where can I learn bicycle mechanics?
07-07-16 | 10:29 AM
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 211
Likes: 5
From: Between northen CA, south Fl, NC and beautiful MT
where can I learn bicycle mechanics?
Hello,
I started riding recently and I'm loving it. The problem is that I'm a little afraid to add distance in my rides because where I live and the road I go on is very solitary. I ride on a road with a river on one side and empty farm fields on the other side. I'm starting to wonder what can happen if l go too far and my bike breaks down. I only see a car once in a while and in many parts there's no phone signal. Before you tell me to go find another place to ride, this is where l live and I could go maybe once a week or few times a month to the city but if l want to get on my bicycle daily I will have to do it here. So, I want to learn everything l need to learn about fixing a bicycle and buying the tools I would need etc to be safe. The only thing is that the only other person l know in my life that enjoys bicycles lives three thousand miles away and here I don't know anyone who could teach me. So, how can I learn? Should I get me an old bike and break it all apart and start figuring out how it works or something? Are there clases somewhere I could go to? Thanks
I started riding recently and I'm loving it. The problem is that I'm a little afraid to add distance in my rides because where I live and the road I go on is very solitary. I ride on a road with a river on one side and empty farm fields on the other side. I'm starting to wonder what can happen if l go too far and my bike breaks down. I only see a car once in a while and in many parts there's no phone signal. Before you tell me to go find another place to ride, this is where l live and I could go maybe once a week or few times a month to the city but if l want to get on my bicycle daily I will have to do it here. So, I want to learn everything l need to learn about fixing a bicycle and buying the tools I would need etc to be safe. The only thing is that the only other person l know in my life that enjoys bicycles lives three thousand miles away and here I don't know anyone who could teach me. So, how can I learn? Should I get me an old bike and break it all apart and start figuring out how it works or something? Are there clases somewhere I could go to? Thanks
07-07-16 | 10:55 AM
#2
Senior Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 4,400
Likes: 106
From: SF Bay Area
Bikes: Bianchi Infinito (Celeste, of course)
REI and Performance Bike both offer introductory classes. Many local bike shops will also have an occasional class. Beyond that the web is a great source of information, you can find videos on how to do just about anything.
Beyond that, bike breakdowns basically fall into three categories:
1) Flat tires
2) Crashes
3) Component failure
The over-whelming majority of issues are from flat tires. Carry a spare tube, pump or CO2, patch kit and know how to change a tire. Practice changing the front (& especially rear) tire in the comfort of your garage. Once you've done it a half dozen times, you should be able to repair a tire and be back on the road in ~15 min or less.
I'm not going to say much on crashes. There's a wealth of information on mountain bike repairs that are equally applicable. Make sure your multi-tool has a chain tool and carry a spare quick-link. That will let you repair chains. Limit screws on the derailuers can be used to set a gear if you've broken a shifter.
Beyond flat tires (which are fixable), a well-maintained bicycle should essentially never have a sudden failure that would leave you stranded. The key is listening and inspecting your bike on a regular basis. Make sure the wheels are true, the brakes work, and the drivetrain runs smoothly. If you address issues when they're minor, you're not at risk for a significant failure. The vast majority of things should be fixed in the comfort of your garage, not on the road. And lastly, if you've just fixed/modified something carry the required adjustment tool with you and don't set out on a 100mi ride to nowhere on something that's untested. When I installed a new chain, the first thing I did was mash up the steepest grade in my neighborhood, just to make sure I could trust it on a longer ride.
Beyond that, bike breakdowns basically fall into three categories:
1) Flat tires
2) Crashes
3) Component failure
The over-whelming majority of issues are from flat tires. Carry a spare tube, pump or CO2, patch kit and know how to change a tire. Practice changing the front (& especially rear) tire in the comfort of your garage. Once you've done it a half dozen times, you should be able to repair a tire and be back on the road in ~15 min or less.
I'm not going to say much on crashes. There's a wealth of information on mountain bike repairs that are equally applicable. Make sure your multi-tool has a chain tool and carry a spare quick-link. That will let you repair chains. Limit screws on the derailuers can be used to set a gear if you've broken a shifter.
Beyond flat tires (which are fixable), a well-maintained bicycle should essentially never have a sudden failure that would leave you stranded. The key is listening and inspecting your bike on a regular basis. Make sure the wheels are true, the brakes work, and the drivetrain runs smoothly. If you address issues when they're minor, you're not at risk for a significant failure. The vast majority of things should be fixed in the comfort of your garage, not on the road. And lastly, if you've just fixed/modified something carry the required adjustment tool with you and don't set out on a 100mi ride to nowhere on something that's untested. When I installed a new chain, the first thing I did was mash up the steepest grade in my neighborhood, just to make sure I could trust it on a longer ride.
