Bike maintenance course....yay or nay?

[Noodle Legs]

I've managed to stumble across a DVD I got free with cycling active magazine a few months ago that I pretty much forgot about...having watched it this morning I reckon I'd be better off spending said £125 (or part thereof) on a decent set of tools....I guess I was a little apprehensive about buggering something up on my bike- ah well, I'll put it down to fear of the unknown!

 

[Ed no-more-lemons]

Whats the worst that can happen?

I would be well impressed at myself if I were to cause £125's worth of damage, most likely with the wheels?. I suppose a more valuable bike can be intimidating, but as said a concidered approach and access to the relevent reference material works wonders.
I am sure a 'wing it' approach produces mixed results or at least it did with me, before the internet(much less reading a book). This was probably not helped by not valueing these bikes as they deserved, if you could nip down the dump and get a replacement for next to nothing.

Sadly at least at the dumps I visit these days, this no longer seems to be an option. Where can you now get any old steel at scrap value?

www.madegood.org , looks good as was posted on here recently, although Sheldon and here covers just about everything I have wanted to find out. Now if 'The bearded wonder' was still running courses, I would pedal a good way to attend!

Lidl do a very useful and inexpensive moulded box 'repairs tool kit' that has stood up to use surprisingly well, if they regularly stock the thing so much the better. As it seems to surpass many other multi kits I have seen and at a much leaner price.

 

[Sidthemanager]

What about a local authority further education route? I'm about to look in Brent as that's my London Borough and I remember from a few years ago there were adult education classes on basic maintenance. If anyone's done a LA course like this I'd be interested to hear if it was a patronising waste of time or money well spent. I learnt picture framing via this route and I now have a successful workshop that frames all the images from a local cooperative of photographers (self interest declared - I'm not selling anything here though folks). It's my first post and a bit of an introduction but I also want to learn how to fix/maintain my bike, my primary method of transport in London. .

 

[02GF74]

firstly it is not rocket science, unless you want the qualification after your name for working in the trade, I don't see the point, but then I am pretty good mechnically.

if you cannot figure out how to set the adjustment screws on a rear derailleur by looking at it, then may you need someone to teach you, £ 125 is not that bad a price. Waht is that, about 6 trips to the LBS for them to fix stuff - you will do it yourself so not only save time and money plus have the satisfaction of doing it your self .

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

What about a local authority further education route? I'm about to look in Brent as that's my London Borough and I remember from a few years ago there were adult education classes on basic maintenance. If anyone's done a LA course like this I'd be interested to hear if it was a patronising waste of time or money well spent. I learnt picture framing via this route and I now have a successful workshop that frames all the images from a local cooperative of photographers (self interest declared - I'm not selling anything here though folks). It's my first post and a bit of an introduction but I also want to learn how to fix/maintain my bike, my primary method of transport in London. .

My local council offered a reduced fee of £10 for a maintenance course at Cycle Training UK. Though I already knew much of what was dealt with I found it helped from a confidence, ''I can do it,'' point of view. I'd recommend it.

 

[mrandmrspoves]

Cycle DIY is so often a matter of confidence and a suitable tool kit. Most jobs are within the capabilities of the averagely skilled individual and I believe that any serious cyclist needs to be able to carry out basic repairs at the very least. (or always cycle with someone that can) Courses are ideal for some people - whereas many would feel they were a waste of time and money.
I spend a lot of time servicing and repairing bicycles for friends and friends of friends and am more than happy to show others how to carry out repairs or servicing. I love it when someone brings me their neglected ill adjusted bicycle and rides off an hour later on what feels like a new bike again.

 

[biggs682]

i have got the park book and thats good , have also pulled a few bikes apart and so far so good , must admit have not tried any wheel work

 

[Big John]

If you're lucky enough to have a local bike charity like we have here in Stafford (Back2bikes) then you can always put your name down as a volunteer. They teach you everything you need to know about bike maintenance and you get to use all the professional tools. You also work on a wide selection of bikes - mountain, road, folding, hybrid, bmx and kids bikes.

It's a two way thing - you're helping them and in return they teach you all you need to know. It's not only rewarding but a lot of fun too. I guess this is where you'll need Google to help with the search but these bike charity things are increasing in number all the time so there may be one near you.