cycle mechanics?

Find a LBS with very deep pockets. There is no substitute for experience. You have to have time to be shown how to do something and then be allowed to do it yourself, even if you make mistakes. And then fix your mistakes without getting fired or going broke.

ok i hope you guys can help. I bought my bike (road bike) off ebay and didn't get instructions or anything and this is the first bike i've own that isn't a huffy. So my question is, It makes noise when the front chain ring is in the harder gear and the back is in easier. It makes noise the entire time i ride wiht it like that. Is there something wrong with the bike or am i doing something wrong? I hope that is understandable. thanks

jessmcph said:

ok i hope you guys can help. I bought my bike (road bike) off ebay and didn't get instructions or anything and this is the first bike i've own that isn't a huffy. So my question is, It makes noise when the front chain ring is in the harder gear and the back is in easier. It makes noise the entire time i ride wiht it like that. Is there something wrong with the bike or am i doing something wrong? I hope that is understandable. thanks

You are causing the chain to be at too high of an angle, hence the noise. When you are in the outer chainring on front (harder to pedal), you should NEVER shift to the innermost cog (easiest to pedal) in the back--try another gear combination. That particular gear combination that you are using that causes your noise, will also cause excessive wear on the chain (due to the angles its bent at and the rubbing that causes the noise), the chainrings and the cogs.

And scottusa--do what peet suggested, as thats the only way to really add to your resume and your expereince. Good luck!!

Beg a shop to hire you and train you for bicycle assembly. By learning bike assembly, you will learn everything you need to know about repair. Or at least enough to qualify you for a job as a mechanic after a year or so. You cannot bypass this assembly step without picking up bad technique. Try to find a shop that is busy and quality oriented. DO NOT go to a shop that is sloppy or looks like they don't care about what the customer thinks. Being a bike mechanic has many many facets that come with the job. Salesmanship, merchandising, warehousing, inventory, buying, on and on and on...to the point where you could run the shop by yourself. But you need to go for it if this is what you want to do. Be willing to right off a life of high wages.

scottusa said:

hey all

im 17 and been working with bikes 4 years, im cytech qualified and working on my training.
i really want to stay with cycle mechanics, wondering how i get into it to set up a career?
Has anyone got any ideas?
cheers

martin_j001 said:

You are causing the chain to be at too high of an angle, hence the noise. When you are in the outer chainring on front (harder to pedal), you should NEVER shift to the innermost cog (easiest to pedal) in the back--try another gear combination. That particular gear combination that you are using that causes your noise, will also cause excessive wear on the chain (due to the angles its bent at and the rubbing that causes the noise), the chainrings and the cogs.

And scottusa--do what peet suggested, as thats the only way to really add to your resume and your expereince. Good luck!!

thanks, its good to know nothing is wrong with the bike its just me.

Well im workin in a bike shop now, have been for a couple of years, but the repairs arnt challenging anymore!?
not sure how to progress?