local cycle shop.

[JoeyB]

My preferred LBS quoted £15 to re-true a rear wheel, with a 3 week lead time. The one closest to me quoted £20 with no real lead time. I'd say your LBS is bang on the money lol

 

[screenman]

I've had a spoke break on a ride, 30 miles from home, cost me £20, but on another occasion I took the wheel to a bike shop for a new spoke & was charged £5. Guess which one has had my custom since

The one not making much money.

 

[winjim]

The one not making much money.

There does seem to be a strange dichotomy between "support your LBS" and "spend as little money as possible".

 

[Nigeyy]

Not for me. I want low prices. Sure I'll spend money at my LBS when I can justify it, otherwise not. And yes I like to support local businesses, but I still get the vast majority of my bike parts online.

Why? Like it or not, because business models have moved on (e.g. to the internet) offering better value. I know you could say I could feel bad about this, but I ask you this: when supermarkets became popular, do you think LBS owners still shopped at the corner shop for their groceries? Do you think they shop for their family groceries at corner shops now? Of course not.

There does seem to be a strange dichotomy between "support your LBS" and "spend as little money as possible".

 

[Soltydog]

The one not making much money.

You're probably right there. I once went in said shop & spent just over a tenner on cable outers IIRC & asked if he had a blue or orange drinks bottle, he went into the back & came out with a bottle, printed with the shop logo etc on, in blue & orange, when I asked how much, guess what.... free it's my first port of call now whenever I need anything doing, just a shame he doesnt carry much stock in way of clothing as that seems to be my biggest spend

 

[hennbell]

I would fix it myself.
I live in an area without a proper bike shop. We have a sports equipment shop that carries cycling stuff and can do repairs from April to late September. I would have to drive 600 km to go to a proper bike shop to get a spoke replacement and truing job done in 24 hours. So 18 quid does not seem like to much too me.

 

[markharry66]

Its first time I have used this bike shop my local one chatges about 10 possibly why it seems steep to me. More annoyed that I am on spare bike for a week. I wont be going back after this

 

[vickster]

Why didn't you get your local one to do it? Presumably there was a particular reason that meant that the £8 premium was necessary?
If you don't usually use the shop, suck it up and don't go back. It's £8, I wouldn't get too upset

 

[Kevoffthetee]

I run a business and our rates are £25 per half hour plus parts so £18 sounds very reasonable.

Also, I've been told there are different grade of spoke(could be wrong) so depending on the quality of the wheel and existing spoke you may pay more than some one else.

Even if it was possible you wouldn't put ford parts on a Ferrari would you?

 

[EltonFrog]

£18 doesn't sound all that much to me, but waiting a week does! I have three spokes go recently on last year in NYC, I found a LBS and they repaired it whilst I waited, and my LBS did the other two within half a day.

 

[markharry66]

wont be going back. I support shops that charge fair prices. I support shops that give good customer service. Over a week for a spoke is bad in my book.
Due to work couldnt get bike to normal shop I go to. Wont be making that mistake again. I tried shop local to where I work. Now weekend is coming and sun is out no bike.

 

[phil_hg_uk]

Buy a spoke key for about £4 and tighten it up then.

 

[uclown2002]

wont be going back. I support shops that charge fair prices. I support shops that give good customer service. Over a week for a spoke is bad in my book.
Due to work couldnt get bike to normal shop I go to. Wont be making that mistake again. I tried shop local to where I work. Now weekend is coming and sun is out no bike.

We heard ya the first time!

 

[Leaway2]

Sound fair to me. I change my own. Its not difficult. Depending on which spoke is broken, you may need to remove the freewheel\cassette though, which would mean buying the removal tool and chain whip as well as the spoke key.

Ooops just read the OP, Spoke is only loose. Just tighten it.

 

[Cubist]

I love the payment in biscuits model myself. I discussed this with my LBS and the owner is happily looking forward to his pension fund of 1875 packets of HobNobs and an iced finger.