No wrenching experience

[Tizzo]

Hey all,

I have no wrenching experience of any kind. What do I need to do to get my bike ('05 Rockhopper) ready for this season? Nothing has been touched since I bought it in '06 and it probably needs some work. For one the lockout on the front fork shock no longer works.

Thanks

[MisterClaw]

Hey all,

I have no wrenching experience of any kind. What do I need to do to get my bike ('05 Rockhopper) ready for this season? Nothing has been touched since I bought it in '06 and it probably needs some work. For one the lockout on the front fork shock no longer works.

Thanks

Check to see if you local bike shop offers any bike maintenance classes. It's hard to start from scratch unless you have someone more experienced there. The Park Tool website will tell you how to do a lot of things on your bike, but that's only part of bicycle maintenance.

http://www.parktool.com/repair/

Sheldon Brown's website is also an interesting reference, and is fairly accessible to beginners.
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/

[Cirkustanz]

Erik's has a bike maintenance class every once in a while that I might attend in the future. If memory serves it is $90. If you go to their site and click on events they have some information on it there.

You would probably benefit from a good cleaning and lubrication of your cassette, chain, crankset, that sort of thing. It would be a good idea to check your brake cables and the like as well.

[Tizzo]

Erik's has a bike maintenance class every once in a while that I might attend in the future. If memory serves it is $90. If you go to their site and click on events they have some information on it there.

You would probably benefit from a good cleaning and lubrication of your cassette, chain, crankset, that sort of thing. It would be a good idea to check your brake cables and the like as well.

Do you know how much Erik's typically charges for service? I looked at their website and they don't post $$.

[Pandl]

Do you know how much Erik's typically charges for service? I looked at their website and they don't post $$.
I think the lowest tune up is $89.00.

[danomyte]

Paul, last year that was a mid range. I think there was a $59, $89, and $129 or something like that. Don't know if they have changed. Their hourly rate is around $59/hr, but they have set prices on a lot of things, like building a wheel.

[Tizzo]

Paul, last year that was a mid range. I think there was a $59, $89, and $129 or something like that. Don't know if they have changed. Their hourly rate is around $59/hr, but they have set prices on a lot of things, like building a wheel.

Hmm... sounds like I'm probably better off spending some time on a Saturday learning myself.

Thanks guys.

[Pandl]

Hmm... sounds like I'm probably better off spending some time on a Saturday learning myself.

Thanks guys.
Yeah. convienence vs money. I let them do all my work, cept for a little greasing and tire changes. Having all the tools, time, and resources is too much for me.

[Cirkustanz]

In my experience, I'm certainly going to plan on learning how to do it myself, instead of relying on someone else.

The old saying of, "If you want something done right, do it yourself" really seems to apply."

Learning is fun. It was fun when I started building my own computers 10 years ago, and I'm sure it will be fun now.

Yeah. convienence vs money. I let them do all my work, cept for a little greasing and tire changes. Having all the tools, time, and resources is too much for me.

I don't think you need a lot of tools to keep a bike maintained. Tuneups are expensive, and a person can EASILY buy all the tools they would need to maintain a bike for a fraction of what one tuneup would cost. And what could be more convenient than doing a small repair, upgrade, or tuneup yourself, since you can do it on your own time. Not taking it to the shop, explaining what you want done, coming back later, and transporting it back home? And that is assuming it was done right the first time?

All I am saying is there are definitely pros and cons either way.

[b_rogo]

Tuneups are expensive, and a person can EASILY buy all the tools they would need to maintain a bike for a fraction of what one tuneup would cost.

I have a lot more invested in tools than even the most expensive tune up listed above. You can certainly purchase a basic cycle specific tool kit cheap, but if you're going to get even a little serious about it you'll be shelling out some dough.

[Stonehenge]

I have a lot more invested in tools than even the most expensive tune up listed above. You can certainly purchase a basic cycle specific tool kit cheap, but if you're going to get even a little serious about it you'll be shelling out some dough.

