Maintenance course

[midliferider]

I would like to learn more than just a basic cycle maintenance and repair.
I an able to repair a puncture, change a tube and tyre. More recently repaired a broken chain following a you tube video. But I still struggle to adjust brakes, replace cables etc.

I am not very mechanically minded. I prefer to learn stuff in a more systematic way. Therefore I signed up to CTC organised two day course (cost£250) but just received an e mail to say that course is cancelled due to lack of participants.

Can someone please recommend a good course.

 

[ianrauk]

Is there an Evans near you. they run maintenance courses.

 

[xxDarkRiderxx]

I think your doing well if you managed to repair a broken chain. Gear and brake cables can be a challenge but just stick with it the more you do the easier it get's... I would probably stick with you tube and save your money.

 

[Profpointy]

I learned to fix stuff, not just bikes, by simply taking things apart and replacing the broken bit. with a bit if thought and fiddling about you can usually figure out what pushes what and hence how it is supposed to work. Sometimes needs a few goes. Over time I built up a bit of an instinct and made a few more intuitive guesses which can often be right. Give it a go, be patient, and try and lay out the bits in order sk you can put em back. Sometimes things get broken, but hey ho - didn't work in the first place. one good hint is buy proper tools. Another is if it doesn't seem quite right, then strip it again as it lrobably isn't right

 

[midliferider]

Is there an Evans near you. they run maintenance courses.

Yes but I would like bit more than just basic.

I would like to convert one of my drop bar bikes to flat.
I like to tour and usually do it solo. I still worry what if have mechanical problem that I can not repair, even replacing gear or brake cable.

 

[Dayvo]

If you've got two weeks and a fair bit of cash to spare (it's well worth it) I recommend this:

http://www.bike-inn.co.uk/training_courses.asp

 

[growingvegetables]

Or is there anything like http://pedallers-arms.org/ near you?

 

[cd365]

If I want to do something that I haven't done before (mainly because the kit has changed since I did it 30 years ago) I find a Youtube video to teach me.

 

[biggs682]

@midliferider a good way of learning is to get hold of an old bike and take it apart and put it back together again replacing what ever you want to replace

 

[yellow bike]

I would like to learn more than just a basic cycle maintenance and repair.
I an able to repair a puncture, change a tube and tyre. More recently repaired a broken chain following a you tube video. But I still struggle to adjust brakes, replace cables etc.

I am not very mechanically minded. I prefer to learn stuff in a more systematic way. Therefore I signed up to CTC organised two day course (cost£250) but just received an e mail to say that course is cancelled due to lack of participants.

Can someone please recommend a good course.

Try cyclone do courses all over diffrent plases

 

[si_c]

@midliferider a good way of learning is to get hold of an old bike and take it apart and put it back together again replacing what ever you want to replace

Yup, that's what I did, £80 on ebay, completely stripped it, built it back up again, bought some of the tools I needed as I went along, figured the rest out using a screwdriver and hammer. Now use it everyday as my commuter bike.

 

[midliferider]

@midliferider a good way of learning is to get hold of an old bike and take it apart and put it back together again replacing what ever you want to replace

Thanks for all the replies.
This is exactly what I did when learning about computers. Since then I never take my computer to a shop for repair. But computers are simple and easy to build and repair. It follows logic and my geeky mind set help with that. I was able to find an Idiot guide which provides step by step instructions.
The trouble with bike is that I feel that I am hopeless at mechanical stuff and needed some basic tutoring.

Can someone please recommend a good book?

 

[Fifelad]

£250 !!!???

 

[biggs682]

Thanks for all the replies.
This is exactly what I did when learning about computers. Since then I never take my computer to a shop for repair. But computers are simple and easy to build and repair. It follows logic and my geeky mind set help with that. I was able to find an Idiot guide which provides step by step instructions.
The trouble with bike is that I feel that I am hopeless at mechanical stuff and needed some basic tutoring.

Can someone please recommend a good book?

the big blue book from Parks tools

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Park-Tool...-Volume-III-/360946188257?hash=item540a11bfe1

 

[midliferider]

the big blue book from Parks tools

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Park-Tool...-Volume-III-/360946188257?hash=item540a11bfe1

If you are working on one of your projects over a weekend, I am happy to be your willing assistant....