Southern California - Anaheim Hills bike shop made my problems worse

I took my 2004 Trek Medone 5.2 to the Anaheim Hills bike store for a tune up, a new chain, and since I usually mess it up a nice new bar wrap. Here's what I got back: Front breaks with the release open and when closed a rubbing on the rim. A bar wrap with the end 1/4 inch sticking out from the handle bar. A reccomendation for a new cassette which I went for. When I took it back to the store they told me that I needed to get new cables and housings...every year ! When I took it out to ride what once was a merely annoying occasional phantom gear change, it is now shifting when it pleases not when I shift it. If I stand on the pedals I get a crunching shift. Of course I'll never go back but now I need a reccomendation on whom to take my bike for service. I am in Yorba Linda but will drive to get a competent wrench to work on my bike. I'd apppreciate any recommendation from the forum.

Those are all worth learning to do yourself.

I almost guaranteed..."Do it yourself" would be the first comment I received. First if I wanted to do it myself I would have. Second I am a big believer in doing what you're good at and lot other people do what they are good at too. Third I worked hard ( at what I am VERY good at) and have the money to hire out jobs the either do not interest me or take up too much of my time) bike repair being one of them. The question remains...suggestions for a competent Trek wrench in the OC or maybe even in the IE.

Is there anyone at Anaheim Hills to complain to?

Give them a chance to make it right?

I did that. First they tried to hammer the bad bar wrap in with their hands. Next they blamed it on me for not having cables and housings done once a year. They offered to "adjust the brakes" but didnt get the idea whatsoever that letting the bike go out without at least checking that the front break was properly adjusted was a problem. If I would have been riding and happened to notice the quick release lever was up and reached down to close it, I would have ended up over the handle bars ! I will never go in that store again, nor if I can help it let any of my friends walk in the either.

Sorry, I don't have any advice for a shop in your area. I'm a fan of Edge Cycle Sports & Cycle Care but they are both in the Lake Forest/Laguna Hills area.

The reason I'm posting is to applaud you for your 2nd post in the thread. I read carpenter's post and immediately thought, "OK, but that's not what the OP asked."

Thanks CJ. I know alot of the forum members are great wrenches and take pride in doing everything themsleves. I congratulate them on their skill and their enterprise. Like I always tell my wife, just because I like to eat doesn't mean I want to become a chef !

Sorry to hear that Chuck. The master mechanic at Performance Tustin is very good, have work done there without disappointments. It is a complete BS having to replace brakes/housing every year, these can last forever but it's a good idea every 3-4 years.

I suggest you do a search through Yelp.com, I've found it a useful networking site that has a variety of topics that people review and are candid about but respectful all the same.

Did you speak with a manager or the owner of the store?

I did that. First they tried to hammer the bad bar wrap in with their hands. Next they blamed it on me for not having cables and housings done once a year. They offered to "adjust the brakes" but didnt get the idea whatsoever that letting the bike go out without at least checking that the front break was properly adjusted was a problem. If I would have been riding and happened to notice the quick release lever was up and reached down to close it, I would have ended up over the handle bars ! I will never go in that store again, nor if I can help it let any of my friends walk in the either.

Actually I don't do that because of the chances a bump can send your fingers into the spokes. It's a low chance, but the image in my mind is just... ugh.

Chuck5.2 ....I would recommend you visit Switchback Cyclery in the city of Orange. Tim and Sherry, who own the shop, will treat you right and give you a no bs assessment of your bike.

The new owner of the shop heard every word the mech said as he was peacefully munching a burger. I knew I was in trouble when he said the cables and housings had to be replaced yearly. I am a dumb wrench...but not quite that dumb ! Switchback sounds like its pretty close.

I change my shift cables every year. It might be overkill but I'd rather be overly cautious than to have one break in the middle of BFE.

I don't change the brake cables though.

If he would have asked me how many miles I ride a year or in what kind of weather I would have cut him some slack but to say cables and housings need to be repaced yearly on a bike that might be ridden 50,500 or 5,000 is just plain ridiculous. Any other Bike shop suggestions?

