Anyone know of a reasonably priced bike mechanic?

[gsavage]

Hi,

Just took my bike into to the bike shop to have it serviced and :eek: Oh my god, I nearly fainted when they told me how much... Anybody know a bike shop that is reasonable for servicing and bike repairs? Just in case anyone suggests it, the shop I went to is the only Cannondale dealer in town and their premises is in Lonsdale St...

Any ideas guys? Apart from do it yourself, I am mechanically challenged and fixing a puncture is hard enough for me... :)

[SimonD]

What's that rumbling noise? Oh oh... it's the charge of Ian Downing fan club!

[Driver]

just curious - was it a mountain bike and did you have forks worked on..?

[Startrek]

I tried to Pm you but it will not let me send you a message ? How can i talk in private?

[gsavage]

Just have a road bike and the work I had done was a chain and cassette change, new brake pads and cables. I am not sure that I needed all of it done, that's part of the problem. :)

[gsavage]

I tried to Pm you but it will not let me send you a message ? How can i talk in private?

graeme.savage@fahcsia.gov.au :)

[Ross]

Ian Downing charges $60 per hour and he requires you to be there when he works on your bike so he can 'educate' you. He is very meticulous but is not for everyone.

[SimonD]

All bikes are a frame with components on them. The frame doesn't do anything over time, so it's not necessary to take it to the dealer of the frame. Just wherever you get good servicing and treated well.

Sheather has said I must encourage you to go to TLC. I would have anyway. Every bike shop has good and bad reviews but I have had contact with 100s of noobs over the past three years and found that TLC gets the best report card of any of the LBSs. Let Bianca know that the V-Mobile guys sent you and you'll be looked after.

If you have time and want your bike made perfect, then the freelance Ian Downing is the way. He gives an almost obsessive attention that a bike shop simply can't afford to. But yes, you must sit and watch. Often into the small hours.

[Bean]

How can i talk in private?

lower your voice

[SueP]

Bike shops and service are one thing. But the other thing is reality on wearing out gear. I have ridden bikes casually for years. The first time I took my 'serious' road bike in after doing some 'serious' training it was a shock and I was left thinking that perhaps I had been ripped off - new cassette, new chain, cables etc. Did I really need them - after all I rode my old commuter for years without replacing anything.

Reality is these things wear out pretty quickly when you start doing serious km's, and they aren't cheap. Its not unreasonable to change chain and tyres every 4-5000 k's (differs on how you treat them and how hard you are on gear) which is easily $300 at your local bike shop for good quality gear. If you've let the chain go to long, then you probably will need a new cassette as well. Cables fray and stretch, so it can add up pretty quickly before you even get to the service. So its a good idea to learn some basic maintenance, get a chain wear indicator and keep your bike in good knick.

[bosworth*]

go to ian downing, if you have the time available.



ian downing

[bosworth*]

So its a good idea to learn some basic maintenance, get a chain wear indicator and keep your bike in good knick.

I have one of these! It matches my handlebar tape.






http://cdn.dickblick.com/items/554/03/55403-1012-2-3ww-l.jpg

[SueP]

Yep - an inch ruler is good if you can dig one out of some dungeon somewhere!

[SimonD]

Michael Hanslip said something about why a ruler is better tan a chain wear indicator. I can't remember why... Has to be an inch ruler though - chains are imperial, unfortunately.

[gsavage]

Bike shops and service are one thing. But the other thing is reality on wearing out gear. I have ridden bikes casually for years. The first time I took my 'serious' road bike in after doing some 'serious' training it was a shock and I was left thinking that perhaps I had been ripped off - new cassette, new chain, cables etc. Did I really need them - after all I rode my old commuter for years without replacing anything.

Reality is these things wear out pretty quickly when you start doing serious km's, and they aren't cheap. Its not unreasonable to change chain and tyres every 4-5000 k's (differs on how you treat them and how hard you are on gear) which is easily $300 at your local bike shop for good quality gear. If you've let the chain go to long, then you probably will need a new cassette as well. Cables fray and stretch, so it can add up pretty quickly before you even get to the service. So its a good idea to learn some basic maintenance, get a chain wear indicator and keep your bike in good knick.

Sue, Yep I need to learn some basic maintenance and I have started to, that's why I knew my chain was worn out as I bought a chain gauge and checked it. My issue is that the parts supplied were priced at about 30% or so above other bike shops. I am starting to accept that this highly addictive form of exercise should come with a health warning for my wallet :rolleyes:

But regardless, I will soon be taking my bike to a shop which charges more reasonably for the bits that go on the bike and yes it probably will be a sponsor of the VCC as I don't have the time to 'be educated' while the bike is fixed.

Thanks for the advice, I appreciate it... :)

[gsavage]

I have one of these! It matches my handlebar tape.

By the way Bosworth I put new black tape on my handlebars, pink is for flamingos

http://gloshare.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/flamingos.jpg :D

[bosworth*]

Sexy!


