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Etiquette for Bribing Bike Mech?

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  • April 18, 2015 at 6:59 pm #23773
    javacofe

    Hi guys,

    I have a Spec. Allez Elite 2013 that I’ve driven into the ground with over 2k miles logged in central London riding. It went past a driveable state last Nov and I’m only now able to afford to pay for my ‘sins’.. Needing a complete replacement drive chain (possibly whole groupset tbh due to marginal extra cost vs. expected component change), plus also new wheels.. Though my concern is over the drive maintenance….

    I need to invest probably £300-400 in this service, but I need new boots+shorts too. And I would live to drive the tits off it if I can tomorrow…

    My question is, is it acceptable to request a 2-3 hour turnaround on this level of service for a potential total sale value around £500-600 all-in from the shop (Cycle Surgery – who I’ve had a good relationship with since purchase)…?

    Thoughts/Comments welcome.

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Viewing 15 replies - 1 through 15 (of 19 total)
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  • April 19, 2015 at 5:43 pm #842033
    0
    Flying Scot

    Sounds about right, ideal.
    Sounds about right, ideal.

    April 19, 2015 at 1:25 pm #842031
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    javacofe

    So, the total cost was a lot
    So, the total cost was a lot less than I’d expected at £103 new gears, chain and tyres +labour. I also (as suggested) walked in with a crate of beer (£44).

    They upgraded my gear spectrum too, I believe is was on a 11-25 and I’ve got a 12-25 now… Or something.

    I also bought some clothing (boots, bib shorts, top, pannier rack+bag) The shop price matched all the big ticket items and I saved a good 20-30% overall versus market price.

    All in I spent £600 as I bought stuff like panniers and more expensive boots due to bike service being cheaper than expected. And very pleased overall, so was happy to pay for both quality & services rendered.

    April 19, 2015 at 9:59 am #842029
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    alotronic

    Fix that bike up – sounds
    Fix that bike up – sounds like you’ve really hammered it and not looked after it at all though. 2k is not a heap of miles, but then I know that London is a dirty place in winter and can really kill chains (and then the rest of your drive train, as you have discovered) quickly.

    Then save up and buy a single speed winter bike with mudguards. A yearly complete change of transmission will cost you about £40 and you can DIY it very easily. And you will stay dry and not kill all your cycling clothes with road paste too… Ride you nice bike once a week on dry days and on the weekend. At your rate this bike will pay itself off in year 😉

    April 19, 2015 at 9:25 am #842027
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    Flying Scot

    Personally I do do chains,
    Personally I do do chains, brake blocks and sometimes cables (some last longer than others) every 2500 miles. ( chains are stretched to oblivion by this point, I do a lot of steep hills)

    I swap wheels and cassettes/ freewheels around so not sure on miles with these.

    My front and rear Record rear mechs are used 10 months of the year and are about 20,000 miles in with only the second set of jockey wheels, around 20,000 miles on them. Jockeys get regular strip and grease though.

    I do keep the driveline clean though, every second ride or every wet ride the chain gets cleaned and Rocknroll extreme for the wet months and pedros ice wax for the summer, mid range SRAM chains.

    My BB is loose ball, gets stripped and cleaned annually, balls last 3 years before looking dull (never rough)

    Stronglight headset probably needs bearings this autumn…..it’s been on there 5 years, though I do use mudguards from October to May.

    These days kit is comparatively cheap, I’m from a different era, when the kit was all European and very expensive and everyone did most of their their own maintenance bar frame and wheel building.

    April 19, 2015 at 7:27 am #842025
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    Jeroen0110

    javacofe wrote:I am chuckling

    javacofe wrote:
    I am chuckling at all the hate on me tonight 🙂

    I regularly degrease/re-lube chain about every 3-4wks/150mi during service. Brake pads tended to wear out after about 6wks (I got cheap ones from eBay that worked out cheaper to run per anum)… And during non-commuteing the stress was a lot less. But I bought Gator Skin treads Oct 2013 and they are now bald in spots back & front after switching @12 months.

    Definitely not hate. More like sheer disbelief! That’s some extreme wear!

    April 18, 2015 at 9:42 pm #842023
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    javacofe

    Actually just checked my
    Actually just checked my Endomondo logs.. 3,700ish miles logged from Jul 13 to Nov 14.

    April 18, 2015 at 9:35 pm #842021
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    javacofe

    I am chuckling at all the
    I am chuckling at all the hate on me tonight 🙂

    I regularly degrease/re-lube chain about every 3-4wks/150mi during service. Brake pads tended to wear out after about 6wks (I got cheap ones from eBay that worked out cheaper to run per anum)… And during non-commuteing the stress was a lot less. But I bought Gator Skin treads Oct 2013 and they are now bald in spots back & front after switching @12 months.

    April 18, 2015 at 9:22 pm #842019
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    Colin Peyresourde

    Are you mixing sand with your
    Are you mixing sand with your chain lubricant? Learn to do some chain cleaning and you’re riding will be cheaper….

    April 18, 2015 at 9:21 pm #842017
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    Jeroen0110

    javacofe wrote:Burned through

    javacofe wrote:
    Burned through two chains, cassette/gear slip has grown from upper gears to pretty much everything. Can’t climb outside high gears for fear of slippage. Mech previously suggested new wheels as hubs were worn too.

    All new 105 5800 for £300…

    April 18, 2015 at 9:02 pm #842015
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    javacofe

    Hahahaha… Good advice! I’ll
    Hahahaha… Good advice! I’ll let you know how I get on 🙂

    April 18, 2015 at 8:55 pm #842013
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    crikey

    I think you will have to go
    I think you will have to go to a bike shop and say “How much to do this?”, then say “How much to do this, this quickly?”.

    I’d take a crate of beer in, then ask.

    April 18, 2015 at 8:48 pm #842011
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    javacofe

    crikey wrote:Quote:I tend to

    crikey wrote:
    I tend to grind a lot in Upper gears since changing gears in zones whilst maneuvering

    This doesn’t actually make any sense, but I refer you to my previous comment.

    Understood. “zones” was meant to be “zone1” ie I need to concentrate on position and directions more than selection of gear. Though I’m usually on a couple shift outside optimal.

    But this is a not the point lol…… Am I ok to ask for fast service when spending cash?

    April 18, 2015 at 8:43 pm #842009
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    crikey

    Quote:I tend to grind a lot

    I tend to grind a lot in Upper gears since changing gears in zones whilst maneuvering

    This doesn’t actually make any sense, but I refer you to my previous comment.

    April 18, 2015 at 8:43 pm #842007
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    javacofe

    First chain broke beyond
    First chain broke beyond repair. Second was clearly out of sync with gears but bedded in within couple weeks. Still not crisp changes/selection though…

    Believe me 300 bucks is long overdue.

    April 18, 2015 at 8:40 pm #842005
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    javacofe

    I tend to grind a lot in
    I tend to grind a lot in Upper gears since changing gears in zones whilst maneuvering. It’s a tool/vehicle at the end of the day.

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