basic mechanic skills

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by srtraveler
Leaving on Transamerica W->E 8/04. Considering UBI beginner's course in Ashland, OR before I start. Any thoughts or advice. I'm not much of a mechanic but can learn just about anything.

Wow cool trip. Good idea in getting some basic training, it doesn't take much time to learn. I'm in Albuquerque too - REI offers a ~$50 course on the basics (there's one this saturday from 9-2 at the Jefferson/I25 location). It covers the basics and might be pretty slow if you're mechanically inclined (you could get one of many bicycle maintenance books to go further). But perhaps if you're considering a UBI course you're further already along than this and interested in getting more advanced knowledge?

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by RC2
Wow cool trip. Good idea in getting some basic training, it doesn't take much time to learn. I'm in Albuquerque too - REI offers a ~$50 course on the basics (there's one this saturday from 9-2 at the Jefferson/I25 location). It covers the basics and might be pretty slow if you're mechanically inclined (you could get one of many bicycle maintenance books to go further). But perhaps if you're considering a UBI course you're further already along than this and interested in getting more advanced knowledge?

I took one REI course but it may have been even more basic. I don't think they charged for it and there was no hands on. My recollection is that the mechanic changed a tube and showed us how to clean our bikes. The latter turned out to be the best part as I have kept up with that part--something I was really slack on. I emailed Two Wheel Drive yesterday because the Park Tool site says TWD is a store here that offers courses in basic mechanics designed by Park Bicycle tools.

The initial REI course (if I remember right they call it 'trailside repair clinic'😉 is pretty useless if you know the differnce between your stem and BB...it's for the really novice. The hands-on course you pay for is a bit more useful. Haven't heard anything about the 2 wheel drive course, but if Park tools is involved, sounds like it may be a better course.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by srtraveler
Leaving on Transamerica W->E 8/04. Considering UBI beginner's course in Ashland, OR before I start. Any thoughts or advice. I'm not much of a mechanic but can learn just about anything.

why doncha buy a Zinn maintenance book for $20. Then go apply what's in it to your specific set up.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by boudreaux
why doncha buy a Zinn maintenance book for $20. Then go apply what's in it to your specific set up.

Thanks. I will look at the Zinn book. My experience, beyond flat repair and thorough cleaning was to try and improve shifting on my Cannondale at the front derailleur. I ended up taking it to the shop. I was using the Bicycling Magazine's Complete Guide to Bicycle Maintenance and Repair.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by srtraveler
Thanks. I will look at the Zinn book. My experience, beyond flat repair and thorough cleaning was to try and improve shifting on my Cannondale at the front derailleur. I ended up taking it to the shop. I was using the Bicycling Magazine's Complete Guide to Bicycle Maintenance and Repair.

There is also plenty of free info in the repair section at www.parktool.com

Bike Forums also has the Bennett's manuals online. If you register and go to the Bicycle Mechanics Forum, they are posted on a sticky at the top.

http://www.bikeforums.net/