Easy Repairs

[Pedalo]

I noticed this morning that the headset of my bike had worked its way loose. I consulted the Trek 7.3fx manual and read:

To check if the headset is loose:
1. Stand over the top tube of your bicycle with both feet on the ground.
2. Apply the front brake firmly while you rock the bicycle forward and backward.
3. Look, listen, and feel for looseness of the headset bearings.

I did all that and it wobbled so I thought aha - I need to tighten this up.

But then read:
Adjusting the headset
Headset bearing adjustment requires special tools and training, and should only be performed by your Trek dealer.

Oh dear I thought and phoned my nearest bike shop expecting to need to take it in for a service. However the extremely helpful chap at my local shop described the fix over the phone - basically loosen two hex bolts, tighten another and tighten the first two bolts again. I did this in two minutes and it's all fine now.

So why on earth did my bike manual not describe this adjustment and suggest it's only something a dealer could do? (Specialist tool = 1 Alen key!) I suspect I could tackle most simple repairs such as this but I just lose confidence when the manual implies it's all too difficult.

So assuming I'm ignoring the manual from now on, what fixes should I not take on myself?

 

[flecc]

I included this headstock adjustment with illustration on my Torq website because bike manuals tend to leave it out. Here's the link:

Headstock Adjustment

It's ok to take on virtually anything on a bike yourself if you've read up on what's necessary. The only exceptions I'd make is repair of hub gear innards, and wheel building isn't something many like to undertake.
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[Pedalo]

I included this headstock adjustment with illustration on my Torq website because bike manuals tend to leave it out. Here's the link:

Headstock Adjustment

It's ok to take on virtually anything on a bike yourself if you've read up on what's necessary. The only exceptions I'd make is repair of hub gear innards, and wheel building isn't something many like to undertake.
.

That's a great diagram/description of what I just did! I'm amazed this is not considered user servicable.

 

[flecc]

That's a great diagram/description of what I just did! I'm amazed this is not considered user servicable.

I agree it's ridiculous, but we live in an age of over-caution where no-one wants to take any risks and threats of legal action abound, so manufacturers take their cue from that and play safe.

Even I as a private individual find it necessary to put this warning on my website home pages to indemnify against legal action:

This site contains some repair procedures. Please only follow the advice that I've given if you are completely confident of your abilities since no responsibility can be accepted for any problems arising from your actions when following the information given here.
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