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.
