help me adjust my bike!

meltdown said:

I am new to biking and want to learn as much as i can about taking care of it. I reciently had to bike back from a ride 12 miles with the rear derailer shifting every 4 rotations. I never know how to adjust it. Now the front is starting to shift a little sloppy. How do i adjust it or where can i go to learn or should i just leave it to the bike shop? I want to learn if i can without messing the bike up. Any advise would be greatly appricaited. I know this could be a grab bag of information so i'll say that im concerned with the derailers for now... how to adjust them properly.

Repair section at www.parktool.com A good repair and maintenance book is good to have.

meltdown said:

I am new to biking and want to learn as much as i can about taking care of it. I reciently had to bike back from a ride 12 miles with the rear derailer shifting every 4 rotations. I never know how to adjust it. Now the front is starting to shift a little sloppy. How do i adjust it or where can i go to learn or should i just leave it to the bike shop? I want to learn if i can without messing the bike up. Any advise would be greatly appricaited. I know this could be a grab bag of information so i'll say that im concerned with the derailers for now... how to adjust them properly.

Ask your bike shop if they will show you how to do basic adjustments to derailleurs, brakes, etc. I have done this at several bike shop over the years and never been turned down yet.

Also, the folks at Park Tool (the link boudreaux gave you) sponsor the "Park Tool School" at various bike shops around the country. This is a great way to really learn the basics of bike maintenance.