Learn to Fix your Bike?$$

I have been involved in the bike industry repairing and building bikes for 15 years....I'm interested in teaching others? What would some of you want to learn and how much are you willing to pay...This is a serious shout out to all you folks....I hope I don't get a lot of nonsense answers....

[Pierce]

I'd love to learn more about fixing and repairing bikes...

[MMcG]

Sounds like you want to do a Home-Depot Style workshop type program......could be interesting........but hard to get a steady audience I would think. Where would you host this type of thing?

I have a lot of ideas on what to teach. Basics repairs, advanced repair clinics, to disk brake clinics, wheel building clinics, virtrually anything anyone wants to learn...I will let the original question ride for a couple of days and see what kind of interest is out there....Prices will be reasonable and there would be a wealth of knowledge available....More of a professional atmosphere than Home Depot... right in your local Mom and Pop Shop on the seacoast...What do you want to gain out of any Courses??

[johnnyt]

I took a course back in the early nineties and have relied on lbs for very few repairs since. The course I took was six weeks long for 2 hours a night. You had to bring your bike to work on whether it needed repairs or not, and we did everything from seat adjustment to overhauling bbs and headsets (which mostly were filled with bearings at that time)to wheel truing (not building).

Students were also required to have the repair manual of the day and bring their own tools, so everyone had chain whips, crank pullers and bb wrenches to fit their bikes. The total investment was $20 per class ($120) plus about $100 in tools. Since then I have only had an lbs build a set of wheels for me one time, otherwise all repairs, replacements etc, gets done in my basement shop. I have probably saved thousands of dollars in labor and have definately become a better rider for it. When you understand how your bike works, you understand how to work your bike. Also, I set it up how I want it, and can tweak things on the trail in a flash.

A well tuned bike makes for a happy rider!!! A course similar to the one I took is well worth the time, effort and money. Sparkler, be sure to require folks to work on their bikes with their own tools, otherwise just showing them how you do things is worthless. Also you should use a good repair manual as the guide. Zinn would be great!

Good luck and happy wrench turning!!!

[MtnBikerChk]

I've take a bike clinic.

Problem for me is - if I don't use info - I lose it. Not to mention, it didn't cover certain parts that I have on my bike (ie: avid mech brakes).

The best learning for me is when my bike breaks - go try to fix it. If I can't do it, ask someone for help and try to do it together. The lbs is a last resort.

Like right now, I need to replace my brake pads. There are so many online resources (not to mention books and mfgr manuals) that I think I can manage to not screw it up too badly. I guess we'll see :)

[MMcG]

I took a course back in the early nineties and have relied on lbs for very few repairs since. The course I took was six weeks long for 2 hours a night. You had to bring your bike to work on whether it needed repairs or not, and we did everything from seat adjustment to overhauling bbs and headsets (which mostly were filled with bearings at that time)to wheel truing (not building).

Students were also required to have the repair manual of the day and bring their own tools, so everyone had chain whips, crank pullers and bb wrenches to fit their bikes. The total investment was $20 per class ($120) plus about $100 in tools. Since then I have only had an lbs build a set of wheels for me one time, otherwise all repairs, replacements etc, gets done in my basement shop. I have probably saved thousands of dollars in labor and have definately become a better rider for it. When you understand how your bike works, you understand how to work your bike. Also, I set it up how I want it, and can tweak things on the trail in a flash.

A well tuned bike makes for a happy rider!!! A course similar to the one I took is well worth the time, effort and money. Sparkler, be sure to require folks to work on their bikes with their own tools, otherwise just showing them how you do things is worthless. Also you should use a good repair manual as the guide. Zinn would be great!

Good luck and happy wrench turning!!!


JT, this sounds like an incredible course........the return on investment is enormous........where did you take it and is it still offered. If I took this type of course it would allow me to save a lot of money on tune up costs etc. etc. and would also allow me to really "know" my bike(s) - note the S as I hope to have multiple rides down the trail!

It could also help me score a PT job at a LBS in order to save up so that I could have multiple rides! :) And that would be a good thing indeed.

The basement already has a nice work table built in from the original owner of our home!

Who makes the best bike tools? Park? Pedros? others?

[MMcG]

I have a lot of ideas on what to teach. Basics repairs, advanced repair clinics, to disk brake clinics, wheel building clinics, virtrually anything anyone wants to learn...I will let the original question ride for a couple of days and see what kind of interest is out there....Prices will be reasonable and there would be a wealth of knowledge available....More of a professional atmosphere than Home Depot... right in your local Mom and Pop Shop on the seacoast...What do you want to gain out of any Courses??


Where on the seacoast? What NE state?

