maintenance

I'd really like to learn how to index my gears and true my wheels after London's roads buckle them again and again, can anyone recommend a good maintenance course?

Thanks

R

I've opened up, cleaned and re-greased my SRAM BlackBox GXP BB, one bearing spins perfectly, but I still feel 'grittiness' in the drive side's action. Any tips on how to get the last bits out?

In the last year my rediscovered enthusiasm for cycling has transferred to my family, which is fantastic, apart from the fact that it makes maintenance potentially expensive.

Two of our bikes currently need their chains replaced, my Specialized Sequoia is used for rides of up to 200k, my son's Trek 1000 for rides of up to 100k and criterium racing.

Fenwick’s Frame & Shock Finishing Spray isn’t a polish so much as a protective spray designed for preserving seasonal machines and equipment in storage (e.g. Sunday best road bikes or summer-use-only tag-alongs).

It’s silicone free but includes a trace of lubricant, providing a showroom finish in seconds while safeguarding suspension and bearing seals. However, it does attract surface dirt more readily than furniture or car polishes and it can highlight any blemishes in flamboyant, metallic enamels and clear lacquers.

I've got a pair of Campag Zonda wheels on my best bike and I've always really liked them. They're light, stiff, fast and look the mutt's nuts (IMO). A few hundred miles ago, when the wheels had done about 7.5K miles, the bearings on the back wheel started feeling rough so I took the bike into my LBS and they replaced the bearings (which cost me £60!)

Muc-Off’s water soluble degreaser is a very proficient solvent based cleanser that makes short work of accumulated grease and grime and to that end makes a very handy workshop companion. The fact it easily washes away without obvious trace or harmful effect is a real bonus-especially if you're working on a patio or more ornate surface. However, while in a pinch it will tackle headset overhaul, it struggles with waterproof marine greases and care is required on delicate finishes.