07-07-16 | 11:14 AM
#3
Keepin it Wheel
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,969
Likes: 5,247
From: San Diego
Bikes: Surly CrossCheck, Krampus
gsa gave a great overview. Flat repair is most important.
Beyond that, yes, it is a great idea to buy an old bike, strip it down, and rebuild it. Or just carefully study the operation of all the components, and most of it you can just see how it works. Take pictures before you take things apart, and as you take them apart, to help you get things in the right way when you put it back together.
First I would recommend learning all the names of things. Go to Sheldon Brown's Glossary and maybe just read through it. There's a whole lot there that you don't really need, vintage/obsolete standards and stuff, but if you're interested in bikes and bike wrenching, you'll find it interesting anyways.
Once you know the proper names of everything, it will be easier to search the internet for how to deal with it. There are tons of great youtube videos of all parts of bike maintenance/repair.
You'll need to tool up. For the road you basically just need a patch kit. Maybe a bike multitool. For home you will want more tools. On a bike you can get 75% of stuff done with allen wrenches, always metric, mostly 4/5/6mm. But you do need some specialized tools for bottom brackets, and for getting cassettes on and off, and dealing with headsets and stuff like that.
Search around here, there are lots of threads about people asking about what tools/kits to get started with. There are two schools of thought: there are tool-aficionados (aka tool snobs) that insist on buying the right, high-quality tool first time, only time, lifetime. If that's your temperament, go for it. I'm a tool cheapskate. I recommend (and did) buy a cheap toolkit, and going forward will replace tools that give me problems, and keep using tools that don't. I bought the Nashbar "Essential" toolkit when it was on sale (it is identical to the "Spin Doctor" branded kit sold by Performance bike shops). I have a better pedal wrench now, eventually I'll buy better cone wrenches, and everything else is doing fine for me.
This website itself is a great resource. Use google with site:bikeforums.net to search (rather than the site's own search mechanism) and you can usually find many people already asked your question (including this one!) and got many answers. If that isn't enough, post your own question.
Beyond that, yes, it is a great idea to buy an old bike, strip it down, and rebuild it. Or just carefully study the operation of all the components, and most of it you can just see how it works. Take pictures before you take things apart, and as you take them apart, to help you get things in the right way when you put it back together.
First I would recommend learning all the names of things. Go to Sheldon Brown's Glossary and maybe just read through it. There's a whole lot there that you don't really need, vintage/obsolete standards and stuff, but if you're interested in bikes and bike wrenching, you'll find it interesting anyways.
Once you know the proper names of everything, it will be easier to search the internet for how to deal with it. There are tons of great youtube videos of all parts of bike maintenance/repair.
You'll need to tool up. For the road you basically just need a patch kit. Maybe a bike multitool. For home you will want more tools. On a bike you can get 75% of stuff done with allen wrenches, always metric, mostly 4/5/6mm. But you do need some specialized tools for bottom brackets, and for getting cassettes on and off, and dealing with headsets and stuff like that.
Search around here, there are lots of threads about people asking about what tools/kits to get started with. There are two schools of thought: there are tool-aficionados (aka tool snobs) that insist on buying the right, high-quality tool first time, only time, lifetime. If that's your temperament, go for it. I'm a tool cheapskate. I recommend (and did) buy a cheap toolkit, and going forward will replace tools that give me problems, and keep using tools that don't. I bought the Nashbar "Essential" toolkit when it was on sale (it is identical to the "Spin Doctor" branded kit sold by Performance bike shops). I have a better pedal wrench now, eventually I'll buy better cone wrenches, and everything else is doing fine for me.
This website itself is a great resource. Use google with site:bikeforums.net to search (rather than the site's own search mechanism) and you can usually find many people already asked your question (including this one!) and got many answers. If that isn't enough, post your own question.
07-07-16 | 11:20 AM
#4
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 415
Likes: 0
From: Black Hills, SD
Bikes: Montague Para Trooper High line
Along with what others have stated, this
might be a start for you, then you can look for other videos on YouTube as well, which may be of help. As mentioned earlier, REI has good bike repair classes and are typically free. You can also pick up The Park Tool Blue Book and/or Zinn's Bicycle Repair.
Last edited by Hermes1; 07-07-16 at 11:22 AM. Reason: Content
07-07-16 | 11:48 AM
#6
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,552
Likes: 135
I teach a basic mechanics class through an adult ed program at a local school. We cover flat repair, basic adjustments, and maintenance. Also check for classes at local shops. Otherwise, online tutorials are you friend.
