Maintenance classes at LBS - worth it?
 

I'm thinking of taking this series of classes offered by the local bike co-op.

I'm a self taught home mechanic (books, Park tool site, Sheldon Brown, etc) and feel I could learn more, but worry these classes will be too basic.

Some of the things I've done myself include overhaul hub bearings, replace bottom bracket, adjust derailers, fix flats, adjust headset (threaded), and replace the chain.

Of course, I don't know what I don't know. Maybe I've been doing this stuff all wrong.

Paul

If things work when you're finished with them, you're probably OK. If you were motivated enough, you could teach that class. Working on bicycles is not rocket surgery.

You'd prolly learn a fair bit, depending on how in-depth they get with it... how comprehensive was that list of the stuff you've done to a bike; can you true wheels or adjust a drivetrain?

Then again, it's not all that hard to figure out for yourself. And you have this joint.

That class is too elementary for you. Find a more advanced one.

You can learn it easily with any of the good maintenance/repair books on the market. Zinns and Bicycling magazines are at the local bookstore for $20-25.00. Bicycletutor has online videos of basic maintenance. Lots of stuff out there. If you DIY, be sure to only do one proceedure at a time. Get it right before you go on to the next one. After a few jobs, you'll get up to speed. bk

If you want to get good at wrenching you work at a shop where your livelihood depends on it. Under the supervision of good mechanics that are willing to teach you.

Take this bike repair course instead: The Bicycling Guide to Complete Bicycle Maintenance and Repair: For Road and Mountain Bikes(Expanded and Revised 5th Edition) [Bargain Price] (Paperback)

Unless you were wanting to go there to meet chicks. Or guys. Not that it matters.

So who is the instructor?

That is a pretty basic class. On the other hand, with only 8 students a really good instructor will be able to match the content to each student. I've messed with bikes for a pretty long time and I've wrenched in bike shops for around a decade. I'm still constantly learning new stuff even regarding the basics. If I thought the instructor was a really good guy I'd sign up in a heartbeat.

Really good instructor - worth it beyond a doubt. Average instructor - maybe not.

Lots of people recommend the park tool website for how-tos. Their "Park Big Blue Book of Bicycle Repair" seems to have much of the same information, plus more. I have the second edition. Very nice book - but note that it's not really all that big. You can't always (or want to) be at a computer while working so this book is good to pick up. It's small enough that you can port it around easily if you're so inclined. The Zinn book is much larger, and uses illustration. I have, like, and use both, but I prefer the photos of the Park book over the Zinn book's illustrations.

It would be nice if these books were available in a binder-style option so the pages could stay open and lay flat (and I realize this would probably cost more).

Depends on whether $200 seems like a lot to you. Talk to the teacher, try to get a sense for whether there's stuff you can learn from it. You'll also get a sense of whether the teacher is good, at the same time.