Bike Maintenance - Pedelec Forums

JohnInStockie · #1 (**permalink**) 5th December 2006, 13:28

Hi All,

What tips do you have for general bike maintenance? I have not looked after a bike for over 20 years and basically cant remember anything so any of your experiences and advice is very welcome for me.

How often do you maintain your bike (as in look at it to see that everthings ok for more than 2 mins)?
How often do you clean your bike?
What do you clean the different parts with (powerjets, bucket and rag, cleaning fluids or washing up liquid, solvents, oils, e.t.c)?
When do you change bits over (brakes, cables, sprockets, tyres, chains, barreries)?
How many people give their electric bike to their local bike shop to 'service'?
Can your local bike shop service your electric bike correctly?

Thanks for your advice / experience.

John

rsscott · #2 (**permalink**) 5th December 2006, 13:54

Hi John,

1. I usually give the bike a check over once a week and a cursory glance before a ride.

2. Once a week or more if the weather has been particularly bad.

3. I just use some foam spray and some clean cloths.

4. Too early to change things on the Torq. My previous bike after 5000 miles still didn't need anything changing. I was using Schwalbe tyres which still looked as good as new!

5. My previous Cyclone electric bike did go in for a service once, mainly due to a new chainwheel being fitted at the same time. They were rather bemused to be servicing an electric bike!

6. If your bike uses standard components I can't see why not! Obviously the electrics/motor are generally not serviceable without specific knowledge.

flecc · #3 (**permalink**) 5th December 2006, 15:50

Everything on an "as required" basis. This could mean cleaning two days running in a very bad circumstance or not for several weeks.

I do my own service work and apart from cleaning, judge by "feel" whether any particular attention is needed.

JohnInStockie · #4 (**permalink**) 5th December 2006, 19:24

With the Twist, do you have to pay any specific attension to the chain or any other parts after a ride? Is it safe to use 'Jet-washers' on these bikes (are the motors completely water-tight)?

John

flecc · #5 (**permalink**) 5th December 2006, 21:23

No, no worries with a Twist, I just grease the chain very occasionally and ride it in any weather. Don't use jet washers on any normal vehicle if it can be avoided, they can do lots of damage.

andrewelectricbike1 · #6 (**permalink**) 8th December 2006, 21:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by flecc

No, no worries with a Twist, I just grease the chain very occasionally and ride it in any weather. Don't use jet washers on any normal vehicle if it can be avoided, they can do lots of damage.

OK so WD40 is out then?

I once used a ptfe type bike oil that seemed to make my chain stiff!!

You should be able to jet wash the rims/tyres surely

flecc · #7 (**permalink**) 8th December 2006, 22:45

Hi Andrew

Of course some jet washes can be used on things like that, but I've seen so many cases of damage from indiscriminate use I prefer to warn in that way. One injudicious move with some of the more powerful ones can strip paint off in an instant. I've yet to see a bike that really needed anything as forceful to clean it.

On a hub gear utility bike like the Twist, a thick coating of grease is next best thing to an oilbath chaincase. As the grease hardens and dries it flakes and carries away dirt etc. At over 6000 miles my chain and sprockets look good for the same again, but I know of one Twist lubed with oil occasionally which needed new sprockets and chain at under 4000.

WD40 seems ok on derailleurs which don't live that long anyway, quite a few people use it, preferring cleanliness to long life, but I prefer a lubricating oil and cleaning occasionally.

andrewelectricbike1 · #8 (**permalink**) 8th December 2006, 22:53

Understand what you say on the jetwash. I never blast bearings or close paintwork.

I might try grease on the chain this winter.

~S~
Andrew

flecc · #9 (**permalink**) 8th December 2006, 23:02

I use a tub of Halfords Cycle Grease, lithium based with Teflon, white until it sees the chain when it turns black immediately! I apply it thickly with a toothbrush, not my one though.

Had it ages and seems to last for ever. (The grease, not the toothbrush)

JohnInStockie · #10 (**permalink**) 8th December 2006, 23:08

Phew, good advice. I was unaware of using anything on bikes other than either 3in1 or wd40, and at my local jetwash, theres no end of a queue on Sunday Mornings of MTB'ers and their muddy bikes, blasting them in every nook and cranny until their money runs out. I can honestly say Ive never heard of 'cycle grease' before, but I will be buying some this weekend (and to think I was looking at buying the B&Q special £19.99 jetwash to clean the bike with).