[johnnyt]

I have a variety of tools, but mostly Park.

The course was at a BOCES site in Henrietta, NY.

[MMcG]

I have a variety of tools, but mostly Park.

The course was at a BOCES site in Henrietta, NY.


Good old Henrietta! Retail capital of the Greater Rochester area!

JT, know of any good trails in and around Rochester for when I return home to visit Mom and brothers, nieces and nephews?

[gungywump]

Students were also required to have the repair manual of the day and bring their own tools. . .
When you understand how your bike works, you understand how to work your bike.
A well tuned bike makes for a happy rider!!!
Sparkler, be sure to require folks to work on their bikes with their own tools, otherwise just showing them how you do things is worthless. Also you should use a good repair manual as the guide. Zinn would be great!


As ususal J.T. offers sage like advice. I have worked either full or part time in LBS's in both Ct. and Co. for the last 15 years and J.T. hit the nail on the head!(on a couple of points)

1. Own your own tools. This right here is more than half the barrier people face in working on their own bikes. Most service is not hard to do but, having the right tool makes all the difference in the world. Right tool for the right job!
2. Manual-Get Zinn.
3. "When you understand how your bike works, you understand how to work your bike." Wow Poetry!
4. When your bike is always tuned up you can ride anytime and it will likely not cause you problems on the ride. I can't count the number of times I have had to make trailside repairs on someone's bike largely because it wasn't tuned up properly or recently. Making a repair trailside is arduous, and time consuming. A five minute tune-up on a stand can reduce the amount of repairs you need to do in the woods without a stand and using miniature tools.

Spend your riding time riding!!!
A well tuned bike makes for a happy rider!!!

Tools everyone should own:
3mm,4mm,5mm,6mm & 8mm Allen Wrenches
8mm-17mm Wrenches
Phillips and Flathead Screwdrivers #1 & #2
Crank Puller - Square and/or ISIS
Bottom Bracket Puller
Cassette Cog Lockring Remover
Chain Whip
Large Adjustable Wrench - 10"
Spoke Wrenches - Black and Red
Chain Tool
A Good Set of Cable Cutters (I use Felco, pricey but well worth it)
A Pedal Wrench
Tire Irons

There are many more tools you can/should have but these will allow for almost any repair.

[Big Game]

The #1 skill I'd like to learn how to build wheels. This seems to be the skill and an art-form that is hardest to learn.

Being able to overhaul a shock is pretty cool too.

[MMcG]

Gungy, you are a wealth of knowledge!

Thanks for that list of tools.

Is it best to pick them up one at a time, or do you recommend purchasing a good "set of tools?"

I am an absolute dope when it comes to wrenching my own bike. I am solid when it comes to projects around the house so I don't think I am untrainable. I think I could benefit immensely from the class. Plus I have two bike projects I hope to do this winter.

Sparkster - I live in Exeter NH. Where is the class? What nights?

******
Bad mechanic story:

In college I offered to change the oil (keep it clean gentlemen) of my then girlfriends' Saab 900. For those of you who don't know Saabs do not have an oil pan... drain plug goes right into the block. Anyway, I put a pipe over the end of the rachet wrench and tighten that plug so much that it cracked the block and the plug just kept turning. After many phone calls the only solution seemed to be some welder dude from the local airport was willing to attempt to weld it back. Well he successfully welded that bolt in place. The only means
to change the oil from then on was based on the fact that the car leaked about a quart a month so you just had to change the filter and add oil.

[cgrimble]

Where are you located? Perhaps you could hook up with your local NEMBA chapter to do a workshop at a NEMBA meeting?

Claire

[gungywump]

Gungy, you are a wealth of knowledge!

Thanks for that list of tools.

Is it best to pick them up one at a time, or do you recommend purchasing a good "set of tools?"


Sets are O.K. but, I prefer the one at a time method. That way you don't pay for stuff you may not need in a kit or end up with a sub-standard tool that was thrown in. ie taiwan wrenches instead of Craftsman, Snap-On et al.
Do research though every kit is different.
I have Park for bike specific stuff and Craftsman for the real tools(wrenches, screwdrivers, allen wrenches, adjustable) the advantage of Craftsman and the like is a lifetime warranty. If it wears out or breaks you get a new one for free.

[SloMoJo]

On this topic...
You guys who do regular work..
Do you bother with a torque wrench or make best guess at tightening?
Thx

[splat]

I do all my own work and have purchased lots of tools , they make all the difference , and when I run into trouble -- 2 word -- ( or one person ! ) SHELDON BROWN

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/articles.html

It has everything ! And if you have ever riden with him , he is quite the character.

