If you’re an avid biker, you’re probably somewhat familiar with the ins and outs of tending to small repairs on your bike during or after a ride. However, more significant bike repairs can be tricky to complete and often require special tools as well as plenty of experience with different bike models and their unique parts. While it’s tempting to skip the trip to your local bike shop and tackle repairs on your own, choosing to outsource the job is a much safer bet to ensure the integrity of your bike and to prevent mid-ride malfunctions. 

Here are three reasons why you should consider skipping DIY bike repair and leave the job to the pros:

• Protect Your Machine: Most bikers spend a decent amount of time and money creating a bike that fits their needs and customizing it so that it is ergonomically perfect. If a part on your bike breaks, is damaged or missing altogether, you may be tempted to implement a quick fix and do the bike repair job yourself. Unfortunately, without a strong understanding of how yours is constructed and access to the correct parts, you may be cheating yourself out of the best possible ride. Using flimsy replacement parts or DIY techniques to fix the problem will lower the value of your bike and take away from the smooth ride you want. 
• Stay Safe: Bike repairs are not only done to improve the aesthetic appeal of your vehicle, but also ensure that you stay out of harm’s way while you ride. Doing the repairs yourself may lead to faulty construction, putting you at risk of injury the next time you hop on your bicycle. Instead, commit to hiring a professional to do the job for you. With plenty of experience and the knowledge to do a thorough repair job, you’ll feel safe to ride as soon as the repairs are complete.
• Save Money: While you may assume that doing bike repairs on your own will save you money, you’ll likely spend twice as much in the long run. Without professional knowledge, you’re at a higher risk of ordering the wrong replacement parts or constructing the repairs incorrectly and finding yourself back at square one. The best way to keep repair costs low is to bring the bike into a shop you trust and talk about the cheapest way to get your hands on replacement parts, whether you buy them from a third party vendor or through the shop directly. Once you have the parts you need, letting the professionals do the repairs for you will ensure that the job is done correctly and efficiently.

If you’re in the Columbia, MO, area and are in the market for a reputable bike shop to help you with repairs, look no further than Jim’s Bike & Key Shop. Serving the area since 1977, this team of bike experts will help you address any mechanical problems and get the job done correctly the first time at a fair price. Contact them online or give them a call at (573) 442-7011.