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LBS bike service options – Is it worth it?

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  • August 31, 2014 at 6:43 pm #22272
    vanmildert

    I’ve done 2500 miles (Feb- date) on a well maintained Spesh Tarmac- servicing options look pricey but I feel I should probably be getting some kind of LBS service. Is this worth it or a rip off? Basically it’s cheaper to get my car serviced! Why is that!?

    If there are things that definately need servicing what are these? If I don’t have the tools shouldn’t I just get those done by LBS in isolation rather than paying for the full service to do the things I can manage on my own anyway? Maybe they don’t offer that but cables all seem fine and I can do the brake pads myself etc…..

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  • September 1, 2014 at 9:32 pm #812519
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    rogerlevy

    Find a better mechanic who is
    Find a better mechanic who is not forced to skip steps and who does it better than an inexperienced “pro” or DIY biker. We are out there. (34 years as a bike whisperer) freewheelersbikes.com Do not assume that all professionals in all crafts are out to get you. Don’t cut your own hair, or stitch your own wounds. But by all means try to do most easy bike maintenance yourself. LBS guy should be happy to critique your work (gently).

    September 1, 2014 at 9:28 pm #812517
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    rogerlevy

    I own a store and have always
    I own a store and have always thought that folk need to know how to do the basics themselves. I drop everything and show people how to do things almost whenever they ask. I give all bike purchasers free tuneups for life.

    Riders who do their own are 90% likely to do it all right, but sometimes we see that over lubing chains, letting brake pads get shiny or filled with metal chips, rim brake surfaces that are etched or covered with dirt and rubber, or forgetting to lube the spoke nipples can be a problem. Weekend fair weather mileage masters are more likely to be OK, but we have to look out for commuters who are plagued by drivetrain wear and seized nipples in the bad weather.

    I agree that it is easy but we have some tricks that not everyone knows. We put corn starch baby powder inside the tires for one example. Tire talc (corn starch baby powder is now used) is an old standby but some stores do not tell you about it. I never see tires that are powdered when I change a flat. Also anti-seize on all threaded parts. Never have seen that used on bikes from other stores. Cleaning chains and measuring for wear is a great policy. Saves big.

    September 1, 2014 at 3:53 pm #812515
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    adamthekiwi

    All good advice about home
    All good advice about home maintenance – once you’re proficient, you *will* do a better job than the bike shop for the simple reason that you’ll work on it until the job is done to *your* satisfaction, whereas a bike-shop mechanic is working at speed to get everything through the workshop as fast as possible.

    You don’t need a chain checker if you have an accurate ruler marked with inches – a new chain is half-inch-pitch. If 12 link pairs (inner and outer plate) measure 12″ & 1/16 (well, up to 12″ & 3/32), your chain needs replacing – if they measure 12″ & 1/8 you’ll probably need to replace cassette too (that is very slightly over a 1% increase in length).

    The only other thing I’d suggest early on is a good folding stand – makes it much easier to work on the bike if it is at your level, rather than crouching down. I use a [url=http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/products/revolution-tune-up-workstand]Revolution[/url] one, bought years ago and still going strong, plus it folds up to go in the car if we’re going away.

    September 1, 2014 at 3:32 pm #812513
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    SteppenHerring

    I do almost all my own
    I do almost all my own maintenance. However, before going to the Alps last year, I did get my bike serviced by the LBS – mainly so someone else would look over it, check for cracks in the frame etc. Just gave me a bit more confidence on the descents knowing that two pairs of eyes had been over everything.

    September 1, 2014 at 3:27 pm #812511
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    vanmildert

    Thanks for the useful
    Thanks for the useful responses – will embark on self-maintenance and purchase some tools!