+1 Do it yourself. If you have $$$ to blow on a shop telling you to get a new cassette and cables, housing... you can afford a nice stand and a few tools. Strip the bike down and put it back together.
You will be amazed at how simple it is and might even enjoy it.
I personally don't understand how anyone can be serious about cycling without know how it all works.

I have to agree. Basic mechanical skills are a must. It's not even about "I have the money so why should I learn." It's more about being able to ride the next day instead of waiting for a shop to fix it.

UD

Lots of good, strong riders, including pros, have absolutely no mechanical skills. Nothing wrong with that.... :D

Does not take many mechanical skills to adjust a derailleur. Good, strong riders, including pros can become every better, stronger riders if they knew how it all worked.

Chuck5.2 ....I would recommend you visit Switchback Cyclery in the city of Orange. Tim and Sherry, who own the shop, will treat you right and give you a no bs assessment of your bike.

+1 to that recommendation.

Regarding the "do it yourself" comments - I know how to do and have the tools to do most bike repairs myself, but since I have a busy work and family life, sometimes it's a lot easier to take it to a shop you can trust rather than burning the time yourself.

Jenson USA in Corona (next to the Harley-Davidson dealer near the auto mall). A friend who lives in Corona takes his bike there for work and likes the service.

Orange Cyclery. Just south of the traffic circle on Glassell in the City of Orange. Older bike shop with great reputation.

Like others mention above, those are fairly basic maintenance skills that are easy to learn if you want to save some $$$ and time in the shop.

Regarding the "do it yourself" comments - I know how to do and have the tools to do most bike repairs myself, but since I have a busy work and family life, sometimes it's a lot easier to take it to a shop you can trust rather than burning the time yourself.

If you're installing new components, this might be true. I can't see it being true for simpler things though. My experience with shop work is that some things that would take you an hour to do would require you to:
1) Drive to the shop (10-30 minutes)
2) Put in service request in the shops work backlog
3) Drive Home (10-30 minutes)
4) Wait for shop to get to your bike in their work backlog (2-7 days)
5) Drive back to the shop (10-30 minutes)
6) Pick up bike.
7) Drive back home (10-30 minutes)

All that driving back and forth is time you could have spent doing it yourself, plus, you're out of a bike for a couple of days. This is not a time saving measure. This is why so many people recommended learning to do things yourself.

Surf City Cyclery in Huntington Beach is good.

Cables and housings once a year isn't necessarily overkill. Twice a year is normal for a person that rides a lot. It depends how much you ride.

The stuff that you described shouldn't happen.

You can probably fix the phantom shifting by adjusting the barrel where the cable stops right before your rear derailler. Spin it one way a turn and see if it's better or worse. Continue until fixed.

If he would have asked me how many miles I ride a year or in what kind of weather I would have cut him some slack but to say cables and housings need to be repaced yearly on a bike that might be ridden 50,500 or 5,000 is just plain ridiculous.

No suggestions from me on shops, but a forum member works at Jensen USA in Corona... so you might want to mention BF when you get in there...

As for maintenance, changing cables, chain, cassette and other things on a routine basis is a bogus ploy. Bicycling Magazine says to change your chain every 1k miles. I broke down and bought a new chain for the road bike after about 7k, because it finally started stretching and at the same time the cables needed to be replaced because I snapped one putting the bike into my car. I am not even going to talk about cassettes because those only need to be replaced when the wear is plainly evident, and even then you might just change the rings which are most commonly used.

next thing I hear will be about how everyone is meticulous about never going over 3k miles in their car without an oil change... :roflmao2:

Orange Cyclery. Just south of the traffic circle on Glassell in the City of Orange. Older bike shop with great reputation.


I beg to differ. http://www.mybikesite.com/shops/openshop.cgi?loc=socal&lbs=oc__74

Santiago Cycling in Tustin is where I go, but then again I'm bias. Kings in Seal Beach is great too but a little far for you.

