MoneySaving for cyclists discussion

Herzlos

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81915270#Comment_81915270

Those videos are great, I've used them many times. It's still so much better to get hands on instruction and be able to ask questions more interactively.

Nasqueron

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81916633#Comment_81916633

Sure but for the average cyclist it's something you take to the bike shop/chain store to fix, for the amateur they are sufficient for almost all needs from changing brake pads to indexing gears. Anything more complicated needs tools as well as time and training and there is little demand for it, hence not many paid courses.

That said, we have a local second hand bike shop/training place just down the road but it's £55 for the intro course which is basically changing inner tubes and setting up brakes which can be done easily with a youtube video. They do an NVQ level 4 day course as well for £450 but the course is more aimed at people who want to become bike mechanics and for the average rider, it's not needed

bjorn_toby_wilde

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81917044#Comment_81917044

You’re right about the videos, especially the GCN ones. They are excellent.

We used to teach each other skills at my local club. I was always surprised how many new starters couldn’t even repair a puncture.

Personally I enjoy working on my bikes and it gives me something to do when the weather’s too bad to get out. I have all the basic tools, which I’ve accumulated over the years. More complex jobs like changing a bottom bracket always require a specific tool (why there are so many BB types is a thread of its own) but it’s still cheaper to buy the tool than pay the bike shop to do it for you.