Getting a bike service

[PrettyboyTim]

I won't be going back to work for ages yet, because I had loads of holiday left over from last year. I figure this is probably a good time to get my bike serviced.

However, I was thinking about it and I decided I don't really want to just get someone to service it. What I'd really like would be able to pay someone for an afternoon to service the bike, but take me through the process of what they are doing and why, so I can actually learn some more about bike maintenance at the same time.

Does anyone know anybody in Central or North London that does this kind of thing? I can do the basics of bike maintainance - replacing brake blocks, changing the chain, gear and brake cables and adjusting the gears - that sort of thing. Stuff to do with bearings and stuff like that is a little beyond me at the moment.

 

[Mr Pig]

go on a course

One involving bicycles would be best. You could go on a cookery course but that wouldn't help you anything like as much.

Well it might help your cookery, obviously.

 

[kyuss]

If you're fairly competent with tools, can follow instructions and work methodically there really isn't much you can't do and learn yourself just following the Park Tools instructions. Obviously there will be little tips and tricks that mechanics who've been in the business for years could teach you, but none of these are likely to come up in a basic maintenance course.

Bikes are dead easy to keep maintained these days, what with sealed cartridge bearings, headsets you can fit by hand etc. Not like the old days where you'd be scared to take anything apart for fear of springs and bearings shooting around the place.

 

[gratts]

Surely you know a decent LBS near you?
Take it in for a service, and just ask if you can watch what they're doing and annoy ask them questions about anything. If I were them I'd like the enthusiasm!..give them a nice tip on top

 

[Dave5N]

I'll do it for expenses!

 

[gavintc]

I am off to Edinburgh Bike Coop for a course for this very reason. I have spent a fourtune on servicing over the years and I think I can save by doing it myself.

 

[Steve Austin]

How much would you pay for one of these courses?

 

[gwhite]

A day's course usually costs around £50 as I recall. They vary in content from a beginners one which is pretty basic to more advanced one moving on to the dismantling and refitting of components, gear adjustment etc.
To go the whole hog you can then take one with a qualification such as the one offered by Alf Webb.
We are thinking of starting to offer these courses at our Charity bike-workshop as it would make a welcome addition to income.

 

[gratts]

We are thinking of starting to offer these courses at our Charity bike-workshop as it would make a welcome addition to income.

Where in the country?

 

[Iainj837]

there is a place in bristol I think it is called life cycle for a one day course they charge £60 in that price you get the haynes cycle repair book and the parts like brake blocks cables etc

 

[Iainj837]

Here is the link
Headlines // Life Cycle UK

but i am sure there are smilier courses around the country

 

[gwhite]

Where in the country?

We're based in Glenrothes in Fife.
http://www.fifebikeworks.org.uk/


A bit far for you I would think but it will be some time yet before these are up and running.