Part I: Getting Started in VS .NET

Generator QR Code in VS .NET Part I: Getting Started

Replace cassettes and freewheels Over time, the teeth on the cogs of cassettes and freewheels will wear out causing your chain to skip gears With a couple of tools and a little bit of effort, you can replace them yourself (See 11) In reality, advanced repairs are not that advanced they re just a little more complicated than basic repairs In some cases, you ll need a specialized tool or two and you ll have to be careful to follow the directions step by step With a little concentration and determination, you too can be a hard-core grease monkey who knows how to handle just about any repair on your bike, including the following: Maintain the suspension Although you ll be limited to the kind of frame repairs you can perform, you can handle the maintenance and repair of suspension In some cases, you ll need to make an oil change or adjust the air pressure depending on what type of suspension you have (See 12) Overhaul the pedals, crankarms, and bottom bracket The pedal, crankarms, and bottom bracket are part of the drivetrain of your bike and work to transfer force to the rear wheel They absorb a lot of force and should be overhauled every year You ll need one or more specialized tools for this job (See 13) Adjust the shifting system Most modern-day shifters are highly calibrated mechanisms that only require minor adjustments and maintenance Most of your work supporting the shifting system will come from keeping the rear and front derailleurs in good working order (See 14) Overhaul the steering system Handlebars, stem, and headset give you the smooth steering you expect of your bike The bearings inside the headset take a pounding from the road so do this component a favor and adjust it frequently and overhaul it annually (See 15) Even the most gung-ho grease monkeys should take some of the most difficult procedures to the pros at their local bike shop Your local bike shop will have the expensive tools and, more important, the experience to handle these procedures properly The following repairs should all be handled by a pro: Repairing frames: Frame repair is beyond the scope of what most people can accomplish at home Some bike shops even recommend that you go to a frame specialist for many jobs or replace the frame altogether Fitting a headset: Adjusting or overhauling a headset is an easy job that you can perform at home or on the road But when you re installing a new headset, it s time to head to your local bike shop to leverage their experience and specialized tools

Truing a wheel: Truing is complicated stuff You need specialized tools (such as a truing stand, a spoke tension meter, and a dishing tool) and a lot of practice Working on suspension: There are many different types of front and rear suspension and all repair work on them should be done either by the manufacturer, your local bicycle store, or a specialty bicycle suspension repair facility

In bike repair and maintenance you have two options: You can focus on the maintenance so that your bike will need fewer repairs You can ignore maintenance and end up having to do more repair work We prefer the former If you do, too, here are the maintenance activities you should be performing on a monthly and annual basis

Put your monthly maintenance on the calendar for the months you ride and it will soon become a habit and normal part of your life Here are the steps you ll take during your monthly maintenance: Check for structural damage Visually inspect your frame for signs of stress and structural damage, paying particular attention to areas where the frame is welded and hard-to-see sections such as the underside of frame tubes Inspect the wheels and tires Are they spinning straight Are the tires worn, cut, or torn and are the spokes tight Clean your bike Dirt is your number-one enemy so if you don t have the time to clean your bike after every ride, make sure you do it monthly, especially if you ve been riding on a regular basis Lubricate your bike You take your car for an oil change every 3,000 miles make sure your bike gets a lube job every month that you ride to extend the life of its movable parts