Look, I'm a mechanical genius so maybe I have a skewed perspective, but I'm convinced the Bicycle is simple and straightforward enough for anyone to be able to figure out like 80% of what goes on with one, just by looking at it and scratching their head.

I'm always baffled by folks asking the about the most elementary stuff, and my first impulse is not to answer the question but to tell them to stop looking at me, and really look at the bike.

This stuff is way easier than most folks imagine, even wheelbuilding. Just expect to be able to wrap your head around it by looking, and you're off and running; it's only simple intuitive physics - you just need logic.

Sorry if it seems like a bit of a rant (it's just a general comment, not directed at you; I'm not saying you shouldn't have made this post), but this medium (the forum) is best employed to find out about that last 20%...

For help with the first 80%, check out http://www.sheldonbrown.com/ and http://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-help ... I think there are a few other good sites, but they're prolly the best place to start.

It's fun. Enjoy