Some cyclists amaze me with technical knowledge

Wappygixer

Many cyclists will trawl the web comparing components and the ins and outs of everything to make their bike the ultimate machine.
Yet with even the most simple task like setting up brakes they have no idea what so ever.
They are obviously able to take stuff in so why dont they spend a few mins a week learning maintainence??

Anonymous

Laziness.

That's my excuse.

tatanab

Armchair experts. You get them everywhere.

stevenmh

learn how to do what with brakes?!!

I send my bikes to a pro shop to get them serviced, cleaned etc. They do such a great job I feel like I am getting a new bike each time I get it back.

Why? Cos I have more important things to do with my time. Plus, I am not in any way mechanical, and would prefer to learn a new language than learn how to do something with my brakes, cables or some other thing that I am likely to screw up with potentially deadly effect.

I also get my house cleaned, laundry done, garden cut, hair cut, and a whole gang of other people doing stuff I do not want to do myself, so I can concentrate on more important matters.

I am pleased you are mechanical. Good for you.

fast as fupp

stevenmh wrote:

learn how to do what with brakes?!!

I send my bikes to a pro shop to get them serviced, cleaned etc. They do such a great job I feel like I am getting a new bike each time I get it back.

Why? Cos I have more important things to do with my time. Plus, I am not in any way mechanical, and would prefer to learn a new language than learn how to do something with my brakes, cables or some other thing that I am likely to screw up with potentially deadly effect.

I also get my house cleaned, laundry done, garden cut, hair cut, and a whole gang of other people doing stuff I do not want to do myself, so I can concentrate on more important matters.

I am pleased you are mechanical. Good for you.

what would you do if you broke down on the road- or do you have another paid servant following you in a support car?

just asking like :?:

desweller

stevenmh wrote:

learn how to do what with brakes?!!

I send my bikes to a pro shop to get them serviced, cleaned etc. They do such a great job I feel like I am getting a new bike each time I get it back.

Why? Cos I have more important things to do with my time. Plus, I am inept, and would prefer to learn a new language than learn how to do something with my brakes, cables or some other thing that I am likely to screw up with potentially deadly effect.

I also get my house cleaned, laundry done, garden cut, hair cut, and a whole gang of other people doing stuff I do not want to do myself, so I can concentrate on more important matters.

I am pleased you are not inept. Good for you.

Fixed that for you!

Smokin Joe

I must be a real saddo with no life apart from cycling, I've even built my own wheels :oops:

I wish I could be like the guy I met near the end of a sportive this year. His chain was jumping and the gears wouldn't change properly on a brand new Trek. He was complaining that he should have taken it for a service before the ride.

Shame he had never learnt how to spend two seconds turning a little adjuster, which would have saved him 90 miles of misery and a load of wear on his drive train. He probably had better things to do though.

Wappygixer

So you've taken your prized bike for a service at your LBS before that weekend cycling trip in Wales.
You pop your bike in the car after removing the wheels.Unbeknown to you you have knocked the brakes out of alignment meaning the wheels wont turn.
What you gonna do when you get to Wales??
Simple things that can easily happen but so easy to recify but could spoil a whole weekend for you and your mates.

stevenmh

inept?!!

I actually find the original question rather naive. Life is all about some people being stronger in some areas than others. Thank God for for that.

I also own a car does that mean I should know how to service that?!! Or should I not hire an accountant and learn how to do that too? Or are you going to tell me that those examples are different?

fast as fupp wrote:

what would you do if you broke down on the road- or do you have another paid servant following you in a support car? just asking like :?:

I have been very lucky with this. Both times I was picked up by people I do not know. Both were going in my direction. You have given me an idea though....

I think it is great you can fix your own stuff. I have no interest in that side of cycling. When I take the bike for a service they take it completely apart, check everything, clean it put it all back together. Great. I have so many other things I have to do and I am pleased that there are pros that can do it so well.

desweller

I think you need a bit of knowledge in everything you're involved in, or at the very least you're open to being conned. If your LBS tells you that X, Y and Z need replacing, then would you not prefer to be in a position to be able to take a look and decide for yourself?

So yes, I would say that a basic understanding of car servicing is useful, and likewise I'm sure you wouldn't recommend handing over all your financial matters to someone else without being able to check their work?

Wappygixer

Life is not about people being stronger in certain areas, its about improving yourself.
I wasn't born with aq spanner in my hand, I taught myself
I wasn't born with a pen in my hand either.
For that matter I was born before pc's were created em masse, but I can built, repair and manage networks because I've learnt.
If you read my original post properly you will see that I said people can learn about components and specs and they go to great lengths to do this but they cant be bothered to spend a few mins to learn basic mechanics.
BTW I do service my own car and have in the past done full engine builds, all because I learnt myself, I also do my own washing, cleaning and my garden.
I don't need an accountant at the moment but rest assured if the day comes I do I'll go to college.
I like to learn and set personal goals, maybe thats wh yI'm quite competitive?

