The Old Guy Bicycle Blog

🛠️ I've been riding for decades and have been lucky to have a great local bike shop that takes care of me. In 19 years, I’ve only had one issue — and even that was handled well. After a tune-up, my bike didn’t feel right on the first ride. I brought it back, calmly explained the issue, and the mechanic immediately took care of it. No bad reviews, no yelling — just a professional exchange that left both of us satisfied. But not everyone’s experience goes that smoothly. So what should you do when your bike comes back from the shop worse than when it went in? Let’s break it down — calmly, clearly, and with a cyclist’s perspective in mind. 🚲 TL;DR: Bike Shop Mess-Up? Here’s What to Do If a recent tune-up left your bike worse than before, don’t panic. Take a test ride, document the issues, and return calmly to the shop. Most mechanics want to make things right. This post walks you through how to handle a bad repair without losing your cool — and how to advocate for yourse...

As a fellow cycling enthusiast, I completely understand the fear that can arise when faced with the possibility of a flat tire. When I first started riding my bike, I was always apprehensive about venturing too far away from home. I was afraid that if I got a flat tire, I wouldn't be able to fix it and would be stranded. But one day, I decided to face my fear and learn how to change a flat tire, and it changed my life. Now, I regularly travel hundreds of miles from home on my bicycle, all by myself, without any fear or hesitation. The truth is, learning how to change a flat tire is one of the most important skills you can have as a cyclist. It's not a matter of if you'll get a flat tire, but when. So, being prepared and knowing how to handle the situation can save you a lot of time, frustration, and even money. I am going to put a couple of options for tire changing kits you can purchase at Amazon down below. Some give you tools that include a mini-pump but I prefer using C...