The Anaheim Hills Bike Shop on La Palma, right? I'm actually surprised that those guys are still in business, they are so bad.

You could always try Rock N Road on the other side of the freeway - I've never had service done there, but they've always been cool and helpful - and accomodating with returns. I've heard comments from people on this board that like them. They aren't cheap, but it would be just around the corner for you.

The best shop I know of is Richard's Cyclery hands down. He's in the phone book.
OP, If you want to learn how to wrench on your bike I'll teach you, just pm me.

I cannot believe the arrogance of some of the members of this forum. I won't brag about my net income or my hourly rare when I choose to work. Division of labor is what made civilization possible. When I spend some of my income for a plummer or a roofer nobody suggest I should do the work myself, although I did both of those jobs as a youth. When I played college tennis only a few people suggested that I buy a machine and learn to string. I like to drive but no one expects me to be an expert mechanic but when I talk to fellow cyclist almost to a person they tell me to do the work myself. Riding is FUN for me ! Great exercise, keeps me fitter than any 59 year old has the right to be, and has in general let me meet some really cool people. But between the hammer heads and the gear heads its no wonder I havent posted in 3 years ! Sheesh!

If you're installing new components, this might be true. I can't see it being true for simpler things though. My experience with shop work is that some things that would take you an hour to do would require you to:
1) Drive to the shop (10-30 minutes)
2) Put in service request in the shops work backlog
3) Drive Home (10-30 minutes)
4) Wait for shop to get to your bike in their work backlog (2-7 days)
5) Drive back to the shop (10-30 minutes)
6) Pick up bike.
7) Drive back home (10-30 minutes)

All that driving back and forth is time you could have spent doing it yourself, plus, you're out of a bike for a couple of days. This is not a time saving measure. This is why so many people recommended learning to do things yourself.

Good points, but in my case...

1. I usually drive to/from the shop as part of other errands, so no additional time spent there.
2. I have a couple of bikes, so I can deal without one for a couple of days.
3. Sometimes if it's simple enough, the shop will fix it on the spot.

I still do the most simple things myself - but the line where I do it myself versus taking to the shop depends on how busy I am.

my typing isnt very good either (RATE vs Rare)...as to the VERY helpful analysis of my time...I LIKE to go to bike stores, so the trip there and back again is fun for me. I can usually combine it with something else in the area. There is an old fashion ice cream fountain near Glassel in Orange that I have been dying to try. As to missing the bike..DUH.. I wont even dignify that with a response.
As for knowing how the bike works I have an advanced degree in Physics. I know how most EVERYTHING works including nuclear reactors. I still would want to fix one because I KNOW I am a lousy mechanic. Thanks too for the offer of teaching me how to "wrench". Its been tried and it doesn't take. Shroedinger's wave equation and non newtownian mechanics are easy for me...but "righty tighty, lefty loosey is still a mystery !

For me, it's "What part of 'I have other things I'd rather do than something I'd rather not do' are you all not comprehending?" That, and my LBS is near work, so dropping a bike off or picking it up isn't that big a deal. And I have achieved N+1, so with one in the shop I still have another to ride. If you enjoy working on your bike, fine, do it. I don't, and I won't. My bikes are for my enjoyment. I don't even do my own oil changes any more.

I cannot believe the arrogance of some of the members of this forum. I won't brag about my net income or my hourly rare when I choose to work. Division of labor is what made civilization possible. When I spend some of my income for a plummer or a roofer nobody suggest I should do the work myself, although I did both of those jobs as a youth. When I played college tennis only a few people suggested that I buy a machine and learn to string. I like to drive but no one expects me to be an expert mechanic but when I talk to fellow cyclist almost to a person they tell me to do the work myself. Riding is FUN for me ! Great exercise, keeps me fitter than any 59 year old has the right to be, and has in general let me meet some really cool people. But between the hammer heads and the gear heads its no wonder I havent posted in 3 years ! Sheesh!

