Umlungu
contributor
Reged: 03/04/05
Posts: 177
Loc: Plano, TX
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I was just curious. I tipped my guy for the first time this week and he seemed surprised. If this is standard operating procedure I might need to drop him a big more next time but it just hadn't crossed my mind up till this week.
I don't use him a whole lot, but he does go above and beyond.
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Saxon
friend
Reged: 12/23/03
Posts: 28
Loc: Sacramento, CA
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I do, but not because it's accepted practice but because the guy goes so far above and beyond for me and doesn't charge nearly enough for his services. He once spent a week researching an obscure braking/shifting setup on my recumbent. Had to send to the maker for a blow up and then spent days getting it just right. I think he asked me for $20.00! I gave him $60.00 and was glad to do it. I can also drop in anytime and he'll do adjustment work, change a spoke or change a cable while I wait. I pay extra (with tips) for that type of service and I know I'm lucky to have it 
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Jeff
friend
Reged: 01/29/04
Posts: 68
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Not fair on my part as I am my own mechanic.
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Darby
captain
Reged: 08/03/06
Posts: 384
Loc: Orange County California
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Quote:
Jeff wrote:
Not fair on my part as I am my own mechanic.
Say, I am trying to become my own mechanic. Where did you pickup your experience? I have started buying books and tools.
I want to be able to fix everything on the bike myself.
Bruce
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Umlungu
contributor
Reged: 03/04/05
Posts: 177
Loc: Plano, TX
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Thats the most important mechanic to tip!!!
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skuke
captain
Reged: 12/22/03
Posts: 311
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Quote:
Jeff wrote:
Not fair on my part as I am my own mechanic.
I buy myself a beer everytime I need to work on my bike!
--------------------
Skuke
95 Carbonframes Tetra Pro
92 Bridgestone MB-1
90 Moser 51.151
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Dave_Thompson
prophet
Reged: 12/19/03
Posts: 714
Loc: Spokane, Washington
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Quote:
Darby wrote:
Quote:
Jeff wrote:
Not fair on my part as I am my own mechanic.
Say, I am trying to become my own mechanic. Where did you pickup your experience? I have started buying books and tools.
I want to be able to fix everything on the bike myself.
Bruce
You pick up experience by doing. Learn to do here: http://www.parktool.com/repair/
Plus buy their Big Blue Book of Bicycle Repair: http://www.parktool.com/parktoolgear/detail.asp?cat=65&item=BBB%2D1 It's the best in the business.
If you can find a Park Tool School: http://www.parktool.com/clinics_training/parktoolschool.asp it's well worth attending. Hands-on practical experience will give you the fundamentals to be able to work on your own bike. I attended one of these school 6 years ago and have repaired, tuned and built all of my bikes since.
Regarding tipping: I tip the shop. I'll buy a case of good beer, or pizza, send them postcards when I'm cycling in Europe, anything to let them know that I think of them, appreciate them and that they are important to me. To often all the shop hears are negative comments, or no comments when they go out of their way to do something for someone.
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Steel lover, but then I like Ti with carbon too.
Licensed bike geek.
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Darby
captain
Reged: 08/03/06
Posts: 384
Loc: Orange County California
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Quote:
Dave_Thompson wrote:
If you can find a Park Tool School: http://www.parktool.com/clinics_training/parktoolschool.asp it's well worth attending. Hands-on practical experience will give you the fundamentals to be able to work on your own bike. I attended one of these school 6 years ago and have repaired, tuned and built all of my bikes since.
Wow, thanks Dave. I didn't know that Park offered a school for bike mechanics. I have already found a school in my area and will be registering for the next class.
Bruce
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Jeff
friend
Reged: 01/29/04
Posts: 68
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Quote:
Say, I am trying to become my own mechanic. Where did you pickup your experience? I have started buying books and tools.
I want to be able to fix everything on the bike myself.
Bruce
I have been doing this for a along time... I started out befriending a bike shop owner (thanks Terry!) and he taught me the basics and had all the tools. This was around '82. He really didn't carry high end bikes then and I started getting into them so he was interested and one thing lead to another. We were into MTB's and ended up modifying a lot of parts and learned a lot doing that. I also talked to a lot of builders along the way and learned many ideas and tricks from them.
I have always been mechanically inclined so I started buying tools and doing things at home. I could afford to make some mistakes so I was not afraid to try new things (although I have yet to tear apart my Rohloff!). Bikes are fairly simple so you should be able to pick it up fast. The only thing I do not enjoy is building wheels. I have done it but it is not my cup of tea. Best advice is get the proper tools, read the instructions and go at it as it is really not that hard.
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Jeff
friend
Reged: 01/29/04
Posts: 68
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Quote:
Umlungu wrote:
Thats the most important mechanic to tip!!!
You are correct, I just do it once or twice a year with a new bike!
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Darby
captain
Reged: 08/03/06
Posts: 384
Loc: Orange County California
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Quote:
Jeff wrote:
Quote:
Say, I am trying to become my own mechanic. Where did you pickup your experience? I have started buying books and tools.
I want to be able to fix everything on the bike myself.
Bruce
I have been doing this for a along time... I started out befriending a bike shop owner (thanks Terry!) and he taught me the basics and had all the tools. This was around '82. He really didn't carry high end bikes then and I started getting into them so he was interested and one thing lead to another. We were into MTB's and ended up modifying a lot of parts and learned a lot doing that. I also talked to a lot of builders along the way and learned many ideas and tricks from them.
I have always been mechanically inclined so I started buying tools and doing things at home. I could afford to make some mistakes so I was not afraid to try new things (although I have yet to tear apart my Rohloff!). Bikes are fairly simple so you should be able to pick it up fast. The only thing I do not enjoy is building wheels. I have done it but it is not my cup of tea. Best advice is get the proper tools, read the instructions and go at it as it is really not that hard.
Thanks for the feedback. I wouldn't think that a bike is that complicated. I have started slowly buying tools and will be taking the Park Tool class as soon as it is available.
To me, maintaining the bike is part of enjoyment of cycling. However, I may feel different after I have torn a few apart.
Bruce
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