[ravenmore]

Hey guys. As I mentioned in the Lance Armstrong post I'm getting back into cycling(did ~25mile ride this past weekend ). I purchased an inexpensive Mongoose mountain bike. All the reviews on it said the components were junk but the frame was worth keeping. A lot of people were customizing them with their own components. In my past cycling days, I would have the shop add the components for me. I want to learn how to work on this stuff myself - basically to the point where I could tear down and re-build the bike. Any suggestions where I could start(learning that is, not tearing down my bike). Also, any good online resources? And are there any good online dealers for bicycle components? I was thinking about going with XT derailers for starters. Recommedations on components would also be good - I've been out of this so long I'm not up on all the latest gadgets... I just discovered that they have disk brakes for bikes now!!!

Thanks,
-Mike

[Ltspd]

Mike, I would suggest several good books on cycling repair. They can be found at the links I have attached below. Dont go all out and try and buy the Barnetts manuals, you dont need that much info. Also I know the bike shops here locally offer repair classes that will cover the basics. I personally tear down my road bike every winter and replace all the things I need to replace. It has saved me money and aggravation by doing this. Good example is this year I didnt completly tear the bike down, I just did a bare neccesity overhaul, see I was up to my eye's setting up this new tank Well Its come back to haunt me, I have had several mechanical's that has cost me bike time this summer. All would have been prevented by good maintaince. Let me know if I can be of any help.


By the way XT is good stuff, as well as LX for mtn bikes. All depends on the amount you can spend


This is my prefered MO shop http://www.coloradocyclist.com/

Here are others
http://www.performancebike.com/index.html
http://www.nashbar.com/index.cfm
http://www.lickbike.com/index.htm

Here is a BB that might be of some help
http://velonews.com/tech/