I'm guessing I'm one of the more (if not the most) inexperienced bike fiddlers on this list, so I'll chime in from that perspective.
I've been trying to do as much as I can on my own and then deferring to the professionals when there is something I don't have the tools for, or have not done before and don't want to mess up. With my Bianchi, that meant getting the headset and BB taken apart by someone who had the proper tools and experience for the job, which is a great investment in my mind. At the same time, it's important to me to do as much of this project with my own two hands, not only to learn, but also because it's somewhat of a family heirloom and it just means more to work on it myself.
That being said, I have to temper my DIY attitude with knowing my limitations. Sure, one day I may have all those tools (at the rate of obsession I'm working at, that is quite possible) and skills, but for now, I have to do what's best for the bike.
One thing is for sure, I'm learning a lot just by reading this list. It's truly an invaluable resource.
Bret Van Horn Washougal, WA 98607
On Fri, Oct 2, 2009 at 5:44 AM, Charlotte Bronte <j1847e@yahoo.com> wrote:
> Among the discovered advantages of a Canadian winter, for this transplanted
> Californian, are the months of down time from riding, that magically open up
> opportunities for wrenching on the vintage bikes in the home basement
> workshop. I support the LBS by bringing in bottom bracket cups that need
> removing, or crown races that need installing, and by purchasing such parts
> from them that are not too highly marked up over what I can get from ebay
> stores (cables, housing, chains, tubular glue, and the like). They find my
> bikes curious but are appreciative. One mech likes to say out loud whenever
> I come in to the store, "are you here for TUBULAR glue?", just to see the
> looks on the kids faces who have brought in there mt bikes and have no clue
> what tubulars are.
>
> Robert Aguirre
> Windsor, ON
>
>
>
> __________________________________________________________________
> Yahoo! Canada Toolbar: Search from anywhere on the web, and bookmark your
> favourite sites. Download it now
> http://ca.toolbar.yahoo.com.