Now that it seems like the snow is leaving and its getting warming, I think its time to overhaul the bike. I'm just not sure if I'm forgetting anything major, so let me know if I'm forgetting something.
-clean/lube seat post
-clean/lube pedals
-replace brake pads
-replace brake cables
-clean/lube v-brakes
-replace shifter cables
-clean/lube derailluers
-clean/wax the frame
-intense clean/lube of drivetrain
-cleaning of the rims
I'm going to let the shop assess my hubs and BB, that's above me.
When i first build a bike I tear down ALL components and lube them with, lithium grease, synthetic grease, molykote, different oils. this enables me to pretty much just wipe the bike down 2 times a year and oil the chain.
If you used the correct lube on the seatpost/frame it last a couple of years imo, I use texaco multifak, and inside the frame i use different sprayable oils. it should be pouring out before assembly.
Pedal axles can be molycoated when they start creaking.
Brake pads gets replaced when worn out.
Cables ona commuter last a couple of years if oiled imo. get the best possible ones from the start too, run full length.
Lubing the v-brake axles is a good idea.
The derailleurs gets dirty in about 30mseconds so just wipe them down and oil pivots.
No need to clean a frame on a commuter imo. Just wipe it down with water and paper
Cleaning the rims is nice especially when changing tires, I just put mine inflated in the shower and give them a scrub until clean with soap and water.
The chain and cassette is pretty useless to clean imo, that being said my favorite method for cleaning the chain is dunking it in white spirit (naphta) and then shaking it (don't throw it away, can be used multiple times), then a quick shower with starting gas for cars (ether) different chamical polarity, dissolves different things, then after that acetone. then I dunk it in my special mix and let it sit for an hour. I made a special lube with molycoat, motor oil, hydraulic oil, crc 556, teflon spray and so on. It last me 6 months per treatment!
That being said. if i were to recommend someone what they should do it would be this: remove
ALL nuts and bolts, grease them. Put grease around all entry points into the frame and bearings. Check cranks bearings (clean/relube), and all bolts here, including the chainwheel bolts. Spray oil/grease in the cable housings. Check saddle bolts. Remove, clean and relube headset and steerer tube if steel, check stem bolts. Open hubs and clean/relube if possible. Get some grease into the shifters. Lube brake lever axles and brake axles. Check tension in wheels. Lube chain and derailleur.
**** lasts forever if maintained properly. If you do it right one time no need to worry for several years imo just some oil here and there and such.
A small edit: I MUCH prefer stuff that has cup and cone bearings, because you can clean these and relube them easily. headsets, hubs, bottom brackets and so on. If I can avoid cartride bearings I do. Those are disposable and/or a hassle to open/remove imo.