Wash/Service tutorial
Table of Contents
Wash
List of tools
- Brush
- Cloth
- Water + container
- Soap
- (brake cleaner)
Method
Before you arrive at the job, ask the customer if you will be able to access water at the job side. Give the bike a thorough wash with ideally warm water and if possible environmentally friendly soap detergents. A thorough cleaning must at least include the following parts.
- Frame
- Chain, cog, crank arms and pedals, gear set
- all bearings
- Wheels, axle, spokes, rims, mudguards
Make sure to remove all dirt and old grease. Especially around the drive system the removal of dirt can be challenging. It can be recommendable to invest in a specific brush for those parts. For sure be careful to NOT use the same greasy brush on the rest of the bike. It can be useful to make use of brake cleaner and a cloth to remove persistent dirt.
Wipe any access water off the bikes main frame, wheels and mudguards. Spin the pedals in order to get rid of any access water on the drive system.
Service
List of tools
- Lubricants
- Multitool including allen keys and screw driver
- 8, 10, 13, 15 (18)mm wrench
Method
- Check ALL bolt and screw connections. All connections have to sit tight. If not tighten them with the appropriate tool
- Brakes
- Check the brakes function.
- In case the brakes do not function correctly, ONLY fix the issue if you know what you are doing.
- Notify the customer about what you have fixed / about what needs fixing.
- Lubrication
- Lubricate ALL moving parts, bearings and the whole drive system.
- Lube comes for different operation area. You can generally divide them into dry lube (for summer) and wet lube (for winter). Make sure to give the bike the correct lube fitting the season.
- Gears
- If the bike has gears, take it for a short ride checking all gears.
- In case some of the gears do not function correctly, ONLY fix the issue if you know what you are doing.
- Notify the customer about what you have fixed / about what needs fixing.
Lubrication
Lubrication
List of tools
- Lube (dry or wet considering the conditions)
- Old cloth/rack
- Degreaser
Method
There are a wide variety of chain lubes out there. they can generally be separated in dry lubes and wet lubes. To choose the right chain lube you need to consider the weather conditions the bike you are attending is being ridden in. Wet lubes are good for rainy, snowy conditions and dry lubes are designed to work better in dry conditions as they attract less dirt. As it rains a lot in Denmark, a wet lube is recommendable, but it would be good service to make the customer aware that these lubes attract more dirt generally and especially in dry periods.
Cleaning / Degreasing
- Using an old rack or dedicated chain degreasing tool, clean the chain from old lubricants and accumulated dirt.
- Make sure to not directly spray your degreaser onto the chain, but onto the rack to avoid hitting the customers bike.
- Clean all chain cogs and the gear system.
- You want to achieve a clean chain in order to get the most of the lubrication.
Lubrication
- Lubricate chain, chain cogs and moving parts of the gear system.
- If the bike has a chain derailleur shift through all gears to lubricate cogs.
- Remove access lube as too much of it can result in a faster build up of dirt on the chain.
Note
If the chain on the customer’s bike is already very rusty notify the customer and let them know that BikeRunner also offers to change the chains.
Note
Note all parts that are missing for the bike to be street safe / compliant with the traffic laws and regulations. Notify the customer about the missing parts and make them aware that BikeRunner can provide them with those parts. Also provide the customer with an estimate of the costs if they want to have their bike fixed. That includes potential repairs on the brakes and drive system or other issues you have found during the service.
Leave a Reply