Great advise...buy it and learn how to use it. Knowing how to fix a few things may be priceless some time out on the trail. Even if you only ride metro MORC trails.

Like.....
get to ride or go to shop.
Get off trail before dark.
maybe no one comes along to help
may not have to walk so far.

and besides a few things you can do in less time than it takes to bring the bike in and pick it up.
And in the spring...what is the turn around time....Hmmmmm How many days...what a week...what ..I want to ride while trails are dry...

Support your local bikes shops is great but knowing a little is great too and convenience in itself. You can choose on some things

[Slimpee]

I enjoy wrenching myself but i suck at it. It's fun learning, though!

[fallingup]

Hmm... sounds like I'm probably better off spending some time on a Saturday learning myself.

Thanks guys.

Are you an REI Member? If so, you get discounts on tune-ups etc...

REI Membership is $20 - lifetime membership! Comes with a lot of other great benefits as well!

http://www.rei.com/joinrei

[gtbikes]

Are you an REI Member? If so, you get discounts on tune-ups etc...

REI Membership is $20 - lifetime membership! Comes with a lot of other great benefits as well!

http://www.rei.com/joinrei

:D:D:D:D:D:D:D

[Tizzo]

Are you an REI Member? If so, you get discounts on tune-ups etc...

REI Membership is $20 - lifetime membership! Comes with a lot of other great benefits as well!

http://www.rei.com/joinrei


Yeah, I am a member; might have to check it out. Regarding a tune-up, I don't know where to begin and those sites referenced above are organized as though I know what needs fixin'. Any suggestions?

Thanks

[4Screws]

I have a lot more invested in tools than even the most expensive tune up listed above. You can certainly purchase a basic cycle specific tool kit cheap, but if you're going to get even a little serious about it you'll be shelling out some dough.


or paying in beer...i like beer... i show people how to work on stuff for beer... :D

[dave t]

Great advise...buy it and learn how to use it. Knowing how to fix a few things may be priceless some time out on the trail. Even if you only ride metro MORC trails.

100% agree.
One of the best things you can do, even if you don't wish to do your own maintenance, is gain a good working knowledge of the gismology that makes your bike tick.

You will be glad you did WHEN something breaks in the middle of the woods and you can at least get it together enough to pedal out.

[Stonehenge]

Yeah, I am a member; might have to check it out. Regarding a tune-up, I don't know where to begin and those sites referenced above are organized as though I know what needs fixin'. Any suggestions?

Thanks

any bike shop will fix your bike (or attempt to) and charge you for it. A decent mechanic may find something you were not aware of or let you somthing that may need attention soon or sooner that later.

Just like an auto mechanic too. Its all business and its people.
You may end up using a shop by location or convenience anyway sot Start by stopping in to a few shops in your area and see what goes on an get a feel for the people there. Ask Qestions...ask about tune ups and what they may do for you - do they have different level tune ups...some shops do as mentioned on thread. Mostly your bike will need some things and maybe not. This can help you to learn buzz words and what makes the bike tick......
Turn around time is long right now as its a popular time of year...ask how long till they may be done..... Maybe buy some New Castle and take up the will work for beer offer... go to the library and read about bikes too.

[Wolfchimp]

Let me know if you'd like some help. I'd be more than happy to give you a hand and teach you a few things. I feel that it is very important for a rider to know as much as possible about his or her bike.

[gtbikes]

I like this site (http://www.utahmountainbiking.com/fix/index.htm)

[Slimpee]

anybody wanna help me tune my drivetrain next week if I can't figure it out myself?

[Cirkustanz]

I've decided the best way to make me comfortable in wrenching my own bike, is to build up another one.

I would not mind a modest road bike just for taking a spin around the streets or maybe a trip to the grocery store to grab something small.

One of these days I'll get around to collecting parts to piece together my own fixie, and it will be fun!

I can already think of a couple nice themes to base the paint job on. So far, I think a frankenbike sounds the most fun.

Don't steal my idea.