The goal of this challenge is to help you tackle some kind of bike project with the goal of improving your wrenching skills.  You could decide to just do some simple maintenance on one of your bikes.  You could try a bigger project on a current bike.  You could try taking apart a bike you already own, or even building a bike from new or salvaged parts.  You choose what level of craziness you want to take on, and, hopefully, at the end of six weeks, you will have more skills than you started with! 

For this challenge we will be using

There is also a Zinn and the Art of Tri Bike Maintenance, which my be more applicable given your project.  You can also elect, of course, to not use a book, and to use you tube videos and online resources instead.  Or all of the above :)

It would be COMPLETELY AWESOME if some BTers with wrenching skills wanted to help field questions and trouble shoot.  If you're interested in helping in this capacity, please, please do. PM me if you want.  I think moondawg14 (Ryan) is in to offer some help, though he warned me there could be some time delay as he lives in China. 

If you are thinking about doing this Challenge, you may want to think about a stand and some tools.  They could make great stocking stuffers :)

Post up if you're interested.

Ok, this one scares me!  LOL

I took a mechanic class here in the city that was REALLY cool. You worked your way through the basic repairs (getting more "advanced" by the end) and most of the bicycles you worked on were given to people in need with the prerequisite that they take the class (for free) so that they knew how to properly maintain their bike. It was great and nothing beats the hands on experience.

We did things ranging from tube/tire into brakes and hub overhauls. 

I would highly recommend taking a hands on class like that, especially if that is the way you learn best.

Sheldon Brown's web page (RIP) is also a great source for information.  It's an old looking site and some of it's dated, but a ton of it is still relevant and just about any time I have a question, I find myself there.

My LBS offers a Park tool repair school over the winter. I'm planning to sign up this year. Hopefully it will overlap with this challenge. I'll be a lot more willing to take things apart on my bike if I know someone is nearby to fix whatever damage I inflict. 

Thanks Jim :)

I'd love to have you be one of our go-tos, if you're willing.  No pressure...

I'm so jealous!  I wish my LBS or community had something like this.  Awesome!

Well, Elesa, since you've already made me blow my Kindle budget for the season, what's one more?? 

I'm actually do a build out of a tri bike from parts, so this should work great.

I'm in, this lines up time wise with my SS/Fixie build from an old bike that I have. Tear down is moving along slow, due to a lack of tools. I am purchasing as I need or as time/budget allow. 

Thanks for the nudge.

I plan to start reading the book on my road trip this weekend (after I finish JD). I'm wondering what tools I might need. I have a basic Park bike tool and DH has a whole garage full of "normal" tools. What else might I need? Not sure I want to fork over $$ for a bike stand just yet. Thoughts?

TJ, Jason posted a pretty nice list in the thread on the main page, but maybe we could specifically ask that question of the experienced wrenchers in the TT forum?

I have an idea, but it might be cool to see what kind of consensus could be reached and I'm sure I would learn a lot just from the discussion it could create:)

You know it's all a part of my grand plan to derail your Kindle budget :)  Mwahahahahaha!

Building out a tri bike sounds very cool!  I am pumped to see the pictures of the projects as we progress.  It's gonna be awesome.

Chris, I'm so glad you're going to do this.  When I mentioned it before in the pod it didn't sound like you thought it would be a good fit for you, but I'm glad it does now :)

Even though I've only allotted six weeks for the budget, I think this should be a go at your own pace thing for everyone.  That's how I'm hoping to frame it anyway.  Make sure you take lots of pics to share with us!

My timing has been pushed back by life

I've got before and mid tear down pics. I won't be purchasing the crank removal tools, since I am stopping in at the LBS on Saturday to have them do it. I can't justify it for one bike. If I do more after this, which is possible, I'll worry about it then. But the stand is a must, and I have to do it soon. Currently the frame hangs from an old hand truck, which is fine for wheel work and cleaning, but anything beyond that and I am outta luck. 

I did see the list and it looked so overwhelming until I actually read it. I think the only pieces we don't already have are the cassette removal key & chain whip, the masterlink breaker and the BB removal tool. Not too bad.

BTW, having two of this thread is confusing my poor brain

I am gonna lurk on this one. Remember... someone will be watching you