Bike Maintenance 101

Hi Everyone,

I've just joined this Forum and I'm hoping I can get some advice from you all. I've owned a Hybrid for a little under 18 months now which I ride a lot (4 return trips of 12kms/week).

I was sold a GT Nomad Sport from Logan Road Cycles in Brisbane and I have had a world of trouble with it, but more than anything I think my bike shop is ripping me off blind. The bike cost me around $600, but so far I've spend the same on maintenance.... Brakes, Chain, a Calipur, the Cluster, a Tyre, and several spokes and God knows what else have been replaced so far.

As I have no idea how to repair/do regular maintenance myself, I thought that If I learn how to replace parts, I could buy them cheaper than the shop, and then of course not get charged for labour. I am more than happy to pay someone to teach me, but I'm wondering if there is a shop in Brisbane that would do just that.

If anyone knows of anywhere/one that would be willing to teach me on how to keep my hybrid running well, it would be greatly appreciated. As I said I'm willing to pay.

Cheers - The Captain

Two web sites.

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/
http://www.parktool.com/repair/

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Morphed Bianchi Camaleonte IV 2006, Ridley Damocles 2006, Garmin, Mac

one good way to get sympathy and great service is to go to another shop and bag the crap out of the original shop