Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.RainmanP
06-07-02, 03:43 AM
Before you try to work on your bike yourself. Get a good book on bike mechanics or do some research online. Online is OK for specific tasks, but books often include introductory chapters with important general information on various aspects of working on a bike. You can also keep a book close at hand for reference while you are working. Read over the instructions for what you are trying to do two or three times to make sure you understand. If you don't quite understand, you ask here for clarification. If you can't afford to buy a book, check one out from the library. There have been several past threads on good books. Check them out. If anyone wants to post book and online sites here, feel free. My favorite book is "Bicycling Magazine's Complete Guide to Bicycle Maintenance and Repair."
It is very difficult for us to diagnose a problem sight unseen. Poor shifting, for instance, be caused by improper and easily corrected cable tension, slightly more involved derailleur misadjusment, bad chain, bent chainring/cog, malfunctioning shifter, broken shifter, etc., etc.. All of us have experienced poor shifting from time to time for any of the above reasons so a question about poor shifting may generate all of the above suggestions and then some. Having a book will guide you through the simple step by step process of properly adjusting everything so you can either correct the problem yourself or at least eliminate the simple things.
None of us here mind helping out. In fact, we enjoy it. But you will never quite get it if you don't get a book and do your own homework to educate yourself.
A friend of mine used to say "Ignorance is temporary. Stupid is forever." Getting a book can correct ignorance. Not getting a book...
It is very difficult for us to diagnose a problem sight unseen. Poor shifting, for instance, be caused by improper and easily corrected cable tension, slightly more involved derailleur misadjusment, bad chain, bent chainring/cog, malfunctioning shifter, broken shifter, etc., etc.. All of us have experienced poor shifting from time to time for any of the above reasons so a question about poor shifting may generate all of the above suggestions and then some. Having a book will guide you through the simple step by step process of properly adjusting everything so you can either correct the problem yourself or at least eliminate the simple things.
None of us here mind helping out. In fact, we enjoy it. But you will never quite get it if you don't get a book and do your own homework to educate yourself.
A friend of mine used to say "Ignorance is temporary. Stupid is forever." Getting a book can correct ignorance. Not getting a book...