Author Topic: recommended sources for learning bike maintenance  (Read 3163 times)

wordygirl

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recommended sources for learning bike maintenance
« on: February 19, 2014, 05:26:39 PM »
I have recently discovered the joys of trail biking after a neighbour gave me a fantastic used mountain bike in exchange for firewood.

It occurred to me that the Mustachian thing to do would be to learn how to service and maintain the bike in order to avoid paying someone else to do things like tightening gear cables, oiling chains, or whatever else one does to keep a bike healthy and happy for a long time (I'm not actually sure that that is, to be honest).

Can anyone recommend some YouTube channels or videos or some other sites that provide information about bike maintenance for those who are newbies at this sort of thing?

TIA.

Left Bank

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Re: recommended sources for learning bike maintenance
« Reply #1 on: February 19, 2014, 06:09:28 PM »
Fellow riders.  Check out some of club rides or local bike shop rides and go on them.  You will meet a lot of cool, knowledgeable people who would be more than happy to help out a fellow rider with questions about their bike. 

the fixer

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Re: recommended sources for learning bike maintenance
« Reply #2 on: February 19, 2014, 06:43:06 PM »
From trying a few quick searches on Youtube, I found LOTS of videos from different people for basic maintenance items. So it's easy to learn how to do things. The trick, then is threefold: know what everything is called so you can search for it, know that something needs to be done, and know enough specifics about your bike to narrow the information!

For the first and third of these, check out http://sheldonbrown.com/

The second, recognizing a problem and identifying it, is tougher to learn. To start with, you should learn what a bike tuneup entails, then learn how a properly adjusted bike should act and feel.

Here's a basic tuneup, off the top of my head:
- wipe down bike, I like to do this first so I don't get myself as dirty (just a rag is usually sufficient unless it's really dirty)
- check that wheels are true/round/dished
- check hubs for play, resistance
- check & adjust brakes
- check bottom bracket for play
- check pedal bearings for play, resistance
- check chain to see if it needs replacing
- clean & lube chain
- check shifting
- inspect all bolts for tightness (do not overtighten, just make sure they aren't loose)
- check headset for play, resistance

You should be able to search for any of the above on Youtube or Sheldon Brown's site to learn how to do that specific item.

YK-Phil

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Re: recommended sources for learning bike maintenance
« Reply #3 on: February 19, 2014, 07:53:03 PM »


For the first and third of these, check out http://sheldonbrown.com/



I second this recommendation. This is the best place to get good technical and non-technical advice about everything bicycle.

Also check to see if your city has a community-run biking workshop. We have a great resource in Calgary called the Good Life Community Bicycle Shop which offers free use of the space, tools, tons of old parts, free hands-on courses, and help with any project big or small in a non-threatening environment (the biking world is sadly a very male-centred environment where women and LGBT folks do not always feel welcome).

YK-Phil

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Re: recommended sources for learning bike maintenance
« Reply #4 on: February 19, 2014, 07:58:01 PM »
Just noticed you are in BC. BC is big but if by chance you are in Vancouver, there were a couple of community groups, one called "Our Community Bikes" on Main Str., the other "Kickstand" on Commercial Drive, just across from Womyn's Wear.

matimeo

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Re: recommended sources for learning bike maintenance
« Reply #5 on: February 19, 2014, 08:00:50 PM »
I also highly recommend Sheldon Brown. Bike forums.net is the best forum on internet for all things bicycle related. They have a mechanic forum him,  if you search it you can find the answer to just about any question about bicycle maintenance.

_C_

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Re: recommended sources for learning bike maintenance
« Reply #6 on: February 19, 2014, 08:42:37 PM »
Park Tool is great: http://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-help

Also, check out and see if there are any classes at a local shop or co-op. If there is a co-op near you go hang out/volunteer a couple times a month.

wordygirl

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Re: recommended sources for learning bike maintenance
« Reply #7 on: February 19, 2014, 10:05:54 PM »
Thanks so much for the replies!

And as it turns out, my little town (not in Vancouver) has a bike fixit co-op thingy (?) run by youth where I can go and learn how to do it myself with a little help from the kids there. They provide the tools, etc. Great suggestion!