Bike Maintenance
I have this thing that makes me feel really insecure whenever I go to a bike shop for maintenance.
As soon as they start talking about rotors, and cold-working, and torque, I have this overwhelming urge to prove that I understand what they're talking about. Because I do! I am one year away from being a mechanical engineer! So I ask overly detailed questions (today, "would the number of arms in the rotor affect the heat resistance of my brakes?) and nod, looking pensive, at the answers.
There really is just a lot of cool science in bike maintenance. I legitimately wish I knew more, so at least some of my interest in what they're telling me is sincere. But mostly I can't wait until I get my iron ring so I can subtly flash it. I've already practised signing my name with my adorned pinky finger prominently displayed.
It's so strange, though. When I ask the guy at Best Buy for helping purchasing a printer, I have no urge to let him know that I knooooow things. When I try on running shoes and the girl instructs me on Gait 101 I don't need to interject with the full rundown of my podiatric experience. But let's get real here: one time I even purposely wore an engineering t-shirt when dropping off my bike. WHO DOES THAT.
I guess maybe I don't want them to give me just the basics. I don't want him to say "you should buy this chain because it is stronger and won't rust as easily." I want the full low down! I've always been jealous of the people who know so much bike stuff. I couldn't even change my own wheel until last year! But are there bike maintenance classes? I should sign up.
Anyway, on that note, if you're from the GTA you should shop at Gears. When you buy a bike there, you get life-time free tune-ups, including free wheel truing. And they are charging me $56 for a job that a different bike store told me would cost $220. (I am not in any way getting paid for this message. They just really are the best. And they have an in-store dog!)
7 comments:
I took a bike maintenance class. I can now take my whole bike apart and put it back together (well, in theory anyways!) It was great and I asked a gagillion questions!
He he, I'm the guy on the other side of the counter all day long. It's good to know those snotty engineers don't know what they're talking about (I have to poke fun. It's half my job. Also I not-so-secretly want to be an engineer so consider it quite a compliment as well). I hoped you remembered to ask questions and learned a lot. One thing I know about being behind the counter is you learn something new EVERYDAY.
EDIT: I had to fix some shit. So much for proofreading.
I know exactly what you mean. I fix my own bikes now and I don't have a car any more, but when I used to take my car in to the shop I always felt I had to prove I'm not some stupid girl who thinks a moment is a brief instance of time. It was kind of out of hand.
I also wish I knew more about bike maintenance. My bf, dad, cousin, and brother know almost everything it seems, so I'm hoping some of that wears off eventually.
And how cool is it that they have an in-store dog? What kind?
love the nerd in this entry!!
Don't worry! I totlly do this too when I need to buy any sort of sporting good/sign up for a gym membership/etc. I can't fail to mention my Sport Science degree in some sort of round-about manner!!!! It kinds drives me nuts, but it's this unconscious compulsion like "I know what VO2max is or a biomechanical analysis don't just tell me you want me to run fast!
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