[AlunAlun]

I suspect what the author takes joy from is more the satisfaction of learning a new skill.

Like many things, bike maintenance eventually becomes a chore. Most of my (many) bikes over the last 30 years have been built from the ground up, including the wheels. And I don’t (or won’t) trust any shop mechanic to touch them. But now, the thought of doing any sort of maintenance fills me with dread - I want to ride my bikes, not spend hours fiddling with brake hydraulics and suspension seals!

[david-gpu]

> I want to ride my bikes, not spend hours fiddling with brake hydraulics and suspension seals!

Not a problem! Why not...

> I don’t (or won’t) trust any shop mechanic to touch them

Oh. That explains it.

Have you considered reverting to simpler bicycles that require less frequent and simpler maintenance. Rigid frame, cable-actuated brakes, possibly a gearbox?

[drdo]

This perfectly matches my experience.