Tom Keats wrote:

In article cNwAb.447073$Tr4.1249112@attbi_s03,
Peter writes:
Bartow W. Riggs wrote:

I think it is important to have a personal relationship, especially with
your favorite mechanic.

I hope I never own anything so unreliable that I end up developing a
personal relationship with my mechanic. I was getting dangerously close
once with a car but my current one is doing much better. Fortunately my
bikes have never approached that level.

Bingo. I would guess that bike mechanics are different, but I never
EVER want to be on a first-name basis with anybody who deals with car
parts/repair.

Twice-yearly checkups are good for bikes, at least in the
Northern Temperate Zone. Keep the bearings well-greased, 'n
all that.

I like to do it myself; others like to have it done and let
the other guy/gal get the dirty fingernails. No sweat
either way. All bikes need periodic tinkering.

You'd think so, wouldn't you? Still, I bought a used bike several years
ago and 10,000 miles later it's still going strong with no tinkering at
all except for tires and tubes. When I take the rear wheel off I have
to keep tweaking the axle until I finally get it to the position where
it shifts nicely, but that's it. My smallest rear sprocket is starting
to slip, but I figure that's par for the course since it gets the most
use.

--
Cheers,
Bev
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