The nuts and bolts of bike tune-ups
|
Don't let the unknowns of bike repair deflate your will to bike. A tune-up and some personal care you can get off your rump and on your ride.
For starters, a key question: How often does your bike need a tune-up?
"If you just ride it in sunny weather, your bike can go five years," said Aaron Goss, mechanic and owner of Aaron's Bicycle Repair in West Seattle. "If you ride a bike to work, you might need one twice a year."
An average price for a tune-up is about $75. This typically includes cleaning the bike, inflating the tires, lubricating the chain and gears, greasing the bearings, aligning the frame, balancing the tension on the wheel spokes (or truing) and inspecting the brakes.
An extensive overhaul can cost $125 to $175 and involves stripping the bike to the frame, cleaning, lubricating and inspecting all parts before reassembly.
Mechanics rarely tune-up children's bikes because they aren't ridden as much, but they do advise parents ensure the brakes are working well. A minor tune-up for a single-speed child's bike costs about $15; a more complicated tune-up for a multi-gear child's bike would cost about the same as for a big bike.
There's one constant in bike repairland, especially as we near summer: The tune-up will probably only take one to two hours but customers should expect a one- to two-week wait before a mechanic can work on their bike.
The cost of a tune-up and what it includes varies.
Some shops, such as Aaron's, specialize in general repair. Others focus on certain kinds of bikes: The Downhill Zone, University District, in mountain bikes; Il Vecchio, Leschi, custom-made road bikes; Recycled Cycles, University District, reconditioned bicycles.
"Bike shops are some of the few remaining small independent businesses that have refused to succumb to the mass conglomeration of the corporate empire," said Scott Marlow, marketing director at Cascade Bicycle Club, a Seattle-based organization with about 4,500 members.
"All bike shops have their own personality, so they are able to serve the needs of their individual neighborhoods." Some repairmen make house — or office — calls.
Pedal Dynamics, for example, keeps commuter bikers rolling. Founder Dean Sabol arrives at an office in the morning and works on commuters' bicycles so they're ready to ride home that afternoon.
"The corner bike shop really hasn't changed in 100 years," said Sabol. "The bike shop your grandfather went to was really the same thing as it is today. But the consumers' life has gotten exponentially faster and when you look at other industries, they've adapted to be more convenient.
"Having a mobile business is an innovative way to assist cyclists without taking tons of time out of their day."
Do-it-yourself, and some don'ts
Tune-up jobs best left to the experts include adjusting and greasing bearings, truing wheels and, of course, the brakes.
"Bearings come from the manufacturer with the 'San Diego' amount of grease, we put the 'Northwest' amount of grease on them," said Goss.
In rainy weather, water is more likely to get into the bearings and cause them to rust. With added grease, water is less likely to sneak in. Also, the oil in the grease evaporates over time making it less effective.
Having the wheels trued is important to keep your bike riding straight. If you hit something the slender spokes may be jarred out of alignment. This can make your wheels wobble and potentially break, according to Marlow.
Mechanics emphasize leaving brake adjustments to the experts.
"The brakes are what can potentially save your life," said Marlow. "So, I take even my own brake adjustments very seriously." He does most of his maintenance but takes his bike in to be serviced, as well — at a Gregg's Cycle shop because it's close to home.
While a tune-up should include a thorough cleaning, tire inflation and chain lubrication, you can also perform these basics from the comfort of your own back porch.
Cleaning is relatively simple and helps decrease wear from dirt and grit. Goss says the best way to clean your bike is to dip a bristle brush, such as an old toilet bowl brush, into warm soapy water and scrub off any dirt on the bike. He emphasizes the importance of using a fine mist to rinse. Blasting the bicycle with water can force water into the bearings causing them to rust.
Inflating tires is another easy step to ensure a smooth ride. "If you ride every day you may need to pump up once a week," said Kenny Hamm, owner of The Bicycle Doctor, a mobile repair service that operates by appointment. "The more you ride, the more air you force out of the tires."
Appropriate tire pressure is listed on the side of the tires. Heavier riders may need higher tire pressure and lighter riders lower pressure, according to Goss.
As for the chain, lubricating it can be an act of kindness to fellow riders as well as the owner.
"I often pass people on the trail and their chain is chirping like a spring bird because the chain has no lubrication," said Paul Priest, service manager at Recycled Cycles who has never owned a car. "That would drive me batty." Recycled Cycles in the University District offers new and reconditioned bicycles and used parts.
Happy chain, happy bike
Blaise Curry, head mechanic at Recycled Cycles, tunes-up six to 10 bikes a day, inhaling the heavy smell of tire rubber that permeates the shop.
First, he sprays WD-40 on a rag. With the bike dangling in mid-air from a bike stand, Curry wraps the rag around the chain with one hand and pedals the bike backward with the other. This cleans the entire length of the chain.
Next, he continues pedaling backward, running a thin line of lubricant over each nub of the chain.
Still pedaling backward, he wipes the chain of excess lubricant with a clean rag. Too much lubricant can cause more dirt to collect on the chain.
Marlow recommends lubing your chain twice a month if you ride frequently. He also recommends lubricating the chain after riding in the rain.
"The easiest things to do are keep the bike clean, lube the chain, and pump up the tires regularly," said Goss. "Like flossing and brushing your teeth makes the dentist happy, these are the three things you can do to make your bike mechanic happy."
Jennifer Lloyd: 206-464-2113 and jlloyd@seattletimes.com
 |
|