How much should bike maintenance cost per year?

[OakLeaf]

Does anyone know if there's a way to recycle the cassettes, etc. My LBS doesn't recycle them - just wondered if there's another resource. CA

I don't know why steel and aluminum parts couldn't be recycled the same as auto parts and household waste. I just dismantle everything down to its smallest components (to avoid mixed materials) and put metal parts in the recycling bin, but if in doubt, take them to your local scrapyard.

[OakLeaf]

That's two people who won't use patched tubes, so I have to ask again: have you ever had a patch fail? Because it's never happened to me or anyone I know.

[kelownagirl]

I've owned my current road bike for 2 years. My LBS 'tuned' it up for free last year. I have 4900 km on that bike. Same chain, same brake pads, same tires, same everything. I am planning to take it on for another check up in the next week or so and expect to get a free tune up and perhaps replace a couple things if they suggest it. And the LBS gives me 15% everything in the store.

PS I have patched and reused tubes many times. Some more than once (same tube, new cut). Haven't had any repair fail.

[lauraelmore1033]

well, the first time I tried to patch a tube, it wouldn't even hold air. I'd followed the directions, but still...
Seemed rather unreliable, especially considering I quite frequently ride out into the middle of nowhere.

I guess I should try it again.

[Aggie_Ama]

That's two people who won't use patched tubes, so I have to ask again: have you ever had a patch fail? Because it's never happened to me or anyone I know.

Yes I have. Maybe it was user error, maybe it was the sweltering 85% humidity we patched and used it in, dunno but the only source of leak was the patched area. Mostly it is pure tiredness keeping me from using them. And I do not patch because I have been saving them for the mirror I posted. I have 4 years worth of tubes that could be patched that I am saving for the mirror. I have to count but I think I finally have enough.

My LBS recycles tubes for all the non-patchers out there. And tires too.

[smilingcat]

That's two people who won't use patched tubes, so I have to ask again: have you ever had a patch fail? Because it's never happened to me or anyone I know.

If correctly applied, older style patches do not fail. Too many people use too much glue and not wait until its dry (not tacky) before applying the patch over a hole. Another common mistake is not properly sanding down the area where the patch goes. use 60 grid sandpaper or use the concrete sidewalk or curb. They do a wonderful job in sanding down the tube.


The new thin ones do fail. I'll go to a bike shop and get the name of the newer quickie fix patch.

smilingcat

[Grog]

When you get parts changed, make sure the bike shop gives you your old parts back.

[lauraelmore1033]

When you get parts changed, make sure the bike shop gives you your old parts back.

They always offer them back, but I don't usually take them. I've already got a box of greasy metal bits and tires and tubes and other assorted bike junk just kicking around. What do you do with them?

A friend recently showed me a picture of a piece of "art" which looked like it was just four bike chains slung over a door. Price? 2.5 million. He joked that, as hard on chains as I am, I could easily recoup my costs and then some by making a similar art object.
I don't think it works that way, but it's an amusing thought.

[Grog]

They always offer them back, but I don't usually take them. I've already got a box of greasy metal bits and tires and tubes and other assorted bike junk just kicking around. What do you do with them?

Art is indeed one option.

The main purpose is to check how worn they are, and that way you know they're not passing them on to someone else (as I've seen done in some shoddy places). It can serve as an emergency part if needed in the future, too.

[OakLeaf]

The new thin ones do fail. I'll go to a bike shop and get the name of the newer quickie fix patch.

smilingcat

Yeah, I wondered about those one-step patches. I've got them on my hybrid, but I don't know if I'd trust them on a high-pressure road tube (although the LBS says they'd be fine...) Park Tool makes some, probably other brands too.

[aicabsolut]

I suck at patching tubes. I can't get it to hold long enough. I just replace. But then, most of the problems I've had were major rips around the valve stem or a broken stem. Neither of those can be fixed with a patch kit. I've had good luck with a couple kinds of tires, Bontrager tubes, maintaining proper inflation, and watching out for big cuts in the tires.

If you deal with a lot of wet, I think Rockn'Roll makes a blue lube for more extreme conditions. You may want to try that. Or a very waxy lube, like White Lightning instead of the teflon stuff. You can find WL everywhere. It's not as cleaning as the RnR, though. When changing the types of lube, you'll want to start with a clean chain, so make your decision with your new chain I guess.

If you're just dealing with a lot of sand, a low pressure hose with a brush followed by good drying now and then (repeat as needed till a lot of the gunk is out) is probably all you need. Then wipe again, relube well. Keeps you from overstripping too often, which is probably not a problem in itself, but it may tend to make you err on the side of under-lubricating afterwards. You want to apply enough that you have to wipe off excess (and all the stuff it helps shed out of the chain).

[lauraelmore1033]

I suck at patching tubes. I can't get it to hold long enough. I just replace. But then, most of the problems I've had were major rips around the valve stem or a broken stem. Neither of those can be fixed with a patch kit. I've had good luck with a couple kinds of tires, Bontrager tubes, maintaining proper inflation, and watching out for big cuts in the tires.

If you deal with a lot of wet, I think Rockn'Roll makes a blue lube for more extreme conditions. You may want to try that. Or a very waxy lube, like White Lightning instead of the teflon stuff. You can find WL everywhere. It's not as cleaning as the RnR, though. When changing the types of lube, you'll want to start with a clean chain, so make your decision with your new chain I guess.

If you're just dealing with a lot of sand, a low pressure hose with a brush followed by good drying now and then (repeat as needed till a lot of the gunk is out) is probably all you need. Then wipe again, relube well. Keeps you from overstripping too often, which is probably not a problem in itself, but it may tend to make you err on the side of under-lubricating afterwards. You want to apply enough that you have to wipe off excess (and all the stuff it helps shed out of the chain).

Thanks, I think I might have to look into that (or maybe the Bioshield Knot mentioned)

[KnottedYet]

Boeshield, made originally for lubing bits of Boeing planes. Now produced for bikes by PMS Products, Inc. (no kidding!) in Holland MI. 800-962-1732. Can also be used to treat the inside of steel frames.

[MomOnBike]

Back in the days when we dodged dinosaur droppings on the roads, my Dad showed me how to patch tubes. No kid of his was going to be stranded with a flat tire.

As an old violin teacher used to say "It yields to practice." Yes, I do have a fair amount of practice, and I have no trouble riding (thousands of miles) on patched tubes, then patch 'em some more. I figure I'm just adding one more layer of rubber between the air and the pointy things that like to eat tires.

I'll stop when I'm putting patches on patches, however. Even I have my limits.

[Skierchickie]

That's two people who won't use patched tubes, so I have to ask again: have you ever had a patch fail? Because it's never happened to me or anyone I know.

I've had the stick-on easy patches fail. The majority of people around here are mountain bikers, and for a bunch of years my LBS dealt primarily with MTBs. Like when those kits first came out - the owner was certain they'd work on road bike tubes. I had them fail every time. Finally I patched a hole, put some air in the tube, and watched as the pressure forced a path out to the edge of the patch. Like a tiny little critter tunneling. I might consider using them on my MTB, but never again on my road bike, unless I had reason to believe they'd been improved. And they may well have been improved since that time, but I don't trust them. Not on a high-pressure tire.