Do you know enough about your bike?
This video discusses one of the mistakes that many cyclists and triathletes make when learning about working on their bikes.
How much is enough?
What things should all cyclists learn?
What should be left to a professional mechanic?
Watch the video and leave your comments below.
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Take a look at our Online Basic Bicycle Maintenance Class
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@BicycleLab Timely info! My husband just bought a bunch of equip to start maintaining our bikes at home.
@berniesmit Thanks for the mention. Have a great weekend. Ride plans?
@BicycleLab sleeping in a bit this weekend, Physio and bio this am, gym today for some spinning and some running tomorrow! You?
Received this comment via email: Thought I would post it here.
” I participated in “Tour of Palm Springs” century bike ride today and with the cross winds gusting at 30-40mph with blowing sand which actually left some pitting on my fork, it was a day for those who actually maintained their bikes. In the ten mile stretch ( I spoke to the SAG mechanic) there were 15 riders who’s bikes broke down enough to end their ride. One in my group who is lazy about maintenance, snapped his chain, tore a tooth of the cassette and snapped a spoke. This was at mile 9 of 104. While we were getting the master link fix, a frozen rear derailur was brought to the mechanic at the same time. Those riders who feel that cleaning and lubing the drive train regularly did well, those who’s drive trains were neglected did not fair well with the increased force from fighting the cross winds and the added sand and gunk in the already packed in the drive train. Shifting under load is not advisable, but shifting under load with a poorly functioning drive train may cause catastrophic failure. Moral of the story, even though you think it will be ok, will your bike be able to handle adverse conditions when we really take it outside. If you don’t want to go home early on your ride, don’t ignore the creaks from the drive train, and learn how to do the simple stuff. ”
via @robertsnowdpt
OK, I am all for prevention when it comes to my bicycle. I am new to your website so my question is do you go into detail on issues of actual bike maintenance? I purchased a Park Tool mechanic’s stand and really enjoy working on the bike but want to get smarter. Yes, I did buy the Park Tool Blue Book re bike repair and am reading it. But videos are always a lot better, most of the time. I will check on the one on one session with you as well.
@sbstrum The books are good but I feel they offer way too much info. I do offer this in online class with videos on how to. Specifically geared towards high end road and tri bikes.
I cover the basics on what you really need to know to do basic repairs and maintain your bike.
Here is a link to the info page
http://thefluentcyclist.com/landing/basic-bicycle-maintenance-for-road-cyclists-and-triathletes-2/
In the future I may offer a class on how to build up your own bike.