Mechanic School?

[madscot13]

I would love to go to UBI or the Barnett's school, but since I don't live near them the extra cost of room, board, and transportation is very prohibitive. I did an REI one day bike class. everything was very short and abridged. It taught me the basics of keeping my drivetrain in good order and how to dismantle it. I wish I could have learned how to set up cables and repack my headset but time was so short. I would recommend it for learning how to take care of your bike and to avoid taking your bike to the shop for its annual check up by doing it yourself. I don't think it taught me enough to build a bike up from parts.

[Red Rock]

This might sound terrible, but I do not even have access to a "local" REI even though I am a member! It might sound like I'm in the sticks. We do have a few chain/BIg Box stores here but none of the fun stuff. I have to drive for that. So right now, I'm reading and have been reading anything and everything on cycling probably for the last four years in my spare time. My DH might think it is my new drug of choice.

I am dealing with squeeling brakes on my HT lately. From what I have read it could be a matter of using sandpaper on the brake pads to give them a surface or "toeing-in" the pads themselves. How the second one reduces the squeeling, I have no idea.

It would be really useful to at least take a comprehensive course that covers everything. Bike Mechanics 101. That way I would be exposed to everything. Then if I wanted, I could expand on the base that I had.

More random thoughts,
Red Rock

[Tuckervill]

Oh, how terrible! No REI!!!!??!!! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooooooooooooooooooooo



There's not an REI within 350 miles of me. :-\

Karen

[Red Rock]

Tuckervill-that is about the closest REI to me as well approx 350 miles. More are further away. We might be in similar situations.

Being that far away keeps the tempations down for sure.

Red Rock

[withm]

For me it's 100 miles north to a city I never go to, or 150 miles west where I go often, for the nearest REI stores. But it sure cuts down on the impulse buying . Hmm same situation for Trader Joes - which is more of a hardship. At least at REI I can shop online!

[newfsmith]

Red Rock, Barnett Bicycle Institute is located in Colorado Springs. They have a 5 day intensive course that sounds like it would be a good start for you.
http://www.bbinstitute.com/baa.htm If you like it, you can always go back for more advanced courses. Not cheap, but no school is. I went to the UBI course Lunacycle mentioned. It was very good, but I suspect that this course would be quite similar and it is a lot closer to you.

[Red Rock]

newfsmith: Thankyou for the website, I checked it out. There is a lot to think about in all of this. All of those courses would be great to have is you were opening your own shop. I liked how comprehensive they seem at least.

I will keep thinking.

Red Rock