I swear to God this isn't a dig at anyone, but threads like that leave me baffled. I get new brake pads when the bike's serviced at the lovely Freeman's, Norwich. It simply would not occur to me to ask what brand they were. I admit I am completely knowledge-free about how my bike works, I ride it till the tyres go flat or the chain makes a noise like a chainsaw through concrete, then I get a chap in an overall to sort things out. Salute geeks or argue the toss over whether mechanial numpties aren't proper cyclists here.
People who know the names of various brake pad manufacturers.
- Thread starter dawesome
- Start date
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TonyEnjoyD
Guru
- Location
- Newcastle upon Tyne
Understand the start of your post, but this?...
- Location
- Glasgow
I salute the geeks! 
Thank you, thank you, thank you for spending time to answer the questions!
Thank you, thank you, thank you for spending time to answer the questions!
AndyRM
XOXO
- Location
- North Shields
Hmmm...
If you are using a bike regularly, I feel it is only natural to take an interest in the way the machine works and functions. If nothing else this will save you money because you can carry out repairs and upgrades yourself. Personally, I take pride in learning a new maintenance technique. If that makes me a geek then so be it.
I wouldn't say that being a 'mechanical numpty' makes you any less of a cyclist. There is always something new to learn!
If you are using a bike regularly, I feel it is only natural to take an interest in the way the machine works and functions. If nothing else this will save you money because you can carry out repairs and upgrades yourself. Personally, I take pride in learning a new maintenance technique. If that makes me a geek then so be it.
I wouldn't say that being a 'mechanical numpty' makes you any less of a cyclist. There is always something new to learn!
MrJamie
Oaf on a Bike
I dont think it equates to how much of a cyclist you are.
Personally i like to know how stuff works in general and in the case of bikes not be reliant on someone else for at least the easy stuff. Bike maintainence/repair seems to be getting increasingly easy and with a youtube video and some forum advice you can replace most parts it seems quickly and easily, although im still a newbie. Ive got no issue with people relying on the bike shops, but personally id much rather learn how to do it myself and it makes me take a little more pride in having it running as smoothly as possible.
Its sad but i smile when i go through an underpass now at how nice my drivetrain sounds
Personally i like to know how stuff works in general and in the case of bikes not be reliant on someone else for at least the easy stuff. Bike maintainence/repair seems to be getting increasingly easy and with a youtube video and some forum advice you can replace most parts it seems quickly and easily, although im still a newbie. Ive got no issue with people relying on the bike shops, but personally id much rather learn how to do it myself and it makes me take a little more pride in having it running as smoothly as possible.
Its sad but i smile when i go through an underpass now at how nice my drivetrain sounds
marzjennings
Legendary Member
- Location
- Houston, Texas, USA
To me it's no different than having a preference to which tea bags you use to make a cup of tea. You know which teabag manufacture is going to deliver the goods (PG) and which is going to leave you with a warm cup of 'brown water'(liptons).
Brake pads like other bike components come in at all levels or performance and cost and after a while you tend to find a make you like.
Then again, if your guy at the bike shop hasn't fitted a crap set of pads yet and you trust their judgment, then maybe you don't need to know.
Brake pads like other bike components come in at all levels or performance and cost and after a while you tend to find a make you like.
Then again, if your guy at the bike shop hasn't fitted a crap set of pads yet and you trust their judgment, then maybe you don't need to know.
As others have said, it's the same as anything you buy, whether bike-related or not. The are many different brands, many different prices, and crucially, many different qualities. And the price doesn't always reflect the quality. Over time you learn through trial and error which brands of brake pads work well. I've just burnt through a set of Clarks in about 6 weeks.... I bought them on a whim but won't be doing so again. Whereas I know from years of experience that Aztecs will get me at least 4 months, maybe 6 if I let them wear a bit more than I should. And I've heard on this forum that Kool Stop Salmon are the dogs...... though I've never tried them myself.
If you view your bike solely as a tool and are happy for the bike shop to sort it out for you, that's cool. The one thing I would say though, is if you are technically minded, most bike maintenance is actually quite straightforward once you get the hang of it, it's quite satisfying (to some) and can save you a lot of money. And from a convenience point of view, if you find you have a flat tyre or your chain needs replacing you can do it yourself on the spot rather than take it to the shop with the added cost and inconvenience of taking time of work etc.
