Yen

Hi All, I'm still a relative newbie but Hubby and I are taking longer rides every week. Yesterday we rode 18 miles, and we plan to go further every week.

The further we go, the more I want to know how to do important bike maintenance, especially what to do in case of a flat tire.

Can anyone recommend an LBS or other source for good, hands-on bike maintenance instructions? I live near the Pomona Fairgrounds.

Thanks,
Jen

ovoleg

not sure where Pomona fairgrounds is(maybe close to sfv?). I'll be glad to show you how to fix a flat tire if you are relatively close. Join a local club, I think someone there would be willing to help you out also.

I'm not too great on other maintenance, I'm actually looking for a wrenching class during the summer myself to get more knowledge.

socalslowguy

Is there an REI store nearby? They will have basic bike maintenance classes in the evenings.

spingineer

Pomona fairgrounds is near I-10 and Hwy 57. Close to Covina (east end of SG Valley)

Yen

ovoleg: Thanks, but I'm quite a bit inland from you. Close to the San Bernardino county border (Glendora, San Dimas, Claremont, La Verne, Upland area...).

SoCalSlowGuy: Great! I'll look into the classes at REI.

I believe Helen's in Arcadia offers a class which includes multiple sessions if I'm not mistaken.

socalrider

The best choice for a class would be the REI in Rancho Cucamonga.. Best LBS in your area Coates Cyclery in Pomona at the Corner of Foothill / Towne Ave..

alicestrong

Jen do you have a good floor pump with a gauge on it?

Keeping tires infated properly helps prevent flats. Also check after each ride for small bits of glass that may be working their way into the tube portion...

Even if you don't know how to fix a flat yet, make sure to carry spare tubes, quik stik or levers and a pump when you ride. At least that way it will enable a good samaritan-type to help you more easily...

And lastly...I taught myself how to fix a flat by referring to a book and online instruction...

https://www.kenkifer.com/bikepages/skills/fixflat.htm

https://mountainbike.about.com/od/fla...Fix_Flat_2.htm

You will find even more online sites if you search "how to fix a flat"...

socalrider

Parktool website has one of the best do-it-yourself sections with lots of pictures to guide you. Just place the cursor over the area on the bike and it will show you everything you need to know

https://www.parktool.com/repair/

tinrobot

+1

redal

The best LBS? What kind of discounts is Cory giving you? I will say that one of the Coates mechanics, Jack, is top notch.

alicestrong

Has anyone here taken the advanced class at REI? How was it? What did it cover?

I've only taken the free basic one myself...

Yen

Thanks everyone.

Alice: Yes, we have a good floor pump, and I have a small one on my bike along with a spare tube, a lever, and a little set of tools. I need to check my tires for glass since I saw quite a bit of tiny glass pieces on our ride yesterday. I'm amazed how much of it lies along the shoulder of the road. It's impossible to avoid all of it without constantly swerving and leaning to and fro... I must have looked like an idiot to some of the elite riders that passed me.

Thanks to everyone for the links and advice -- I much appreciate it!

Jen

merider1

I did not like it. But my experience may have been a unique one. The mechanic who taught it took my chain and cassette off and then replaced both incorrectly. I took it to my bike shop to fix what he did. I also found that he tried to cover too much in the time we were there (3 hours, if I recall). There were too many people in the class too, so it took awhile for him to walk around and offer help. However, REI did give me my money back, so I don't want to completely naysay them...just my experience.

spingineer

I basically borrowed a library book that showed how to overhaul your bike ... but then again, that was 20 years ago.

alicestrong

I'm the kind of person who can learn at home from a book, too. Some people might have a more difficult time learning that way and need a different approach.

Also I love old bikes so I've had lots of hands-on practice replacing tires, tape and tubes on all my bikes.

As for flats on the road I've been lucky it's been a couple years...(knocks on wood)

The last flat I got was a pinch flat for neglecting to check the air in my tires. The one before that was from a goathead! GOATHEAD!!!! Gotta hate 'em!

Jed19

I did take the REI advanced class, and it was a waste of money and time. The mechanic who taught it was not the mastertech at the store, and I was under the impression that the class was going to be taught by the mastertech, whose work I was familiar and satisfied with in past dealings. In fact, I had asked him before signing up, if he was going to be teaching the class, and while he did not say outright that he'll teach the class, he very strongly gave me the impression that he'll teach it, hence my signing up.

My view is that the classes are only as good as the instructor.

It was a waste of my money, and I did not have the guts to ask for my money back. I should have demanded a refund.

Regards,

roadfix

So whatever happened to our maintenance party thread??..

merider1

Luc, what store did you take the class at? The REI in Altadena did give me my money back and for that they still get my business on other items (I am a member). If it wasn't that long ago, you could bring it up to them and still ask for a refund. You just might get one.

merider1

You mean the thread that turned into the orgy/hoedown/kissing-shaving-dunking-licking booth party thread? Hmmmm...I just don't know.

alicestrong

Who has the most tools?

They win...

MarkAJ

Here are two PDF downloads for you. They cover more about bicycles than you probably are ready for right now, but both cover flats and changing tires. Practice changing a tube at home before need to do it far far away. No cheating, use only what you would have carried. This way you will know what works and what does not.

You should be able to double click these links and the PDF will start to download. (I hope. I never setup a download on the BF before.) They are best if printed out in color.

(Edit) Looks like you will have to select SAVE AS after it opens.

Fix Anything PDF

250 Tips

1955

I believe it was a great idea that went south because people were just messing around hijacking the thread.

I think that ME should revive it. I can't imagine there's anyone out there that can't learn something.

Jed19

I took the class at the Santa Ana REI store. I have been an REI member for at least fifteen years, and the whole REI experience has been great for me. I think the advanced bicycle maintenance class has been the only product/service I ever purchased from them that has made me unhappy or less satisfied than I envisioned.

I am sure I can get a refund if I pursue it with REI, I just can not help but think that the mechanic who taught the class might get a bad review/feedback from his bosses and other REI bigshots.

And I won't like that.

I mean, the guy is not a terrible mechanic or person, he was just a really bad teacher, who gave the impression that he's been asked to pull duty on that particular day, when he'll rather be somewhere else.

For what it's worth, these kind of classes are best taught by people who have passion for bikes and likes people. The teacher has to really know bikes, and then his passion for bikes has to come through in his/her presentation.

Thanks for listening to my rant.

Regards,

merider1

ME doesn't think SHE should revive it! ME already knows that the idea went to hell in a hand basket.

Yen

Thanks everyone! I'm still planning to take the beginner, free class at REI, and I will check out the links and books you all recommended.

Tell me about your membership at REI -- what are the advantages? Do you need to buy a lot of stuff to get your money's worth?

Jen