I'd like to be able to adjust and lube my drivetrain by myself, but I'm not sure on exactly how. Here are a couple ?'s ...

How do you adjust deraileurs? Do you just play with the adjustment until it shifts well throughout the gear range? This applies to both front and back.

Are there specific torque specs I should follow on any of the components? I'm most worried about my bottom bracket.

How do I remove the bottom bracket and cranks?

Can I take apart the rear derailleur to clean it and relube it?

What lube do you guys use for all the various components?

Thanks!

Get yourself a copy of Lennard Zinn's "Zinn and the Art of Mountain Bike Maintenance". Well written and illustrated. You can get at Amazon.com for $19.95. You can also contact Zinn directly via e-mail. His the Tech Editor at Velonews.com and his e-mail address is listed at the bottom of his column. He is very good at answering questions via e-mail, even if he does not list in the column.

Taking your bike apart is easy. Getting it back together is the tricky part.

Questions like yours come up pretty frequently. Search this site for answers.

Click here for Barnett's Manual You can download it for free, and it has more information about bicycle maintenance and repair than a home mechanic can use.

Bike Tools Etc. has a great selection of tools. To do some of the jobs you are considering, like removing cranks and bottom brackets, you will need special tools. Many tools are available from other vendors including your Local Bike Shop.

Talk to the mechanic at your LBS to see if he or she offers a class in maintenance and repair. The Park Tool Schools are offered through local bike shops.

Yes, there are torque specs for many parts. They are in Barnett's manual.

The Park Tool website has lots of good information, as does Sheldon Brown.

In addition to Zinn's excellent book, I like Bicycling Magazine's Complete Guide to Bicycle Maintenance and Repair, by Jim Langley.

Awesome! Thanks! I am mechanically inclined, but I just wanted to know what I'md oing before I start on anything. Don't want to anything

Or the rumor going around is if you get us shop mechanics liqurd up enough we'll show you anything for another case of beer.. ha ha ha.

Hey it works here...but then again everyone here is always up for a party.

You can check out Sheldon Brown's Site for some more info. Picking up a set of Barnett's manuals is the best investmen I have ever made. The hundred bucks for the set of four books has payed for itself many many times over when the cost of getting the problems fixed at the LBS are considered. Most of the fixes for things are remarkably easy to do after you try them a few times and get some of the proper tools. I almost never go to the LBS for service-relatyed issues now. Truing wheels, on the other hand, is something I have yet to master .

-Moab

I'll take a 6-pack of microbrew over a case of BUD (YUCK!), and don't forget the pizza. Or better yet, an Italian Sausage Sandwich. Man, I'm making myself hungry!

L8R

Did someone say, "Party"?

Its always about the partying...whooooo...thats and the biking...and bike bush party...hmmm now I am thinking

Careful A2, you're starting to sound like you're from Portland.
Funny story: One of my friends used to drink the cheap stuff so he get lots of it on his college budget. He spent a month in Austria and now won't hardly touch anything but microbrews (especially Fat Tire)

I hate to admit this, but in my college days (not that long ago!) a 12 pack was what we drank before we went out partying. I used to puke just so I could drink more. Man, was I stupid!

Now, a 6-pack will last me all month. Now it's quality over quantity!

Fat-Tire is good, I also like Tire Biter Ale, a good Newcastle and.....etc. Too many good ones to list!

L8R