The fallacy of "servicing" a bicycle.
- Thread starter Globalti
- Start date
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Smokin Joe
Legendary Member
- Location
- Bare headed cyclist, Smoker
As I said in t'other thread, most "Servicing" consists of nothing more than the turn of an adjuster to take up slack in a cable, It used to amaze me when I rode the odd sportive how some very expensive bikes made a noise like a nail bomb in a biscuit tin on every gear change, a problem that could be solved in less than ten seconds by anyone with even the minimum of knowledge. And for every cyclist you see at the roadside changing a tube there'll be another on the phone to his wife to come and pick him up.
welsh dragon
Thanks but no thanks. I think I'll pass.
Cycleops
Legendary Member
- Location
- Accra, Ghana
But with advent of YouTube everyone is an instant expert, so there's never any need to fail again.
Dmcd33
Well-Known Member
I've saved a fortune in amassing a load of tools and things that help me maintain my bike. The main one being a good bike stand.
The only thing I use the bike shop for now is to 'Tru' my wheels. I've kept my eyes out for a machine, but My wheels only need this after a big bump or every 6mths (if that)
The other tip is that it's all on You Tube anyway and the tools can be got on Ebay for a reasonable price (be aware of the cheap chinese stuff though)
I must also add that I've F'.*'@ed up a few components with my lack of knowledge/patience, but is has been worth it in the long run.
The only thing I use the bike shop for now is to 'Tru' my wheels. I've kept my eyes out for a machine, but My wheels only need this after a big bump or every 6mths (if that)
The other tip is that it's all on You Tube anyway and the tools can be got on Ebay for a reasonable price (be aware of the cheap chinese stuff though)
I must also add that I've F'.*'@ed up a few components with my lack of knowledge/patience, but is has been worth it in the long run.
Lemond
Senior Member
- Location
- Sunny Suffolk
If you can point me in the direction of some recommended "how to" videos, I'd be more than interested.
Cycleops
Legendary Member
- Location
- Accra, Ghana
There are so many, but try this one for starters on gear adjustment:
View: http://youtu.be/F37P_krSM9I
It's a compliment, believe me.sorry
Windassisted
Active Member
- Location
- , Surrey hills
I generally do the fettling things meselph, trouble is when I disassemble a component I often drop the odd washer or piece in the grass and the thing does not work quite as well afterwards.
cd365
Guru
- Location
- Coventry, uk
I do everything myself to the best of my ability! I wouldn't touch truing a wheel though, tried as a kid and failed miserably! As a kid I could strip a bike right down and rebuild, but wheels are a black art!
rb58
Enigma
- Location
- Bexley, Kent
I enjoy 'servicing' and repairing my bike. I'm fortunate in that I could afford to give it to a shop, but I choose not to. Not because the LBS is rubbish, but because I enjoy doing it myself. In fact, one of the first things I did when I got my 'Sunday Best' (and expensive) bike was to take it apart completely - back to a bare frame - and then building it up again so I understood how everything worked and what each component looked like in 'as new' condition. Very satisfying. On the other hand, I've never lifted the bonnet on my daily car. Can't be ar5ed - it's the garage every time. What I think I'm trying to say is that people's motivation for working on their bikes is many and varied.
Drago
Legendary Member
- Location
- Suburban Poshshire
Doing your own work for me is as much about appreciating and understanding the machine as riding it.
There's is nothing as satisfying - and wallet friendly - as keeping your own bike in top form. Tools are cheap, internet guides are many, so it never been easier.
There's is nothing as satisfying - and wallet friendly - as keeping your own bike in top form. Tools are cheap, internet guides are many, so it never been easier.
Davidc
Guru
- Location
- Somerset UK
I've done most of my own servicing for about 50 years - mainly because I enjoy it.
BUT
It's not for everyone. I know a number of cyclists who don't enjoy doing mechanical or repairy things to their bikes, and use a bike shop instead.
Why should anyone feel pressured into doing maintenance if they don't want to? If they enjoy riding but not the practical bit then that's their choice and it's not up to any of us who happen to be able to do our own (and enjoy it) to suggest that there's anything wrong with just getting out and riding, leaving the maintenance to others and paying them for the privilege. Like rb58 above that's exactly the view I take about cars.
The only thing I think everyone should learn though is to take off a tyre, find whatever made the hole in the tube and remove it, put a spare tube in and replace the tyre - then work some form of reinflation device.
BUT
It's not for everyone. I know a number of cyclists who don't enjoy doing mechanical or repairy things to their bikes, and use a bike shop instead.
Why should anyone feel pressured into doing maintenance if they don't want to? If they enjoy riding but not the practical bit then that's their choice and it's not up to any of us who happen to be able to do our own (and enjoy it) to suggest that there's anything wrong with just getting out and riding, leaving the maintenance to others and paying them for the privilege. Like rb58 above that's exactly the view I take about cars.
The only thing I think everyone should learn though is to take off a tyre, find whatever made the hole in the tube and remove it, put a spare tube in and replace the tyre - then work some form of reinflation device.
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