Originally Posted by Rowan
I am not sure it's really fair to just say bike shop mechanics aren't experts and pick up their knowledge here and there. As we all know, there is a lot of reading on the internet, and I suspect there is a lot of data that is supplied with components to shops that the general public doesn't get to see.
When you look at any sort of training, all it does is short-cut the time it takes to pick up the skills and knowledge that would gained in the course of experimenting. It's much easier and much, much faster to have someone prepare procedures or routines and give reasons why a job should be done a certain way and torques applied and preloads adjusted, than for an individual to go through all the permutations.
Plus, there is usually more than one way to do a job as wily bush mechanics will show.
Good LBS mechanics (formally trained or not) will be like good auto and aircraft mechanics -- they will keep up with their reading of manuals and technical data, and maintian their practice. Bad mechanics of any ilk will always be bad mechanics (although the resulting risks may not be so good).
You could say that it starts with engineering, but the only real difference between bikes these days in terms of technology is carbon fibre and its need to be babied compared with metal components. Engineering these days, to me, seems to be a means to find enforced obsalescene and a new fashion.
Anyway, Pete, I appreciate the discussion you have enabled. Thanks.
Rowan--very well stated--I always held to the fact that you need practical hands on experience in anything you do--in any field of endeavor.
The point I was trying to make is that a person should not take as gospel truth EVERYTHING someone working in a bike shop says.
I have been in the mechanic field all my life, Auto, small engines & Aviation and have become very skeptical about what people tell me. In the past 2 months that I have been in the process of researching and buying my first road bike I've talked to at least 50 people---some of them only knew the fact that they where working in a bike shop and others were what I call "WELL VERSED IN THEIR FIELD".
I was extremely fortunate to find a LBS owner less than 2 miles away that I do consider an "expert". I have been going in there almost every other day for the past couple of months with a minimum of a half dozen questions I have written down. He has had an answer for every question--not only does he answer the question but if possible he walks over to a bike and points out what I'm questioning. He has fitted me for the bike, discussed various options for how & how much I wanted to ride and all types of bike related items--shoes,pedals,clothing,computers etc. Even introduced me to the Shimano Rep when he came in.
I feel very confident buying from this owner and feel I will be satisfied with the bike. I am under the opinion that if people would ask a lot of questions and do some reasearch IE: reading Bike Forums etc. & shop at different bike shops they would become more informed and satisfied with their purchases.
He was even nice enough to take back the bike I first ordered when I wasn't satisfied with the color. If your ever in Melbourne, FL check out Jim at Revolutions Cyclery.
And now back to the MAIN SUBJECT of this post......he uses
"Dumonde Tech" http://hgnr.com/hgnrbldtinfo2.pdf for the wheel bearings. Says he has been using this stuff for years and it works great, no problems.