Is your bike ready for the Challenge Tour?
We are often asked how regularly a bike should be serviced, which is pretty much like asking how long is a piece of string...
The answer really depends on how often you ride, what weather conditions you ride in, how well you look after your bike, the age and condition of your bike is and so on. A useful rule of thumb is that if you ride more often than a couple of times a week or you ride in the rain, have your bike serviced every 6 months. If you're a fair weather rider who rides only a couple of times a week then every 12 months is probably often enough. Obviously, if your bike has been in an accident or you're having problems with gears or brakes, it needs a bit of TLC.
Some pearls of wisdom from our mechanics:
- If you ride in the rain, have your bike serviced regularly and make sure you lubricate the chain after every ride
- Replace your chain every 3 000 - 4 000 kms so you don't have to replace your cassette every time the chain is replaced
- Don't service your own bike or replace parts if you don't know what you're doing. The cost of fixing mistakes and the risk to your safety from doing it wrong far outweigh any 'savings' you think you're making
- Replace damaged parts as soon as you discover them so you don't wind up in hospital
- If something on your bike isn't working do something about so it doesn't lead to bigger issues
- Pump up your tyres to maximum pressure before a ride to reduce the likelihood of a puncture
If your bike needs a service and you're planning on riding over the summer book it in for a service now, don't leave it until the day before the Challenge Tour or you may be disappointed.
