[Closed] MTBing for dummies

Park Blue Book is a good start point. [url= http://www.tweekscycles.com/bike-accessories/books/park-tool-bbb-3-big-blue-book-of-bike-repair-3rd-edition ]http://www.tweekscycles.com/bike-accessories/books/park-tool-bbb-3-big-blue-book-of-bike-repair-3rd-edition[/url]

much the same info as they have here;

[url= http://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-help ]http://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-help[/url]

but without gettign the keyboard on your laptop all greasy.

Also, some LBS will do maintenance evenigns where they take you through the basics of what to do etc and then let you have a go - might be worth investigating if anyone near you does? Where are you?

that was quick LOl ..but thanks 🙂 am in Birmingham

the parktool sites cool but as you say is kinda ok if you a lappy to hand..i'll buy the book an just take it everywhere i go 🙂

You'll pick up as you go along. I have.

Replace inner tubes when on the trail. Repair them when you've return to shelter!

Practice replacing tyres/tubes at home before trying it the first time in the rain. It will rain on your first puncture 😉

You need just 2 things

Time

A really good hammer.

As you are in Brum check out the basic course at http://www.birminghambikefoundry.org/training.html.

They don't do disc breaks, but they cover the rest of the basics. I'm much more confident having done it.

Youtube. You can get good videos for pretty much anything on there! SRAM tech vids are really good for explaining how to service their products. You'll also need 2 tools, an no.1 hammer, and... a no.2 hammer.

Then if you get stuck Venture Bikes in Stirchley will sort you out 😉

I have the parktools book and its excellent at explaining how something is done - but youtube is excellent at actually showing how things are donre, im my case it is monkey see, monkey do 😆

I always liked this one

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Zinn-Art-Mountain-Bike-Maintenance/dp/1934030597

internet is your friend, and always try and fix yourself before taking to your LBS- take time to learn how your bike works- it's really not that hard. Invest your money in tools instead

For general help on skills and technique I can recommend this:

[url= http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mastering-Mountain-Skills-Brian-Lopes/dp/0736083715 ]http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mastering-Mountain-Skills-Brian-Lopes/dp/0736083715[/url]

This was my first bicycle maintenance book. I suspect technology's moved on a bit though 🙂
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http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0276000870/

thanks for all the help guys :)..am begining to think that the best tools to have is short short lycra an good eyelashes to flutter..an usually some mug..ermm kind hearted fellow MTBer...will fix stuff for me 😉

have ordered the parktool book..so cheers for all the help 🙂

@ IanMunro with the 100th anniversary of WWI coming soon maybe you should donate you guide to the imperial war museum ? 😆

twistedangel - Member

thanks for all the help guys :)..am begining to think that the best tools to have is short short lycra an good eyelashes to flutter..an usually some mug..ermm kind hearted fellow MTBer...will fix stuff for me

I'm near B'ham and have my own spanners 😉

great just wot i need...another tool with a face like a bag of spanners 🙄 (joke BTW cos me mouth does get me in a lot of trouble..pfft)

i would like to say that today i done some proper MTBing round Hopwas woods near Tamworth..sadly i done a lot of pushing me bike uphill an the down hill bits at like 5mph..kk am crap but is still cool to get out the city 🙂

dont worry I just did the same but in the Lakes

You just push up bigger hills and down steeper rockier stuff a syou get better

If you're in Birmingham, you could try chase skills. They offer ride coaching and maintenance classes.

bit of a update...firstly am still rubbish but reckon in a 'push the bloody bike up a hill 'comp am in with a fair chance

but gotta say this tho am no get out an ride every spare moment as a hobby WOW its soooo opened up me eyes to many things...countryside. .camping...awesome people an the perils of oops it got dark quick up here

who knew this could lead to so much other stuff than peddling to keep fit. ..at first me wish list wos a decent bike now its tents backpacks stoves blah blah blah

born an bred in the city I never really knew just how beautiful britain could be

🙂

I only live 12 miles West of Brum. A mile down the road from me is open countryside and if you keep travelling West you won't hit any towns until you reach the coast. Love it around here, some very nice spots within easy reach