Once properly set up by a competent
mechanic, your bike should only require very simple and minor
attention for some months. Having a regular routine of cleaning
and lubricating your bike will enable you to spot damage, wear,
and poor adjustment, therefore increasing safety and reliability
and possibly knocking potential problems on the head before
they become serious. Discuss with your e-cobr member the frequency
of servicing which is most appropriate for your bike.
Wash
your bike regularly, particularly if you ride off road. Watch
your hubs etc. if you use high powered jet washing equipment.
(Owing to the high pressures they can force water into places
it shouldn't go.) You can then polish your frame - yes, I said
polish. This helps protect the frame as well as making it shine.
After you have washed the bike either
dry, or leave to dry, and then lubricate anything metallic which
moves. There are many products available for this purpose. Teflon
or PTFE based products are best for cables etc. An adhesive
lubricant is often best for your chain. Ask your e-cobr member
who will be pleased to advise you.
Replace your brake pads when the wear
indicator line is reached. Worn pads will damage the rim and
if they touch the side wall of your tyre could cause damage
to the tyre and even cause a blow-out. Replacement can be extremely
complicated so take it to your e-cobr member if you don't feel
confident to tackle the job.
Replace brake or gear cables before
they show visible signs of wear. Immediately replace any which
are fraying. If, after lubrication, the cable is stiff or creaks,
you may need a new one.
A chain and cassette combinatioin can
last many months but not forever. A cassette can be made to
last even longer if the chain is changed more frequently. Leaving
the chain and cassette together means that they wear together
and therefore when the chain starts "jumping" - a
sure sign it is worn - you are faced with replacing both chain
and cassette. Sorry there is no alternative, a new chain will
rarely bed-in to a worn cassette. 
Servicing
New bikes, purchased from a e-cobr member
will always be given a FREE service, usually within one month
of purchase. Frequency of servicing thereafter depends on use.
Ridden all the time, every week, your
bike would probably benefit from a 3 monthly service. Ridden
once or twice a week, every 6 months is adequate.
Your e-cobr member will advise you on
the type of service to have. This will vary from a "standard
service", usually tightening, adjusting and checking, to
a complete "strip down", which is as it suggests.
The latter is only necessary once a year unless your steed is
given some real hammering by you.
Don't ignore this vital part of bike
care. You bike will last longer, be more reliable and safer!
