With limited time, I try a different approach. I put at least 5,000 miles
on the fixed gear commuter. When the chain gets noisy, it gets lubed (maybe
once a month). I have a lifetime supply of chain in a spool, replaced maybe
once every other year.
I make sure my cables and tires are in good shape. I may do a 400K and a
600K before I check things for wear. I also carry spare brake and shift
cables, chain tool, master link etc. on every long ride, Never needed to
use them on my own bike...
--Metin
On Monday, August 18, 2014 3:13:18 PM UTC-7, Steve Palincsar wrote:
>
> On 08/18/2014 05:33 PM, Ryan wrote:
> > If I recall , Steve, I believe you're retired, correct?
>
> Yes, that's correct.
>
> > So if you are not working , you do have more time available.
>
> True. However, it's not like it's really all that time-consuming, and
> the payoff in terms of equipment longevity and smooth, trouble-free
> function on rides is worth it to me. Besides, it's a chance to fondle
> the equipment and actually look at it from time to time (not recommended
> while riding!).
>
>
> > Nonetheless, those are impressive yearly mileages and it's awesome
> > that you are so meticulous.!
>
> I am a charter member of the Cheap Bastards Society of America and
> proudly put the CCB ("Certified Cheap Bastard") initials after my name.
> Even when you buy them on sale, chains and cassettes are expensive; and
> when you keep them clean they last a whole lot longer.
>
> As for meticulous: one thing I was forced into being meticulous about
> was keeping records of maintenance. I have six bikes on the road, and a
> few years ago learned that my memory simply wasn't up to keeping track
> of how long things were lasting, or when the last time was that I
> cleaned or replaced something. "Totally lost control" is a fair
> description.
>
> And sometimes you really do have to know. For example, shift cables
> fray and need periodic replacement. Even with bar end shifters (which
> all those bikes have) where a fraying cable's stray ends will poke you
> in the finger and alert you to impending failure before it actually
> happens, unlike the case with Shimano STI, it's still awkward and
> inconvenient if you find yourself on a hilly ride 50 miles from the end
> of the ride reduced to two or three gears on the front, unable to use
> your rear derailleur. For Shimano indexed bar end shifters, that
> happens around 5,000 miles. Careful record-keeping would let you change
> them out before they started to fray. (I hope to get there some day...)
>
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