[Yo Sake]

If you remember, I purchased 6-yr old tri bike from a tri club friend last fall. She had 6 ironman (plus of course all the training) on it. It was maintained well (clean plus cable, chain and such had been replaced often) and rides very well. During a fitting, a LBS fitter suggested for a complete overhaul. It will be about $250 at this store (please don't tell me I should learn how to do this myself..) Is it worth it? When he removed some spacers, he showed me how much grease/sweat or whatever accumlated between them as a reason/proof for this overhaul. I am not planning to buy any more bike for some time and I would like to do the right thing to prolong this bike's life.<br>
Also, what he suggested was to shorten the grip of the aerobars so that I can shift without moving up my hands from a riding position. My friend (who is about my size) was obviously riding this way. It would cost another $$ to do this. Is this important to get it done?<br><br>
Thanks!

 

[VictorN]

The quick test is to see if anything grinds or is too loose. For example, take off a wheel, hold the hub with your fingers and give the wheel a spin. If you feel any grinding or if there is any play in the hub, than you probably do need an overhaul. You can conduct similar experiments with other moving parts.<br><br>
However, if your friend rode this bike for six years without an overhaul, it probably needs one given the kind of mileage she most likely put on it.<br><br>
Victor

 

[jroden]

There are a number of wear parts on a bike that may or may not need replacement, including chain, brake pads, cables, cable housing, bearings (wheels, bottom bracket, headset) and your tires. You can just replace them all in one clump (I guess I'd want to know what an "Overhaul" consistes of) or perhaps depending on the type of weather you train in do it partly now, then finish it closer to the race season. For now, why not have the headset lubed, check wheel bearings and bottom bracket play, check chain and replace if needed to replace any frayed cables and worn brake shoes. If the bike is sticky in shifting or braking, perhaps new cable housing also. Also, ask then the remove the seatpost and lubricate so it doesn't get stuck in the seat tube. How's that sound? I generally will replace some at a time over the season but never have the time to do a complete job.

 

[Yo Sake]

<div style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-size:medium;">The kind of overhaul I was referring:</span><br><br><b>Includes :</b><br>
· Disassembly of Bicycle to Frame<br>
· Cleaning, Inspection and Waxing of Frame<br>
· Ultra-sonic Cleaning of all Parts<br>
· Cable and Housing Kit and Installation<br>
· Front and Rear Hub Overhaul<br>
· Bottom Bracket Overhaul<br>
· Headset Overhaul<br>
· Reassembly and Adjustment of Bicycle<br><br>
Chain and cable were replaced almost annually and tuned-up/cleaned. And I don't see any obvious issues like Victor mentioned. And I don't ride in this cold/muddy weather at all. The above overhaul would cost north of $200. What do you think?</div>

 

[VictorN]

<br><br><span style="color:#000000;">I think that it really hard for any of us to answer that question. Will it be good for your bike? Definitely! Is it worth the $s for you? Only you can answer that question. If you are swimming in cash, then no question, do it. If funds are tight, then perhaps you set a more modest budget. Then go to the bike shop and say "I have $### to spend on bike maintenance. What do you recommend I do with that money." That way you stick within a specific budget and you get the important work done first.</span><br><br><span style="color:#000000;">For me, I wouldn't spend $200 on an overhaul, but that is because I'd do it myself.</span><br><br><span style="color:#000000;">Victor</span>

 

[niemsco]

I've paid $80 to get an "overhaul" of my wife's bike and they did much less than that. So that $200 seems ok. I'd make sure they leave your wheels true, it's not explicitly stated... I don't trust any of these shops<img alt="mad.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/mad.gif">. Though if you have the right tools, a lot of that is not difficult, the key is to have the tools, for example to dissassemble the crank and BB, or do something simple as replace a cassette or chain. I've made investments in tools since I paid the $80 and I've gotten my ROI already.<br><br>
Try another shop if possible and see what they say.

 

[jroden]

The bottom bracket and headset can't really be serviced, you throw them in the garbage. Your wheels may not have bearings that can be overhauled and serviced either, many of the non-Shimano hubs use a cartridge bearing.<br><br>
You could do re-cable, service headset, replace chain and brakepads if needed, plus check and replaced bottom bracket and pay al-a-carte.