Other posts related to bicycle-maintenance

How to service Shimano SPD clipless pedals

Aushiker | December 24, 2009 10:52 pm

1260283813128-ae8kbr0w8rwk-850-65 BikeRadar.com has published another one of its handy workshop guides; this time on how to clean and service Shimano SPD (mountain bike) clipless pedals.  The article is a 16 step guide to servicing SPD pedals.  They use a pair of XTR pedals to illustrate the process.  The article covers the following steps:

  1. Washing pedals
  2. Removal of the pedals from the bike;
  3. Striping the pedals down … vice is handy here;
  4. Servicing the bearings;
  5. Re-assembling the pedal components;
  6. Lubrication;
  7. Adjustment;
  8. Go ride.

All the steps are well explained and supported with photos. Well worth a read if you are considering servicing your pedals and you have access to a bench vice.

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Surly Long Haul Trucker 500 km Winter Service

Aushiker | June 28, 2009 9:17 pm

Sir Lancelot, my Surly Long Haul Trucker received today his first winter service at 2,621 km / 1,628 mi.  Winter services are scheduled every 500 km and consist of:

  1. Degreasing the chain using a Park’s Tool CM-5 Cyclone Chain Scrubber and Australian Export degreaser;
  2. Application of Rock and Roll Gold chain lube to the chain;
  3. Checking of chain wear with a Park Tools CC-3 Chain Wear indicator -  no issues on this front;
  4. Checking the tension on all bolts and screws on Sir Lancelot.  Found two of the stem face plate bolts are showing signs of rust.  Will need to replace these with stainless steel bolts.
  5. Cleaning the bike.  I ensured that I covered the Garmin Edge GCS-10 sensor this time with a plastic bag to avoid it getting wet. It seems to have done the trick.

No other issues where noted. Tyre wear is okay, brake pad wear is okay and the derailleurs and brakes are holding their adjustments okay.

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Locking up your Bike – How do you Score?

Aushiker | May 18, 2009 10:58 pm

This is a great video from Hal Ruzal from Bicycle Habitat in New York.  Hal takes a scroll down the street grading riders bike lock-ups.  New York centric for sure but some useful information on locking up your bike.  Enjoy the video.

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Surly Long Haul Trucker (LHT) Tourer and Commuter – Life on the Road (Maintenance History)

Aushiker | April 5, 2009 6:57 pm

This post reflects life on the road with my Surly Long Haul Trucker (LHT). The bike itself and its build, specification, modification along with links to other resources is discussed here.

The purpose of this post is to summarise the maintenance and repair history of the LHT. It will be updated as time in the saddle warrants.

Date

Kilometres

Summary

     

February 19, 2010

5,721 km

Life Time -  Cost per kilometre – 0.44 cents (includes capital cost)
2010  -  Cost per kilometre – 0.04 cents (repairs, maintenance and non-bike specific costs only to date in 2010)

     
February 19, 2010

5,721 km

Completed a service. Chain now due for replacement.
September 20,2009

4,272 km

Completed a 500 km Winter Service, fitted Sigma Sports 1606 L bike computer and fitted 700×28C Continental Grand Prix 4-Season V tires.
September 6, 2009

3,736 km

Completed second service, a  500 km/ 310 mi Winter Service
July 23, 2009

3,527 km

Patched applied last night failed.  Had to repair the puncture again this morning.
July 22, 2009

3,498 km

Third puncture in the rear of the Continental Travel Contacts. Again a piece of glass appears to have been the culprit.
July 21, 2009

3,414 km

Second puncture in the rear of the Continental Travel Contacts. Large piece of glass was the culprit.
July 1, 2009

2,723.5 km

Third puncture in the front for the Continental Travel Contacts.  Large piece of glass was the culprit.

June 28, 2009

2,621 km

First 500 km / 310 mi Winter Service

June 26, 2009

2,621/ 1,628

Puncture in the front. Second puncture for the Continental Travel Contacts. Cause was a piece of glass.

June 17, 2009

2,138 / 1,328

Puncture in the rear. First puncture for the Continental Travel Contacts. Cause was a very small piece of wire.

June 14, 2009

1,966 / 1,122

Free service at Churchill Cycles – Adjust gears and brakes, clean and lube chain

May 8, 2009

1,091 / 678

Standard 1,000 km summer service.

May 3, 2009

900 / 559

Installed a set of aero bars to try out (now removed)

April 19, 2009

343 /213

Fitted accessories:

  • Fitted a pair of Universal Bicycle Swivel Mounts to hold the Fenix L2D headlights.  Discussion of the mounts can be found here.
  • Fitted a set of SKS Chromoplastic 50mm silver mudguards. Not as simple an installation as I expected and some fine tuning is still need.
  • Installed a Topeak Turbo Morph With Gauge pump.  I have mounted this using the bidon braze ons below the down-tube.  Will see how this goes in terms of road grunge etc.
  • Installed a Tubus Cargo (silver) rear rack.
  • Changed the mounting of the Smart SuperFlash rear tail light. It is now fitted alongside a second SuperFlash to the rear of the Tubus Cargo rack.
  • Installed my Avenir top bag to the Tubus Cargo. Not convinced this is the best option but will see how it goes.

April 4, 2009

0 km

Fitted accessories:

  • Fitted stem mount and cadence/speed sensor for the Garmin Edge 305 GPSr/bike computer. I had to remove the two spare spokes to allow for installation of the cadence/speed sensor;
  • Fitted a Zefal Spy Mirror;
  • Fitted a Smart SuperFlash rear tail light to the left hand seat stay;
  • Temporarily fitted water bottle holders and pump mount taken from my Giant CRX 1.
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Got that Sinking Feeling – How to Fix a Flat

Aushiker | December 22, 2008 5:59 pm

Alex, the Bicycle Tutor has an easy to follow video on how to repair a flat tyre. He also has written instructions which you can find here. The video is below.

If you prefer a pommie accent and with it, a different take on repairing a flat, check out the BikeRadar.com video on puncture repair.

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