The chain broke on Noah's bicycle this week, so yesterday we headed to REI to pick up a new chain, chain lube, a chain tool, and a new light for my bike (we sunk about $100, but the light wasn't cheap). I normally prefer to use a smaller bike shop, or even a local chain (Landry's), but they all require a lot more riding in traffic, while the REI is a straight shot down the Riverway/Muddy River bike path, which is a lot easier with a nine-year-old along (plus it's near ice cream, which helps motivate my young rider. And me).
One of the things I like about shifting away from using a car and to using bicycles is that they are (theoretically) machines that I can much more easily repair and maintain myself. I'm even thinking about buying a bike repair stand, to make it easier to manage.
I find a lot of bike repair info on the web, which is great. Especially videos. But I'm a book guy at heart. I'd be interested in suggestions for a basic book on bike maintenance and repair. Please let me know your favorites. I'm starting from almost zero knowledge, but I want to learn.
Also, I'm considering taking a class on basic bike maintenance. Have any of you done this? If so, which ones did you try? Please let me know of ones you've tried.
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I have "Zinn and the Art of Mountain Bike Maintanance" and I like it, but I don't have much to compare it to. (There is also one specifically for road bikes.)
ReplyDeleteI haven't taken any classes, but Bikes Not Bombs offers classes, I think.
Thanks. I'll definitely have to check it out. (I love the title.) I bought a basic book at Brookline Booksmith today (it has good color photos). I saw the Broadway Bicycle School in Cambridge has classes too, but I think Bikes Not Bombs is closer to me.
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