Is it worth doing your maintenance?

[gavroche]

I have had two plastic disks removed from the back wheels of both my bikes this morning. I have the tools to do it myself at home but was afraid of doing something wrong . How much did it cost me? Well, I couldn't believe it when the shop lady said: £4!!. For that type of money it is not worth getting my hands dirty. I always take my bikes to her as she is very helpful , knowledgeable about bikes and charges a very reasonable rate. Also, if you take your bike before 10am, you get it back in the afternoon. Well done East End Cycles in Colwyn Bay. ( not to be confused with West End Cycles).

 

[Drago]

You can remove a dork disc and comfortably have the wheel back on in 5 minutes. This is probably less time than it takes to even get to the bike shop.

Why waste time and money with a bike shop for a job that can be done in single digit minutes?

 

[Dogtrousers]

Or leave it there. It's not doing any harm. Apart from to your image, in the eyes of nobbers.

But seriously, it really depends if you like doing this kind of stuff. It's a free world and people can do what they want. If you'd prefer not to get your hands dirty, don't.

 

[Cycleops]

I have a similarly good LBS near me. Never charges any more than about five quid for anything, but I still like to do some stuff myself.

 

[MacB]

I think it's more a question of need, there may come a time when you have an urgent requirement for a repair at an inconvenient time or location, knowing what to do is handy as is having the tools. Once you are in that position then whether you do your own maintenance or not doesn't matter a jot, it's just convenience.

 

[G3CWI]

Sometimes it is worth having someone else do things. I bought some mudguards for a road bike in Halfords. I already knew (from online research) that due to the very limited clearances on the particular bike that they were very fiddly to fit. In passing I asked the bloke in the shop what they charged to fix them and he said £5. I nearly bit his hand off.

He did a good job and it was £5 well spent in my opinion.

I'm guessing that it took him quite a while to get them right.

 

[Bodhbh]

Getting to a bike shop during the working week can be a PITA, as is being told they can't fit you in for a week. It's good to be able to do the jobs yourself and often more convinient that getting the shop to do it. I hate having to rely on the shop!

 

[fossyant]

Nobody touches my bikes other than me.

 

[Robeh]

Got ripped off by a LBS some years ago since then i do all my own work apart from truing wheels which i cant assed to do.

 

[Dogtrousers]

One day, when I have lots of time, I'll teach myself how to true wheels, and read all the helpful info on here and elsewhere about it. Maybe even learn to build them.

Until that day, that's one problem that I always take to the shop.

 

[KneesUp]

I never had the tool to get freewheels off, but now I'm in the modern age and have a cassette, I have the tool. In fact I've changed it myself - woo hoo. I took the wheel in to get it trued a few weeks back and now I note that the lock ring is too tight for me to get off - I presume the shop tightened it up

My bikes are old clunkers so I tend to get the shop to do things I can't, like getting 20 year-old bottom brackets out. The plan is that I will then keep on top of such things and won't need it doing again.

 

[ufkacbln]

Depends on what your intentions are

Manyyears ago I used to get mostthings done by the LBS

But then I started touring and there was not always this luxury.

What you need is an "understanding bike shop" (UBS?)

If you wantto be able to change a broken rear gear cable, do it at home, make the mistakes in the warm and dry with the option of chuckingthe whole thing down to the bike shop for them to fix if it all goes wrong.



You will be surprised how easy many tasks are and makes your touring an awful lot easier

 

[400bhp]

One day, when I have lots of time, I'll teach myself how to true wheels, and read all the helpful info on here and elsewhere about it. Maybe even learn to build them.

Until that day, that's one problem that I always take to the shop.

Thing is, for me, I reckon several wheels would be thrown against the garage wall before I learnt "the art". Bike shop for me, along with changing brake and gear cables.

Maybe I will learn to true wheels when I retire. Then again maybe I will ride my bike instead.

 

[Gravity Aided]

I have an excellent mechanic near me at our closest LBS, but I don't like to have things other than the more complex things done at the LBS. I can do most things myself, and I know they are plenty busy as it is. I use them if I need them, but I also understand if someone who buys a bike there needs service in a hurry.They know I have backup bicycles I can use.

 

[Flick of the Elbow]

Some people enjoy getting their hands mucky with DIY maintenance. Not me, can't stand working on bikes, it always takes me hours for what a competent mechanic could achieve in minutes. Usually gives me a sore back too. Fortunately I have an excellent repair shop just over a mile away, Just Bike Repairs, Juniper Green.