Economy of repair

[maggie_0]

I had a Giant City commuter for just over two years now (cost £450). In the summer I had an accident and cost £80 to repair (there is an ongoing case to get this money back). Shortly after the repair I started noticing that the back gear change wasn't quite right. Just took the bike in for a service, and I was told the chain is stretched and the back gears need changing as they had worn out. Quoted approx £90 to fix. I am starting to think with all the costs adding up would it be actually a better idea to buy a new bike? How often do you guys buy bikes, and how much do you spend on repairs/replacements/service a year?
Not sure if I should get the bike repaired and keep it, repair and sell it or sell it as it is - is there a market for these types of second hand bikes out there?

 

[BSRU]

You could always try a different bike shop.

£90 seems a little steep.
£10 to £15 for a new chain,
£10 to £15 for a new rear freehub/freewheel,
so £20 to £30 in parts and to replace both is a straightforward and quick job, certainly not worth £60, unless their charging £120 an hour.

My current bike is two years old, I have spent more on replacement parts than I originally paid for it, gradually upgrading the parts as needed, but I plan to use it for as long as possible. I am about to buy a new bike but not as a replacement, it will be my sunny day bike.

 

[2Loose]

Having just spent 50 quid on a chain and cassette to fit myself, I think BRSU's chain & cassette prices are very much at the low end.
Even so, at my prices, £40 quid labour for less than half an hours work seems a tad high.

 

[Dan B]

If you replace the chain more often it will not get to the state that it wears out the cassette (the "back gears"), which usually have a much longer life. I realise this doesn't help you now but you may want to bear it in mind for next time.

 

[BSRU]

Having just spent 50 quid on a chain and cassette to fit myself, I think BRSU's chain & cassette prices are very much at the low end.
Even so, at my prices, £40 quid labour for less than half an hours work seems a tad high.

I did assume it wasn't a 10 speed cassette/chain, I just fitted a new Shimano chain and freehub, cost me less than £30.

 

[HLaB]

I had a Giant City commuter for just over two years now (cost £450). In the summer I had an accident and cost £80 to repair (there is an ongoing case to get this money back). Shortly after the repair I started noticing that the back gear change wasn't quite right. Just took the bike in for a service, and I was told the chain is stretched and the back gears need changing as they had worn out. Quoted approx £90 to fix. I am starting to think with all the costs adding up would it be actually a better idea to buy a new bike? How often do you guys buy bikes, and how much do you spend on repairs/replacements/service a year?
Not sure if I should get the bike repaired and keep it, repair and sell it or sell it as it is - is there a market for these types of second hand bikes out there?

£90 quid seems steep for a 8 spd commuter:

My 8sp hybrid is now 4 year (8233miles) old; last year was a very slow year for me and I think my spend would have been circa £10 on pads front and rear, £11 on a cassette and £8.99 on a chain, fitting them my self is a lot more convenient and cheaper too. Even on a busier year I cant see that going much beyond £45 It'll probably need a new BB at some point and some other unknown item but even factoring that in its much cheaper to service than buy new. Of course on the other hand if you have got the money and fancy n+1

 

[BentMikey]

If you replace the chain more often it will not get to the state that it wears out the cassette (the "back gears"), which usually have a much longer life. I realise this doesn't help you now but you may want to bear it in mind for next time.

I'm slightly less convinced by this mantra now, with, IIRC, Mr Allsop's 15,000 miles plus on the same chain/cassette/chainrings. His theory is to run the lot into the ground, and change it all at once. With a 2.5x length of chain, that might well be a far cheaper strategy. Especially with a 2.5x length of KMC 9-SL gold chain.

 

[HLaB]

I'm slightly less convinced by this mantra now, with, IIRC, Mr Allsop's 15,000 miles plus on the same chain/cassette/chainrings. His theory is to run the lot into the ground, and change it all at once. With a 2.5x length of chain, that might well be a far cheaper strategy. Especially with a 2.5x length of KMC 9-SL gold chain.

Out of curiosity I ran my last chains/ cassettes in to the ground; on the 8spd hybrid I usually only got 2 chains to one cassette anyway (sometimes just one!) A chain would normally last around 1500miles. I eventually replaced it at about 2,500 miles. I reckon its about much of a muchness. On the 10sp kinesis I done a similar experiment (due to lack of cash ) Ran the chain and cassette for 5558 miles before I replaced both a few weeks ago (and looking at the cassette I could have got longer). According to the park tool I again get circa 1500 miles to 0.75% but I do get 3 chains out of one cassette. One new chain/cassette £65 v £105, 3new chains (£60) + 1 Cassette (£45) I think I chose the better option for my wallet.

 

[BentMikey]

I'm surprised you get only 1500miles to 0.75%, I think I've done 6000 for the last two chains.

 

[HLaB]

I'm surprised you get only 1500miles to 0.75%, I think I've done 6000 for the last two chains.

I guess the state of the roads up here is crap but 1500 miles is pretty common on my less well maintained hybrid, On the regularly maintained summer bike I can get up to 2200 but its still not much, especially compared to 6k! I'm getting a marginal improvement by using baby wipes on the chain rather than aggressive chemicals but it still aint great.

 

[400bhp]

I guess the state of the roads up here is crap but 1500 miles is pretty common on my less well maintained hybrid, On the regularly maintained summer bike I can get up to 2200 but its still not much, especially compared to 6k! I'm getting a marginal improvement by using baby wipes on the chain rather than aggressive chemicals but it still aint great.

Why will chemicals or the roads affect the stretch of the chain?

 

[maggie_0]

Just to clarify, the total price includes the full service and I am not sure what else it includes. I was just stating the price to show how the costs are adding up over the life of the bike.
Yes, I know it would probably be cheaper to get the bits and do it myself, but I wouldn't have a clue where to start. By getting a book I suspect, but then I am a girl and I think repairs are a man's job.

 

[HLaB]

Just to clarify, the total price includes the full service and I am not sure what else it includes. I was just stating the price to show how the costs are adding up over the life of the bike.
Yes, I know it would probably be cheaper to get the bits and do it myself, but I wouldn't have a clue where to start. By getting a book I suspect, but then I am a girl and I think repairs are a man's job.

That's sexist
I find the online stuff can be better than a book and some of the stuff is simple, even for girls Bicycle Tutor does some quite good videos.

 

[BentMikey]

Why will chemicals or the roads affect the stretch wear of the chain?

FTFY

 

[dellzeqq]

I think it's less a matter of miles than of seasons. Change the whole lot in April. There's little point in doing it before then unless you're in dire straits