I Want To Learn More.

[Ollie Histon]

Hello, i have decided that really, now i'm starting to need to buy new parts and everything keeps breaking it's about time i learnt how to fix my bike and put new parts onto it. What tools do you think i will need in my bike box, apart from the simple things like allen keys, puncture kit, tyre levers, pump e.t.c. What do you think should go in? I was also thinking it would be a good idea to have things nicely laid out in draws and tool boxes and things rather than spread everywhere, how do you have your work are set up? Finally, how can i learn, or how to do you think i should learn? I have noticed "the haynes bike book" out and about and it seems like a good buy, also do you think there wil be many step by step guides if i had a search on here? Thanks a lot. Ollie

[JIX]

Crank extractor, bb tool, cassette tool and chain whip, spoke key, bleed kit/kits. Most things are common sense, look at the manufacturers book first and then search on here for additional help.

I just keep all my tools in my bag that I take with me every where so Im always covered.

[ogre]

Yuo want to start with the obvious bits, like at the moment i just carry a multi tool, two 15mm wrenchs (ones a multi wrench though) the things for lifting tyres from rims, an army of zip ties but i wnt to buy a bb remover, freewheel tool a bike stand, a bleed kit, one of those things for trueing wheels! Buying some of those things would be a step in the right direction!

[Guest]

I've never had a problem with maintaining my bike but perhaps that's because i've allways enjoyed engineering and making things work since i was a kid.

Those haynes manuals are good, but dont cover what is really important. I think the main thing is to know how something works before you take it apart, and don't take something apart unless you can afford to break it.

To be honest working on a bike isn't that difficult, all you have to do is know how to use an allen key mostly, positining of magura cylinders are the only thing I can think of which could be tricky, and that's more fiddly than hard.

Anything specific your having trouble with?

[newb]

a good item to get is a stand, when you do come to fix your bike having everything on the floor is a real pain so a stand is good but can be preicey, if you want good tools parktools are really good and if you want the right stuff you can get a whole kit for a reasonable price (for what you get)

and if you are serious about fixing go on a mechanic course ,could get you a job as a mechanic and it obviously helps .i work in a bike shop so i get all experiaence from there

hope it helps

[mat hudson]

you want to go on a cytech course, theyre free for unddeer 25 yr olds. they were in mbuk a while back.

[TheMunn]

If you have a local bike shop get down there, ask them if they could show you around a bike in return for free work. A guy did that where I work, i'm sure it helped him no end, give it a try, they least they can do is say no.

[F-Stop Junkie]

I would start with a good pair of pliers, allen keys, set of good spanners and a good pump. These are general tools you will use for the rest of your life on all sorts of things. Worth spending money on.

I would add to that a big adjustable spanner - same reason as above - and start collecting BB tools, cassette tools, etc. Chain whips can be improvised with a length of chain and a vice. Buy these bits as you need them, don't think you have to buy everything at once! Also buy good quality ones. Again, they last a lifetime and cheap tools wear and potentially damage the bit they're connected to.

Don't be afraid to have a go, but I wouldn't buy a spoke key until you're somewhat more mechanically familiar with your bike. Potentially you can make things a lot worse rather than better.

Get something like the Haynes book - as well as a Magura service guide book - because that will give you a good grounding in the basics, setting deraileuers, adjusting bearings, working with cartridge BBs. The Magura manual is good too and if you follow it carefully, things arn't too scary.

Golden rules to follow though are:

1 - Don't attempt it if you don't think you can do it. Leave it to a proper mechanic, then ask them to explain to you what they've done and how.

2 - Don't force it! If a bolt won't go in, there's probably a reason. Force it, and you'll strip threads and break things leading to be a big repair bill potentially.

3 - Don't bodge tools (unless you absolutley have to to get home). You can't make a BB tool out of a screwdriver, a socket set and some string. Many have tried, none have succeded.

4 - Know when to stop. If you've tried to fit a new BB, but you're worried you've cross-threaded it and can't make it go on properly. Stop. Go to a bike shop. They've seen all kinds of people muck up fitting new parts and even building up bikes! People have done far worse than you, there's no reason to be embarrassed.

5 - Don't decide to bleed your brakes (or do any work) the night before a big ride/comp. Yes, it feels a bit spongy, but it works. If you try and bleed brakes for the first time when you're in a rush, you will probably hit problems and miss your ride. Read up on what's needed, give yourself plenty of time, and do it in the morning so you can go to the bike shop in the afternoon if you break anything!

People will always show you how to do things if you ask, especially on a ride or on here. Everyone had to learn at some point, and reading the Haynes book and mastering a few of the basics will give you the confidence to try bigger things.

Oh, and BB threads are very fine, take great care with them!

[poopipe]

another 3 golden rules ...

aluminium is softer than steel

aluminium doesnt bend much

lube is different from wd40

[Ollie Histon]

Thanks for the help kids