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Why can't you fix your own bike?
i'm a beginner 
all gotta start somewhere, i learn best by watching... luckily i'm surrounded by people kind enough to show me and help out.
Mr phillip I'm rather upset by you assumption that anything could be better than a bucket of breasts. I've been collecting them for ages* and it is one of my favourite pastimes, apart from making my human skin suit.
it is a jolly nice forum though.
* by the time it get near the top the ones at the bottom have become a bit liquid and I have to start again. 😥
tazzy, my diary on thursday is looking pretty free... we should meet up for [s]an assessment[/s]coffee 😯
Why can't you fix your own bike?
That's a tad harsh.
As I see it:
1) Some people have no interest or skill for fixing bikes,
2) Some are not mechanically minded or experienced but would like to learn but are afraid of messing it up and wrecking their bike.
So, take it to a bike shop and the 1)s are satisfied, but that costs money, but the people under 2) never learn.
I'm no professional, but I've got a garage and a toolkit that would make some people here weep with joy, and 20+ years experience fixing bikes. And at the same time you get to have a natter with some mates, eat Mrs PP biccies and I'll show you how to fix it yourself.
He only came for a headset fitting and a rear wheel service, but I sent the bike away with a new rear gear cable (inner and outer) and a full check over (It was fine) as well.
Why do I do this?
I enjoy it. That's top of the list.
I like teaching people how to fix bikes.
I'm learning stuff too. This time I learned that there is such a thing as a 'non-serviceable freehub' or that I need another tool!
😀
I've got a garage and a toolkit that would make some people here weep with joy
That's awesome.
I've one of these..
[img] 
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And one of these
[img] 
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i have access to a man cave and separate bike room we call 'mary' that has every tool i could dream of 🙂 having watched PP install the headset and put new gear cables in etc i feel confident in doing it myself from now on... in fact i have a new headset in the post from CRC that i shall be installing myself at the first opportunity.
me and a friend share tools and other such bike related thingies (spares, lubes, cleaning stuff etc) if we need a tool that one of us doesnt already own we'll either take turns in buying it or share the cost if its a big item. keeps the cost of this mtb malarky down 🙂
Bikebuoy, that's a start!
If you can find a big old blunt screwdriver, a block of wood, and some freebie allen keys from MBUK you'll be able to remove and install a headset.
No, really you will! 😀
That's awesome
Yes. I know. 🙂
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[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/peter_atkin/6124777734/ ]IMG_2383[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/peter_atkin/ ]PeterPoddy[/url], on Flickr
[url= http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6184/6124775086_f51c3cf7e5_z.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/peter_atkin/6124775086/ ]IMG_2382[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/peter_atkin/ ]PeterPoddy[/url], on Flickr
[url= http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6209/6124772768_ca8f60fcbc_z.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/peter_atkin/6124772768/ ]IMG_2380[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/peter_atkin/ ]PeterPoddy[/url], on Flickr
Awesome. I just did a little sex wee. You'll need to clear a space for the Juke so nobody sees it outside when your dad visits.
i like the tag 'norealfriendsthen?' 😆
I'm sorry but I've no witty comments to add to those photos..
You've everything a man could ever need..
"Weeps with Joy"
I have some of the above - but I'm still terrified of fiddling with my bike and screwing something important.
Also, I'm philosophically opposed to bike shops (I'm a tight SOB), so at the moment I'm putting up with a fading BB, spokes that need truing and some kind of rear wheel issue I can't even begin to understand.
PP, could I suggest you undertake a MTB maintenance tour a la Super Nanny?
I'd love to!
Ah, I need a PeterPoddy friend nearby!
Current approach to bike maintenance - hear funny noise, search t'internet for advice, spend prolonged period with inadequate tools fiddling with bits, worry that I've just made it worse, wish I hadn't started ...
Request that North Wales is on PP's Super Nanny Bike Maintenence Tour!
Request that North Wales is on PP's Super Nanny Bike Maintenence Tour!
Well, North Wales will have to follow Liverpool!
PP's mine first!
Go the PP Super Nanny Bike Maintenance Tour!
[i]Awesome. I just did a little sex wee[/i]
.. dezb is disappointed 🙁
If you can find a big old blunt screwdriver, a block of wood, and some freebie allen keys from MBUK you'll be able to remove and install a headset.No, really you will!
I proved this last month
.. dezb is disappointed
I did also get one of those strange ones Dez 🙂
Oh good 🙂 I think.
(Although, you might wanna go careful with Shibboleth's last post on the leg shaving thread 😯 )
PP,
The New LBS..!
Which means we'll all now ignore his advice and do it ourselves cos' it's cheaper..
hahahaa
If you can find a big old blunt screwdriver, a block of wood
Isn't that collectively what Haynes refer to as 'a suitable drift'?
PP the photo is missing a tyre mountain. My mountain has now spread to a garage and my shed.
He keeps his tyres in the lounge. Like a big 'ol bean bag.