Getting the bike serviced....

[alicat]

All you people who go running to the LBS for every little thing, who fixed your bike when you were a kid and you busted something on it, got a flat tyre, or something like the brakes weren't adjusted right?

No-one, it was a source of great sadness that I had to stop riding my bike partly out of neglect.

 

[FlyingCyclist]

If you don't want to spend as much for an 810, try the 520. I can't fault it.

 

[NorthernDave]

If anyone wants a basic bike maintenance course, Evans Cycles and Edinburgh Bicycle Co-operative both run regular courses in their stores for a small fee - EBC also do more advanced ones.

The Evans course is an hour and you're shown what to do on a demo bike:
https://www.evanscycles.com/help/servicing/bike-maintenance-classes

The EBC course is a half day and you do the work on your own bike
https://www.edinburghbicycle.com/fo...nance-class-call-0345-257-0808-for-dates.html

I'm no expert and prefer to let the shop do the servicing, but it's well worth covering off the basics so you don't end up stranded - I stopped to help a chap once who couldn't figure out how to get his QR front wheel off to fix a puncture. I hadn't stopped he was about to phone the rescue car from home, 20 miles away.

 

[PaulSB]

For anyone technically incompetent, like me, or just like a bit of security, like me, try the "AA for cyclists." Cycle recovery service for £15 pa will get you recovered anywhere on the mainland..

https://www.lexhaminsurance.co.uk/products/cycle-recovery/

I've had the cover for a few years. Never used it but I know two people who have.

 

[al3xsh]

I did the Edinburgh Bike Coop full day maintenance course and it was pretty good. Have forgotten any of the advanced stuff though :-)

I'm fairly mechanically inept. I'll do fixing punctures / fitting tyres, gear indexing (though never get it 100% perfect), change disc brake pads, change a chain - and that's about it. Anything more complicated or time consuming it goes to the bike shop. About to take it in for new cables soon!

As an aside - does anyone have any tips for getting disc brake pistons back in when changing pads? Did this yesterday and they're really awkward to push back in!

A

 

[GuyBoden]

Bike maintenance has been a big part of the enjoyment of cycling during my life, this started when I was about 10 years old, fixing other people's punctures for them........

 

[Vantage]

All you people who go running to the LBS for every little thing, who fixed your bike when you were a kid and you busted something on it, got a flat tyre, or something like the brakes weren't adjusted right?

My dad
Over time I learned to fix things myself. Didn't fit a headset till last year despite 35 years prior cycling.
I'm of the mindset that any cyclist or cycling person should at least be able to fix a flat tyre...but some people just aren't mechanically minded, just as some aren't computer literate or cook like chiefs.
I once burnt cereal. No I'm not kidding.

Edit: it's probably worth noting that the op posted this thread in the Beginners section of the forum...

 

[Profpointy]

For anyone technically incompetent, like me, or just like a bit of security, like me, try the "AA for cyclists." Cycle recovery service for £15 pa will get you recovered anywhere on the mainland..

https://www.lexhaminsurance.co.uk/products/cycle-recovery/

I've had the cover for a few years. Never used it but I know two people who have.

I had a look at that out of curiousity, - the website doesn't actually seem to explain what the service actually is (unless I'm not looking properly). I previously read of one which would only recover you 3 miles or something equally daft - it was pushing distance at any rate. I'm only curious as I have no need for such a product myself