CHRISNOIR

Is this thread aimed at me?

sturmey

In 3000 miles I have not needed a bike shop to do any work to my bikes. My tools cost a modest amount- ok, maybe £200 but I know that every time I take a bike out for a ride it is in the finest state of tune possible.
Same goes for the plumbing and electrics in my house. I would not let someone else loose inside my property as I can do a better job myself.
And so can you- with a little effort and some practice..

nolf

Wappygixer wrote:

Many cyclists will trawl the web comparing components and the ins and outs of everything to make their bike the ultimate machine.
Yet with even the most simple task like setting up brakes they have no idea what so ever.
They are obviously able to take stuff in so why dont they spend a few mins a week learning maintainence??

I find it's a time issue.

If I'm working 50+ hours a week (not as a student but during my year in industry), and trying to fit in loads of training, to then do complex maintenance as well is just time I'd rather spend riding!

I keep my bike clean myself/ minor adjustments, but if it's anything major it's just easier to get someone else to do it.

I guess if I enjoyed it more I'd probably do more but I find it such a chore.

KevinMcC

Since the OP is using a computer does he know how to program it? What if something goes wrong and he can no longer get past the original loading screen, or a sector on his H.D is corrupted and refuses to be repaired by standard H.D repair tools?

What if your graphics card is overheating or a bit of solder on your MOBO is a bit squiffy, you know how to repair all that?

freehub

I've learnt allot about cycle maintenance because I had to really, I thought to hell with paying these prices I'll but the kit myself to fix my bikes, I remember last year I got an SRAM Cassette and I had them put it on for me, something like 8 quid fitting cost, such an easy job...

Same with BB's, at edinburgh cycles it was going to cost me 25 quid to get them to fit it, I did it myself, providing the frame does not need facing it's an easy job, allthough I still have not learnt how to perfectly install the chainsets, I thought the bearing preload was only like 3 turns but you actually appear to have to tighten it tight, it's not got a lever so you are just gripping it with fingers.

I too know how to fix a my computer if it goes wrong, I built it myself, to hell with the shops.

bill57

stevenmh wrote:

and would prefer to learn a new language than learn how to do something with my brakes.

So will that new language be something like "Oh shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit!".
Supercilious tw*t.

Wappygixer

CHRISNOIR wrote:

Is this thread aimed at me?

It wasn't aimed aimed specifally at you, you were not my imspiration for this topic

Wappygixer

KevinMcC wrote:

Since the OP is using a computer does he know how to program it? What if something goes wrong and he can no longer get past the original loading screen, or a sector on his H.D is corrupted and refuses to be repaired by standard H.D repair tools?

What if your graphics card is overheating or a bit of solder on your MOBO is a bit squiffy, you know how to repair all that?

If my graphics card overheats its probably due to dust build up of fan failure either on the card or in the case (no air flow) could change the cooler to an Arctic cooler or Zalman perhaps.
I don't program really not for windows, I've got Ebooks to read and learn how to dabble but as so much is now done in Visual basic and C++ command line programming is not too essential these days.
If a hard drive fails then I'd replace it as part of my raid 5 config.Most standard hd tools are ok but DOS is your best friend

stevenmh

Wappygixer wrote:

Life is not about people being stronger in certain areas, its about improving yourself.
I wasn't born with aq spanner in my hand, I taught myself
I wasn't born with a pen in my hand either.
For that matter I was born before pc's were created em masse, but I can built, repair and manage networks because I've learnt.
If you read my original post properly you will see that I said people can learn about components and specs and they go to great lengths to do this but they cant be bothered to spend a few mins to learn basic mechanics.
BTW I do service my own car and have in the past done full engine builds, all because I learnt myself, I also do my own washing, cleaning and my garden.
I don't need an accountant at the moment but rest assured if the day comes I do I'll go to college.
I like to learn and set personal goals, maybe thats wh yI'm quite competitive?

Like I said earlier, good for you.

I am strong in some areas, but would not go back to uni to study law or accounting cos I need a lawyer or an accountant and do not want to pay for their expertise. That is just immature.

I am pleased you like mechanics, again good for you.

I am very competitive but I have no interest in the slightest. And more importantly, nor do I have the time.

Just because I speak three languages fluently and bits of others does not mean you should. Just cos I can do X and you can't is not a bad thing. I am sure you are much smarter than me in some areas, and I think that is great.

bill57 wrote:

So will that new language be something like "Oh shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit!".
Supercilious tw*t.

And talking of language, perhaps bill57 should start with English.

Seriously, any reason you feel the need to call someone you do not know a tw*t?

hells

I have been riding mtbs for 3 years and road bikes for 2 months. At the moment I can only do things like cleaning, fixing punctured tyres. However I don't want to be dependant on shops or boys from cycling clubs/passers by anymore so I have bought this tool kit

http://www.probikekit.com/display.php?code=T0045

But I am not entirely sure which tool is which and I am slightly worried about buggering up one of my bikes and then having to go to the shop and pay to have it fixed anyway :-s.

I wish i was mechanicaly minded lol.

CHRISNOIR

Wappygixer wrote:

CHRISNOIR wrote:

Is this thread aimed at me?

It wasn't aimed aimed specifally at you, you were not my inspiration for this topic

Excellent, as you were... ahem. Although in my defense the recent issues I’ve had simply putting some new wheels on has shamed me into looking at some bike maintenance courses.