Practice removing a wheel and swapping out a tube to fix a flat before you need to in order to have a bit of confidence when it happens on the road. Maintain your bike so you don't face mechanical issues afield due to lack of maintenance. Chat up the mechanics or service dept at your local bike shop.
Practice removing a wheel and swapping out a tube to fix a flat before you need to in order to have a bit of confidence when it happens on the road. Maintain your bike so you don't face mechanical issues afield due to lack of maintenance. Chat up the mechanics or service dept at your local bike shop.
07-07-16 | 12:11 PM
#7
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 11,495
Likes: 4,912
From: San Jose (Willow Glen) Ca
Bikes: Kirk Custom JK Special, 86 De Rosa Pro, '84 Team Miyata,(dura ace old school) 80?? SR Semi-Pro 600 Arabesque
Some really good online info
park tool school locator Park Tool School | Park Tool
Repair Help Articles | Park Tool
park tool school locator Park Tool School | Park Tool
Repair Help Articles | Park Tool
__________________
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can.
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can.
07-07-16 | 02:21 PM
#8
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 211
Likes: 5
From: Between northen CA, south Fl, NC and beautiful MT
REI and Performance Bike both offer introductory classes. Many local bike shops will also have an occasional class. Beyond that the web is a great source of information, you can find videos on how to do just about anything.
Beyond that, bike breakdowns basically fall into three categories:
1) Flat tires
2) Crashes
3) Component failure
The over-whelming majority of issues are from flat tires. Carry a spare tube, pump or CO2, patch kit and know how to change a tire. Practice changing the front (& especially rear) tire in the comfort of your garage. Once you've done it a half dozen times, you should be able to repair a tire and be back on the road in ~15 min or less.
I'm not going to say much on crashes. There's a wealth of information on mountain bike repairs that are equally applicable. Make sure your multi-tool has a chain tool and carry a spare quick-link. That will let you repair chains. Limit screws on the derailuers can be used to set a gear if you've broken a shifter.
Beyond flat tires (which are fixable), a well-maintained bicycle should essentially never have a sudden failure that would leave you stranded. The key is listening and inspecting your bike on a regular basis. Make sure the wheels are true, the brakes work, and the drivetrain runs smoothly. If you address issues when they're minor, you're not at risk for a significant failure. The vast majority of things should be fixed in the comfort of your garage, not on the road. And lastly, if you've just fixed/modified something carry the required adjustment tool with you and don't set out on a 100mi ride to nowhere on something that's untested. When I installed a new chain, the first thing I did was mash up the steepest grade in my neighborhood, just to make sure I could trust it on a longer ride.
Beyond that, bike breakdowns basically fall into three categories:
1) Flat tires
2) Crashes
3) Component failure
The over-whelming majority of issues are from flat tires. Carry a spare tube, pump or CO2, patch kit and know how to change a tire. Practice changing the front (& especially rear) tire in the comfort of your garage. Once you've done it a half dozen times, you should be able to repair a tire and be back on the road in ~15 min or less.
I'm not going to say much on crashes. There's a wealth of information on mountain bike repairs that are equally applicable. Make sure your multi-tool has a chain tool and carry a spare quick-link. That will let you repair chains. Limit screws on the derailuers can be used to set a gear if you've broken a shifter.
Beyond flat tires (which are fixable), a well-maintained bicycle should essentially never have a sudden failure that would leave you stranded. The key is listening and inspecting your bike on a regular basis. Make sure the wheels are true, the brakes work, and the drivetrain runs smoothly. If you address issues when they're minor, you're not at risk for a significant failure. The vast majority of things should be fixed in the comfort of your garage, not on the road. And lastly, if you've just fixed/modified something carry the required adjustment tool with you and don't set out on a 100mi ride to nowhere on something that's untested. When I installed a new chain, the first thing I did was mash up the steepest grade in my neighborhood, just to make sure I could trust it on a longer ride.
07-07-16 | 02:24 PM
#9
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 211
Likes: 5
From: Between northen CA, south Fl, NC and beautiful MT
gsa gave a great overview. Flat repair is most important.
Beyond that, yes, it is a great idea to buy an old bike, strip it down, and rebuild it. Or just carefully study the operation of all the components, and most of it you can just see how it works. Take pictures before you take things apart, and as you take them apart, to help you get things in the right way when you put it back together.
First I would recommend learning all the names of things. Go to Sheldon Brown's Glossary and maybe just read through it. There's a whole lot there that you don't really need, vintage/obsolete standards and stuff, but if you're interested in bikes and bike wrenching, you'll find it interesting anyways.
