How To Avoid Your Mechanic
TO GET THIS FEATURE ROLLING, I asked three mechanics to detail the three main issues they see. After some consideration, I chose three mechanics who once worked together in the same bike shop and have since gone in very different directions.
As I’m Canberra-based, so are the mechanics I spoke with, but it would be safe to say many of the issues they see are mirrored around Australia. Mechanic one was Brent Miller, owner and chief problem solver at Bike Culture bike shop.
The second mechanic was Peter Taylor, a former long-time bike shop wrench-twirler and now one of many home-based bike mechanics in the city. Mechanic three is me. After working in several bike shops (in Canberra and Canada) I now do work mostly for my coaching clients and racing friends.
Brent’s top reasons to visit Bike Culture are punctures, services, wheel trues and brake adjusts. Peter’s top reasons: services, wonky gears, brake adjusts and loose headsets. My top reasons: cable-related trouble (usually a broken cable just before an event), MTB suspension service, odd noises and new bike assembly.
Each mechanic had some sort of servicing on their list. I’m happy to hear that, because this is preventative maintenance and not reactive maintenance—waiting until it