike professionally cleaned. There is no better way to have a bike work and look like new than a professional cleaning. At Elite our complete overhaul includes a comprehensive cleaning where we strip the frame down, clean it, thoroughly clean all components, and lubricate and replace each component paying attention to the fine details. Even if you plan to ride throughout the winter, this process can prolong the life of your bike and equipment and remove the accumulated grime and grit from the previous season.
Not sure what you need done? Stop in the shop. Quotes and advice are free. :)
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