Things to think about servicing on a used Road bike?

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Soldato
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Hello I've been looking to get a road bike for quite awhile now to use for commuting but also to try get into the sport in my free time. Ended up buying this from the bay but picking it up next week.

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The guy says it's in good nick and mechanically good but it's a few years old so would like some pointers on what bits are likely to need attention?

Thanks.
 
Is it a 62cm? I think that'll be far too big for you.

Chain, cassette and brake pads are likely to need replaced.
Other things to check are:
Cables (gear + brake) - cheap to replace so not a problem if they need renewed.
Bearings (wheel bearings, bottom bracket, headset) - headset and BB are cheap enough to replace. Wheel bearings are more difficult, probably best to buy new wheels if the bearings are gone.
 
Nah its a 56cm. My mate who is basically same height as me has had a 56cm btwin and now planetx so seemed like best bet. I visited 3 bike shops yesterday and non of them had a single Road bike in there so couldn't test one.

Thanks for advice. The bike has a selection of ultegra and 105 bits on it. Is it likely I will notice the difference when replacing the parts you mentioned above.
 
Depends how worn out they are. If he's done a lot of miles of been lax with maintenance then the chain will be stretched. If the chain is stretched the cassette is probably worn. If those two bits are knackered the drivetrain will skip and it'll shift like crap. Brake pads are brake pads - if they're too worn out then you're going into the back of the car in front. Worn gear or brake cables mean bad shifting or brake. Badly worn tyres mean you'll die. Worn headset bearings are harder to detect but the steering may feel grindy; leave it too long and you can damage the steerer or the head tube of the frame. Wheel bearings again are harder to detect and if they go then the wheels will feel grindy and will eventually give up. Bad bottom bracket bearings will click or grind and you'll eventually wear out the bottom bracket shell on the frame.
 
Personally, I'd take it to a decent LBS and have the cables, shrouds, brake blocks, chain and cassette changed. A full service and set up gear indexing correctly. Also check wheel bearings and lube if possible.

Others may feel this too much, but I would want the peace of mind.

Enjoy the bike.
 
Vonhelmet said:
Depends how worn out they are. If he's done a lot of miles of been lax with maintenance then the chain will be stretched. If the chain is stretched the cassette is probably worn. If those two bits are knackered the drivetrain will skip and it'll shift like crap. Brake pads are brake pads - if they're too worn out then you're going into the back of the car in front. Worn gear or brake cables mean bad shifting or brake. Badly worn tyres mean you'll die. Worn headset bearings are harder to detect but the steering may feel grindy; leave it too long and you can damage the steerer or the head tube of the frame. Wheel bearings again are harder to detect and if they go then the wheels will feel grindy and will eventually give up. Bad bottom bracket bearings will click or grind and you'll eventually wear out the bottom bracket shell on the frame.
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Will wait till I collect it before ordering any bits.

George Hincapie said:
Personally, I'd take it to a decent LBS and have the cables, shrouds, brake blocks, chain and cassette changed. A full service and set up gear indexing correctly. Also check wheel bearings and lube if possible.

Others may feel this too much, but I would want the peace of mind.

Enjoy the bike.
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I was considering this initially but I dont seem to have a bike shop without driving over a hour that even sells a road bike so am weary taking it to them.

Or would anyone who knows how to service a mountain bike do a just as good of a job with a road bike?
 
.:SAmSuNG:. said:
Would a 10 speed 105 work?
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Yes, but I don't believe there's any benefit to going for 105 over Tiagra 10 speed for the cassette, unless you can't find the gear range you want in the Tiagra range.

You should also be fine with SRAM 10 speed cassettes if I remember correctly.
 
Like you said wait until you get it before buying anything. Give it a good clean and lube, then after a few rides you can determine what needs doing.

If no cables are frayed, no bearings are grumbling and everything is working nice and smoothly why replace anything?
 
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