Yourself included. :roflmao2:

I can't blame the OP for being PO'ed. He asked a question, someone replied suggesting he DIY, he politely responded that he had his reasons for not wanting to DIY, and he still got suggestions to DIY!

Thanks Brian...anyway problem solved. Bike taken to Swithback Cyclery in Orange. I had a pleasant conversation with Tim the owner and did my grocery shopping on the way back. I think I have found a good LBS.

I think I have found a good LBS.

Let us know how everything ends. Good cycling shops can be hard to come by.

I can't blame the OP for being PO'ed. He asked a question, someone replied suggesting he DIY, he politely responded that he had his reasons for not wanting to DIY, and he still got suggestions to DIY!

It's BF. :thumb:

I'm not certain any shop anymore has a great mechanic. The exception is Juan at Cycle Care in Lake Forest. He is an old time mechanic and wheel builder. The Shop isn't set up to sell bicycles, just do mechanics. I also like the Irvine Rock'nRoad. Any of the guys there are good. Edge is good. But really I learned to do all the repairs myself. I'm a chick... it isn't that hard. Just, like Brian said, time consuming. The only thing I can't do is build wheels. I have a shop in Santa Maria (Main Street Cycles - Scott) to do that.

And yes I understand he doesn't want to do it himself. One just then needs to understand the problem with depending on shops.

As for knowing how the bike works I have an advanced degree in Physics. I know how most EVERYTHING works including nuclear reactors. I still would want to fix one because I KNOW I am a lousy mechanic. Thanks too for the offer of teaching me how to "wrench". Its been tried and it doesn't take. Shroedinger's wave equation and non newtownian mechanics are easy for me...but "righty tighty, lefty loosey is still a mystery !

Funny you said that... I have a good friend who is also a physicist... I had to show him how to turn on the dishwasher. He could explain how it functioned but was just baffled by all the buttons!

Yourself included. :roflmao2:

NO KIDDING!!!!
5.2(Sheldon) It seems like that great career of yours has you pretty tightly wound. That must be great. People are just making suggestions trying to help. You don't have to be a great mechanic to learn to do a few things. I drive a car, I don't "enjoy" pumping gas, but I sure as hell don't pay someone to do it for me.

Knowing how everything in the world works means nothing if you can't make those things work.
What will you do WHEN (not if) your bike breaks down on a ride? You'll call someone who's time is obviously not as valuable as yours to come pick your sorry ***** up. You may wait an hour for them to get to you when YOU might have been able to make a quick roadside repair and finish your ride.

So to you Sheldon (op), I say go away for another three years. If you mellow out you can come back.:banned:

my typing isnt very good either (RATE vs Rare)...as to the VERY helpful analysis of my time...I LIKE to go to bike stores, so the trip there and back again is fun for me. I can usually combine it with something else in the area. There is an old fashion ice cream fountain near Glassel in Orange that I have been dying to try. As to missing the bike..DUH.. I wont even dignify that with a response.
As for knowing how the bike works I have an advanced degree in Physics. I know how most EVERYTHING works including nuclear reactors. I still would want to fix one because I KNOW I am a lousy mechanic. Thanks too for the offer of teaching me how to "wrench". Its been tried and it doesn't take. Shroedinger's wave equation and non newtownian mechanics are easy for me...but "righty tighty, lefty loosey is still a mystery !

Nice work asking for help, then getting all uppity with us, big shot. You are a complete ******.

I beg to differ. http://www.mybikesite.com/shops/openshop.cgi?loc=socal&lbs=oc__74

Santiago Cycling in Tustin is where I go, but then again I'm bias. Kings in Seal Beach is great too but a little far for you.

Interesting to know about Orange Cycle. I have a friend at work who lives in the area and takes his bikes there for service. They have them done when they say they'll be done, and he's never had any problems with the work. He did buy one there (a multi-speed cruiser), so that may help. I went in there looking at a Masi and they were extremely helpful; didn't buy it, but am seriously thinking of going back and dropping the $$$ (I needed a larger size frame than what they had in stock at the time). I do all my own basic maintenance, so don't have a personal opinion on the shop's service myself.

