My grump about bike shops

[mgarl10024]

Hi,

Being new, I only have limited experience of my local bike shop.

Maybe irrationally, especially in the new days, I found bike shops quite intimidating. However, the chaps in there have always seemed very helpful and professional.

I remember going in there, feeling sheepish, with a tyre problem, and fearing that I'd be laughed at. However, the chappy took time to explain the issue and the costs for putting it right. Walked out of there happy. I did find the guys on the desk much more approachable than the mechanic - you can see why they hid him out the back.

Later on, I needed a new bike and I bought it from them because of their great service. I was spending, for me, quite a bit of money so wanted it right. However, when I picked it up, I noticed that the mudguard was rubbing slightly (enough to be annoying). I remember feeling a bit disappointed and thinking that surely this would have been picked up early on by a test ride.
I took it back the next day, and he said "yeah I had a bit of an issue with that but I thought I got it right".
He adjusted it, but said that it "might need a bit of fettling" and then blamed the rubbing on a low fork on the frame but said that he'd "fed that back to the manufacturer". He then seemed to take no ownership of the issue, and dismissed it with an instruction to 'see how it goes' and to fettle.
I couldn't help feeling disappointed - my brand new bike, has a rubbing mudguard and he's telling me there's nothing that he could do. But he's from a bike shop!
I contemplated returning the whole lot - I asked for a "bike + mudguards", and you've not given me that in a satisfactory condition. Therefore either supply me with that or I'll have my money back. Then I thought it was all getting a bit silly so I looked for other options.
The solution (which I found myself) was to simply wear down the excess bits of rubber on the tyres (those little bits that stick out, probably left over from forming) so that they didn't catch.
I'm still left disappointed with the lbs though.

Thanks,

MG

 

[magnatom]

To be honest the opening line is a bit of a cop out. I have a busy full time job, a 12 hour part time job, an allotment and 3 kids (12 - 6 years old) which I am often running here there and everywhere.

20 - 30 mins once a week is plenty time to keep mine and all of the kids bike on the road and the only time I go to the LBS for any work is for spoke replacing and wheelbuilding and this is on the list of things to learn in the next few years.

I can assure you it's not a cop out. I just chose to spend as much time with my kids at what i think is a very special age (7 months, 3 years and 5 years). My time with them is limited so I don't want to eat into that unecessarily.

Also 20-30 minutes is fine if you've had time to build up the knowledge and experience, but not for someone who hasn't had much time to mess about with bikes. When I find the time to mess around and learn I will do. Until then I need a bike shop that can actually do what it is supposed to do. Is that too much to ask?

 

[hackbike 666]

My local bike shop did a great job as the replacement wheel I got from Evans wasn't right and caused two spills...Although it was probably a tad pricey I have had no problems since...and it's very local...

 

[Over The Hill]

If you do not learn how it works/can be put back thogether in your shed then you will be buggered when some bit comes off while you are out in the middle of nowhere.

Everything on a bike is really easy and readily accessable to repair. It is right there in front of you.

When I was ten I took my bike apart completely to paint the frame and put it back together again. If your kids are at least that age then why arn't they mending their own bike and yours!

Spend some time with the kids and the bikes.

 

[hackbike 666]

OTH I haven't got the equipment or the space for a workshop to maintain my bike...Yes I can do basic repairs but that's about all.

I can just about manage with three bikes here.

 

[Ghost Donkey]

I had a good LBS and bought a new road bike and a commuter bike from them due to the quality of previous work and customer care when dealing with me and my old road bike. When I moved fifty miles away I was pretty suprised to have two crap services done buy the two bike shops near my work. My bike went straight back when I picked it up from one of them before I got it home. I ended up trying what is largely a mountain bike and BMX shop who turmed out to be very good and found a shop quite a bit out of my way run by a roadie who also does a good job. If I buy a new bike from a local shop there's currently only two contenders so I'm down to Orbea or Cube. Sadly I won't be able to consider either the local Trek or Specialized dealers.

 

[biggs682]

went to my local bike shop the other day did a rebiuld on old bottom bracket , but he could not work out how to use the credit card machine bless him .

 

[bauldbairn]

Sadly I won't be able to consider either the local Trek or Specialized dealers.

Me neither - after my initial post on this thread I decided to pay an informal visit to a local bike shop in my town with a work colleague in our lunch hour.

He was looking for some advice on a new bike he'd seen in there and just really wanted a second opinion.
I'd also spotted a Specialized Tricross Comp(to see what Norm keep banging on about ) and Trek 1.7 both 2009 models with an advertised £300/400 off - so agreed to go for a gander.

He really knows nothing about bikes but is a very keen cyclist - cycling to work, the golf club and regularly around the local canals(approx 50 miles a week) on various old bikes - when it breaks he just buy's another old secondhand one.

