Important Things To Look for When Choosing a Bike Mechanic
Bicycling has been around for more than a century and offers many great benefits that ensure it remains popular through the 21st century and likely beyond. You can use a bicycle for transportation, exercise, or both.
In many ways, a bicycle is an ideal form of affordable transportation – and it produces no emissions. You can find quick, easy, and safe indoor storage for a bicycle, and there are many great outdoor locations, including dedicated bike racks, where you can secure your bicycle while running errands.
Bicycles do require maintenance and occasional repairs to stay in good condition. A poorly maintained or damaged bicycle could be dangerous to use, but you can use the services of an experienced and skilled bike mechanic.
What should I look for in bike maintenance?
You need a mechanic who has access to the correct bicycle tools and knows how to use them. Whether you are getting your wheels trued, adjusting the brakes, or mounting new parts, mechanical services can keep your bike in its best condition.
Other common bike maintenance includes installing new brake pads, adjusting the shifters and brakes, and installing or adjusting your handlebars. You also might need to have the bars wrapped or new grips installed.
You might want the mechanic to install a rack that enables you to carry more, replace the pedals, or install and adjust a more comfortable seat.
What are the most common bike repairs?
Bicycle wheels take a lot of abuse and can become slightly bent over time. Curbs, speed bumps, potholes, and other obstacles can punish and deform your bicycle’s wheels. A bicycle mechanic can straighten your wheels by truing them so that you and ride straight again.
Whatever issues your bike might have, a mechanic should be able to diagnose them and correct them. For example, the brake and shifter cables can become worn out and need repair – or they just might need some lubrication. Your mechanic can determine the problem and correct it.
Finding a Quality Shop
When you know what to look for in a good bike shop, you can get the best life out of your bike and the most comfortable ride. A bike shop should have certified bike mechanics, a service area in a relatively secure area, and plenty of parts that enable able quick and accurate maintenance and repairs.
The bike shop also should have a supplier network that enables it to order and quickly obtain parts, equipment, and riding gear that are less commonly sought. Maybe you have a rare bicycle that needs special parts. Your bike shop should be able to get them for you.
The bike shop should have lots of riding gear you might need, from helmets and gloves to riding shoes and shorts. You might want to buy or replace your bicycle lock or maybe mount a water bottle to the frame. The bike shop should have what you need and provide you with catalogs that show what you might order.
Categorised in: Bike Repair