Hey Mackenzy,
I live in the interior of BC (Slocan Valley near Nelson) so our weather is a bit different, but here's what I can tell you about how I care for my bikes:
1. I don't really ride them much in the winter (Dec.-Mar.) unless I head South so I can't say much about salty roads and such. Spring and Fall can be wet here, and Summer is usually dry.
2. I'm a believer in a well-maintained bike is more fun to ride. I also love to tinker with my bikes and I love being in my shop, so I'm always poking around with with them. Generally, I'll clean and lube my chain every 2-3 weeks as trails can be dusty here in the Summer. Maybe I'll spray my bikes down every couple of weeks if they're really dirty, but usually, they go unwashed unless I want to give them a good going over. (A clean bike is more enjoyable to work with)
3. In the Winter I'll take the bikes apart for a more thorough cleaning and re-lubing of anything that moves (more to keep my hands from being idle than anything, but it's always fun). I like to clean all the bearings and regrease. And, I'll even put a coat of Griot's ceramic wax on the frames.
4. I sprayed both frames (Atlantis, Hunq) with T-9 when I first built them up (2015 and 2020) but not since. I guess if I lived near the salty coastal waters I'd have done it again by now...maybe.
5. I've never had a shop work on my bike because I'm pretty confident in my ability to keep things in good order. I can pretty much handle anything mechanical issues on my bikes, and when I can there's always plenty of fine people here to point out directions. I build my own wheels and abuse them thoroughly, and I have never had to deal with them (much to my chagrin, as I love the wheelbuilding process! I even had a couple of old wheels around that I tear down and build up just to keep in practice.)
In short, I don't baby my bikes, but I treat them respectfully and do keep them in good working order because I don't really care for squeaks and creaks while I ride. I like it when the animals in the forest don't know I'm coming- better chance to spot them.
Hope this helps.
Cheers, John
On Tuesday, August 8, 2023 at 1:56:02 PM UTC-7 Mackenzy Albright wrote:
Howdy all,
I am curious in what sort of maintenance you and your Riv's (and other bikes) undergo.
1. location (climate variable)
2. how often do you tinker with your bike (customizing, small adjustments, wash, grease) (can you over grease?)
3. how often do you full tear down (do you re-treat anti-rust?)
4. when do you cave and let a shop work on your bike?
My current routine is a little lacking or in need of adjustment in a somewhat new to me climate. I am a frequent tinkerer of bikes - and I have a weird hang-ups with letting shops work on my bikes. I've only had a few trusted mechanics that I've really felt comfortable working on my bikes. I've had some things installed by mechanics and find they rarely grease anything which leads to rusting at contact points which bothers me. I have no idea the correct amount of grease, but previously never had much for issue myself.
I've moved to the coast (Vancouver bc) and been finding that my bikes really rust or corrode much more quickly here than living in Minnesota, or Alberta. (winter slurry aside). I try to rinse off my bike a few times a week during rainy season to prevent road goo from accumulating - but that is easier said than done. I probably give a quick scrub with a brush and hose once a month (maybe every 3-6 months with soap). I probably tinker once a month with installing parts or making minor adjustments so these often coincide.
I usually try to do a full tear down yearly where I scrub and re-grease everything. I love fluid film so try to give a quick respray on the most vulnerable areas (I like it more than frame saver) and replace any bits n bobs that needs replacing. I wipe down and degrease any external grease or fluid film.
After this summer's first (yearly) tear down - I noticed a lot more corrosion or rust than on previous bikes. I am assuming that it is perhaps partly related to coastal climate. Not to mention that finish on the Clementine is abysmal (lots of chipping and cracking). But really don't want to repaint if I don't have to. The frame was also initially un-treated and I've since treated as well as loaded up most contact points with more fluid film and/or grease. Hoping it'll be less of an issue now that I've undergone my normal corrosion prevention routine.
Curious what your habits are - (bonus if you live on the coast!)
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