Tracking down the problem
Aug/12/08 09:13 Filed In:mechanics
This time I want to talk about how to diagnose
problems so that when you come in to get your bicycle
repaired it gets fixed the first time. Without the
following questions being answered repairs turn into
a process of elimination for the mechanic costing
both time and money for you. Lets get started with
some basic questions to ask yourself before you head
in for the work.
What symptoms are worrying me?
- The bike is making a noise.
- The bike handles differently.
- The bike is not working the same as before.
- The bike feels different then before.
When is the problem occuring?
- The problem happens when I pedal.
- The problem happens when I stand.
- The problem happens when I shift.
- The problem happens when I put on the brakes.
- The problem happens when I am climbing a hil.
- The problem happens when I go down a hill.
Combining a symptom with one or more specific times makes figuring out the problem much easier. For example "The bike is making a noise when I shift." would be related to the drive train specifically. Another example might be "The bike is not working the same climbing a hill and shifting." Which leads to looking at specific gears that the problem is occuring in.
The more specific you can be when a problem happens the better chance you have of being happier with repair work. Amos
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