Göttingen-D270911-Day 022

So today was the day I retrace my steps back to Geismar, where I bought my bicycle just a week ago. Greeted by a man who speaks German and Lebanese, we worked out the problem with hand signals and some limited German words I have mastered. The guy must be mad to tell me to wait for 2 hours elsewhere (which I object). And to fix something this simple in 2 hours!? I had in my mind already, what must be done, which was to replace the bottom bracket. It was disaster. Not sure if he didn't understand me. Or perhaps the bike fixing got a little too complex for him. So I had to call his English speaking friend whom I initially dealt with, to come and explain the situation to him. I must have spent more than an hour there. And in the end I was back out in the streets going back north through the city centre and back home. With zero results for a better bike.

When I was watching the man work the bike, it was apparent that this man had little knowledge of bike fixing (as pointed out by Andy). This supposed house mechanic who buys bikes and fixes them up didn't seem like he had a clue on how to pull out the crank arms even. Knocking with a hammer he was! Madness. Doubt he even had the tools for it. I actually stopped the idiot from doing more damage than good. That imbecile of a bike repairman. If you're wondering what's a crank arm, that's the part that connects the bike to the pedals you lay your feet on. You know, the two longer things, kinda like arms. And for the removal of a crank arm, one requires a crank extractor/crank puller for that. Not bashing it off with a damn hammer like some idiot (well you could but chances are you would be spoiling something). Luckily I knew a thing or two about bikes. Otherwise I might have to replace an entire crankset instead of just the bottom bracket. At the end, it was quite a laugh actually. Heh. Funny Lebanese man.

I ended up visiting Andy again later in the afternoon. The autonomous bicycle workshop only open on Mondays and Tuesdays between 5pm and 8pm. From my understanding anyway as was stated in their page. Andy might just be in his lair for all I know the rest of the time. Heck, Andy might not even be his name.

Andy's workshop got a lot busier today. In line before me were two customers. And soon it was my turn after a bit of wait. I did most of the work given the tools were sitting there (and it was quicker). It was simple enough really (some muscles required). A new bottom bracket (could be second hand for all I know) was later installed after having unscrewed the old piece out. It sure was longer and seemed like the right size. It was plastic so I was a little reluctant at first. He assured me otherwise. Should be able to trust a man with wrinkles on his face right. A proper bike repairman this. So as time past, I think Andy had helped another three or four customers after me. One old man doing all that. I am thinking maybe I should go volunteer or perhaps ask if I could work there. I am after all still looking for a job. And bike repair is actually quite fun.


PS: Do note when visiting the AStA bike workshop, you are likely to participate in the repair works as well (such as sanding off a punctured tire and putting it back etc.). And for minor repairs, it's usually free. Unless you're feeling super generous. And repair costs (parts etc) are usually cheaper here than anywhere else in Goettingen. By far the cheapest I have come across anyway. Oh, and Andy also speaks Spanish.