Technical difficulties

Just my luck. Just as the weather officially becomes inclement, I discover my indoor alternative to outdoor training is out of commission.

The stationary recumbent bike I purchased late last winter isn't functioning properly.

It began innocently enough as I rode while watching the Ironman telecast. A small noise. Another similar noise a little later. Finally, at the completion of my workout, the pedalling was completely uneven. It was like there was resistance during one part of the rotation and then none at another part. Even though I was seated, it felt like I was wobbling as I pedalled.

At first I thought it might simply be something in the flywheel. Now, I think it has more to do with the crank.

In any case, I'm at an impasse. After removing countless screws, I still can't fully remove the casing and I can't otherwise identify the problem.

Nice problem to have, huh? Spend hundreds of dollars on something, put a modest amount of miles on it late last winter and then have it malfunction on the first ride this offseason.

I don't want to deal with any warranties or repairman. And I'm not at all mechanically inclined. (Is it possible to be mechanically declined?) But I'm going to attempt to tear the bloody thing apart. I don't like to feel like I'm incapable of indentifying technical problems and then correcting them. And I hate to be defeated by an inanimate object.

Wish me luck.