Bicycle Mechanics - Bike Maintenance for Beginners?

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Asyrol
06-13-06, 07:37 AM
Hello Everyone!

I just started riding 6 weeks ago, and am the n00biest n00b that ever n00bed. My boyfriend rode across Canada last summer and is as advanced as I am n00bie (and the most supportive sig.oth. that a person can have).

I got a flat a few weeks ago and I my bike sat forlornly in my apartment until he could come and fix it. I'd love to learn how to take care of my own bike, but I haven't found any good resources online that I've been able to learn from. There's a program here in Toronto called "Wenches with Wrenches" who hold bike maintenance seminars but I missed their last summer workshop and the next one isn't until September!

So my question: Does anyone have any really good online/dead tree resources for learning bike repair and maintenance? Know of any other beginner bike maintenance workshops in Toronto?

Please help transform me from a dependent damsal in distress into an in control cycling chick!

barba
06-13-06, 07:41 AM
http://www.parktool.com/repair/
Avalanche325
06-13-06, 07:48 AM
The website that barba mentions will have all of your answers.

The first things that you should learn are how to properly clean and lubricate the chain. Checking and pumping up your tires. And, as you have already discovered, how to fix a flat. For any of this to work, you need to have the proper tools with you. Knowing how to change a tube won't help if you are 20 miles away from home without a spare or a patch kit.

It is all pretty easy stuff.

becnal
06-13-06, 07:52 AM
I hope you are a professional writer! If not, have you ever considered it? :)
Asyrol
06-13-06, 05:24 PM
I hope you are a professional writer! If not, have you ever considered it? :)

Who, me?
Asyrol
06-13-06, 05:25 PM
The website that barba mentions will have all of your answers.

The first things that you should learn are how to properly clean and lubricate the chain. Checking and pumping up your tires. And, as you have already discovered, how to fix a flat. For any of this to work, you need to have the proper tools with you. Knowing how to change a tube won't help if you are 20 miles away from home without a spare or a patch kit.

It is all pretty easy stuff.

I do keep a set of tire levers, a spare tube and a pump in my backpack. If I was stranded I could probably eventually figure it out, or more likely flag down someone more experienced to help me. I'll check out that website and see how it goes!
AndrewP
06-13-06, 08:31 PM
http://bloombikeshop.com/repairmaintenance/main.htm

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/articles.html