Who works on their own bikes and who takes them to the LBS?
01-17-14, 09:17 PM
#26
South Carolina Ed
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Most of the time the first time you use a tool it pays for itself. With all the resources on the internet, a person can learn to do practically everything. It may not be pretty the first time on a particular task, but you can do it. I recently rebuilt a Campy 10 spd shifter and it took two tries, but only ended up costing me $20 in parts. Had I sent it off it would have been and extra $100+. Wheels are a breeze - no need to fret on those.
01-17-14, 09:42 PM
#28
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01-17-14, 09:55 PM
#30
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Mostly LBS for me. I did mostly build up a single speed from parts a couple of years ago but now there's a young kid at home with another on the way. I barely have enough time to ride much less wrench.
01-17-14, 10:04 PM
#31
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Oh yeah - to add to my previous post, when wrenching at home I highly recommend putting old race videos on in the background. My favorite is Jorgen Leth's documentary "A Sunday in Hell" . I feel like it puts good juju from cycling gods into your repair 
...judicious consumption of a beer or two doesn't hurt either.
...judicious consumption of a beer or two doesn't hurt either.
01-17-14, 10:26 PM
#32
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01-17-14, 10:37 PM
#33
Passista
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100 % home mechanic. The last time I asked the LBS to do something for me was threading some odd-length spokes for an unusual wheel (because I don't own a spoke threader).
01-17-14, 11:26 PM
#34
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I prefer to do my own work. I've built up a few bikes from the frame up and really enjoy it. Only take mine to the bike shop if I don't have a specialty tool to do the job. If the tool doesn't cost a fortune then I will buy it for next time. One thing I have not done is build wheels. I'd like to learn though.
01-17-14, 11:30 PM
#35
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Normally 100% DIY, except this week I had my race wheels trued and glued at the shop because if I left it for myself, I probably wouldn't have gotten to it.
01-18-14, 01:29 AM
#36
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01-18-14, 01:47 AM
#37
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Oh! Correction. A bike shop replaced a crankset under warranty after the original messed up within 10km of riding away from the shop.
01-18-14, 04:09 AM
#39
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100% DIY, all repairs and adjustments, wheel building/truing, re-threading, custom set ups, bike sizing and adjustments, basically everything a good bike mechanic can do. only thing i cant do is weld frames, which if i have time in the next year or two or three, i will take a frame building course just because. i am self taught, through trial and error, purchased my own tools (mostly park tool) as needed for whatever projects i came across. the internet and a good repair manual will help you through 85% off all repair. a little mechanical ability, alot of patience, and some balls to try in the first place takes care of the rest!
01-18-14, 04:18 AM
#40
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I do most of the work myself.
Ive tried truing my wheels and basically failed so I bring them in when I need too which isn't too often.
Ive tried truing my wheels and basically failed so I bring them in when I need too which isn't too often.
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2010 Kestrel RT900SL, 800k carbon, chorus/record, speedplay, zonda
2000 litespeed Unicoi Ti, XTR,XT, Campy crank, time atac, carbon forks
01-18-14, 05:07 AM
#41
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Do everything myself, it's not rocket science, just need to accumulate the proper tools
01-18-14, 06:38 AM
#42
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Robert
01-18-14, 06:39 AM
#43
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01-18-14, 06:52 AM
#44
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Takes longer to go to the bike shop.
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01-18-14, 07:25 AM
#46
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Everything myself. Unless you are building wheels or building/modifying a frame yourself, everything is fairly self-explanatory. If it's something you cant figure out the internet is right there. Hundreds of videos for each situation.
01-18-14, 07:43 AM
#47
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85%. I have the competency to handle most tasks but don't have the tools or knowledge to take care of certain items. For example I recently had a problem with my rear Chris King hub and do not have the tools to disassemble the ring drive etc. I also don't mess with my MTB suspension fork internals or cutting hoses / replacing piston seals on disc brakes.
01-18-14, 07:55 AM
#48
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I've never built a bike...but I have done all of the changes/adjustments on my own. I download a user manual and do my best. I bought a good torque wrench and some other tools. I do need a set of chain tools and a good bike stand though.
last night is got pretty "courageous" and swapped from 105 to Ultegra brakes. That was the first time doing that.
if I ever have to do any BB work, I'll leave that to my LBS I think...
last night is got pretty "courageous" and swapped from 105 to Ultegra brakes. That was the first time doing that.
if I ever have to do any BB work, I'll leave that to my LBS I think...
S
01-18-14, 07:55 AM
#49
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I do all my own work. I'm too lazy to drive to the shop and I'm cheap. While I don't like doing hydraulics, brakes and shocks on the MTBs, I still do them.
01-18-14, 08:06 AM
#50
Senior Member
Who works on their own bikes and who takes them to the LBS?
Its all part of the cycling experience. Tubular tires too. You gotta be one with the bike. Build, repair, maintain, its all good. The thing about s bike is its all exposed. Minimal moving parts. Simple cable operated brakes and gears, cup and cone bearings(on my vintage beauties).
I think of the mechanics of a bike as 4 cables and 4 main bearings. Thats really it.
I think of the mechanics of a bike as 4 cables and 4 main bearings. Thats really it.
