Maintenance question...

[Catrin]

I've a one-on-one hands-on class scheduled with the head mechanic of my LBS on Saturday. The first thing I am going to ask him to do is to show me how to change the inner tube. I am already comfortable with airing my tires, and have learned the hard way what to do with a fallen chain

I would like to get full benefit of his time. I am going to ask him to walk me through taking the rear wheel off - the gears have me nervous and am unsure how to deal with that. What else should I ask him about?

We will also do a 2 hour bike fitting - and I am curious about what will take so long. I believe that a computer and trainer is involved, and I've been told to bring my cycling clothes and shoes. Not a bad way to spend a Saturday morning, before he is done with me I should know a lot more about my bike

[lph]

Ask him to show you how the brakes work and how the derailleurs work, just to give you a basic idea of where the cables run and what happens when you tighten them or loosen them. It makes it a lot easier to adjust, lube or troubleshoot them if you have a working knowledge of what goes where and why.

[Kalidurga]

The fitting will probably involve tests of your flexibility, various measurements, and then getting on either your own bike on a trainer or a "fit bike" so that he can see your form and how you pedal. If there's a computer, it will probably display your power output.

In addition to all of the body and power measurements, give him as much info as you can about how everything feels, and also what sort of cycling you intend to do. That can make a big difference in how your bike is set up.

[Melalvai]

How to clean & lube your chain and cassette. It's really easy to do yourself, and will extend the life of your chains and cassette. It helps if you have a bike stand at home, but I don't--I use the bike stand at the bike shop, or in a pinch turn my bike upside down (take off your lights & odometer and whatever else first).

[OakLeaf]

Depending on how your cables are routed, turning the bike upside down can pinch cables. At best you'll scuff your saddle and hoods.

Unless you have a fixed-gear, you can clean and lube the drivetrain just as easily pedaling backwards with the rear wheel on the ground, as you can pedaling forwards. Where a workstand comes in handy is adjusting the derailleurs. But even that can be done by lifting the rear wheel off the ground by the seat tube - it's kind of a PITA and easier if you have a friend to help, but not that big a deal. If I just need a minor adjustment, it's actually less hassle for me to do it that way than to drag the workstand out.

It is a good idea to look at the underside of your bike periodically. Even though I'm pretty good about a periodic thorough cleaning, I had no idea how worn my bottom bracket cable guide was, until I disassembled my bike for shipping this fall.


+1 on knowing how derailleurs and brakes work. That, plus changing a tube, will get you through most situations. Patching a tube is a good skill to have, too, because you never know when you might have more flats than spare tubes.