The Reason I'm Pissed Tonight - FAO CUK Cyclists

**EternalOptimist** · 20 March 2015, 23:20

Well oiled.

that's the secret

**MarillionFan** · 20 March 2015, 23:55

Originally posted by Gumbo Robot View Post

Took my road bike (pushbike) in for a service today.

1 pm got a call from the shop telling me, basically, it's farked. Wheels are knackered, headset is knackered, needs new chain & cassette, bottom bracket's knackered, all the cables are screwed.

£500 to fix it if I want a half decent set of wheels.

Why? Because this winter I've been on a bit of a health kick & I've been out in all weathers. I get home cold, wet and knackered & the bike goes in the shed where it stays wet & rust sets in to all the moving parts - bearings, cables etc.

So, WTF am I supposed to do? Don't go out in the rain the bloke in the shop said. That can't be right, I'm always seeing people out in all weathers. (I might also add the the roads around where I live are very rough so no doubt that's contributed too).

I paid £1500 2 years ago & don't really expect this - though I've done about 4000 miles in that time (with regular services). Perhaps I'm naive & these sorts of bikes are high maintenance & all this aggro is par for the course.

Oh well, it's a company asset so I'll be expensing it...

Jump Brillo, Jump!

**Avalonia** · 21 March 2015, 06:39

I never feel like cleaning my bike after a long ride but you have to get the worst of the tulip off. Salt , grit and grime destroys your bike. Hose it down after a ride , spin the cranks to get water off the chain and lube the chain and sprockets, this all takes two minutes . then clean the bike properly on another day. And get a chain cleaner and check for chain wear, a worn chain wrecks your group set, new chains are cheap.

**BlasterBates** · 21 March 2015, 09:52

That's a good tip, got a new bike about 3 years ago, and don't go out when it rains, go for a walk instead. Still looks like new

just saves a lot of hassle on maintenance, as I used to do the same thing. When I do go out in the rain I wipe it down afterwards and keep it well oiled. Usually go out three or four times a week and it rains a lot less often than you think.

I've thought about getting a sh*tty throw away bike for the rain and muddy wet rides, that's worth thinking about. My old bike drive me up the wall with things rusting up, breaking or seizing up.

If you can keep your bike indoors that's an alternative.

**Gumbo Robot** · 21 March 2015, 09:54

Originally posted by Avalonia View Post

I never feel like cleaning my bike after a long ride but you have to get the worst of the tulip off. Salt , grit and grime destroys your bike. Hose it down after a ride , spin the cranks to get water off the chain and lube the chain and sprockets, this all takes two minutes . then clean the bike properly on another day. And get a chain cleaner and check for chain wear, a worn chain wrecks your group set, new chains are cheap.

In my case it seems that water got in everywhere and screwed every bearing on the bike.

**FatLazyContractor** · 21 March 2015, 09:57

Originally posted by Gumbo Robot View Post

In my case it seems that water got in everywhere and screwed every bearing on the bike.

You mean, your water broke?!

**Avalonia** · 21 March 2015, 10:28

Originally posted by Gumbo Robot View Post

In my case it seems that water got in everywhere and screwed every bearing on the bike.

it's crap off the road ruining your bike not water

**xoggoth** · 21 March 2015, 11:06

Mine was 60 quid 2nd hand. Works fine. Mind you, I only ever use it off road as lucky enough to have 15 miles of public foot/cycleway ex-railway tracks nearby, lack of any salt may help.

**Archangel** · 21 March 2015, 12:08

my solution was to buy a bike but never ride it. it's still in perfect condition. I don't seem to be any fitter though.

The Reason I'm Pissed Tonight - FAO CUK Cyclists