These are quite good (although probably a bit basic for some of the regular readers of this blog!); I really should learn how to look after my own bike a bit better…
Maintainence. Most of the stuff you need to know can be gleaned from the web. As always, sheldon brown is a veritable gold mine of info. Most tasks on a bike are straightforward. Some specialist kit is necessary for some things but I justify the expense of a tool against the self sufficiency it gives me and the knowledge and confidence to have a go at fixing my own.
Building a bike from the frame up was my first big project but although a few mistakes were made it is still ridable and in a friends barn.
Speaking of which.. This looks like a good pub rat bike for the money! http://forum.ctc.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=40&t=44919
Good lightweight crafted steel frame and in good nick. At that price if you did all your own maintainance and ruined it it would be still cheaper than a course of lessons.
I have used these too!
My plan last year was to use the money I got for my birthday to do on a course, and at the same time rebuild, upgrade my bike as I learnt.
However (Not that I am ungrateful you understand), instead of giving me money, my family clubbed together and got me a new bike!
So although I have a better bike, I am non the wiser at maintenance!
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Maintainence. Most of the stuff you need to know can be gleaned from the web. As always, sheldon brown is a veritable gold mine of info. Most tasks on a bike are straightforward. Some specialist kit is necessary for some things but I justify the expense of a tool against the self sufficiency it gives me and the knowledge and confidence to have a go at fixing my own.
Building a bike from the frame up was my first big project but although a few mistakes were made it is still ridable and in a friends barn.
Speaking of which.. This looks like a good pub rat bike for the money! http://forum.ctc.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=40&t=44919
Good lightweight crafted steel frame and in good nick. At that price if you did all your own maintainance and ruined it it would be still cheaper than a course of lessons.
I have used these too!
My plan last year was to use the money I got for my birthday to do on a course, and at the same time rebuild, upgrade my bike as I learnt.
However (Not that I am ungrateful you understand), instead of giving me money, my family clubbed together and got me a new bike!
So although I have a better bike, I am non the wiser at maintenance!