Bike Repair Site

[LBmtb]

If someone were to build a new site focused on how to's for bike repair and maintenance, what would you want to find on it? What qualities would it need to become bookmark-worthy for you?

Btw, this is a project that Rob (turnerRob) and I are about to be do. We plan to include video tutorials.

[Pain Freak]

Before getting started to list what tools will be needed and any special tools outside the ordinary.

Bugs the hell out of me when I get half way into it, then it says to use the hippity-do-dah wrench to....

[J_Sims]

parktool.com

[LBmtb]

Originally Posted by J_Sims

parktool.com

We know. They don't have video tutorials though. And this design/layout will be more focused and have less bloat.

[J_Sims]

Originally Posted by LBmtb

We know. They don't have video tutorials though. And this design/layout will be more focused and have less bloat.

SChwet

[Edog]

I'd like to see work arounds for tools like making your own headset press, spoke driver, the cardboard wheel dish etc. Wheel building & repair is a great topic, it's pretty easy with the right direction. You can always get deals on hubs & rims. How to replace & service suspension bearings, would be cool.
Do a complete build from the ground up. It's pretty basic stuff to strip & build a bike, but a lot of people have their LBS do it!! There is nothing better than throwing a bare frame up on the stand & building your own bike!

[LBmtb]

Originally Posted by Edog

I'd like to see work arounds for tools like making your own headset press, spoke driver, the cardboard wheel dish etc. Wheel building is a great topic, it's pretty easy with the right direction. You can always get deals on hubs & rims. How to replace & service suspension bearings, would be cool.
Do a complete build from the ground up. It's pretty basic stuff to strip & build a bike, but a lot of people have their LBS do it!! There is nothing better than throwing a bare frame up on the stand & building your own bike!

First thing on the site is actually going to be my 5 Spot build up (even bushing installation). That will also spawn a lot of smaller installation articles.

[foofighter]

great concept and i totally agree w/ the parts that's needed (ideal and improvised). demo showing how you do it w/ the proper tool(s) and the improvised version

[Sprockethead]

George & Rob,

I just recently purchased a Bike Repair video, you can watch the demo at www.totalvid.com. The one I got was called Mountain Bike Repair. I think it's very well done and if you can do something similar, it would be really helpful. I use the Parktool site a lot, but sometimes, just watching someone do it is much better.

I'd have to concur with Mike, a section on proper bike tools. What to get, how it works, etc..

How about a section on maintaining brakes, forks, and shocks. That would make me bookmark it. Lot's of photos, walk thru's or videos.

Park and Sheldon Brown's site have a lot of info, but not a lot of pictures or videos. Something you can find your niche in. Oh yeah, you have to have a hot tool girl too!

[Mudman]

this sounds to be a great idea, a problem I myself have with building things is stripping screws. But build a bike from the ground up would be awsome.

Although building bikes is among basic for every other bike, we cant help but understand there are always companies that throws in the "extra" parts that seems to be left over after a build. Maybe build ups of multiple popular bikes would be great as well. i.e. Yeti ASX, 575, Giant Reign, Turner Spots, etc.

And of course overall education is never anything we would deny. I'm still clueless to a lot of the parts on my current bike.

I think whats always lacking in a lot of tutorials is never enough photos, or the video has "blank spots" such as skipping a step because they assume you already know the "Basics". IN DEPTH is what a lot of us would like. Or me at least....

[skate]

I think building would pretty much be self explanitory. Just make it easy to understand.

Think of it as if a person who had no clue about bikes could they pick up and read the link or watch the video and succesfully work on a bike from start to finish without any other help. That's how I would do it if I were making something like this up.


BUT most importantly the tools.
Break it down into catagories on what tools per catagory.
What tools are good to use. Not only park has good tools. I have had great success with a majority of the Performance brand stuff.
Next would be what an alternative tool you can use or make by going to the hardware store. For example I made a very proficiant headset press by using hardware store items. It sure as hell beats paying a hundred dollars for one. I have also made a bearing press and remover using hardware items.

Little tips like that is what would set your site apart from other sites. Like Park tools site, helpfull but only if you know what you are doing to begin with. Plus the park tool site uses only park tool (obviously), but there are so many after market tools that work just as well for a fraction of the price.

I do just about anything on a bike and write up instructions for personal use on how I did things. I also have these instruction incase I have a friend that wants to try it, but my main focus is for me to write the instructions so he won't have to call and ask me what something means. After all if he needs to call me for help, then why would I call it instructions if it can't instruct on how to do it.

