Following on from John's message. . .
Quoted message said:Hello folks,
We are new to this newsgroup, so apologise if we are are things that have been asked already. We
have just bought ourselves two new bicycles. We have not spent a lot of money, but are trying to
take up the hobby and hopefully get to see a few nice country sights in the process. We were
wondering if you folks could tell us anything about the bicycles we have bought. Are they
You make it sound like the antiques road show 🙂
(1) Find a good LBS. [LBS=Local bike shop] The big multiples tend to get a bad reputation for
ignorant staff but small shops can be poor also. If I may hazard an opinion: The multiples want
sales while the independents want customers. A good LBS will be able to help you with specific
problems and steer you to 'better' bikes when you get the bug and want to upgrade.
(2) Bikes go wrong a lot to begin (first couple of weeks) with then run for ever then get tired.
The run-forever bit is helped with TLC and well specified parts. You'll want to tweak things
like the saddle height to begin with and as you know every tweak is an opportunity for the bolt
to be insufficiently tightened. Most bike shops have a policy of checking the bike after a few
weeks for free.
(3) The minimal tool kit is nothing. Many like to have a mobile phone to summon help. Punctures are
an infrequent fact of life. Most people take a spare inner tube and practice how to change it.
(After removing the cause of the problem.)
The bottom line is that if you do basic maintenance it is better to think of all the reasons for
getting a better bike than worrying about what will fall off. Enjoy.
PS Get a copy of Cyclecraft by John Franklin ISBN 0-11-702051-6.
PP Don't cycle in the hedge/gutter.
--
PETER FOX Not the same since the deckchair business folded
Witham Cycling Campaign www.eminent.demon.co.uk/wcc.htm East Anglian Pub cycle rides
www.eminent.demon.co.uk/rides