How did you learn to tune up your bike?
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2002
Location: spokane, wa
Posts: 160
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
How did you learn to tune up your bike?
I thought I'd ask how you learned to tune up your bike. I always take my bike to the shop for fear of screwing it up. However, as you can imagine it gets expensive. So I was wondering if you took a class, read a manual or just dove right in and did it yourself. I'd love to hear what you have to say.
Thanks,
Yvonne
Thanks,
Yvonne
#2
Huachuca Rider
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Charlotte, NC
Posts: 4,275
Bikes: Fuji CCR1, Specialized Roubaix
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Bicycling Magazine has a pretty good set of guides to maintenance. They are also available at Amazon.
My chief source of information however are these forums.
Carl
My chief source of information however are these forums.
Carl
__________________
Just Peddlin' Around
Just Peddlin' Around
#3
Gravity Is Yer Friend
Join Date: May 2002
Location: "Over the Hill" and going down fast in the 805.
Posts: 2,961
Bikes: Scott Gambler, Scott Ransom, Kona Bear, Bianchi 928 Carbon/Chorus, C'Dale Rize4
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I started working on my bikes as a kid. No one ever realy showed me what to do it just came naturaly. If you are not to mechanicaly inclined, I would suggest finding some one that can work with you and go through diff. maintinence procedures with them. If you are a bit mechanicaly inclined, get a couple of books about general maintinence and repair and have at it. You should be able to find books on amazon and even your LBS might have a few.
Slainte
Slainte
#4
Wood Licker
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Whistler,BC
Posts: 16,966
Bikes: Trek Fuel EX 8 27.5 +, 2002 Transition Dirtbag, Kona Roast 2002
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 23 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
I just started tuning my bike recently. I would twist and turn screws and knobs and see what they did. Generally I could figure out from there what they did and how they worked. If I had questions a quick call to one of the many lbs around here would clarify it. Now there are only a few things I don't do on my own.
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,372
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Buy a book...Zinn and the art of road or mtb bike maintenance.$20 at LBS or Amazon.com also,check the workshop at www.parktool.com and Sheldon Browns articles at www.harriscyclery.com
#6
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2002
Location: spokane, wa
Posts: 160
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Thanks for the great advice everyone! I think I'll get a book and dive in. I've even considered using my digital camera to take pictures as I go..... then just maybe I'll figure out how to put it back! :thumbup:
Yvonne
Yvonne
#7
Fool O' crap
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Parrish, FL
Posts: 7,963
Bikes: Lots
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Just dive in. The biggest problem is lack of proper tools. What I suggest, is as you replace parts due to wear or damage, buy the part and appropriate tool to fix it. That way you are deffering the costs of buying tools over a period of time. If you buy a part and the tool, it costs approximately the same as taking it into a shop for repair, so the "actual" cost for the repair is the same. Then, next time you have the same replacement it saves you money. Not to mention the satisfaction of "Getn-r-dun-yer-sef".
Another tip, get a mail-order catalogue that shows pictures of all the tools, and circle the tools you need and give that to family and friends for potential gifts. My in-laws never know what to buy me for my B-Day and Christmas. I give my wife the catalogue, she takes it to them, they spend however much they want to spend and "Viola" I get some gifts I ACTUALLY want and need. Plus, I in turn, maintain each of their bikes. It's a win-win all around!
I've found the park tool website to be great for "how-to" steps with well written instruction and pictures, and best of all for tool lust temptation.
L8R
Another tip, get a mail-order catalogue that shows pictures of all the tools, and circle the tools you need and give that to family and friends for potential gifts. My in-laws never know what to buy me for my B-Day and Christmas. I give my wife the catalogue, she takes it to them, they spend however much they want to spend and "Viola" I get some gifts I ACTUALLY want and need. Plus, I in turn, maintain each of their bikes. It's a win-win all around!
I've found the park tool website to be great for "how-to" steps with well written instruction and pictures, and best of all for tool lust temptation.
L8R
__________________
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, "WOW, What a Ride!" - unknown
"Your Bike Sucks" - Sky Yaeger
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, "WOW, What a Ride!" - unknown
"Your Bike Sucks" - Sky Yaeger
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Snowy midwest
Posts: 5,391
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
My 80+ year old friend Johnny taught me SO much about bikes and how to fix them.
John can fix anything using old parts. He is a bicycle repair magician.
John can fix anything using old parts. He is a bicycle repair magician.
#10
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2002
Location: spokane, wa
Posts: 160
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Geez, tools too! I wasn't even thinking about that. I thought I was set as my husband has an entire shop full. Good to know there are specialized ones though. It would make the job easier I'd imagine. Thanks again! Yvonne
#11
Marathon Cyclist
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: Perth - Western Australia
Posts: 1,779
Bikes: Road Bike / Mountain Bike
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I used to tinker a little and then went on a ride across the country with a bunch of others. I watched them and picked up a few tips.
