How do I learn about maintenance?
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How do I learn about maintenance?
Hi,
I need to learn about the practical basics of bike maintenance. (Just broke up with my household "bike mechanic"; never had to think about maintenance or repair before!) I'd like to know what to do to reduce the chance I could get stuck somewhere and if it does happen, be able to do rudimentary repairs so I can get my cycle to a professional. Where is the best place to learn about this?
I need to learn about the practical basics of bike maintenance. (Just broke up with my household "bike mechanic"; never had to think about maintenance or repair before!) I'd like to know what to do to reduce the chance I could get stuck somewhere and if it does happen, be able to do rudimentary repairs so I can get my cycle to a professional. Where is the best place to learn about this?
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Some bike clubs and even bike shops offer maintenance courses.
Or read here:
https://www.parktool.com/repair/
https://sheldonbrown.com/repair/index.html
BTW, the second link leads to one of the most extensive bike related websites there is (Thanks Sheldon).
Or read here:
https://www.parktool.com/repair/
https://sheldonbrown.com/repair/index.html
BTW, the second link leads to one of the most extensive bike related websites there is (Thanks Sheldon).
__________________
TH 1.81 (133kg*62)
TH 1.81 (133kg*62)
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For a small fee, Sydney will come to your house and run you through most of the basics
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The Parktools site has very good instructions.
If you are talking about on the road, make sure you can get home type of things, changing a flat and fixing a broken chain are the most common things.
The main thing is to make sure you have the right tools and spares with you when you are riding. If you haven't done these before, practice tehm at home. On the side of the road is not a good place to learn.
If you are talking about on the road, make sure you can get home type of things, changing a flat and fixing a broken chain are the most common things.
The main thing is to make sure you have the right tools and spares with you when you are riding. If you haven't done these before, practice tehm at home. On the side of the road is not a good place to learn.
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Park Tools sponsors courses at local bike shops, usually Fall and Winter. There are two courses - the simple one is a couple of evenings and covers basic adjustments, changing a tire, etc. - sounds like maybe what you want. The more advanced course is a couple of Saturdays and covers the simple stuff plus more overhaul type tasks. I took the basic course last year, and it was good enough to give me the confidence to work on my bike (by the way, I was the only male in the class ). I'm planning to take the advanced course this winter. It's not free, but it has the advantage of having someone (hopefully knowledgeable) that you can bombard with questions with your bike in front of the both of you.
Some people are more inclined to just jump into it by themselves, and the Park Tools and Sheldon Brown sites (along with this forum) can get you a long way. It's free but subject to a little more of the "trial and error" approach.
For the most part, bikes are not very complicated, and most people are capable of grasping the basics. For the esoteric problems, there is always sydney
Some people are more inclined to just jump into it by themselves, and the Park Tools and Sheldon Brown sites (along with this forum) can get you a long way. It's free but subject to a little more of the "trial and error" approach.
For the most part, bikes are not very complicated, and most people are capable of grasping the basics. For the esoteric problems, there is always sydney
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Find another one to date
Where do you live? If you're near an urban center, see if they have a class or a volunteer bike recycling program.
Where do you live? If you're near an urban center, see if they have a class or a volunteer bike recycling program.
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The 5BBC (fun bike club) in NYC sponsors classes. I imagine there are club or shop sponsored things like that near you. The websites listed are great too!
(<--- "household mechanic" for me and the wife )
Edit: clarity
(<--- "household mechanic" for me and the wife )
Edit: clarity
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Post a photo of yourself, and you location, and single guys with tools will flock to your door. Or, you can try to search the forums, the Park Tools website, and even Sheldon Brown. Women can fix anything that men can.
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start doing simple stuff. like learning how to repair flats if you don't already. every cyclists need to know that. then maybe try taking your chain off, clean it, and put it back on. adjust brakes, play around with shifting, etc. for whatever you plan to do, just research it a little on the internet. you'll find what tools you need and how it works.
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Originally Posted by Alesandra
Hi,
I need to learn about the practical basics of bike maintenance. (Just broke up with my household "bike mechanic"; never had to think about maintenance or repair before!) I'd like to know what to do to reduce the chance I could get stuck somewhere and if it does happen, be able to do rudimentary repairs so I can get my cycle to a professional. Where is the best place to learn about this?
I need to learn about the practical basics of bike maintenance. (Just broke up with my household "bike mechanic"; never had to think about maintenance or repair before!) I'd like to know what to do to reduce the chance I could get stuck somewhere and if it does happen, be able to do rudimentary repairs so I can get my cycle to a professional. Where is the best place to learn about this?
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Thanks, everyone, for the great advice and even better laughs!
I am pretty good with mechanical things, so I should be able to get the hand of this stuff!
I am pretty good with mechanical things, so I should be able to get the hand of this stuff!
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Originally Posted by Alesandra
Thanks, everyone, for the great advice and even better laughs!
I am pretty good with mechanical things, so I should be able to get the hand of this stuff!
I am pretty good with mechanical things, so I should be able to get the hand of this stuff!
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Originally Posted by Expatriate
Guess that means no photo?
Seriously... I like the idea of picking-up a beater for tinkering and learning how things work. If I didn't live in a NYC apartment (or wasn't married ) I'd do that myself.
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Originally Posted by halfspeed
Find an old, moderately good bike at a garage sale. Take it apart, grease everything and put it back together.
Steve W.
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I bought a book (Zinn Art of "X" Bike Maintenance) and starting taking stuff apart. With my bike in pieces, I have to learn how to put it back together or I'll have to walk to my LBS in shame with a disassembled bike in tow. I figure if I can overhaul my entire bike at home, I can at least do basic trail repairs/adjustments. Good luck and get some degreaser for the hands.