So far the response is pretty good...I think a lot of people could benefit from this....Beginners, people who currently tinker with their bikes... Or people who simply ride and need to know basics to get out of the woods or home from a road ride...Or the more advanced home tech who wants to know what is lurking inside his or her fork...Or keeping up on disc brake maintenance and service.....We know how to tune Avid mech disc brakes....Wheel Building clinics as well as suspension service....

I think Jolly time said it pretty well with his experience taking a course back in the 90's....You want to learn how to fix your bike. I'm curious though...How many in that class??
I think a lot of people are hands on learners, It takes that to best understand your bike, or any bike.

The idea behind these courses would absolutely be about having the proper equipment to service their bikes...Tools would need to be purchased. That's why being right there in the shop is the best environment...A significant discount on tools would be available....For the folks looking to learn wheel building....You would build a set of wheels...That's the idea! We arm you with the products and knowledge to do so...

I don't think the local bike shop should be the last resort...Most of us "Bike Shop Folks" are in it for the passion of cycling...People actually make careers and have lives out of bike shops....Better than banker hours and you get to ride....A lot. I think more people can benefit from their local shops in more ways than they may realize or currently take advantage of....Sure Price Point may have a killer deal on that Race Face crank set but...You'll need to get your bike over to the local shop to get it installed.... It all comes down to service.....With out bike mechanics, shops would have bikes in boxes kicking around the shop....We are responsible for the bottom line....Service!
Supporting a local business is putting money directly back into your community...People pay for service....How much is a latte at the coffee shop....And the movie popcorn...

What better way to make your riding more enjoyable than knowing when to replace your chain...and what do those three screws on your rear derailleur do? How do I bleed my brakes...or make them work correctly?

For all interested...hit me back an email on what your needs are and we can arrange a time...The area is Seacoast New Hampshire. Have bike will travel!
Groups are welcome to inquire on how to arrange a general seminar....Local Nemba Chapters and so on....

This is a project in the beginning stages... We are in process of working with Papa Wheelies Bicycle Shop, Busted Spoke.com and Park Tool School....Any ideas or suggestions are welcome.....
Classes tentatively start in January....More info to come soon...
happybike@earthlnk.net
Thanks For Your interest...

On this topic...
You guys who do regular work..
Do you bother with a torque wrench or make best guess at tightening?
Thx

I have three $200 dollar SNAP ON torque wrenches in my tool box
1 for 10-50 inch lbs
1 for 50-300 inch lbs
1 for 10-150 ft lbs
Unfortunately...My wrist does not click at 55 inch lbs

[NEMBA_bkr-dude]

Can you do a clinic at my school for our biking club?? It would be a great event for the winter.

[johnbryanpeters]

On this topic...
You guys who do regular work..
Do you bother with a torque wrench or make best guess at tightening?
Thx

Use a torque wrench, especially on crank bolts and brake fastenings.

Remember that it's reasonably accurate only in the range of 20% to 80% of its maximum reading - If it's a 100 inch-pound wrench, and you have a bolt that wants 90, get a 150 inch-pound wrench.

J

[gungywump]

[quote author=SloMoJo link=board=8;threadid=636;start=15#4231 ..
You guys who do regular work..
Do you bother with a torque wrench or make best guess at tightening?
Thx


Use a torque wrench. JBP is right get one that has a range 50% higher than the torque spec for the bolt.
Make sure to apply some lube behind the head of the bolt. If it is dry there will be more friction and you may not be reaching proper torque specs for the bolt.

Where are you located? Perhaps you could hook up with your local NEMBA chapter to do a workshop at a NEMBA meeting?

Claire

Located in Portsmouth, NH
I welcome any interest any NEMBA or FOMBA or GSW orginization may have in group clinics
happybike@earthlink.net

[nhiker]

Hey sparkster I would be interested,but as I would be coming from the Nashua area I would need to know weather you are planning a weekly thing or a one time seminar.

Hello all,
So...as of today 288 people have viewed this discussion.
How many people are seriously into learning bicycle repair?
I'm starting courses in January. They will be on a individual basis, tailored to fit each need or desire to learn. Courses will include the following.
Basic Bicycle Repair-
Advanced Mechanical Skills-
Wheel Building Seminars-
Disk Brake Clinics-
For specific information on all course offerings please email me at...happybike@earthlink.net
I also extend an invitation to all NEMBA chapters or any other groups or riding communities to inquire about possible group repair clinics at meetings or other events.

[radair]

The #1 skill I'd like to learn how to build wheels. This seems to be the skill and an art-form that is hardest to learn.

Wheelbuilding is easy. People have been doing it for over 100 years. Let me know if this is something you want to do and I'll cyber-tutor.