On Riding a Freshly Serviced Bike

On Wednesday morning I rode my bike into Geneva to drop it off for a service. In the evening I went for a group ride that was heading in the direction I wanted, before leaving the group and riding for home. I didn’t ride much on Wednesday, but I was tired. I believe that walking in cycling clothes, to catch a train, twice, does tire us more than walking in normal clothes.

Yesterday I went for the first proper ride with the freshly serviced bike and the experience was great. I suspect that it helps that I am more rested after last week’s intense cycling, five days out of seven.

This year I rode the bike 2500 kilometres, and my bike hasn’t been serviced for several years. The key reasons for this is that during the pandemic I didn’t want to risk injury, and then after the pandemic I enjoyed riding, but cars frustrated me, through their behaviour.

This year, thanks to having three or four groups to ride with I am using the bike regularly.

Braking

Before the service I was riding down hills more carefully. I was riding slowly and safely, so that when I braked I didn’t risk brake failure or skidding. Since the service I feel much more confident descending. I feel that the bike will do what I expect. This allows me to descend faster. I still remain safe. The key point is that I feel safer now.

Gears

Gear shifting is also much smoother now. When I tell the bike to change from one gear to another it’s instant. I don’t need to pedal and wait for the change. I give the order and it shifts. This is welcome when riding uphill.

Yesterday when heading up from the roundabout by the lake towards the graveyard I felt the chain slip twice. I was putting out a lot of power. I might need to have that checked. For the rest of the ride it felt fine.

Ball Bearings and Rolling Resistance

You can feel when a bike is more sluggish. With Four Season tyres I could feel more resistance. A year or two ago I could feel that my bike was slightly slower.

Now that the bike has been serviced properly I feel the difference. I feel that I am struggling less on the climbs, and that I am the limiting factor, rather than the bike.

The Home Workshop

When it comes to replacing tires and brakes I can do this myself, but for other tasks I prefer to let someone with more experience do it. While cycling uphill from the lake side towards the Signal de Bougy I had a conversation with someone who spoke about doing his own services, rather than taking his bike to a shop.

When you look at the price of the tools, bike stand and more it’s easier to go to a bike shop. I would be tempted to pay for a service where I do the work, under the supervision and instruction of a mechanic.

I have tried to do my own maintenance but eventually the front brake disk on that bike jammed and I broke my arm.

I tried servicing the gears once or twice with that other bike, but I wasn’t happy with the result.

And Finally

The last time my bike was serviced was during a trip to Spain and that service has lasted for up to seven years so it really was time for a proper service. I plan to do them more regularly, now that I ride so often. A well maintained bike is more pleasant to ride.