Living Car Free - Bike expenses are killing me

Mr York,

I think that was your problem... I read that you should not use WD-40. It's a degreaser, not an oil. Get yourself some bicycle oil for your chain.

Closed Office, not all of us are as mechanically adept as you.

There is a lot variety in human beings but one thing that makes a big difference is just practice. I didn't even try fixing things until my late 20s, but if you just get a few simple tools and give it a try you start to learn quickly. If it doesn't work and you still need to take it to a pro you haven't lost anything. You also learn a fair amount just salvaging the old parts.

I did have a day early on that I still remember working on a bike and nothing was going right (ie my way). It was still nice to be out there trying and not quite so wimpy that if something goes wrong I don't want to do it. Of course I am not trying to talk you into doing repairs. You might just have completely different strengths and if this is a serious weakness don't worry about it. There certainly are advantages in concentrating on your strengths.

I am a fairly new bicyclist. I just bought 3 Giant spare inner tubes for $10 last week.

Today I bought Lennard Zinn's book on the Art of Mtn Bike Mtc and a headlight.

My next planned items are (in no particular order): floor pump, patch kit, tire levers, wedget kit combo, multi-tool, cyclocomputer, repair stand, & a trailer.

After that, hopefully I won't need to spend money on anything else.

Dream on. As you learn more about maintenance, how cheaply you can do it yourself, how easy it is once you've done it for the first time, and how you don't have to lose your bike for a day or two to the LBS that toolbox is going to grow. All those specialized tools have a purpose, and will make the repair work a lot easier.

It'll be the best investment you've ever made.

I am a fairly new bicyclist. I just bought 3 Giant spare inner tubes for $10 last week.

Today I bought Lennard Zinn's book on the Art of Mtn Bike Mtc and a headlight.

My next planned items are (in no particular order): floor pump, patch kit, tire levers, wedget kit combo, multi-tool, cyclocomputer, repair stand, & a trailer.

After that, hopefully I won't need to spend money on anything else.

I did very much like you are planning. I didn't get a repair stand however. Decided on a length of poly rope hanging from a beam in the garage. It doesn't work as well as a repair stand but costs about $150 less.

Over the last 3 years I have done some of the following: built 2 wheels, adjusted several derailleurs, replaced brake pads on my 2 bikes twice, trued wheels (bought a $40 truing stand for this...), replaced one chain.

My next adventure is to replace a rear derailleur on my commuter.

Once you get started, you realize how long the bike will be held up at the LBS. Then you get out the repair book and figure out just how difficult the job might be. Often, it isn't all that difficult... although derailleur adjustment sucks IMHO.

I did very much like you are planning. I didn't get a repair stand however. Decided on a length of poly rope hanging from a beam in the garage. It doesn't work as well as a repair stand but costs about $150 less.

Over the last 3 years I have done some of the following: built 2 wheels, adjusted several derailleurs, replaced brake pads on my 2 bikes twice, trued wheels (bought a $40 truing stand for this...), replaced one chain.

My next adventure is to replace a rear derailleur on my commuter.

Once you get started, you realize how long the bike will be held up at the LBS. Then you get out the repair book and figure out just how difficult the job might be. Often, it isn't all that difficult... although derailleur adjustment sucks IMHO.

So what are the jobs that a total klutz could reasonably be expected to do? I'm thinking of stuff that doesn't take too long, isn't too complex, and doesn't require expensive tools. And no stuff that you'll take apart and not be able to put back together, like headsets and BBs.

From this thread, I come up with these tasks that are suitable for a klutzy beginner:


Adjust brakes
change brake pads
install new chain
fix flats/install tires
grips/bar tape
tighten spokes
true wheel
adjust derailleurs
install new cables


Are there any that i've forgotten?

I have already done the first 5 items on my list. Maybe I'll get around to some of the others in the next few years.

Most of the dirt that gets on the chain and the sprockets comes up from the front wheel. Even in dry conditions if you have full fenders, and especially a front mud flap that almost sweeps the ground, you can increase chain and sprocket life by reducing dirt on them.

The worse the conditions the bigger difference it makes. I think it would make a big difference for you in the winter. My chain cleaning interval went way up on the bikes with fenders. It's been a few years, but I think fenders are in the $30 - $40 range. ??