    September 1, 2014 at 3:12 pm #812509
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    MKultra

    A cassette removal tool is
    A cassette removal tool is about a tenner and you can make a monster chain whip at home with a length of flat strap cold rolled steel, same for the BB removal tool. Spoke keys are cheap as well. The biggest single expense is a decent cable cutter while anything else is off the shelf in Wilkinsons. Most people own allen keys these days already, a small screw driver for mech adjustment and the cycling world is your lobster. The main thing is practice, it’s all there on line via Sheldon and Park Tools. Pedal spanners are not such a biggy as most half way decent clip-less pedals have a hex drive these days. A crown race seating tool can be improvised from a knackered stem but that’s not such a biggy unless you want to swap forks.

    What you may find yourself spending silly money on is “bespoke” lubes and grease but I find Wilkinsons WD40/GT85 clone to be fine for cleaning and the basic chain oil fine in nearly all weather conditions plus it’s cheap. Half way decent brown grease is cheap by the tub or for small bolts you can simply use Vaseline.

    September 1, 2014 at 1:01 pm #812507
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    ydrol

    If you were they type of
    If you were they type of child that takes things apart to see how they worked, It’s well worth getting the tools. Bikes are less complicated than other mechanical things. And with the internet/support websites/youtube its easier than it has ever been (even dealing with bottom bracket and disc brakes). However my problem is I buy tools when I need to replace parts. but I don’t have a proper service schedule (apart from checking tyres frequently). I think a cable change is long over due!

    September 1, 2014 at 10:48 am #812505
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    oozaveared

    Whether or not the LBS is
    Whether or not the LBS is good value or not, It’s still a good idea to do your own maintenance. And it’s a lot easier these days what with “How to” You tube vidoes.

    Bikes aren’t that complicated really. Invest in some bike specific tools as and when you need them and you’ll have the tools forever. Learning how the bike works by servicing it, allows you also to do a better job of cleaning and inspecting it. Of course bike shops want it to be like servicing your car at regular intervals. But once you get a certain level of experience it’s not like that. It’s a bit more of an ongoing task. You are more like an onboard computer that the more expensive cars have to do condition based monitoring. Whereas they have sensors you have your eyes and ears and your sense that something may not be quite right.

    Doing your own servicing helps with that.

    September 1, 2014 at 10:42 am #812503
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    mattsccm

    Might I suggest doing it
    Might I suggest doing it yourself?
    A bike is simple technology. Few specialist tools are needed and those a fairly cheap. Certainly you could buy the lot and all the parts you need for way less than a shop service. ( I am of course excluding things like BB facing tools as these are one off jobs that don’t usually need doing)
    I view shop maintenance as the same as getting your living room painted. Absolutely no need, it’s easy. One or two things get easier with practice but care and patience produces a first rate job by even an amateur.
    To call shops a rip off is not right. You know what it costs, and you are paying for a service. If you don’t like the rice they are asking don’t ask them to do it.

    September 1, 2014 at 9:53 am #812501
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    Binky

    Depends on what your LBS is
    Depends on what your LBS is charging and also what need to be done to the bike. No point paying a lump sum for things that don’t need tweeking.

    I don’t use my local LBS (i like my bike) I take it in to Evans Cycles and get them to check it over, comes back looking cleaner and feeling smother.

    The price is good (IMO) and no paint is chipped, never had any reason to complain.

    September 1, 2014 at 9:28 am #812499
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    Chris James

    If you are confident doing
    If you are confident doing easy stuff yourself then I wouldn’t bother getting the bike serviced. You need to check your chain though. I have a chain checker tool, which is very conservative, so I ended up changing chains regularly. The plus side is that my cassettes go on a long time.

    If your chain needs changing then you may find it skips on your cassette, in which case you will need a new cassette too. Changing early means that cassettes will last several chains (so I ignore the advice often given about changing chains and cassettes at the same time).

    If you choose to run the drive chain into the ground you will end up having to replace your chain rings too – ££.

    If I were you would buy a chain checker, chain breaking tool, cassette lock ring tool, and a chain whip (if you don’t already have them all). This is the basis for a starter home tool kit.

    In the future you could add a bottom bracket tool, cable cutters (get good ones) etc.

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