Why I prefer being my own bike mechanic.
By Philbo
@Philbo (578)
Canada
June 28, 2009 5:42pm CST
Last fall I got the bearings in my bottom bracket redone at a local bike shop. I do most of my own work on my bike but the bottom bracket is not something I've ever messed with before. First set of bearings lasted something like 25 years. The new set were finished in a little over six months. What's wrong with this picture. I bought the parts myself this time and had suspicions as to what I would find. Sure enough the shaft is badly worn and so is the sprocket side cup. The new bearings I just put in won't last very long either. I do have a couple derelict bikes that have the same basic crank so I'm hoping to pull the needed parts off and fix it right this time. I don't understand why they didn't notice that when I brought it in last fall. Oh well, I've basically sworn that in the future your's truly is going to do the repairs because I want it done right.
1 person likes this
3 responses
@Troublegum (641)
• United States
20 Jul 09
I won't let anone else wrench on my bike except in races when I am out on the spare and they are dialing the other one in.
1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27560)
• Philippines
18 Jul 09
I completely put my trust on my mechanic. I tell him that. My life is at stake should he not do his job properly. I think you have to give that guy a reprimand. He might be doing half-hearted jobs and it might cause an accident. Good thing though that you know how to trouble shoot. Ooops, I don't bike BTW, I drive only.
@Philbo (578)
• Canada
19 Jul 09
Auto mechanics is just a little out of my league. I have a good mechanic I trust to make sure the family vehicle is safe and reliable. He had to earn my trust though. Bicycle mechanics is a whole lot simpler and it didn't take me long to figure out that I was better than a lot of the guys who work in the bike shops.
1 person likes this
@Bradpete (822)
• Philippines
10 Jul 09
Many of the people in our country they assemble their bike. Cos it is good to select your own bike parts and the more quality but you save some money. Some they cost Php (Philippine Peso) 2,000 to have their bike. Rich guys Php 200,000 for cycling and triathlon.
@Philbo (578)
• Canada
10 Jul 09
Building your own bike can save you a lot of money. Most of the mechanical work is really not that difficult either. I get a lot of scrapped bikes for parts. Everyone in the family has a decent bike right now and I am able to do all the work on them if need be.