To cut a long story short their attitude towards this guy was nothing short of arrogant - he did ask some pretty daft newbie questions only to be met with sniggers and knowing glances between shop assistants.

Needless to say he now wants to go to Halfords to buy a bike.

 

[al78]

If you do not learn how it works/can be put back thogether in your shed then you will be buggered when some bit comes off while you are out in the middle of nowhere.

Everything on a bike is really easy and readily accessable to repair. It is right there in front of you.

When I was ten I took my bike apart completely to paint the frame and put it back together again. If your kids are at least that age then why arn't they mending their own bike and yours!

Spend some time with the kids and the bikes.

My problem is deciphering what components are compatible with what. For example, if you want to replace your bottom bracket in theory it is not a difficult job but in practice you have to find one that is compatible with your frame, and compatible with your cranks, plus there are different types as well, and it isn't obvious which type you currently have if you are not in the know (new bikes don't come with the instruction manuals for the individual components). It can be an expensive mistake to buy the wrong thing.

Also things like wheelbuilding can take a long time and be frustrating for a beginner, that is if you can determine what spoke lengths you need.

 

[Stig-OT-Dump]

I can't praise my LBS enough. It's just it isn't that "L" - it's 6 miles away and I ride past several others to get there.

I bought new wheels there in time for l'etape caledonia. The rear wheel has needed truing twice since and I haven't been charged either time.
I mentioned I do duathlons - I got offered the loan of a bike with a £3K frame for my next race.
Dropped my father-in-law's wheel in just before 5 today, they'll have it repaired in time for me heading off to work on Monday.

They know both my bikes, always offer the choice of 2nd hand components if available, and I've never had a problem with the work that they've done.

Now, my old LBS was a different story - put my bike in for a service and was charged £20 on collection (which seemed absurdly cheap). Went back a week later asking them to put stuff right and the bill was £84 (which was just absurd). Changed shop and haven't looked back.

 

[magnatom]

Stig, What bike shop do you use?

 

[fossyant]

Depends upon the LBS..............

I don't use mine much at all........... wheel builds usually and my (new bike) fixed last year, because I know the guy and he does a spot on job - yes, I did start to strip and re-lube a new bike and realised he'd done it already......

Maintenance....nope...I do it............and everything else............

Just bought two bikes (OK 1 x hybrid and a tag along) - from a big main bike store.... they mentioned the free 'service' I politely said I won't be back as I do all my own stuff...then explained my 4 x bikes etc. etc.... TBH the guy's on the counter aren't mechanics.............. the guy we bought the bike for my missus was a mechanic...... he did no sell...just try it, we'll get it in your size etc..... TBH it was Small or Small for my missus............... had a good try and buy experience, but paying for it was a bit of a pain...........

PS you aren't allowed to walk out with a bike in the box........... "oh we have your missus bike in stock".... me....'oh can I take it as it is'....."erm no".......... H&S elf.................. ????????????????........... TBH picked up it was A1........... after the 'elf' had a look.....

Evans are OK...... my local LBS is best for my bike bits though.......

 

[Stig-OT-Dump]

Mag - you have a pm. Would post it publicly but everyone would want a shot of his special bike. His Cervelo frame is so light - the sort of thing I can only aspire to.....

 

[Crankarm]

see[/i] how everything works. Eg, lever at one end, cable in the middle, mech at the other. Or 'something going round & round, around something that doesn't move' (thinks: must be some bearings in there.) It all makes sense.

As for the cost of tools, just go to your local pound shop. You can get most of the basics there: pliers, spanners, a nice big hammer. Anything more costly - a socket set, say - go to a car boot sale, or check out ebay. I got mine for a tenner, it's given me five years good service, and I'm sure it'll still be going strong when I've hung up me SPDs.

.

 

[Crankarm]

Me neither - after my initial post on this thread I decided to pay an informal visit to a local bike shop in my town with a work colleague in our lunch hour.

He was looking for some advice on a new bike he'd seen in there and just really wanted a second opinion.
I'd also spotted a Specialized Tricross Comp(to see what Norm keep banging on about ) and Trek 1.7 both 2009 models with an advertised £300/400 off - so agreed to go for a gander.

He really knows nothing about bikes but is a very keen cyclist - cycling to work, the golf club and regularly around the local canals(approx 50 miles a week) on various old bikes - when it breaks he just buy's another old secondhand one.

To cut a long story short their attitude towards this guy was nothing short of arrogant - he did ask some pretty daft newbie questions only to be met with sniggers and knowing glances between shop assistants.

Needless to say he now wants to go to Halfords to buy a bike.

View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSINO6MKtco


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