Like most Bostonians, I tend to ride bikes. Biking is an amazing way to get around, be outdoors, and be a part of a community. As you find yourself biking more and more, you tend to refine the relationship between yourself and your bike, which is when things start to change. You might begin to catch yourself wondering what kind of handlebars are right, drop or commuter? Or you find yourself arguing over the pros and cons of fixed gear vs. single speed. Or you somehow know the names of everyone at your local bike shop. Fortunately, you are not alone – there is an amazing community out there to help.
As you bike more, you will undoubtedly learn a little bit about your bike. If nothing else, you will at least learn to change a tire. But the more adventurous may start to learn the in’s and out’s of their bike. Bike building and repairing is both meditative and inspiring. When you work hard to gain a complete understanding of something, I always feel that you find an incredible feeling of satisfaction. This certainly holds true for bikes.
I bought my bike at Bikes not Bombs a few years ago, and have since changed everything but the frame and the brakes. First the handlebars got an upgrade, then went all out and took off the gears in exchange for a single speed 16t cog, a new bottom bracket, a new crankshaft, and a 48t chainring, and then finally new wheels and tires a little bit after. (Oh, and I also may have spray-painted my back fender an obnoxious neon green)
“As far as bike repair, I learned pretty much everything I know from Sheldon Brown (http://sheldonbrown.com). He was basically the fixed gear and bike self-repair guru. Until about last February, when he died from MS, he worked at Harris Cyclery in Newton. He was married to Harriet Fell, the CS professor at NU! It’s a small world, after all.
Anyway, he is famous on the internet for having the best bike repair how-to’s. Also you can google for it, and it usually takes you to an article at bikeforums.net, which is great as well. He frequented there and you might see something like “AUSBHTA” (as usual, Sheldon Brown has the answer).”
Its true, Sheldon Brown’s site, although sometimes painful to navigate, is a wealth of information. I have used it countless times in the last few years and always leave it feeling fulfilled. In the end though, it is best to use your local bikes shops. The people who work at bike shops share the same passion, and can help you do anything from changing a tire to changing out a bottom bracket. You can never replace the value of actually talking to someone.
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