yes you will need to know the basics of maintenence, you can find books in the library or on line , or even get to see some basics on youtube, once you know how to fix a flat, change/fix chain/tires, forks , brakes, derailer, etc.. you won't have any problems. I t must suck to be riding around on a 900 dollar bike and your chain busts, flat tire, brakes fail, and you have know idea how to fix it, and waste the day driving down to the shop and having them tell you it will be ready in a few days, and get a bill tha's almost as much as what you paid for the damn thing[believe me i have witnessed this many a time.].