Hello, from someone new to maintenance
08-26-19, 10:12 AM
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Hello, from someone new to maintenance
Hello from Chicago, a place where the good cycling weather will soon be gone, but where I plan to keep riding to work as long as possible!
I've decided it's time to learn how to take care of my bike myself. I bought a vintage Miyata a few years ago from a guy on craigslist and while it's a pretty nice bike, the whole shifting system has never been right. I'm pretty sure the previous owner installed those parts himself and I'm not convinced he did it right. So after taking it to a couple shops and never having the fixes stick, I think it's time I fiddle with it on my own, and maybe start replacing parts outright if it comes down to that.
I'm hoping to learn a few things here, and to get my bike into a condition where I don't feeling like chucking it in the lake when the chain falls off yet again!
I've decided it's time to learn how to take care of my bike myself. I bought a vintage Miyata a few years ago from a guy on craigslist and while it's a pretty nice bike, the whole shifting system has never been right. I'm pretty sure the previous owner installed those parts himself and I'm not convinced he did it right. So after taking it to a couple shops and never having the fixes stick, I think it's time I fiddle with it on my own, and maybe start replacing parts outright if it comes down to that.
I'm hoping to learn a few things here, and to get my bike into a condition where I don't feeling like chucking it in the lake when the chain falls off yet again!
08-26-19, 10:37 AM
#2
Senior Member
Welcome to Bike Forums. Mechanics will guide you through repairs and maintenance. Enjoy bike season as long as possible...
Hello from Chicago, a place where the good cycling weather will soon be gone, but where I plan to keep riding to work as long as possible!
I've decided it's time to learn how to take care of my bike myself. I bought a vintage Miyata a few years ago from a guy on craigslist and while it's a pretty nice bike, the whole shifting system has never been right. I'm pretty sure the previous owner installed those parts himself and I'm not convinced he did it right. So after taking it to a couple shops and never having the fixes stick, I think it's time I fiddle with it on my own, and maybe start replacing parts outright if it comes down to that.
I'm hoping to learn a few things here, and to get my bike into a condition where I don't feeling like chucking it in the lake when the chain falls off yet again!
I've decided it's time to learn how to take care of my bike myself. I bought a vintage Miyata a few years ago from a guy on craigslist and while it's a pretty nice bike, the whole shifting system has never been right. I'm pretty sure the previous owner installed those parts himself and I'm not convinced he did it right. So after taking it to a couple shops and never having the fixes stick, I think it's time I fiddle with it on my own, and maybe start replacing parts outright if it comes down to that.
I'm hoping to learn a few things here, and to get my bike into a condition where I don't feeling like chucking it in the lake when the chain falls off yet again!
08-26-19, 10:48 AM
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Welcome to the forums. Almost all my learning is from what people've said here. I hope you get as much out of it as I have.
08-27-19, 07:00 AM
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Keep the chain tight!
08-27-19, 07:09 AM
#5
Barred @ Velocipedesalon
Welcome to bikeforums. I hope you find the information you're looking for; I have, and more! Enlisted in the military when I was in Chicago, but from Massachusetts at time.
08-27-19, 07:58 AM
#6
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Good move joining BikeForums. I started to learn how to do my bike maintenance about 1 1/2 years ago. I bought a set of tools and buy others as the need arises, but only if I will use it enough to justify the cost. There are things that I will pay the LBS to do because it is time and cost effective I have learned much and members of BF have been a huge help with my many questions. If you take the time and energy to search a subject online and watch how to videos, you can learn much that way. Park tools.com and Rick the bike guy both have very informative and well done videos.Also, the members appreciate that you tried. Pictures are always appreciated to the cyclists that want to help you. Help those that want to help you and that simplifies the process. I did my first rebuild, an early 90's steel Ochsner road bike, this past spring. I had the LBS do the BB and the headset for the above stated reason. One thing I still have to remind myself, whether I posted or someone else did: The stupidest question is the one that does not get asked. Enjoy and be safe! Delbiker
08-29-19, 08:59 AM
#8
Newbie
Regarding Maintenance: you might want to visit a book store or public library. I checked out The Haynes Bicycle Book from my local library. It has lots of photos and detailed descriptions of repair and maintenance. Good luck!
08-29-19, 10:36 AM
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Anyway, I just got my repair stand delivered yesterday, so I plan to start tonight by cleaning, lubing, and tightening everything real good, then going from there!
09-02-19, 08:35 AM
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Enjoy! I hope it goes well. If you haven't already I'd consider putting new cables on that bike. Fun way to add color and improve shifting/braking too.
09-02-19, 09:27 AM
#12
Senior Member
Park Tools does a great channel on YouTube; they've allot done their Big Blue Book on bike repair.
09-02-19, 09:56 AM
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Bike Maintenance
Welcome! I just joined so also a Newbie. Park tools, a soft mallet, and a repair stand might be good for starters? Some bike shops and REI offer beginner maintenance classes that might be helpful. And YouTube is great.
