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'08 Races
Complete Calendar at
Eliteendeavors.com

2/3 Livonia Indoor Tri

4/5

Indoor Tri
4/20 Dooby Du Bikesport Du
5/10 US Navy SEAL Fitness Challenge
5/15 XTERRA Last Stand
6/8 Ann Arbor Tri/Du
6/22 XTERRA Torn Shirt
7/13 Waterloo Tri/Du
7/20 Clark Lake Tri/Du
7/27 Women's Only Tri/Dri-Tri
8/9 Sylvania SuperKids Tri/Du
8/10 Sylvania Tri/Du
9/13 N.A.S. Grosse Ile Duathlon
11/20 Smoke the Turkey 5K

>>

How to Fix a Flat Tire.

>> What is the difference between a Road Bike and a Triathlon Bike?
>> Review: 2008 Felt B2 Pro
>> Review: 2008 Cervelo P2C
>> How to Put on a Wetsuit
>>
Fashion or Function - "S" Bend aerobar extentions
>>
Three Steps to Saddle Comfort.
>>
Learn how to fly (your bike).

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Road and Triathlon Bike
Maintenance Schedule

Lightweight, high performance road and triathlon bikes are hybrid specialty machines just like a Formula 1 racecar, advanced military aircraft or spacecraft. They require constant and regular maintenance to preserve their mechanical capabilities and prevent problems.

Our experience is the majority of expensive repairs are due to a lack of maintenance. Most mechanical problems during an event are the result of poor maintenance and inspection.

With this in mind, we have published our maintenance schedule of how we maintain our bicycles. These are minimum standards, so if you aren't doing at least this amount of maintenance on your bike, you're not doing enough.

These are not exaggerated industry standards for liability reasons, but real-world standards we actually use.

Every time you ride:

Approx. time: 4 minutes.
  • Inflate tires to preferred pressure.
  • Inspect bars and stem for cracks, creaking or looseness.
  • Check quick release skewers on both wheels to insure they are locked and wheels are tight.
  • Inspect tires for major cuts

 

Every third ride: (in addition to above).

Approx. time: 2 minutes.
  • Quickly wipe frame down and inspect for cracks near bottom bracket area.
  • Test brakes and shifting for adjustment.
  • Inspect saddle, seatpost clamp head and seatpost binder bolt for cracks and insure adequate tightness.


Every tenth ride or after bike gets wet. (in addition to above).

Immediately after riding:

Approx. time: 30 minutes.
  • Dry bike with towel, pedal the drivetrain with your hands while lifting the rear wheel to spin water out of rear bearing surfaces, cogset, chain, etc.
  • Wash bike completely with soap and water. Dry bike, spin wheels and cycle drivetrain to expel water.
  • Apply chain lubricant and wipe off excess.
  • Apply lubricant to derailleur pivots and brake pivots.
  • DO NOT get lubricant on tires or wheel/rim braking surfaces.
  • Wax frame (if painted).
  • Inspect spokes, hubs, headset and bottom bracket adjustment and tightness.

Every 3000 miles. (in addition to above).

Approx. time: 2 hours.
  • Complete tune-up (let the bike shop do this if you aren't a mechanic - Free if your bike came from Bikesport).
  • Inspect chain, replace if worn.
  • Replace tires.
  • Re-tape handlebars.
  • Grease all metal/metal contact surfaces (seatpost, stem).

Once per season. (in addition to above).

Approx. time: 4 hours.
  • Complete overhaul.
  • Inspect sealed bearing units, clean, grease and adjust all loose bearing units.
  • Replace frayed cable

If you stick to this maintenance schedule it is unlikely you will ever have a serious maintenance problem or major mechanical malfunction during a ride. If you feel it is an exaggerated schedule and your handlebar stem snaps suddenly during a ride resulting in a fall, you suddenly learn the importance of preventive maintenance.

 

© Tom Demerly, Bikesport Inc.
Site Designed and Maintained by: Intuitive Business Solutions

 


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