Can I fix my bike by myself?

[Thistle]

Without trying to sound sexist (which I'm sure this does) can I learn how to service and maintain my bikes without any help aside from internet articles and videos?

I would like to be able to take care of my own bikes from start to finish, especially if something goes wrong on a tour. I asked the LBS about help but he says he "doesn't do that" but will gladly do the work for me. That's great, but expensive and doesn't teach me anything. I'd rather put the money into tools that will help me fix the problems as they arise.

Do you think that I, a not very mechanically minded older lady, can do it? I'd like honest answers please, feel free to tell me "no way" if that's what you really think.

If yes, where should I start?

[Freddie]

I don't see why not, save perhaps tasks which require a bit of brute strength, that even burly men can struggle with (stress relieving highly tensioned spokes for example).

The best way to learn is just do it as you go. If you need new brakes and shifters, fit them and all the cabling yourself. A new chain and cassette, the same. You will need to invest in some specialist tools, but in the long run these will stop you using the expensive services of the bike shop.

Is there anything on your bike that needs work now or wants updating?

[Thistle]

Thanks Freddie, I need to change a thumb shifter on this and also want to do a general service just so I know what to do:

http://forum.ctc.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=40&t=99292

[jezer]

I'm sure you can. I do all my own maintenance, and I don't have a mechanical background at all. You just need a few tools, which can be added to as needed, and there are some very good videos on the internet. I usually check them out before I do a job on the bike, even it's just as a refresher.

[Brucey]

you can learn as you go but you can also 'learn intensively'. Many cities have bike maintenance courses. Another way of doing it is to buy an old bike and overhaul it as a project, one job at a time.

When you are learning you will break stuff, and some jobs won't go to plan. This is normal. But if you are averagely ept, you will get the hang of things by doing them.

There are lots of useful resources on the interweb, but be warned; the quality of videos on youtube is a bit variable and I have seen several that were put up by various flavours of idiot that would do you more harm than good.

The park tools website is useful BTW.

good luck!

cheers

[Thistle]

Thanks jezer and brucey. That's a great idea about overhauling an old bike. I've looked for courses and there isn't anything I can afford, but I will keep looking!!

Trying to change the stem on the Mercian has been a bloodbath.

[Freddie]

^If it is a quill stem, then what you need to do is undo the allen bolt about 15mm, place a bit of wood on top of the bolt and give it a firm whack, which releases the plug from inside the stem and allows you to move/remove the stem.

[jezer]

As regards uTube vids I find the CGN channel is usually very good.

[oneten]

Hi Thistle. Advice from these forums, reputable videos and a good manual ( I've got 'Zinn and the Art of Mountain Bike Maintenance', even though I ride a tourer - many are simply the same principles). My son tackled most cycle maintenance jobs without fear before he left home and I learned a lot from him as well as borrowing his tools but always take credit because I first showed him how to mend a puncture when he was young!

2 or 3 weeks ago I had to replace a broken rear axle, fit and tension 9 new spokes and true the wheel. The guy at our LBS was really helpful in selling me the parts I needed and with the aid of my son's cassette removal tool, a bench vice and a spoke spanner, I was away and succeeded in doing a reasonable job. I also needed a small tube of grease to re-fit the wheel bearings and a pair of thin cone spanners to tighten the lock nuts on the spindle. Another useful thing to have is a bike work-stand which occasionally come up in places like Aldi. I'm lucky enough to have inherited a Park-Tools one.

you can learn as you go but you can also 'learn intensively'. Many cities have bike maintenance courses. Another way of doing it is to buy an old bike and overhaul it as a project, one job at a time.
cheers

A bike maintenance course is a great suggestion. Downland Cycles, in my neck of the woods, runs them, including City and Guilds accredited courses.

The thing to do is take your time and work methodically. Think ahead to the tools you need and have them on hand. Allow yourself plenty of time, put all bits in a small container to keep them safe and clean things before putting them back on. Start off with small attainable jobs and then gradually gain confidence.

I always used to think I couldn't get to grips with mechanical things - give me some wood and woodwork tools though and I'm in my element. But I now realize a lot of it is common sense and above all, working safely and not doing anything that might compromise the safety of your bike. There are some jobs best left to experts. ( I've just had some good advice on safety from other people on this forum about something I was going to do but have now thought twice of.).

[PH]

Best tools for fixing a bike are time and space, don't rush it and try and have somewhere where an unfinished job can stay rather than be packed away.
Next best tool IMO is a decent workstand, after years of bending down or turning the bike upside down, the joy of using a stand far outweighs the expense. You don't have to be able to do everything straight away, some jobs like stripping and adjusting bearings I'm happy to leave to others. I'm not very mechanically minded and don't really enjoy maintenance, but the satisfaction from being on a sweet running bike makes it worthwhile (And the money saved!)

[gaz]

I've looked for courses and there isn't anything I can afford, but I will keep looking!!

Halfords ran some for free earlier this year. There's a link in this thread to register an interest in any further courses: viewtopic.php?f=23&t=96702

[mattsccm]

Strikes me that you are underestimating yourself. If you have got 9 spokes into a wheel and its straight you have made a damn good job so far. That's a task that many home mechanics avoid.
Use the internet to help, maybe looking for several versions, buy a mid priced tool when you need it and ask here.
Tip. Buy the tools from the local bike shop if they are cycles specific. That keeps the shop happy and they will give you advice.

[531colin]

................
Do you think that I, a not very mechanically minded older lady, can do it? I'd like honest answers please, feel free to tell me "no way" if that's what you really think.

If yes, where should I start?

Find a community project like this one ...http://www.resurrectionbikes.org.uk/supportus.html.......in your town, and volunteer there.

[Thistle]

Thank you all, you have given me the confidence to get started. I will buy a workstand first, just the little bits I've been doing have been a *&%$ without one.

I am outside of Lincoln so maybe there is some sort of scheme in the city, I will have a look.

Thanks again!!!

[reohn2]

Thistle
When I was a young 'un an old'un told me "there's no substitute for experience", experience is attained by osmosis,osmosis it acquired by doing and retaining the knowledge gained as a result.
Buy a hack go on youtube read a maintenance book(PM me and I'll give you such a book) and acquire the knowledge,and or If you know someone who can teach you ask them.
If you live in the Greater Manchester area I don't mind helping out.

BTW anyone is capable of stripping repairing and building bicycles