How to learn to repair your bike?

There are three levels of bike repair, in terms of complexity. Let’s see these first, and then which level is worth learning to do by yourself. Then where can you learn repairing your bike, and finally a non-exhaustive list of the different repair tasks.

1. What should you learn to repair?

I group repairs into three groups, with increasing complexity the following way. You can see a list of examples for these in the bottom. Youtube and books don’t offer this grouping, but I find it makes a lot of sense to caliberate your energy.

Level 1. Repairs: Exchange of consumable parts, adjusting settings.

Level 2. Repairs: Light repairs that you can learn easily and don’t need specialist tools.

Level 3. Repairs: Needs expertise and special tools that you would need to correctly identify and use only once.

For level 1 repairs, I recommend to learn how to do it. It just takes too much time and waiting to go to a bicycle shop for these each time, and disrupts your commuting routine. Also, if the shops are overloaded (as is usually the case in Brussels), waiting 2-3 weeks for these doesn’t make sense. These are really simple if you see how it can be done, and proably you will also say that it’s really not worth to go to a shop for theese. You can also save about €30-50 for each occasion. See prices:

For level 2 repairs, if you are interested in DIY, it is worth to invest the time and money to learn to do these and buy these generic tools. What you mainly get is reassurance, the time to go back and forth to the bike shop, and you save also on the maintenance labour cost. Bike shops charge €60 per hour, and the time can add up quickly. Probably, you will be able to order parts 20-30% cheaper than buying in the bike shop at full price. As an added benefit, you will understand how your bike works.

For level 3 repairs, it’s not really worth the time or money. You spend exponentially more time learning how to do these, and you need to buy special tools that you are likely to use only once. Something that takes 1h for an experienced mechanic, mibht take 1-2 full days for you. But it might be that you must do it, because there are no bike shops nearby, or they refuse to take your bike for repair, or you cannot wait for them to do it. For example, I had to learn to take apart my ebike motor, as all shops refused to service it.

In general, you can choose two ways: learn just in case (before you need it, but you might forget), or learn just in time (when you need it, more stress). I suggest to learn Level 1 in advance, and learn Level 2 topics when your need comes up.

2. Where should you learn to repair your bike?

There are three main sources for learning to repair your bike: YouTube, Books, and In-person help (workshops and courses).

1. Most things you can learn from YouTube. Download videos to your phone, make a list of tools before, and then go. Three channels I recommend:

  1. Park Tool Repair Help: All Videos – YouTube
  2. https://www.youtube.com/@RJTheBikeGuy
  3. Syd Fixes Bikes – YouTube

2. Should you learn to repair bikes from books?

Maybe. I have 20+ books on bike repaire, from simple to huge encyclopedias. All in all, they are dificult to follow. Some steps are always missing, which disrupts the flow of the work. I always needed to look up things in 3-4 books, to have a full picture of a certai task. Since we have youtube, books are less useful for repairs.

But they can give an overview idea of the possibilities, sometimes have list of tools with name, you can take notes, and they also work in the basement where there is no cell phone reception.

I would start with youtube, and then buy 3 books for reference.

3. Where to learn to repair a bike in Brussels?

As a start, I recommend showing up with your bike at repair café or walk-in workshop. For example, start with “Les Ateliers de la rue Voot”. Second, go for a training course, for example at Vélokanik.

  1. Repairtogether.be – Apprendre à réparer ensemble plutôt que de jeter = Repair Cafés

2. Velokanik.be – Participatory and Collaborative Bicycle Workshops in Brussels

3. Bicyclic.be (also Shimano Service Center)

4. Les Ateliers de la rue Voot.be – ateliers vélo

5. Cyclo.org – Bike mechanic Courses

6. MolemBIKE.be – Tout autour de la bicyclette

3. What are the tasks in each level of repair?

Level 1. Repairs: Exchange of consumable parts, adjusting settings.

  • Pump up your tyres (every 2 weeks)
  • Adjust brakes (rim brakes and disc brakes) (every 2-3 months)
  • Adjust derailleur gears (every 6-12 months)
  • Change brake pads (both rim brakes and disc brakes) (every 6-24 months)
  • Clean and lubricate chains (monthly)

A bit more intimidating at first, but still easy to do:

  • Change worn-out inner cable of mechanical brakes
  • Pump out air bubbles and top-up missing fluid in hydraulic disc brakes
  • Change worn-out chains every 1-1500 km for e-bikes, 3000 km for muscle bikes
  • Change worn out casette (the chainring assembly on the back) (after 2 or 3 chain changes)
  • Change oil in Alifne 11 and Rohloff 14 hub gears (every 5000 km) (Nexus 8 and Alfine 8 doesn’t need oil change)
  • Change disc brake rotors every 4-5000 km (based on width)
  • Change belt every 15000-20000 km or evern less frequently
  • Change belt chaingrings every 30000 km or even less frequently

Level 2. Repairs: Light repairs that you can learn easily and don’t need specialist tools

  • Add mirrors
  • Change pedals
  • Add bottle cage
  • Add and adjust lights
  • Install a trailer’s hook
  • Add a front or rear rack
  • Add a dropper seatpost
  • Replace an electric motor
  • Add a suspension seatpost
  • Add mobile phone holders
  • Repair a flat tyre on the go
  • Install a follow-me tandem
  • Bleed hydraulic disc brakes
  • Install holders for your locks
  • Change of tyres, inner tubes
  • Change of saddles, grips, pedals
  • Change of brakes and brake levers
  • Add an electric front or rear motor using a standard kit

Level 3. Repairs: Needs expertise and special tools (that you would need to correctly identify and use only once)

  • Change the front fork
  • Install a speedlifter stem
  • True a wobbly wheel (“Dévoilage”)
  • Take apart and assemble the headset
  • Convert a mechanical bike with a mid-drive motor to an ebike
  • Change worn out bottom bracket (there are like 20 different types: guide)
  • Service a front suspension fork, service rear suspension (some models need service by specialist dealers)
  • Service a dropper post (see example here: Fox Transfer (2017-2020) Dropper Post Full Service – YouTube)