heh. Anyway, I’ve been learning to fix bikes since I acquired my cross bike. It’s been an interesting adventure. Things I’ve learned to do:
- Switched out downtube shifters for bar end shifters. So that’s learning how to thread cable, tighten and adjust them.
- Learned how the dereiullers work and how to adjust the limiters and cable tension.
- Can tix tubes, replace tires
- adjust/replace canti breaks
- wrap handlebars
- replace/adjust saddle position
- replace/adjust pedals and cleats
I would like to know a lot more, like I know my headset becomes loose a lot, so I want to figure out how to deal with that, how to adjust/fix my suspension/disc breaks, I would really like to know more about dereiullers…basically I would like to learn how to take apart most things to overhaul them. Maybe when I eventually get different frame for my road bike I can put it all together myself.
There’s something greatly empowering about being able to fix things. Even just maintain them…I hate taking my bike into the shop for things that I know are easy to figure out, if only I took the time to do it. I also have discovered that as you learn do these things yourself, you’re way more likely to take the time to adjust things to perfection; I realized after I took my Fuji to have it all cleaned out and re-adjusted, it rode like 300 times better then before. And all because it was a dirty, loosened mess. Now I clean it out after almost every ride, and I really like taking the time to make sure it’s working properly, although I’d like to know a lot more, as I’m sure there are loose screws and un-lubed parts waiting for some attention (wow, did I just say that!?). 
