for another resource, the santa ana REI runs a "how to work on your bike" clinic with one very qualified wrench (Bob) and only 4 people and their bikes at a time- it's usually a good 3-4 hour class, and you learn by doing on yer own ride.
Here's some info on the next class at REI Comprehensive Bike Class 7/12/2008 12:00 PM REI provides all tools and bike stands. Just bring your bike and be ready to learn! The class includes training on wheel truing; adjustments on hubs, brakes, and drive train; bike frame and component inspection; and cleaning and lubricating. IF you are interested in a group class contact your local REI store. Location:Santa Ana REIContact:customer serviceCost:$70 members, $90 non-members Registration Required? Yes. call for availability 714-543-4142
that's the one! I used to wrench there and these were among our favorite days- two mechanics, 4 people and their bikes- it was always nice and mellow.
It's a 5 hr class 12-5pm and there is another one on July 20th. I am interested in taking this class, I just can't do one in July. We could call REI and ask for an STR class.
STR Maitnenance Clinic at Fullerton Bikes. Time to put together another STR Clinic. 2nd or 3rd Tuesday night in September. PM' me if your interested I'll set the date on the calendar in a week or so. Fred
Personal Experience: I have only been riding for exactly 1 (one) YEAR! but had never took my bike to a shop for any reason or failure.... What helped me the most understanding my bike was browsing the WEB... GOOGLE is there to HELP! First thing I did after I got my bike was... TEAR it apart "literally" up to the last bolt and put it back the way it was (not including shocks/fork/hydro brakes internals)... don't forget to use a lot of "common sense". Now I am able to fix my friends bikes who have been riding way longer than I have. After my trip to mammoth this weekend, I will take my FORK apart to better understand whats going on inside that complicated looking mechanism. "USE THE RIGHT TOOL FOR THE RIGHT JOB" I hope this Inspires NEWBIE riders like me :wave:
Chain repair made easy... SRAM Powerlink... Wippermann.. ConneX Link, call it what you will. I call it the simple way to repair/remove a bike chain. [youtube]7kWxnLBmNPs[/youtube]
when your done with a ride take the time to claen your bike.. as you do that you bassicaly will be looking at everything closely which will lead you to any issues if they are present. remember a clean bike is a happy bike. almost 70% of the time a bikes shifting issues are due to a dirty drivetrain.
I can't speak for the other people,but I use a Park or Pedros cog brush and an old toothbrush.After every ride I forward and backspin the crankset with the cogbrush on the chain,cog and chainrings.I also use a shop towel or rag and grip the chain,then back spin to clean.Wipe front chainrings.Also grip rear derailuer pulleys with towel,backspin and clean.Use cog brush to clean rear cassette between the cogs to clear out all the crap that accumulates there.Finally lube chain and you're ready for your next ride.Since you're at it you may want to use the toothbrush to brush out the pivots and any other place dirt may heavily accumulate,as well as do a quick inspection of your drivetrain and suspension.(Check around your fork stanchions and shock seals and the front der.)This only takes me about 20-45min.to do,depending on how dirty the ride was.Get in the habit of doing this or something like this,and you'll make your components last longer and be more reliable.Walking out 5-10 miles because of a broken bolt is not fun.#-oHelps give you peace of mind on your next ride.:bang:- Lloyd :wave:
Dino, Any word on the next possible Bike Maintenance clinic? I do something similar to this but instead of buying a cog brush, I use the edge of a towel to clean between the cogs. I also do this after each ride to make sure everything lasts as long as possible.
Maint Revival I'll update this thread and say I'd like to attend a class on maintenence and get more formal instruction. I've been collecting tools of the trade to do everthing myself. If we had an expierenced wrench we can use my equipment and find a location to do a class. I'm sure we can find a donor bike to tune up. I've got Park tools, trueing stand and a repair stand. Why wait to attend something we can do ourselves?
I'm one of those guys referred to earlier with the $3k+ bike, riding for over a decade yet possess no wrench skills other than the basics. Of course the LBS loves me and my $$ for basic repairs but I would definitely like to become more self-reliant by attending the next STR Bike Maintenance Clinic. I can't believe I missed the previous 2 clinics. Thanks in advance!
Here is a link to MTBR's Basic Maintenance blog http://reviews.mtbr.com/blog/basic-cleaning-and-maintenance-guide/ Here is another maintenance blog that I ran across..Just click on the pages to the right side of the site.. http://steveukmtb.wordpress.com/