[foofighter]

Originally Posted by Sprockethead

How about a section on maintaining brakes, forks, and shocks. That would make me bookmark it. Lot's of photos, walk thru's or videos.

that's a great one too...maintenance! Some of us just ride and ride and neglect that critical part of mtn biking

[Paul000]

The video piece sounds like it would be an awesome addition to the website. I'm very visual and sometimes I need to see it even with the basic stuff like adjusting the L & H derailer screws... sometimes reading it just doesn't sink in right away.

Common maintenance items like derailer adjustments (front & rear) and cable stretch issues would be good as well. Don't wanna take away from the LBS but it would be nice to be able to handle the common issues quickly.

Also, the videos should either have chapters to jump to or be broken into smaller videos based on content. Nothing worse then having to fast forward a lot to get to the good stuff you want to learn.

just my $.02. If the new site is anything like this one, i'm sure it will be awesome!!!

[Waldo]

Great idea - I look forward to it. My questions are:
1 - Would it be geared towards hardcore riders, weekend enthusiasts, interested newbies, or all of the above?

2 - Would it be a fee-based site (which would skew it toward serious riders but maybe allow more bandwidth for more video)


Some possible suggestions:
1 - Something on proper bike washing (no power-washers on BBs & pivots!)

2 - Something on inspections: what to look for before/after every ride, and a note NOT to simply run around snugging every bolt (until they eventually break or strip)

3 - A trailside repair section, including suggestions on what to pack for rides of varying distance, remoteness, and intensity. Also include tips on how to improvise temporary parts/repairs to get you home again.

4 - Maybe some advice on the relative value of cheap parts & tools versus higher quality, longer-lasting pieces. When is it important to invest more versus just getting by?

5 - When it's possible to tell the story without images, some podcasts for listening in the car or on the bike would be cool.

Good luck!

[Burner]

I think it's a great idea, you can do all of those things that are difficult to explain in text or illustrations, and also convey the 'feel' you need to have when it's working right.... like a derailleur adjustment.

Will it be user-submitted, or you will coordinate making all the video tutorials? you could have guest wrenches. obviously, make sure the video is well lit, and close enough for detail from a good angle.

if it's anything like the quality of STR, it'll be a great reference

Andy summed it up well

Originally Posted by Sprockethead

George & Rob,

I just recently purchased a Bike Repair video, you can watch the demo at www.totalvid.com. The one I got was called Mountain Bike Repair. I think it's very well done and if you can do something similar, it would be really helpful. I use the Parktool site a lot, but sometimes, just watching someone do it is much better.

I'd have to concur with Mike, a section on proper bike tools. What to get, how it works, etc..

How about a section on maintaining brakes, forks, and shocks. That would make me bookmark it. Lot's of photos, walk thru's or videos.

Park and Sheldon Brown's site have a lot of info, but not a lot of pictures or videos. Something you can find your niche in. Oh yeah, you have to have a hot tool girl too!

[Kid A]

• brand new total bike build up
• "simple stuff" to keep some cabbage in your pocket (no trip to LBS), fix flat tire, adjust derailer, brake calipers, etc
• discussion of build choices (e.g i know nothing about choices on building a SS, outline of all options (i.e. horizontal drop outs) gear choices inlcuding if running 26 or 29, etc.
• On the trail macgyver type fixes. e.g flat tire, no mo tubes, stuffing you tires with leaves to get back to trailhead, etc.
• specific section on forks/sus, how to set, maintain, repair, etc

just some ideas. good luck

[Pho'dUp]

A pretty exhaustive list or database of Torque Specs for frames and parts would keep that site bookmarked for me.

Newbie videos: Derailleur adjustments, resetting hydro disc brake pads, checking your bikes headset adjustment, frame pivot torque checking, installing a new chain, pre-ride bicycle check: looking for brake drag, checking high stress areas of your frame/fork looking for stress cracks.

More Advanced videos: Disc brake bleeding, fork service and seal replacement, wheel repair, tubeless tire conversion

I think Kid A's suggestion of a McGyver emergency trail repair section is a really good idea.

Maybe have a store or links to preferred heavy/light wt. greases, fork oils, chain lubes, judy butter etc.

FAQ section for different bike part repairs.

I guess I would try to think of ways of doing things better or different than Parktools, Sheldon Brown, Angryasian, Stan's and other manufactur. present info.

Carl

[allison]

Originally Posted by Sprockethead

Oh yeah, you have to have a hot tool girl too!

Hot girls sell all kinds of stuff.

Have hot girls in the photos and videos.

I'm sure you guys can find something tonight after the Fully Loop