If you view your bike solely as a tool and are happy for the bike shop to sort it out for you, that's cool. The one thing I would say though, is if you are technically minded, most bike maintenance is actually quite straightforward once you get the hang of it, it's quite satisfying (to some) and can save you a lot of money. And from a convenience point of view, if you find you have a flat tyre or your chain needs replacing you can do it yourself on the spot rather than take it to the shop with the added cost and inconvenience of taking time of work etc.
ushills
Veteran
If your hurtling down a hill at 30mph you will want to know you have quality stoppers and tyres, like you would in a performance car or motorbike.
If your tootling to the shops in your utility car, who cares, get the cheapest you can to keep the pence per mile down.
Depends on what your using your bike for, transport or training/fun.
If your tootling to the shops in your utility car, who cares, get the cheapest you can to keep the pence per mile down.
Depends on what your using your bike for, transport or training/fun.
ColinJ
Puzzle game procrastinator!
- Location
- Todmorden - Yorks/Lancs border
Don't do that - I tried to get 'just one more ride' out of a pair of brake blocks and they wore out on a steep descent and destroyed my wheel rim!
MacB
Lover of things that come in 3's
- Location
- Farnborough, Hampshire
I'll have a guess that the OP is quite young - my 14 year old announced a couple of weeks ago that he wanted to build up a dirt jump/BMX bike starting with a frame. I thought it was a great idea and an opportunity for us to share a learning experience, as I know feck all about those bikes. Then he mentioned that his brakes on his MTB, he rides to and from school, were really ropey. I had a quick look and full maintenance required, new pads and cable inners and outers.
Got all the bits ready for us to do his brakes together, start him on the learning curve....and muggins here ended up doing them on his own. Although his highness had the good grace to mention how much better it felt the next day.
So my enthusiasm for his 'build a bike' project has waned a little
Got all the bits ready for us to do his brakes together, start him on the learning curve....and muggins here ended up doing them on his own. Although his highness had the good grace to mention how much better it felt the next day.
So my enthusiasm for his 'build a bike' project has waned a little
martint235
Dog on a bike
- Location
- Welling
I'm with AndyRM. I take pride in the fact I can now change the rear cassette and chain on my bike without resorting to a shop. I'm one of the most cack-handed people I know but I've managed to learn (largely from the vast resources of advice on this site) how to fix most things on my bike, often by breaking something the first time I try I must admit!
The other side for me is that I do quite a few long rides and if I'm 100 miles away from home I'd like to be able to at least attempt a fix if something goes wrong.
The other side for me is that I do quite a few long rides and if I'm 100 miles away from home I'd like to be able to at least attempt a fix if something goes wrong.
fossyant
Ride It Like You Stole It!
- Location
- South Manchester
You, my friend, are a POB (person on a bike) ! You should also be given a life sentance for bike abuse ! Bet the LBS loves you !!
I am happy to report I am a total bike geek ! Oh and the cleaner the faster the bike is. FACT
martint235
Dog on a bike
- Location
- Welling
You can however safely ignore people who tell you clean bikes are faster. I've proved this wrong numerous times. They should be banished to an eternity in the helmet debates section!
I am happy to report I am a total bike geek ! Oh and the cleaner the faster the bike is. FACT
2Loose
Guru
- Location
- Loughborough, Leicestershire.
I like to learn from other peoples mistakes\experiences, nothing wrong with that.
From why do my (x brand) bits never stay adjusted, to my brakes are crap in the wet, what can I do about it.
Someone has already done it, bought the T-shirt\Failed spectacularly. Learn from them. :-)
From why do my (x brand) bits never stay adjusted, to my brakes are crap in the wet, what can I do about it.
Someone has already done it, bought the T-shirt\Failed spectacularly. Learn from them. :-)
Davidc
Guru
- Location
- Somerset UK
Don't care if I am a 'geek'. Maintaining my bikes has always been part of the enjoyment from them. Part of maintaining them is knowing something about the components.
Not only is it cheaper than having the bike shop do it, there aren't many bike shops that'll do it as well, let alone better than I do.
If you're happy with the brakes as fixed by your bike shop and also by their other work that's great. Good to hear you have one that looks after you properly, they do fortunately still exist.
Not everyone wants to do their own bike fettling and fixing. You should have a pump and keep your tyres hard though.
Not only is it cheaper than having the bike shop do it, there aren't many bike shops that'll do it as well, let alone better than I do.
If you're happy with the brakes as fixed by your bike shop and also by their other work that's great. Good to hear you have one that looks after you properly, they do fortunately still exist.
Not everyone wants to do their own bike fettling and fixing. You should have a pump and keep your tyres hard though.
