Once you have finally taken your ailing machine to the shop, finding out that you can t just drop it off during high season and expect anything faster than a three-week turnaround on a minor repair can ruin your day. Even scheduling and adhering to a repair appointment can be a hassle. But you are not about to go through the wringer again and wait for them to fix it correctly. You decide to save the aggravation and do it yourself. Working on your bike can be fun.
Bicycles are the manifestation of elegant simplicity.
Bicycle parts, particularly high-end components, are meant to work well and last a long time. With the proper attention, they can shine in appearance and performance for years to come. Satisfaction can be found in dismantling and cleaning a filthy, barely functional part, lubricating it with fresh grease, and reassembling it so that it works like new. Knowing that you made those parts work so smoothly, and that you can do it again when they next need it, is rewarding. You will be eager to ride hard and long to see how your work holds up, rather than being reluctant to get far from home for fear of breaking something.