Jamie, I can see you in this pic (Bottom Right)

:cool:

[milto]

Graham

I see 2 issues here. 1 buying parts from the LBS and 2. them charging you to put them on.

Cheapest places to buy parts like cassettes and chains is online. This issue with this is that many shops won't put them on for you. This is where there are a couple of freelance places that don't sell the parts, just have a business putting stuff on.

I use Ian Downing as it is always an interesting conversation over there when he is working.

This is the way that I maintain my equipment.

MM

[gsavage]

Michael,

Thanks, several people have recommended Ian, but have cautioned that it is an experience getting your bike sorted by him. Apparently he likes (or is that demands) that the customer be there while he works on the bike and will 'educate' as he works.

But by the sounds of it he is a perfectionist and could be worth the trouble. I have decided however to give our sponsors a go first when my bike needs it's next repair or service as I don't really have the time to be there while the bike is worked on. It won't need another service for a bit as I have just had it done the other day which is why I started up this thread.:mad:

I believe that TLC will fit parts I have bought myself, at least that is what I've been told.

But if you recommend Ian he must be good so if TLC doesn't work out he will be my next port of call. :)

[Steven]

For the few heavy-duty jobs I won't do myself (eg. installing headsets, facing bottom bracket shells, etc), I've found Pete and Jase at Lonsdale Street to be very quick, reliable and reasonably priced.

Learning how to identify worn parts and ordering them yourself from overseas will save a lot of money - then you're only paying labour.

[Ross]

For the few heavy-duty jobs I won't do myself (eg. installing headsets, facing bottom bracket shells, etc), I've found Pete and Jase at Lonsdale Street to be very quick, reliable and reasonably priced.

Make sure you have Shimano brakes (pref Dura Ace) on your bike before you visit them. Been there twice in 3 years with non-brake related issues and all the guy can do is to rabbit on how I need Shimano brakes. I don't need Shimano brakes at all, the brakes (Tektro?) that are on there function fine, sure Shimano ones are better but the ones on there do the job ok.

Learning how to identify worn parts and ordering them yourself from overseas will save a lot of money - then you're only paying labour.

+1

I keep a small stock of consumable parts like tyres, tubes, chain and cassette so if something wears out/breaks I just slap the new one on and keep riding and order a replacement online instead of paying double the price to buy it from LBS.

I must admit I was the world's biggest skeptic about buying online before I joined with Vikings. My experience was with buying stuff from o/s for work and it seemed more complicated and expensive (including freight and customs/duty/GST) than neccessary but I was buying scientific stuff that was supposedly very specific and was only available from some obscure supplier on the other side of the world. Bike stuff is (mostly) a lot simpler and there truly are good savings to be made. Just keep the orders <AU$1000 to avoid the customs/duty/GST charges.

[gsavage]

Ross,

I will be taking up the challenge and ordering stuff over the web did some research against the invoice for the work I just had done and would have saved over 50% and that includes postage and insurance.

My only concern is that I am not great with mechanical stuff so I will get someone else to fit it for me.

I am in the Novice program and I think that the club will be putting on a bike maintenance course for us soon. Hopefully this will make things clearer to me and remove some of my fears that stop me from tinkering with my bike.

This has been a very useful thread (for me anyway). :)

[j_young_80]

This isn't a dig at you guys but since it has come up i'll lay down some guidelines early for posting. I will do up some guidelines for the entire forum but just wanted to put a note here.

Local bike shop TLC has again jumped on board to sponsor us (V-Mobile) and you'll notice the logo appearing on the site shortly. While we all order stuff online if we can avoid touting the online shops too much it would be good.

I bought my TT bike from a local shop (TLC in fact) and while I knew I could have gotten it cheaper buy getting all the parts independently and building it the service I receive from Brad and Bianca is second to none - partially because they're good people but i'm sure that buying the bike there initially and building that relationship helped. I've walked into TLC with a busted wheel on the day of the crits and they've got the wheel back to me that day so that I could race in the evening - you can't put a price on that!

[gsavage]

This isn't a dig at you guys but since it has come up i'll lay down some guidelines early for posting. I will do up some guidelines for the entire forum but just wanted to put a note here.

Local bike shop TLC has again jumped on board to sponsor us (V-Mobile) and you'll notice the logo appearing on the site shortly. While we all order stuff online if we can avoid touting the online shops too much it would be good.


Jamie, I agree that local bike shops need to be supported and I will be taking my bike to TLC next time.

My beef is getting charged a large premium for parts etc. Also I am no bike mechanic so I need somewhere to take to bike to either fit bits for me and/or repair my bike. Makes sense also to go somewhere in Phillip as I live only 5 minutes away.

When I get a bit more confident with minor bike repairs I may have a crack at changing brake pads, cassettes and other things myself as well as taking the bike to the shop for stuff I can't fix. :)

[j_young_80]

[QUOTE=gsavage;1935]
My beef is getting charged a large premium for parts etc. [QUOTE]

Unfortunately this is usually out of the LBS's hands as it tends to be the importers into Australia that are making the big $$

[Steven]

This isn't a dig at you guys but since it has come up i'll lay down some guidelines early for posting. I will do up some guidelines for the entire forum but just wanted to put a note here.

