I am not a mechanically inclined person. I can do a few basic bike maintenance tasks and I can change a tire, but if anything else goes wrong I bring my bikes to a bike shop. My current bike mechanic is Dan Hock. I have known him for many years and I trust him. Establishing a good relationship with a bike shop is essential, especially if you don’t have bike repair or maintenance skills. You should be comfortable talking to the bike shop staff and you should never feel as if they are condescending or dismissive. When you consult with a mechanic they should be able to tell you what they think is wrong, the options for fixing it and how much it will cost. The vast majority of bike mechanics are great people! If something is not working on your bike it is better to bring it in sooner than later. Waiting until the bike does not function at all will make the repair more costly and time consuming. I am always happy to pay my mechanic for the work he does. Bike repairs are almost always much cheaper than any repair you might need for a car.
Everyone who rides should know how to put a chain back on after it has fallen off, how to change a tire and how to lubricate a chain. To learn these tasks you can attend a workshop on bike maintenance. They are often hosted by area bike shops. Each mechanic approaches these tasks in a slightly different way so it is useful to go to a couple of different workshops.
Lubricating a chain or putting it back on are relatively straightforward endeavors. Changing a flat is trickier. I got my first cell phone because I wanted to be able to call for help if I got a flat and I was not able to fix it.
To change a flat when you are out on a ride you will need to have a portable bike pump, a set of bike tools and a spare inner tube. It is also a good idea to have a patching kit.
Every spring before I go on longer rides I make sure that my pumps work, and that my spare inner tubes don’t have any leaks. I also make sure that the quick release on each wheel is still working. Sometimes quick releases get stuck shut if they don’t have any lubricant and there is rust in the mechanism. If you have an old-fashioned bolt-on tire, make sure you carry a wrench for removing the tire. I have four bikes and I have a pump and spare inner tube on all of the bikes. Pumps are made to attach to the frame of your bike and you can carry a spare inner tube and bike tools in a little saddle bag under your seat.
While you will want to learn the proper way to change a tire from a professional, I have some general suggestions.
- Take your time. I get anxious when I have to change a flat, so I tend to rush. Going slowly and making sure you don’t miss any steps insures your success.
- After you get the inner tube out of the tire check the inside of the tire to make sure that there are no fragments of glass or metal inside the tire. These bits of glass or metal can cause another flat tire.
- If a quick release is stuck you can use one of your tire tools to pry it open.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help. If you are on a group ride and someone is more experienced than you at fixing a flat, it is OK to ask them to lend a hand.
- When you put the repaired tire back on your bike make sure that you tighten the quick release properly.
Although I have been riding for many years, and have repaired many flat tires, I have always done the repairs at home. 20 years ago I got a flat in Rutland but I was able to find a bike shop and they did the repair. At other times I have been near a bike shop or close to home. This summer, for the first time I repaired a flat by the side of the road. I was leading a Winooski Bike Gang ride when I heard the dreaded sound of air rapidly escaping from a tire. We were on Spear Street near Swift Street in South Burlington. I pulled over to the side of the road and one of the other bike leaders asked if I was OK. I said that I was and told him that I would catch up at Overlook Park. I was feeling very anxious as I changed the tire but I was able to take my time and do a good job. I felt pleased that I had been able to change a flat. I even got a round applause when I got to Overlook Park. Sadly you will probably not get applause when you fix a flat but you will get a great feeling of satisfaction.
We are often pleased and proud when we do something for which we have no natural talent. As I mentioned above, I am not mechanically inclined so changing the tire was a big deal for me. In much the same way, I was very proud of myself for using a snake to fix a badly clogged toilet. I was also happy not to pay a plumber!
Some people end up really enjoying working on their bikes, tinkering and repairing their ride. I don’t think I will ever fall into that category but I am happy to be able to do some basic tasks.
Old Spokes Home is offering two bike care basics classes, one on December 4th and a second class on December 11th both at 6 PM
https://sevendaystickets.com/organizations/old-spokes-home
About the Author: Peter Burns is a long-time bike enthusiast, and one of the original year-round bike riders in the greater Burlington area. In addition to writing about walking and biking, Peter teaches a variety of bike workshops. He also works at a group home for people with psychiatric disabilities, teaches classes for the Vermont Humanities Council, teaches swimming at the Burlington YMCA, and is a regular host of Storytelling VT. You can contact Peter at heatofhistory @ gmail.com.