Once you know the proper names of everything, it will be easier to search the internet for how to deal with it. There are tons of great youtube videos of all parts of bike maintenance/repair.
You'll need to tool up. For the road you basically just need a patch kit. Maybe a bike multitool. For home you will want more tools. On a bike you can get 75% of stuff done with allen wrenches, always metric, mostly 4/5/6mm. But you do need some specialized tools for bottom brackets, and for getting cassettes on and off, and dealing with headsets and stuff like that.
Search around here, there are lots of threads about people asking about what tools/kits to get started with. There are two schools of thought: there are tool-aficionados (aka tool snobs) that insist on buying the right, high-quality tool first time, only time, lifetime. If that's your temperament, go for it. I'm a tool cheapskate. I recommend (and did) buy a cheap toolkit, and going forward will replace tools that give me problems, and keep using tools that don't. I bought the Nashbar "Essential" toolkit when it was on sale (it is identical to the "Spin Doctor" branded kit sold by Performance bike shops). I have a better pedal wrench now, eventually I'll buy better cone wrenches, and everything else is doing fine for me.
This website itself is a great resource. Use google with site:bikeforums.net to search (rather than the site's own search mechanism) and you can usually find many people already asked your question (including this one!) and got many answers. If that isn't enough, post your own question.
Beyond that, yes, it is a great idea to buy an old bike, strip it down, and rebuild it. Or just carefully study the operation of all the components, and most of it you can just see how it works. Take pictures before you take things apart, and as you take them apart, to help you get things in the right way when you put it back together.
First I would recommend learning all the names of things. Go to Sheldon Brown's Glossary and maybe just read through it. There's a whole lot there that you don't really need, vintage/obsolete standards and stuff, but if you're interested in bikes and bike wrenching, you'll find it interesting anyways.
Once you know the proper names of everything, it will be easier to search the internet for how to deal with it. There are tons of great youtube videos of all parts of bike maintenance/repair.
You'll need to tool up. For the road you basically just need a patch kit. Maybe a bike multitool. For home you will want more tools. On a bike you can get 75% of stuff done with allen wrenches, always metric, mostly 4/5/6mm. But you do need some specialized tools for bottom brackets, and for getting cassettes on and off, and dealing with headsets and stuff like that.
Search around here, there are lots of threads about people asking about what tools/kits to get started with. There are two schools of thought: there are tool-aficionados (aka tool snobs) that insist on buying the right, high-quality tool first time, only time, lifetime. If that's your temperament, go for it. I'm a tool cheapskate. I recommend (and did) buy a cheap toolkit, and going forward will replace tools that give me problems, and keep using tools that don't. I bought the Nashbar "Essential" toolkit when it was on sale (it is identical to the "Spin Doctor" branded kit sold by Performance bike shops). I have a better pedal wrench now, eventually I'll buy better cone wrenches, and everything else is doing fine for me.
This website itself is a great resource. Use google with site:bikeforums.net to search (rather than the site's own search mechanism) and you can usually find many people already asked your question (including this one!) and got many answers. If that isn't enough, post your own question.
07-07-16 | 02:24 PM
#10
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 211
Likes: 5
From: Between northen CA, south Fl, NC and beautiful MT
Along with what others have stated, this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FsQPiTbm350 might be a start for you, then you can look for other videos on YouTube as well, which may be of help. As mentioned earlier, REI has good bike repair classes and are typically free. You can also pick up The Park Tool Blue Book and/or Zinn's Bicycle Repair.
07-07-16 | 02:26 PM
#12
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 211
Likes: 5
From: Between northen CA, south Fl, NC and beautiful MT
I teach a basic mechanics class through an adult ed program at a local school. We cover flat repair, basic adjustments, and maintenance. Also check for classes at local shops. Otherwise, online tutorials are you friend.
Practice removing a wheel and swapping out a tube to fix a flat before you need to in order to have a bit of confidence when it happens on the road. Maintain your bike so you don't face mechanical issues afield due to lack of maintenance. Chat up the mechanics or service dept at your local bike shop.
Practice removing a wheel and swapping out a tube to fix a flat before you need to in order to have a bit of confidence when it happens on the road. Maintain your bike so you don't face mechanical issues afield due to lack of maintenance. Chat up the mechanics or service dept at your local bike shop.
