What Questions Would You Ask A Bike Maintenance Pro?

[Ben Reeve]

After handing my notice in, I've been put on gardening leave, suddenly meaning I have a load of free time!

Outside of lots of riding, I have asked my local bike shop if I can spend a day there 'helping'.

It is a one man operation, not really sales, mostly repairs, which is what I'm interested in.

I know a little about bike maintenance, but am really interested to spend time with a guy who's done it for 30 years picking up some tricks off the trade.

If you were me, what would you be looking at and asking him?

Ben

 

[dan_bo]

How many sugars whilst you fix my bike?

 

[Ben Reeve]

How many sugars whilst you fix my bike?

I did tell him I could make a mean cuppa!

 

[Citius]

I know a little about bike maintenance, but am really interested to spend time with a guy who's done it for 30 years picking up some tricks off the trade.

With respect to the guy, I doubt if there are any tricks of the trade that aren't already on youtube. What he has is something you will never get in a day - and something you can't get by watching youtube - namely, 30 years of experience. If you learn anything while you are there, it will probably be that nobody becomes an expert over-night.

 

[midlife]

Shadowing as they say , or "coat tailing" in other professions.

I just hung around my bike shop for several months to the point they gave me a job

Just a silly question, if I quit my job I'd be on ESA and off the payroll !! Why are you on leave?

Shaun

 

[Citius]

Just a silly question, if I quit my job I'd be on ESA and off the payroll !! Why are you on leave?

That's MI6 for you...

 

[welsh dragon]

How much is this going to cost me.

 

[Ben Reeve]

Shadowing as they say , or "coat tailing" in other professions.

I just hung around my bike shop for several months to the point they gave me a job

Just a silly question, if I quit my job I'd be on ESA and off the payroll !! Why are you on leave?

Shaun

I have 13 week notice period, moving to the competition. They quite often do it so you have as little info as possible to pass on to the other company

 

[Ben Reeve]

With respect to the guy, I doubt if there are any tricks of the trade that aren't already on youtube. What he has is something you will never get in a day - and something you can't get by watching youtube - namely, 30 years of experience. If you learn anything while you are there, it will probably be that nobody becomes an expert over-night.

Nothing like hands on learning though. I'm not daft enough to think I'll be an expert, but half a day or so can't hurt.

YouTube videos can only do so much, especially when you work on the same bike over and over whic is what I do

 

[Yellow Saddle]

Ask his to show you:
1) how to bleed Avix Juicy brake without swearing.
2) how to replace an older Campag Ergo leaver's index springs when you only have two hands.
3) how to make a BB30 bottom bracket last longer than 300 kms.
4) how to get a pressfit BB cup not to click in a carbon frame.

That should keep you busy until your leave runs out.

 

[NorthernDave]

Is it meant to look like that?

 

[midlife]

Also you have to learn to say "they all do that" with a dead pan expression

Shaun

 

[Pat "5mph"]

If you were me, what would you be looking at and asking him?

Nothing: just watch, retain the info, offer to make the tea/coffee, to go for errands. Wait until he asks you to do something mechanical, then do it to the best of your abilities, no "I already knew it" attitude if he corrects your work.
Do not ask to many questions unless he likes to talk while working.
You can ask when he's having the cuppa you made
Good luck, and share your newly acquired knowledge with us

 

[Ajax Bay]

Questions, answering the OP's post:

How can you tell what's making that (which) creak, irregular noise?
What tools should I have to maintain my bike(s) at home?
(the above are shades from posts OP has recently made)
Supplementaries:
Can I see how you do the following quickly:
a. True a wheel
b. Index an RD
c. Change/service the different types of BB
d. Replace a set of STI/ergos (includes retaping)
e. Service a headset (both quill and A-head)
f. Box up a bike for posting.

Best of luck in 12 weeks time. Keep those CDs with the databases safe.

 

[Doyleyburger]

Youtube is my pro mechanic.
Iv repaired or replaced everything on a road bike now in the 3 years iv been riding and it's all covered with people uploading their vids.
All the best tho