Local bike shop TLC has again jumped on board to sponsor us (V-Mobile) and you'll notice the logo appearing on the site shortly. While we all order stuff online if we can avoid touting the online shops too much it would be good.

I bought my TT bike from a local shop (TLC in fact) and while I knew I could have gotten it cheaper buy getting all the parts independently and building it the service I receive from Brad and Bianca is second to none - partially because they're good people but i'm sure that buying the bike there initially and building that relationship helped. I've walked into TLC with a busted wheel on the day of the crits and they've got the wheel back to me that day so that I could race in the evening - you can't put a price on that!

Jamie it would be really unfortunate if member's posts were modified or removed due to their comment on LBS vs online shopping. Sponsorship of a squad shouldn't buy silence on this important subject.

Prices rise and fall due to competition, but because bike parts are imported by a handful of distributors acting as a cartel, the local shops are unable to gain a price advantage by shopping around themselves.

So really the only way to put pressure on Aussie distributors is by directly importing parts from a cheaper (and often faster) source overseas.

If local shops made a case against the distributors cartel at the ACCC to bring attention to this apparent price gauging (we're talking double the prices in the UK and US, even after GST), I would strongly support them. But in my view they seem to be playing along - at our expense.

Back on topic, the two services that TLC performed on my bike were superb, but I still think the workshop at Lonsdale St does a great job on the north side.

It's not for everyone, but going completely DIY is another option. Tooling up for most common jobs costs only a few hundred nowadays. For me it was great to learn about my bike, although now I only have myself to blame for skipped gear-changes! :o

[Driver]

If you've established a GOOD rapport with you LBS (and this takes time, a bit of $$ and some loyatly) it isn't out of the question for you to source your own parts and get them to service your bike.

You just have to tee it up with them before hand and broker a deal that suits both parties. Trust me, if they refuse, they lose you for life, but if they want to keep you and service you they will try to meet your needs on mutually agreeable terms.

The keys points here being a) an established rapport and b) prior arrangement.

If they refuse to, I can assure you there are service agents around that will service your bike with parts that you supply, it's a bit of give and take.

[SimonD]

Damned importers! The bike shops could get their stuff cheaper from buying online themselves, but they're not allowed!

You know who is to blame? Capitalism. But LBSs know what happens and they are adapting and often becoming more service oriented - something you can't get over the net.

On TLC, the reason we actually asked them first was because they are a bike shop we can advocate for and send new riders to without qualms. SO we don't have to feel like we've sold out! That was actually the Scarantula's call - you don't want to wear something that you are ashamed to represent.

It's a tough one the LBS on the forum discussion. Even without an LBS sponsor you have to be careful about what you say.

[Driver]

If you have a spare 10 mins, this is good reading on this subject;
http://www.cyclingtipsblog.com/2009/08/support-your-lbs-2/

[j_young_80]

Jamie it would be really unfortunate if member's posts were modified or removed due to their comment on LBS vs online shopping. Sponsorship of a squad shouldn't buy silence on this important subject.


It's clear that i'm not exactly taking a strong stance on this - given the fact we have a thread that lists the various online bike shops available on the forum. All I ask is that we don't tout the online route too much on the forum with direct price comparisons as it's not a fair comparison. They have to pay staff, get stock in so you can walk in and pick it up, and get lumped with offloading frames that no-one bought that season. Compare that to a huge warehouse in the middle of nowhere, filled with workers on minimum wage packing a bag and shipping it off.

I also won't be modding any posts for other bike shops in the region just because TLC is our sponsor, if there's a great sale at a local bike shop - then by all means post it here, just don't take the p!ss with it and The Maxx won't be called in.

[dadcram]

Shimano charge the LBS's to buy their product. We can sometimes purchase it, delivered, for less than their wholesale price. In return Shimano and SRAM attend some large MTB events and provide sponsorship and free support!
I have been charged and paid $80 for a chain and $150 for a cassette for my MTB from a LBS. I could have saved over $50 from the web! Most dealers are OK with you suppling parts and they supply the skill to fit it.
You can't really complain if you don't know the price of the parts. Most LBS's will call you and say it will cost $X to replace this worn part. You can say yes or no. I've had Brad from TLC (he's back there now) "just get it working" as I don't want to spend money on it. Pick a bike shop or 3 and build up a relationship. You can do that by just browsing, talking and buying the odd gu.

[gsavage]

Hi,

Just thought I would update on how my bike is going post servicing.

Well the LBS appears to have done a really good job, my bike has never shifted gears so smoothly and obviously the service was well and truly overdue. Changing the gear shifter cables has made going between the big and little chainrings (is there a technical term for this) so easy and is now just one flick where it used to be two, and sometimes it missed even then. Also no more clatter noises from the cassette on occasions, it's amazing how I put up with how bad my bike was running (ignorance is bliss).

So regardless of the price of the parts the repair work was well worth the cost. :)