Evans 'Silver Service'- costly estimate, thoughts.

[cloggsy]

Say no to the estimate, take the bike to a(nother) bike shop for a second opinion.

This one!

Take the bike to a LBS with a good reputation & ask them to have a look

 

[Davidsw8]

So I booked my commuter bike in for a service with Evans. It's a Hybrid that cost £325 a little over 3 years ago. Hoped they'd sort a few bits out and return it with the £60 charge (-- they are offering 20% off on this currently). The brakes were becoming slightly less responsive, was hoping it'd be a new set of pads and some adjustments.

Anyway, the workshop company Evans uses gave me a long list of all the things that 'need' replacing which in total comes to £195. Not certain whether it's worth this. A lot of it relates to the gears which currently (in my opinion) work fine. Asked them if they'll simply fix the brakes and leave the gears, they said no. Upon a little research, a second-hand good-working-order model of my bike goes for around £160.

Option A: Say no to the estimate, ask Evans to fix the brakes in store with a couple of tweaks to the gears without new parts..

Option B: Consider the bike a write-off, sell it for cheap (with a candid explanation of the things needing a fix) and use the £195 towards a new Hybrid.

Option C: Pay for the full fix.

What would you do?

I see you're in London... Have you ever been to On Your Bike in London Bridge? They just moved premises to practically under the bridge very recently but I've always had excellent service from them and it's been inexpensive... Worth seeing what they say.

http://www.onyourbike.com/

 

[fossyant]

DIY all the time, then you KNOW you've done a proper job.

Never had the LBS work on my bikes

 

[ianrauk]

DIY all the time, then you KNOW you've done a proper job.

Never had the LBS work on my bikes

+1
But can understand why people would rather use a bike shop.

 

[davefb]

I wouldn't bother, just buy what you need and build up. You will be paying for things you may never use.

must admit, on the other hand... I got one of the aldi tool kits when it was on offer mainly because I kept buying new bits and each bit was so flipping expensive..

I've no doubt it isn't that good, but it's been good enough for the minor use I've used


Luckily for me , my step-dad knows what he's doing, so I can ask his advice ( and that of a couple of 'how to' books), some bits are bloomin' obvious , but only once you know how

 

[Leaway2]

must admit, on the other hand... I got one of the aldi tool kits when it was on offer mainly because I kept buying new bits and each bit was so flipping expensive..

I've no doubt it isn't that good, but it's been good enough for the minor use I've used


Luckily for me , my step-dad knows what he's doing, so I can ask his advice ( and that of a couple of 'how to' books), some bits are bloomin' obvious , but only once you know how

Yes well OTOH it may spur someone on to have a go.

 

[Andrew_P]

DIY all the time, then you KNOW you've done a proper job.

hmmm I always spend the first two or three rides having done something worrying did I do it right, and then re-check again after the ride..

 

[Herzog]

hmmm I always spend the first two or three rides having done something worrying did I do it right, and then re-check again after the ride..

Riding the set of wheels you've built is a unique brown-short experience!

 

[Crankarm]

must admit, on the other hand... I got one of the aldi tool kits when it was on offer mainly because I kept buying new bits and each bit was so flipping expensive..

I've no doubt it isn't that good, but it's been good enough for the minor use I've used


Luckily for me , my step-dad knows what he's doing, so I can ask his advice ( and that of a couple of 'how to' books), some bits are bloomin' obvious , but only once you know how

I only buy Park or Pro (pedal spanner) tools. Anything else breaks or bends. But I have a Topeak multi tool which is pretty good which was a gift a few years back, Specialised track pump with super long Topeak multi head hose and Park PCS 10 cycle stand which is the bees knees, various Shimano and Campag cassette removal tools.

 

[gaz]

london bridge one doesn't, I can see the workshop from my desk .

Yes, they all still have a workshop, but the workshop only deals with minor fixes. All silver and above services get sent to a main warehouse.

 

[subaqua]

Yes, they all still have a workshop, but the workshop only deals with minor fixes. All silver and above services get sent to a main warehouse.

then i am glad i do my own as if the length of time the guy was working on one bike was minor fixes then WOW !

 

[400bhp]

A lot of you have said "take it to a lbs".

Isn't Evans a lbs?

If it isn't, what is it?

 

[fossyant]

LBS is generally a small shop run by a proper cyclist who knows their stuff.

I know a few, but still do my own bike maintenance. Evans is a bike shop, that sells lots of bikes, but you don't really know who you will get to do the maintenance - sounds a bit like my NHS visit....

 

[Brandane]

A lot of you have said "take it to a lbs".

Isn't Evans a lbs?

If it isn't, what is it?

It's a national chain-store. Slightly above Hellfords in the pecking order.

 

[400bhp]

It's a national chain-store. Slightly above Hellfords in the pecking order.

What pecking order is this then?