DIY - Bike Maintenance

[Chubba]

After dropping a whack of cash at various LBS’s through the years, I have finally come to the realization that I need to learn to service my bike myself.

 

So my question is, are there any courses in Cape Town where one can learn to fully service road and MTB’s?

[Robrider]

Hi Chubba,

 

Many hubbers agree with you. This has been discussed many times and doing a search will probably give you a lot of help.

 

Most people will say get a book, or use the internet (great you tube videos, etc). or else Johan Bornman at yellow saddle gives courses in capetown from time to time.

 

Good luck

[GLuvsMtb]

your best friend is still youtube / parktool website.

[Chubba]

Hi Chubba,

 

Many hubbers agree with you. This has been discussed many times and doing a search will probably give you a lot of help.

 

Most people will say get a book, or use the internet (great you tube videos, etc). or else Johan Bornman at yellow saddle gives courses in capetown from time to time.

 

Good luck

thanks, will drop Johan an email.

Edited June 6, 2011 by Chubba

[Chubba]

So my next question is tools, what would i need for a good bike toolbox? Take into consideration that I own next to no tools and this will be a long term investment.

 

Tools

and this

Tools2

 

Stand

or

Stand 2

Edited June 6, 2011 by Chubba

[Chubba]

your best friend is still youtube / parktool website.

Will have a look tonight, thanks.

[AndreZA]

Tackle one job at a time and only buy the tools for that job. But you can invest in a torque wrench so long.

[Tankman]

For servicing a road bike, you dont need any courses.

 

For servicing a mtb you might want to do a fork servicing course.

 

Setting up derailleurs and all the rest is pretty straight forward.

[Weight Weenie]

Chubba I'm in exactly the same position, started buying tools over the weekend and did some searching on the hub as well.

 

Johan has great courses, also want to do those myself, need to get dates from him.

 

Resource websites :

 

http://bicycletutor.com/

http://www.cycle-systems-academy.co.uk/index.php/topics

http://www.bikemagic.com/defaultHow_To.asp?sp=&v=3

http://techdocs.shimano.com/techdocs/index.jsp;jsessionid=l5dwNskcSvDvML2yxw2Dl26JhQhS112bdTnKYp8cnLqG62JzHHC2!-740968041?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302051123&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474395181679&bmUID=i.OO4qj

http://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-help

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/workshops

 

What I've read so far

- mesasure your chain, the checkers are inaccurate.

- buy tools as you need them and not in sets, so you buy better quality that lasts and get the right stuff.

- You dont always need to buy tools some you can make.

- Some tools dont need to be bike specific. ie. I bought a set of torq keys (Stanley brand), was about 80 bucks cheaper for the same thing than one that was Park tool branded.

[Slowbee]

Johan is going to be here in November I think it is. I am going to head on over a do a course in CT

[Chubba]

Chubba I'm in exactly the same position, started buying tools over the weekend and did some searching on the hub as well.

 

Johan has great courses, also want to do those myself, need to get dates from him.

 

Resource websites :

 

http://bicycletutor.com/

http://www.cycle-systems-academy.co.uk/index.php/topics

http://www.bikemagic.com/defaultHow_To.asp?sp=&v=3

http://techdocs.shimano.com/techdocs/index.jsp;jsessionid=l5dwNskcSvDvML2yxw2Dl26JhQhS112bdTnKYp8cnLqG62JzHHC2!-740968041?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302051123&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474395181679&bmUID=i.OO4qj

http://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-help

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/workshops

 

What I've read so far

- mesasure your chain, the checkers are inaccurate.

- buy tools as you need them and not in sets, so you buy better quality that lasts and get the right stuff.

- You dont always need to buy tools some you can make.

- Some tools dont need to be bike specific. ie. I bought a set of torq keys (Stanley brand), was about 80 bucks cheaper for the same thing than one that was Park tool branded.

 

Thanks for the info, will check the links out later.

 

Found Johan’s site, pricey, but worth it, I am sure.

Course

 

Certain things are easier for certain people, call it having a gift, DIY is not mine, so any help, helps!

[Slowbee]

so now you need to add a fancy word to that thread of yours ...

[Christopher Brunsdon]

Tackle one job at a time and only buy the tools for that job. But you can invest in a torque wrench so long.

 

Agree agree agree

 

Also check your LBS for the tools before going CRC route as I was suprised at how cheap they are at my local LBSs. Also check your hardware store for things like a valve core remover (R15).

[cyberaver]

I recently did Johan's Course and went from not touching anything on my bike because its highly specialised stuff that only my fully trained LBS staff can touch, to stripping my whole bike in one weekend and not fearing just about any job on my bike. Also I don't trust an lbs on anything on my bike ( I am sure there are exceptions), I'd rather make sure I did it and know its done proper. Also if it fails, its all me.

 

Anything outside my reach would need to go to a specialist for forks or wheels for instance and just till I learn those skills myself

 

I highly recommend the course, the wife did the course the same weekend and she loved it too. Its an eye opener and a fear remover of some note. It also changed my view on buying components and kit because I can look beyond the brand and look at getting a well built part ideal for what it needs to do.

 

I am still building up my bag of tools but as everyone says buy for what you need as you go, otherwise you have a bag of tools you never use.

[Christopher Brunsdon]

I would say every Hubber needs to be able to repair and replace his/her ride. Its not about taking business away from mechanics, its about helping you understand not only where the problem is but more important when its actually a problem. Prevention is better than the cure.

 

I did a post a year ago about the Dummies book for bicycle repair and was really impressed with it. But just google it or ask on The Hub when you got your next challenge.

[Weight Weenie]

How about some sort of home mechanic sticky thread ?

Put all the tips, tools, links, advice etc in there ?