RabbitFood
New Member
- Location
- Wickford, Essex
thanks ill take a look but im pretty sure that its teh front derailleur that needs ajusting
Rabbit
Rabbit
How many rides before first service
- Thread starter RabbitFood
- Start date
Page may contain affiliate links. Please see terms for details.
Randochap
Senior hunter
- Location
- British Columbia, Canada
£25 for a tune up? That would get you a full service (-parts) in our shop. Are you sure you're giving us the correct info, or is that the going rate in UK?
We'd charge $25 to do a tune-up that included a quick once-over, incl. adjust gears and brakes, lube pivots, etc.
Often, even for walk-ins, we'd adjust a derailleur gratis. It brings them back for more business.
As for the original question: Take it in when it needs something. Unless it needs adjustment (which a new bike often will in short order) why waste money and the shop's time?
We'd charge $25 to do a tune-up that included a quick once-over, incl. adjust gears and brakes, lube pivots, etc.
Often, even for walk-ins, we'd adjust a derailleur gratis. It brings them back for more business.
As for the original question: Take it in when it needs something. Unless it needs adjustment (which a new bike often will in short order) why waste money and the shop's time?
Randochap
Senior hunter
- Location
- British Columbia, Canada
Regarding marinyork's comments:
It is, admittedly, difficult to know who you're dealing with when you first walk into a shop. Try to do a bit of research. Usually, you'll end up at a certain shop b/c of a recommendation ... and this is the best way to "pre-screen."
Don't necessarily "walk out ... and never go back" if you can't understand what the employee is trying to tell you. I've had this experience with many novices who, because they can't follow what I'm trying to tell them, get defensive and think I'm trying to bilk them. There is a certain amount of trust that needs to be built ... and it goes both ways.
There is the problem that many bike stores employ kids who, while they may be bike enthusiasts, are not professionals. They will have a certain focus -- mountain biking, say -- but might not have a clue about, or care about, your needs.
Most importantly, a good shop will have top-notch mechanics who are capable of working on everything from a Sturmey-Archer 3-speed, to Campag 11-speed, and most everything in-between. They won't bullsh!t you if they can't.
A decent LBS these days knows that these things are their only hope of surviving in a market that includes internet shopping and big box discount stores.
It is, admittedly, difficult to know who you're dealing with when you first walk into a shop. Try to do a bit of research. Usually, you'll end up at a certain shop b/c of a recommendation ... and this is the best way to "pre-screen."
Don't necessarily "walk out ... and never go back" if you can't understand what the employee is trying to tell you. I've had this experience with many novices who, because they can't follow what I'm trying to tell them, get defensive and think I'm trying to bilk them. There is a certain amount of trust that needs to be built ... and it goes both ways.
There is the problem that many bike stores employ kids who, while they may be bike enthusiasts, are not professionals. They will have a certain focus -- mountain biking, say -- but might not have a clue about, or care about, your needs.
Most importantly, a good shop will have top-notch mechanics who are capable of working on everything from a Sturmey-Archer 3-speed, to Campag 11-speed, and most everything in-between. They won't bullsh!t you if they can't.
A decent LBS these days knows that these things are their only hope of surviving in a market that includes internet shopping and big box discount stores.
My criticisms are really primarily to do with "services" and "safety checks". £20-25 is the going rate in the UK. So yes, it's a rip-off in some respects. Normal fixing is another matter entirely where honesty and workmanship seem to play a much bigger part. There are certainly some things that people don't understand, that I don't understand, that's not the shop being vague and evasive, that's an attitude problem on their part.
All I'm saying is if you don't give a hint towards what the problem is there is a fair possibility of the bike coming back after it's safety check/service still with that problem.
All I'm saying is if you don't give a hint towards what the problem is there is a fair possibility of the bike coming back after it's safety check/service still with that problem.
Muddyfox
Guru
- Location
- Blackdown Hills Devon
punkypossum said:
+1 my LBS gave me the same advice
Simon
None.
Your bike's first service should be a thorough 'going-round' with lube that either doesn't come with the bike or is so sparingly applied by the manufacturer, it requires adding to.
The NUMBER ONE part to check and lube is the rear mech cable adjuster. The gear cable will undoubtedly relax and require adjusting. It only takes a small amount of moisture in the thread to get the aluminium fluffy.
A good 'going-round' with some Simoniz, Turtle or similar WAX will give some waterproofing, which is better than nothing.
If you've been out several times already, total clean th ebike and do the lube and wax job.
Your bike's first service should be a thorough 'going-round' with lube that either doesn't come with the bike or is so sparingly applied by the manufacturer, it requires adding to.
The NUMBER ONE part to check and lube is the rear mech cable adjuster. The gear cable will undoubtedly relax and require adjusting. It only takes a small amount of moisture in the thread to get the aluminium fluffy.
A good 'going-round' with some Simoniz, Turtle or similar WAX will give some waterproofing, which is better than nothing.
If you've been out several times already, total clean th ebike and do the lube and wax job.
fossyant
Ride It Like You Stole It!
- Location
- South Manchester
What Jim says - run round with a light lube (not the chain stuff) and give it a polish - Mr Sheen is ace on bikes.....
Bikes are not hard to sort out - just think about it...... I use my LBS for stuff like specialised wheels......, re-sprays, or buying a bike.... he knows I know how to do stuff......I just take his advice about wheel builds, what he thinks is best - i.e. I'd be happy paying more for a hub, but he says another is better, far cheaper, and easier to service for peanuts.......... so what can you say.....?
I took some old race only wheels in to my LBS, he re-built the old hubs into some fab everyday wheels.... I battered them - popped back in the shop a week or so later - he asked how the wheels were..... flippin great..no flex, up and down some serious hills.... that's customer service..... he was happy too....
Plus I've known the guy since he and I were youngsters..... via the bike community....
Bikes are not hard to sort out - just think about it...... I use my LBS for stuff like specialised wheels......, re-sprays, or buying a bike.... he knows I know how to do stuff......I just take his advice about wheel builds, what he thinks is best - i.e. I'd be happy paying more for a hub, but he says another is better, far cheaper, and easier to service for peanuts.......... so what can you say.....?
I took some old race only wheels in to my LBS, he re-built the old hubs into some fab everyday wheels.... I battered them - popped back in the shop a week or so later - he asked how the wheels were..... flippin great..no flex, up and down some serious hills.... that's customer service..... he was happy too....
Plus I've known the guy since he and I were youngsters..... via the bike community....
