Cyclocross - Is your LBS full of it?

I took my JtS in to my LBS today to have the drivetrain tuned since it wasn't shifting properly and was making a lot of noise after about 110 km's. While I was there, I mentioned that the front trim on my 105 isn't working, and there was a bit of chait rub. He said confidently that he would only need 15 min to work on it... so I walked away feeling pretty good about the whole thing.

After 15 min, he said the noise was from the misaligned derailleur arm, and he adjusted it without problems. The jockey gears in the rear derailleur was still making a lot of noise, and he couldn't do anything about it. Since I know very little about bikes other than to hop on it, I took his word for it. He started telling me about the front trim and how he couldn't get it to work, and he thought it was because of the offset at the front crank or something. He couldn't figure it out. He said it's fine as it is and sent me on my way. After hearing that, I was a little mad, but I didn't show it since I would have to come back for more tune up in the future. The fact is that when I test rode my bike before I purchased it, the trim was working fine!!! It certainly could be adjusted on my bike cuz it was there before! I am wondering if he worked on it... or just decided to send me on my way instead.

I am starting to think that some LBS are like bad car mechanics... I am sure there are nice bike techs out there, but these ones give rest a bad name.

End rant.

Park Tool's front derailleur adjustment help page (http://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=75)

You can expect the cables to stretch some on a new bike. If you are having troubles changing from small to big on the front derailleur, more than likely, the cable is too lax due to stretching. If your chain is on the big chainring you should not be able to push the the brifter any further on the upshift lever. If you can (meaning there is play in the cable) then the cable is too lax.

That story is pretty much exactly why I learned to do virtually all my own maintenance.

Your conclusions are probably correct --whether they apply to this particular LBS is still open. You have not provided enough information for us BF geniuses and wonder healers to work with, starting with: what chainring / cog combination(s) are you in when this noise and trim issue occurs?

Ditto my JTS, LBS and FD...they went so far as to suggest Kona specced the bike wrong and I'd have to change chainrings. I adjusted it myself, never went back, life is better that way :)

to answer your question about my LBS, no my LBS is wonderful. It's full service, the wrench is world class (literately), the prices are cheaper than any other LBS in town, and he'll stay open late or open up on a Sunday so I can take my bike in or pick it up. I love my LBS!

StankApe
love your forum name
need a bath?
what is FD?
i am new to this and learning the lingo

front der...der...chainring change thingy ;)

yeah, but flippin' STI doesn't really "trim". Remember how Lance Armstrong embarrassed Shimano all the time by running a downtube front shifter so he could properly trim the front derailleur?

The mechanic could also be at fault. I've noticed that it is unfortunately common. But like doctors and auto mechanics-- once you find a good one, stick with them and treat them right (the occasional 6-pack of beer, donuts, etc.)

Grrr... Rarrrrr...
I went in today to get my wheels trued. He told me "cyclocross bikes are suppose to take a beating... come back later after you beat it up some more"... In my mind, I thought it was suppose to go... "I will true it for you, if you have any more problems, come back again..." The fact is that it's a busy and very commercialized shop... so he didn't want to spend time on mine when he could making money on the others...

Sounds like its time to find another LBS.

I think I made a mistake picking the fancier shop with nice displays and good location instead of perhaps a smaller shop with better service. I have since started stripping my old bike trying to learn more about bikes and maybe start doing my own maintenance. Anyone trues their own wheels?

Remember how Lance Armstrong embarrassed Shimano all the time by running a downtube front shifter so he could properly trim the front derailleur?

Downtube shifters save weight, which is another reason Lance used them. I guess every gram counts at that level.

my lbs are the worst, expensive, yell at there employees, and take two weeks to fix a bike

Anyone has any recommendation on a good book on bike repairs and build?

Anyone has any recommendation on a good book on bike repairs and build?
not a book, but the Park Tool site has a very good repair section.

http://www.parktool.com

blues604, at this point I'm not so sure I'd say that your LBS is "full of it". It does sound like they're really busy and performing tweaks and fairly minor maintenance isn't at the top of their priority list. And as others have said, learning to do your own maintenance is always useful (it will also help you learn when the shop is full of it). I've found that the Park Tools site, Sheldon Brown's site, and Google should be able to answer any question you might have. And if not, there's always the Bicycle Mechanics forum here.