[saidrick]

I finally took my bike in for its first tune-up after ten rides and a persistent stem/headset creaking noise. And I was wondering how often do the rest of you take your Ventana's in for regular maintenance? The bike is still S-W-E-E-T, the best part is picking the worst line going down a hill, knowing the bike can handle it despite my mistakes in judgment

Cedric

 

[el Turtlehead]

Never.....

Mountainbikes require constant tuning so I do it all myself (except for wheels) If something creaks, I know how to isolate it. If shifting is poor, I fix it myself. Few bike shops will do as good a job as you will if you learn how to do all your own maintenance.

I finally took my bike in for its first tune-up after ten rides and a persistent stem/headset creaking noise. And I was wondering how often do the rest of you take your Ventana's in for regular maintenance? The bike is still S-W-E-E-T, the best part is picking the worst line going down a hill, knowing the bike can handle it despite my mistakes in judgment

Cedric

 

[mtnbiker4life]

Cedric - I constantly tune and optimize my bikes performance after each ride and sometimes just for the heck of it. I have a note book I keep all my suspension settings and my thoughts from the ride. I replace my cables and housings once every year usually after Cool's race or this year after the mud dried up. The best thing you can do for yourself is learn how to wrench on your own bike and buy all the basic tools.

 

[massmang]

Yep.... I work on my own bike as well, and like has been already said.. once you know what you are doing you can do a better job than the wrenches at your LBS... you put way more TLC, and time into doing it.. when a wrench does it they are cranking the bikes in the shop out with tune ups... they do a good job, a great job even, but nothing beats doing it yourself...

you are much more in tune with your bike when you work on it yourself.... I can take mine apart, and put it back together in no time...

 

[paddlefoot64]

I find that I have to be careful who I let work on my bike. Most of the maintenance chores I handle myself, because I believe I take more care than they do. Also, if you don't fiddle with it, how are you going to fix something when it needs attention on the trail?

 

[moclan]

The Salty is the second bike I have built. I love working on my bikes (and me wifes and kids). I think it's part of the joy in having a bike worth anything, part of the joy of moutain biking ...
But I got to admit that once I've built the bikes up, I tried them out and then have had them double checked by a good shop. Really it's for peace of mind.

Buddies and friends ask me to fix or tinker with their bikes now so more pleasure for me.
You've got to have the right tools though. Get the wrong ones and it becomes a pain.

Lastly I bought a set of T allen keys, sort of cheapish (but still money) compared to the likes of Snap On or Craftman or other names, and I regret it now. They don't fit nice in the bolt heads, can't put any torque on them :madman: ... I'm going to get a better set :madmax:

 

[mtnbiker4life]

Speaking of tools here is a list of basic tools that every mtn biker should have IMHO:

1. Full set of hex wrenchs (shop worthy & get duplicates of 5mm if you have King hubs )
2. cable cutters (park)
3. bottom bracket tool
4. chain tool (shop worth not mini tool that's asking for busted knuckles)
5. box end wrenchs
6. sockets and 1/4 or 3/8 drive
7. Torx for Avid disk hardware
8. Cone wrenchs
9. screw drivers
10. chain ring bolt wrench
11. chain check tool
12. cassette removel tool
13. A good torque wrench (10-150 lbf-in)




The list is endless and depends how much you really like wrenching. I love wrenching but also know my limitations both is tools, knowledge and free garage space.

 

[uktrailmonster]

I take mine to the shop about once a year to do the stuff I can't be bothered with at home or needs special tools eg. fork / shock service, wheel alignment. The rest I deal with at home eg. cable changes, mech setup, brake bleeding, pad changes, drivetrain maintenance, lubing, headset greasing, pedal rebuilds etc.

 

[FoShizzle]

I take care of it myself.....all by myself, I put the bike in the bike rack and drive all by myself to the shop to have them fix it.

 

[Soupboy]

Never. My bikes don't break down. I'm that fierce of a wrench.

Also, when something starts heading the wrong way I just sell it on eBay for 95% of what I paid for it and buy a new one!

Seriously though - bikes are relatively easy to work on if you have the time/interest. A creaky headset? take the fork off, clean the race, HS bearings and then apply a generous dollop of grease to all surfaces that come together. Torque to spec. Enjoy.

Note: Your creak may be a faulty steerer/crown press fit. I just had my Reba's whole upper assembly replaced under warranty due to this issue.

Good luck.

 

[Just J]

I'm a bit like Fo' in that when my bike's gears begin to stop shifting properly or something needs looking at, I simply sell it and replace it with 3 more bikes.

 

[cbrossman]

For me I certainly get enjoyment from servicing my bikes as well as my wife's, but part of it is that I get to ride 4 or 5 days each week, and I only have one mountain bike, so I don't like to have it sit at the shop waiting for repairs.

To my shop's credit (Hassle Free in Durango), I almost always get immeadiate service when I need to bring it in.

 

[saidrick]

Hmm... thanks for the feed back.

After reading your reponse's, I guess I am not hardcore.My shop will let me demo bikes if mine is in the shop, so I don't lose "riding" time. And then there is that little matter of me destroying a Rockshox brake-brace-arch, back in the day, which scarred my bike mechanic skill'z.

Mo power to Fo Shizzle, he is "man" enough to let someone else fix his fix like me.

Cedric

P.S. I do have on trail tools, but I have used them on a "as needed basis."

 

[TIGMAN]

I set my bike out..............

............... on a stand and at night elves come and fix it for me ! :skep: Now I hope they cut my hydraulic brake lines tonight to the right length so I can post a finished picture of my Capitan tommorrow ! This bike rocks , the big wheels roll over everything and carry alot of momentum ! :thumbsup: Seriously , if you feel better about having your lbs do the work that's great ! I do alot of the work on my own bikes except building up wheels and such because I enjoy it ! However there are some things like more technical internal mods to shocks and forks I'd rather have the pro's do for me ! TIG.

 

[ohpossum]

TIG, a couple of questions:

Is the absence of the lowest 'ying-yang' brake hose guide a new standard for seatstays or something you specifically asked for? Also, same for the little extra gusset on the brake side chainstay?

op

 

[TIGMAN]

The guides .............

TIG, a couple of questions:

Is the absence of the lowest 'ying-yang' brake hose guide a new standard for seatstays or something you specifically asked for? Also, same for the little extra gusset on the brake side chainstay?

op

................. are the designed differently ( a slot for ziptie use ) on my 06 Capitan and yes only one guide on the seatstay ! The extra gusset is standard on the Capitan as well on the disc brake mount side chainstay ! I like both features ! TIG.

 

[kudders]

Jfri

Servicing? tune ups? I subscribe to the JFRI school of thought...

...juss funking ride it! :thumbsup:

 

[uktrailmonster]

Servicing? tune ups? I subscribe to the JFRI school of thought...

...juss funking ride it! :thumbsup:

Ah, you're the guy with the squeaky Kona then (or should that be Koni ??)

No, you've got to have tons of tools and spend hours messing with it between rides. It's all part of the bike-rider bonding process

 

[kudders]

mmm yeah that'd be me!

i am less one kona now...