If you are like me, you aren't exactly perfect with keeping up with your bike maintenance. I was in Different Bikes North Vancouver a couple of weeks ago and saw just what happens when you don't take care of your bike properly.
Craig, wrench extraordanaire, was working on a very expensive boutique downhill racing bike. You know the type: a bike where the frame alone is more expensive than most complete bikes! The owner of the bike, brought it in because the rear suspension wasn't performing as it should.
I watched as Craig removed the linkages and then attempted to remove the bearings to service them. Imagine the suprise when the sealed bearings literally came out in chunks: there wasn't a single bearing that wasn't broken apart. There was also a lot of dirt and not a hint of grease.
The first picture you can see what is left of one of the bearings in the bag. The second picture is a picture of what a complete bearing looks like though it is pretty wrecked. It still looks better than what is in the bag though!
Top top it off, the rear triangle of the frame was cracked. Luckily it was discovered on the mechanic stand and not during a run down Seymour or at Whistler.
