Changing Bike Tires for Dummies - The Freelance Files MMCXXVIII

flat bicycle tire

The universe of online freelancers apparently shares a critical attribute with the world of job seekers: resumé inflation, We've long since lost count of the "communications" grads who claim they're experts at home improvement but don't know a hawk from a handsaw. To that number, we add people who claim to be experienced bike mechanics or even garden-variety cycling enthusiasts, but don't seem to know a seat post from a chain ring. We're thinking today of WiseGEEK.com contributor Malcolm Tatum, who claims an "interest [in] cycling," although his bona fides seem pretty weak in his  SportsnHobbies.com post, "How do I Change a Bicycle Tire? (with pictures)."

Bicycle Clips for Dummies

Bicycle clips for pants

There's something inherently irritating about freelance writers who think they're authorities on a topic just because they know a little about it or occasionally participate. Right now, we're thinking of a WiseGEEK.com contributor by the name of Dan Cavallari. Because he was "fixing bicycles for at-risk youth," Dan considered himself a bicycle mechanic. He thus "shared" much of his bike knowledge with all. Some was good, but then he blew it with "What Is a Bicycle Clip?" (now at "Sports N' Hobbies")