07-07-16 | 02:27 PM
#13
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 211
Likes: 5
From: Between northen CA, south Fl, NC and beautiful MT
Some really good online info
park tool school locator Park Tool School | Park Tool
Repair Help Articles | Park Tool
park tool school locator Park Tool School | Park Tool
Repair Help Articles | Park Tool
07-07-16 | 10:18 PM
#15
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 211
Likes: 5
From: Between northen CA, south Fl, NC and beautiful MT
07-07-16 | 10:41 PM
#16
Insane Bicycle Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 10,163
Likes: 1,128
From: other Vancouver
FWIW: Liz, if you are female (please excuse the presumption if you are not) and are near Portland, Oregon, Gracie's Wrench and several other shops offer women-only mechanical classes:
Gracie's Wrench
https://btaoregon.org/2013/05/resour...icycle-repair/
__________________
Jeff Wills
Comcast nuked my web page. It will return soon..
Jeff Wills
Comcast nuked my web page. It will return soon..
07-07-16 | 11:55 PM
#17
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 211
Likes: 5
From: Between northen CA, south Fl, NC and beautiful MT
After all the time that you and everyone else takes to share your thoughts with me, and after all the effort you all do to write me to help me, and when even though you know a lot and I know so little you still take my questions seriously and with compassion respond sharing your knowledge, how can I not thank each and one of you personally 
but I'll have mercy on your eyes 
because you have a very good point.
And yes, I'm female.
but I'll have mercy on your eyes because you have a very good point. And yes, I'm female.
07-08-16 | 05:27 AM
#18
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: 312
it would also have been helpful if you told people roughly where you lived.
We have a couple of bike co-op locations here and they do both free and paid classes for basic bike mechanics. I know similar places like that exist in a few other cities. Also there are some riding clubs spotted in some areas that cater to new riders that also help them learn how to do basic up keep and tune ups.
https://therecyclery.org
We have a couple of bike co-op locations here and they do both free and paid classes for basic bike mechanics. I know similar places like that exist in a few other cities. Also there are some riding clubs spotted in some areas that cater to new riders that also help them learn how to do basic up keep and tune ups.
https://therecyclery.org
07-08-16 | 07:24 AM
#19
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 342
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta
Bikes: Trek FX 7.4 + Sirrus Expert Carbon X1
I have the same problem and question as the op.
I have started to bicycle further and last week I did 21 miles one way. I am afraid what if my tire died or chain link break. I never change tire or break before. Youtube is a great place to learn things.
I have started to bicycle further and last week I did 21 miles one way. I am afraid what if my tire died or chain link break. I never change tire or break before. Youtube is a great place to learn things.
07-08-16 | 06:29 PM
#20
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 157
Likes: 2
From: Texas
Bikes: 2017 Specialized Diverge A1, 1972 Peugeot PX10 (original owner)
One of my favorites on YouTube is RJ The Bike Guy.
https://www.youtube.com/c/rjthebikeguy/featured
His website is organized by topic
RJ The Bike Guy | RJ The Bike Guy
https://www.youtube.com/c/rjthebikeguy/featured
His website is organized by topic
RJ The Bike Guy | RJ The Bike Guy
07-08-16 | 06:43 PM
#21
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 211
Likes: 5
From: Between northen CA, south Fl, NC and beautiful MT
07-08-16 | 07:38 PM
#22
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 1,685
Likes: 103
From: New Jersey
My personal advice?
If there is one around you, find a non-profit bike shop/co-op (there are usually a few in a larger metropolitan area), and volunteer a few nights a week/month. Nothing will learn you faster on what breaks and common fixes than encountering them first hand.
I love reference material, and refer to it constantly (both when learning and working!), but experience teaches best.
If there is one around you, find a non-profit bike shop/co-op (there are usually a few in a larger metropolitan area), and volunteer a few nights a week/month. Nothing will learn you faster on what breaks and common fixes than encountering them first hand.
I love reference material, and refer to it constantly (both when learning and working!), but experience teaches best.
07-08-16 | 08:46 PM
#23
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 22,994
Likes: 10,498
From: Sacramento, CA
Bikes: old ones
My personal advice?
If there is one around you, find a non-profit bike shop/co-op (there are usually a few in a larger metropolitan area), and volunteer a few nights a week/month. Nothing will learn you faster on what breaks and common fixes than encountering them first hand.
I love reference material, and refer to it constantly (both when learning and working!), but experience teaches best.
If there is one around you, find a non-profit bike shop/co-op (there are usually a few in a larger metropolitan area), and volunteer a few nights a week/month. Nothing will learn you faster on what breaks and common fixes than encountering them first hand.
I love reference material, and refer to it constantly (both when learning and working!), but experience teaches best.
Here's a reference listing of some, but it might be out of date as to hours of operation and whether they are still there, so use it as a base for further searching. YOu can also try a quick Google search using your town and the term "bike co-op".
07-09-16 | 02:21 AM
#25
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 211
Likes: 5
From: Between northen CA, south Fl, NC and beautiful MT