I also decided to paint an old touring bike of mine so I had to pull the whole thing apart, spray the bike, then put it all back together. That certainly gave me a better understanding of my machine.
These days I still tinker and turn screws to find out what they all do. There are still a few things I let the LBS do.
I also decided to paint an old touring bike of mine so I had to pull the whole thing apart, spray the bike, then put it all back together. That certainly gave me a better understanding of my machine.
These days I still tinker and turn screws to find out what they all do. There are still a few things I let the LBS do.
#12
riding a Pinarello Prince
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Downtown Toronto,Canada
Posts: 2,409
Bikes: Pinarello, Prince and an FP5
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
its not like your performing a brain surgery, when I was in the old Country I used to hang out at the local Bike shop and chit chat with bike mechanic when my bike is in the shop for its regular tune up and I make it a point and try to learned How they work on my bike, when I migrated to the land of the Milk and Honey I found out that it is very expensive to have your bike regularly service at the LBS. so I was force to do repairs on my bike, and I find it very challenging
__________________
"Racso", the well oiled machine;)
"Racso", the well oiled machine;)
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Posts: 6,956
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times
in
5 Posts
Another manual to look at is made by Haynes. They make automotive repair manuals (I have one for my car) and put out a manual for bicycles too. Seems quite good.
#14
NOT a weight weenie
Join Date: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,762
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I was trained by the former british Cyclocrss Team mech, and backup British Olympic Team mech. He also happens to be the youngest shop owner I have ever known. He opened up a shop at the age of 16!
#15
feros ferio
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: www.ci.encinitas.ca.us
Posts: 21,798
Bikes: 1959 Capo Modell Campagnolo; 1960 Capo Sieger (2); 1962 Carlton Franco Suisse; 1970 Peugeot UO-8; 1982 Bianchi Campione d'Italia; 1988 Schwinn Project KOM-10;
Mentioned: 44 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1393 Post(s)
Liked 1,326 Times
in
837 Posts
I learned through observation, experimentation, discussion, common sense, and reading. Hanging out at a bike shop helped, as did working at a friend's fledgling shop and later at Bikecology, which later grew/merged into Supergo.com.
__________________
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
#16
Career Cyclist
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Michigan, USA
Posts: 551
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
through years of great physical pain, mental suffering and financial loss to myself. Next time I'll buy a book!
__________________
2003 Iceman Challenge - 2:34:55 - 897 / 2,000*
2002 Iceman Challenge - 2:39:23 - 1093 / 2,186
2000 Iceman Challenge - 2:49:18 - 1516 / 2,153
*estimated
2003 Iceman Challenge - 2:34:55 - 897 / 2,000*
2002 Iceman Challenge - 2:39:23 - 1093 / 2,186
2000 Iceman Challenge - 2:49:18 - 1516 / 2,153
*estimated
#17
The Flying Scot
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: North Queensferry Scotland and London (and France)
Posts: 1,904
Bikes: Custom (Colin Laing) 531c fast tourer/audax, 1964 Flying Scot Continental, 1995 Cinelli Supercorsa, Holdsworth Mistral single speed, Dahon Speed 6 (folder), Micmo Sirocco and a few more
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Started as a kid, never gave up.
My wife says I read the instructions on everything so I learn a lot from the leaflets enclosed when I buy parts.
My wife says I read the instructions on everything so I learn a lot from the leaflets enclosed when I buy parts.
__________________
plus je vois les hommes, plus j'admire les chiens
1985 Sandy Gilchrist-Colin Laing built 531c Audax/fast tourer.
1964 Flying Scot Continental (531)
1995 Cinelli Supercorsa (Columbus SLX)
1980s Holdsworth Mistral fixed (531)
2005 Dahon Speed 6 (folder)
(YES I LIKE STEEL)
2008 Viking Saratoga tandem
2008 Micmo Sirocco Hybrid (aluminium!)
2012 BTwin Rockrider 8.1
plus je vois les hommes, plus j'admire les chiens
1985 Sandy Gilchrist-Colin Laing built 531c Audax/fast tourer.
1964 Flying Scot Continental (531)
1995 Cinelli Supercorsa (Columbus SLX)
1980s Holdsworth Mistral fixed (531)
2005 Dahon Speed 6 (folder)
(YES I LIKE STEEL)
2008 Viking Saratoga tandem
2008 Micmo Sirocco Hybrid (aluminium!)
2012 BTwin Rockrider 8.1
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Parrish, FL
Posts: 7,963
Bikes: Lots
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Wow Chewa, I think you're the only person I know that actually reads those things!
