Start You Own Bike Repair Shop Part 2: Basic Bike Know-How

Hello, this part 2 of my Start your own bike repair shop. this ible will show you a few tips about basic bike repair, including tube and tire changes, brake work, and shifter adjustment. Lets Go!

Step 1: Tube and Tire Change.

To change the tubes and/or tires you will need a tire lever. (A paint can lid lever will work to but not as well.) Start by deflating the tire, if not already, and removing the wheel. Take the tire lever and slide the curved end under the rim of the tire. Push down on the lever till part of the tire rim is of the wheel. Next, slide the lever slowly around the wheel making sure that the tire is coming of the wheel as you pull the lever. When you have completely gone around the wheel, the tire should be halfway off. To change to tube, reach inside the tire and pull out the tube. If you need to change the tire, Repeat the process with the other side of the tire. See photos if confused.
To put the tire back on, You pretty much just reverse the process. It's really simple.

Step 2: Brake Work.

Today I will show you how to work on V brakes. I will show you how to tighten them, the easy way and the hard way,and replace the brake pads. On all brake handles there is a little bolt thingy that the brake cable goes into. this can be used to adjust how close the brake pads are to the wheel. To adjust i,t unscrew the nut that is on the bolt and then unscrew or screw in the bolt, tighten the nut back up. If this doesn't work then you will have to adjust the brakes themselves. Here is were it can get ugly. You will need two pairs of pliers. One to pull the brake cable and the other to loosen and tighten the nut. You may need to get someone to help you hold the brake levers together for you. Unless you are Doc Oc. I think we all wish we had a third arm sometimes. As long as it wouldn't take our brains over.
Now I will show you how to replace the brake pads. You will need allen wrenches and possibly a pair of pliers. Replacing brake pads is pretty self explanatory. There is a nut that can be loosened with an allen wrench, and a lot of weird washers. The only hard part is remembering how the washers went back together. All you do is take off the nut, washers and, brake pads, and put on the new ones. Align the brake pads with the wheel as close as you can. This will increase stopping power and thus safety. Tada!! Now you know about brakes!!

Step 3: Shifters and Derrauillers

Shifters are not my strong suite so it might be best to google or youtube this subject.
Shifters are very easy to replace. Remove the grips, brake handle, and old shifter, and put it all back together with the new shifters.
The hard part is adjusting the deraiullers, (Does anybody know how to spell that??) On deraiullers there are two small screws called limit screws,these screws adjust how far the deraiuller can move. One of them is touching a piece of metal, loosen or tighten that screw to adjust the deraiuller. I have yet to master them so it might not be best to learn from me. As I said , it is probably best to search this subject.

Step 4: Thanks!

Thanks you so much for reading this ible. If there is any incorrect information in the project please leave a comment below. Tell me if you start a shop!