How to Repair a Bicycle for Free
- 1). Figure out what bicycle parts you need. Websites such as BikeWebSite.com help you diagnose what is wrong and give instructions on repair and identifying parts. Raid your local library for books on the subject. Ask for parts on a site such as Freecycle or other online recycling groups. Approach friends or relatives who may give you supplies or parts.
- 2). Trade your skills, such as cooking, cleaning, graphic design, for parts and repairs at your local bike repair shops. For example, a graphic designer might create a logo or design marketing materials for the shop. If this doesn't work, approach employees personally and offer something they need, such as cleaning their homes.
- 3). Teach yourself to repair your bike using Internet resources. Bike enthusiast sites include BicycleTutor, which can help you through the basics. To refurbish an older bike may require knowing the make, model and year, because vintage bikes were built very differently. A new bike will have the make and model included with the info packet from the shop, but for a secondhand bike you may have to go to a bike shop to learn what kind of bike it is. BikeForums is a good resource if you have no information about your bike, since the avid posters may be able to identify it based on size, color, axles, frame shape and other details you may not notice.
The "speed" or number of gears is another important detail, because the more speeds the bike has, the more sprockets (the notched round part the chain wraps around) on the rear wheel, which complicates removal.
Source...