I usually tear the part open, oogle over my new toy, bolt it on, try to adjust it, get frustrated, throw a wrench or something, go drink a beer, look at it again and try to figure it out, scrape my knuckles, throw wrench again, get another beer, get more frustrated, then I read the directions!
j/k, I don't even drink beer anymore, any more than the other guy that is!
L8R
I usually tear the part open, oogle over my new toy, bolt it on, try to adjust it, get frustrated, throw a wrench or something, go drink a beer, look at it again and try to figure it out, scrape my knuckles, throw wrench again, get another beer, get more frustrated, then I read the directions!
j/k, I don't even drink beer anymore, any more than the other guy that is!
L8R
__________________
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, "WOW, What a Ride!" - unknown
"Your Bike Sucks" - Sky Yaeger
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, "WOW, What a Ride!" - unknown
"Your Bike Sucks" - Sky Yaeger
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Southern California
Posts: 771
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
The only way to start is just start.
My mechanical curiosity started with cars at an early age. After that a bike feels pretty easy.
Get to know someone who's handy at it and watch how effortlessly they dive in.
You can't break anything that can be fixed or replaced. Well, there is stripping a bottom bracket.....
My mechanical curiosity started with cars at an early age. After that a bike feels pretty easy.
Get to know someone who's handy at it and watch how effortlessly they dive in.
You can't break anything that can be fixed or replaced. Well, there is stripping a bottom bracket.....
#20
Guest
Posts: n/a
Mentioned: Post(s)
Tagged: Thread(s)
Quoted: Post(s)
I learned how to fix bikes by stealing parts from my friends bikes as a kid...
and out of necessity.... before I could not afford having somone do it and now Im too cheap to have somone else do it, and I enjoy working on my bike... more than I can say for auto mechanics... grrrrrrrastafrggndunfarkncar!!
and out of necessity.... before I could not afford having somone do it and now Im too cheap to have somone else do it, and I enjoy working on my bike... more than I can say for auto mechanics... grrrrrrrastafrggndunfarkncar!!
#21
Marathon Cyclist
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: Perth - Western Australia
Posts: 1,779
Bikes: Road Bike / Mountain Bike
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally posted by Hunter
I was trained by the former british Cyclocrss Team mech, and backup British Olympic Team mech. He also happens to be the youngest shop owner I have ever known. He opened up a shop at the age of 16!
I was trained by the former british Cyclocrss Team mech, and backup British Olympic Team mech. He also happens to be the youngest shop owner I have ever known. He opened up a shop at the age of 16!
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Posts: 6,956
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times
in
5 Posts
Originally posted by Jeepbikerun
I thought I'd ask how you learned to tune up your bike. I always take my bike to the shop for fear of screwing it up. However, as you can imagine it gets expensive. So I was wondering if you took a class, read a manual or just dove right in and did it yourself. I'd love to hear what you have to say.
Thanks,
Yvonne
I thought I'd ask how you learned to tune up your bike. I always take my bike to the shop for fear of screwing it up. However, as you can imagine it gets expensive. So I was wondering if you took a class, read a manual or just dove right in and did it yourself. I'd love to hear what you have to say.
Thanks,
Yvonne
Later, the clan of aliens did allow me to try to learn a better skill, namely Chemical Engineering. After 3 1/2 years the calculus just got too hard for me, and they punished me for my failure by returning me to bondage as a bicycle-repair drone again. It took ten years of enslavement to repay them for the failed ChemE training.
A couple of years later they gave me another chance, and I succeeded in becoming a computer-repair drone instead, which is what I still am today.
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Spokane WA
Posts: 1,148
Bikes: Seven Axiom Ti, Trek 620, Masi cylocross (steel). Masi Souleville 8spd, Fat Chance Mtn. (steel), Schwinn Triple Bar cruiser, Mazi Speciale Fix/single, Schwinn Typhoon
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I met and rode with a local racer who was a boiler maker and had been into hot rods etc and had some bike shop experience who taught me quite a bit about riding and wrenching. I was a ski-technician for some time as well, so Iwasn't um- hesitant. I learned a lot more when I went to work for a mountain, XC-ski, bike shop, and other shops I sold and wrenched for over the years. Reading some books ahelped a bit, at first, as well.
Ride Tuned
Pat
Ride Tuned
Pat
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Michigan
Posts: 55
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I've always been the type who could look at something and work from there. Most ventures I do can be examined, studied, and finally completed. I have had very few problems, and have been doing it like that since I was a kid. I guess i'm one of the lucky few.
#25
Bring the tech
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: S. FLorida
Posts: 1,215
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I learned the old fashion way....by taking my then $25 garage sale bike completely apart then try and figure out how to get it back together and working properly. Well that and reading some books on the subject.
Andrew
Andrew