Recently (two days ago) I decided to remove my bar ends. While relocating the grip shifts, I somehow pulled the right one apart. Being aware of how to fix it and the ability to actually do it are two different animals- so I ended up riding around on Friday with a very noisy drive train and a rear shifter that wouldn't lock into place.

Took it to the LBS where I bought the bike some 3 years ago, asked them how much it would cost to show me how to fix it, and they did it for free. Took him maybe all of two minutes (if that), while I spent probably close to an hour attempting to do it on my own.

As a result of this, I will more than likely purchase my next bike* from them as well. I'm attracted to the pricing of the BD offerings, but I lack the knowledge base and tools for even the basic stuff beyond flat fixing, brake adjustments, and saddle positioning.

*My purchasing my current ride from them has long been a sore spot with my wife, as she wanted me to get a BSO from Wally World. She was either afraid it would be a waste of money (as in not stick with it) or had no confidence I would be able to handle it. After more than a year of multi-modal commuting, she has finally realized that maybe she was wrong and I was right. And she has finally warmed up to n+1 as well...

Sounds like you have a good LBS. Its good to hear you will support them again when the time comes again.

Other than what you've stated above, I completely agree with you, that sometimes we can get in over our heads with some aspects of mechanics, if we're not actually bonafide and certified bicycle mechanics.

However, whenever I am aware of how to fix the problem, I am usually capable of fixing the bike, myself. OTOH, if there's a specific tool needed that cost more than the price of the repair, then by all means, I'll just let the LBS do it.

Besides, a really good LBS knows how to stay in business. Being friendly and helpful is not just good civility, it's good business too!

- Slim
PS.

Sounds like you're one step ahead of me though. A few times, I just couldn't figure out, how to fix the problem!

Changing a tube is the most I trust myself with.

I dream of doing my own tinkering in the years to come, but I'm more comfortable bringing my bike to the LBS for now.

I bought my bike from the shop, @ MSRP, and it came with two years free labor on maintenance and repairs.

I bring my bike to them regularly as I put 200-300 fairly rough, pedal mashing miles a month on her.

At about 2000 miles, I "roached" my rear cartridge (the terminology the bike mechanic had used), and had to have the chain replaced, and it only cost me the price of parts to fix them both.

In the next year, I should try to teach myself as much as possible about fixing and maintaining my bike so when the safety net of free expert labor is gone, I can try to do my best to take over the responsibility.

I'm not the most mechanically inclined person, but I do not find bike parts to be too terribly intimidating. Wrenches, Allen wrenches, screw drivers, a little goo in the right places. I think I can handle that.

Truing wheels would be something I might not like trusting to my own abilities without someone really explaining it well, and possibly showing me. (Which is what I guess this forum and maybe youtube are for.)

Perhaps you should see if your LBS or another one in your area offers Park Tool School classes. There is one in mine, but there are also the highest priced, non-niche LBS in town. And since you're in NYC, maybe their are some co-ops that would be willing to help you acquire skills.

Thanks, I have indeed heard of a few different free bike education programs in this city.

I believe some of them do include maintenance courses.

I haven't taken the leap into the cycling community in my area as of yet.

But, I am starting to feel as if I put in enough saddle time that it's worth looking into.

I don't suppose suggesting that she buy her clothing and cosmetics from Walmart at the time would have gone over well.

Naw, she can't stand their style of fashion and she doesn't like to wear make-up. She prefers to get her wardrobe from another X-Mart.

To be honest, her initial prediction almost came true. I bought the bike in '08, but I didn't really start riding it for at least a year after that. If it weren't for a major road project that forced the bus I take to work to detour for several weeks, I'm not sure if I would have actually started to incorporate the bike into my commute. However, unless it's work or family related, I prefer to make all my trips under my own power.