I think a lot of it is down to confidence. Would I be confident to get on a bike and head downhill on it in the knowledge that the person who’d put it together was me? Not really. Would I be confident to ‘have a go myself’ on an expensive (to me) bit of kit while knowing I could cause some real damage? Not really. Could I sort myself out if something goes on the road? Possibly - punctures etc I’ve always dealt with myself.

As an aside - I wonder how much work done by a LBS is rectifying someone else’s c0ck ups?

MattC59

Sorry folks, I'm guilty of knowing all the technical specs etc of the latest widget (well, I am with mountain biking, but I'm getting there with road bikes )

It's just the way I am, I'm an engineer, I like to know the detail.

But.......... I can also strip down and rebuild any of my bikes with my eyes closed, except when the last ball bearing succumbs to 'Fridge Suck' and disappears just out of reach !!

Don't try this at home kiddies, ferreting around in a toolbox, blindfolded is not good. that's where the sharp things live

The key to any sort of maintenance is to take your time and to reassemble in the reverse order that you took it appart. oh..... and don't have any bit's left over when you've finished !

Mettan

Jobs I do / Replacements / Adjustments:

Saddle Seatpost Bars Stem Front and Rear deraileur Chain Chainrings Cassette Wheels Tyres Tubes Brakes/Pads

Jobs I haven't done yet: :oops:

New headset/Forks fit Frame swap, complete build Bottom bracket/Chainset install Gear cables install Wheel Tru/Spoke tensioning

Wappygixer

I trained a group o 4 people las tweek on bike building (I work selling bikes) and all 4 knew very little.
All of them were amazed at how easy it was once shown and expained how and where to do things.
These guys were building new bikes which mostly are worse than used bikes due to poor assembly.
I only spent about 3 hours with them and during this time all of them could assemble a bike to saleable condition, adjust gears, change brake cables (ours come in with front brake on left), adjust brakes correctly and so on.

Maybe I should do mobile training :idea:

SteppenHerring

Bicycle maintenance isn't brain science. Learning a bit about how the machine works could mean the difference between finishing the event and having to make an awkward phonecall.

Saying that, I am sh*t scared of overtightening stuff on the new carbon monster. Aluminium and steel I understand ...

neeb

Hmm, difficult one this.

In my case, I really enjoy fiddling with bikes and the only thing I would need a professional for would be frame alignment/repair, "facing" a bottom bracket or headtube or wheel building (although I'd like to learn that). I suppose I pride myself in being self sufficient, although if I'm honest, the real reason I do my own maintenance is because I find the mechanics of bikes fascinating and get great satisfaction and enjoyment from it. So I can see the stevenmh's point, although it is a very alien perspective to me.

The other side of it however is that I actually wouldn't trust someone I didn't know in a bike shop to service my bike, professional or otherwise. At the end of the day, you have a personal investment in your own machine that the mechanic doesn't have, so you will spend longer getting things perfect. You also get to know the quirks of the individual bike. Whenever I have had something done to my bike in a bike shop I have always checked it afterwards and usually found something about it I didn't like and had to change... Also, the more you know about how a bike is put together and functions the more likely you are to notice if something potentially dangerous goes wrong (which might happen at any time, even soon after a service).

I cut my own hair too and gave up trusting hairdressers to produce consistent results years ago...

El Gordo

Crikey, there are some touchy people on here.

I can understand some people not wanting to spend time fixing their bikes when they could be doing something else - I like that sort of thing but we're all different.

When it comes to stopping your brakes rubbing or getting your gears indexed right though the fixes take seconds. For people short of time surely that is preferable to taking your bike to a shop, explaining the problem then returning the next day to collect it. Calling up the missus to collect me if my chain broke dosen't seem like great use of my time either when I could fix it in a few minutes.

ride_whenever

I build my own bikes, a bit nervous about bleeding brakes and servicing forks, but i haven't had to do that yet. Built some wheels that are still round so that's okay. Hub strip and services are fine!

But i work part time in my lbs, so anything i'm not sure about the other mechanics will walk me through, and i'm a fast learner. Got talked through the first wheelbuild then did the next pair on my own with me asking a couple of questions to check bits. Having mates who know more is certainly a help!

Surf-Matt

TBH I'd like to be better at sorting my bikes but while I can do most general stuff, something like fitting a new mech, crankset or similar would fox me.

But it's all about costs to many - my LBS will do the job in half (or less ) time than me and charge less than a third of the hourly rate we charge our clients - so generally it makes sense for them to do it. It also saves on "bike fixing rage" where I try and sort something then make it worse or break it.

I also have a thing for bike shops - I love the smell of new bikes and looking at kit. Total saddo.

Reel in the abuse though folks - no one is better than anyone else.

PS - I actually thought I was posting this in the MTB section - I not actually on here any more - DOH!!!!

Monkeypump

stevenmh wrote:

Seriously, any reason you feel the need to call someone you do not know a tw*t?

Perhaps if the tone of your post wasn't so patronising, people wouldn't feel the need to insult you...