Bannings Bikes in downtown Fullerton.
The Two Wheeler Dealer in Brea.

Why can't we all just get along????:trainwreck:
I have to agree with the post about having someone pick the OP up.
My chain fell off and I cant fix it.... hmmm advanced degree but no common sense.
I love to fix my bikes, know why????
Cause I had someone else fix it once :twitchy:
No one has ever touched any of my bikes since.
I read in a magazine one time about a guy that took his bike in for some minor work, the shop told him it would take a few hours. He took off and came back and saw the "professional" mechanic eating his lunch and working on his bike at the same time. Seems the mechanic was running behind schedule. Long story short, The bike didn't get fixed right and the guy took the bike home and got a manual and fixed it himself. Seems the professional job came from the guy that wasn't a professional mechanic.
Seems there is alot of that going around these days...
So when people that have been there/here suggest you diy, maybe it's because we all feel better knowing that our bikes are getting fixed by someone that really cares = DIY!!

The best shop I know of is Richard's Cyclery hands down. He's in the phone book.
OP, If you want to learn how to wrench on your bike I'll teach you, just pm me.

WOw, if someone offer to teach me how to wrench my bike, I would jump at the opportunity in no time!

Emergency repairs and shop service are two very different things. I can do just about every emergency repair and in the 20,000 road miles I have on the bike I only got a ride once and that was in an ambulance. The vitriol on this post is mind blowing. Yes I was sarcastic with the DIY replies. But I was polite and appreciative to those who suggested various bike shops and mechanics. I might just continue to post for the sheer entertainment value !

Oh and it took me a while to get that Sheldon comment and although my degrees are in physics I don't resemble him at all. For one with his body type he'd ride me into the dust with a little training. For another...oh never mind !

Emergency repairs and shop service are two very different things. I can do just about every emergency repair and in the 20,000 road miles I have on the bike I only got a ride once and that was in an ambulance. The vitriol on this post is mind blowing. Yes I was sarcastic with the DIY replies. But I was polite and appreciative to those who suggested various bike shops and mechanics. I might just continue to post for the sheer entertainment value !

Oh and it took me a while to get that Sheldon comment and although my degrees are in physics I don't resemble him at all. For one with his body type he'd ride me into the dust with a little training. For another...oh never mind !

That's what 90% of BF is all about!

Jax in Huntington Beach seriously impressed me last week. I didn't need anything complicated, but they were extremely helpful despite knowing that I'm not an OC resident and so am outside of their territory most of the time. I can't speak for the whole chain but the staff members at that location were great.

OP-- You might consider visiting one of the bike repair co-ops/collectives--that's kind of a happy medium between DIY at home and just throwing the bike at a shop's repair department. Not necessarily just to make a repair, but as an experience. Pardon the awkward analogy, but think of it as visiting the lab of an allied engineering department. You might not live there, being on the theoretical side, but it expands your horizons. And the engineering part of bike culture is worth soaking up.

In OC: http://www.thebicycletree.org/main.html



A new kind of bicycle facility is coming to Orange County – one that incorporates bicycle education, bicycle recycling, and do-it-yourself repair. We will offer programs and services for youth and adults at affordable prices. Bringing together the excitement and accessibility of cycling, the fulfillment of conservation, and the rewards of education, The Bicycle Tree will be a unique, empowering resource for Orange County cyclists!


I thought I was mechanically inept until I found a coop and found myself being walked through a BB and headset rebuild on an old unearthed PX-10. I may never be mechanically intuitive, but it's a pleasure applying myself to these tasks. At the same time, I wouldn't hesitate to go to an LBS for work I'm not comfortable doing myself (in terms of capability or time.) The nice thing about a coop as it's a low-pressure take what you want and leave the rest approach to wrenching.

In Tustin, Santiago cycle, owner is Robert. In his 50's. Good mechanic. And he's a Trek dealer.

I might just continue to post for the sheer entertainment value !

With that kind of attitude you will fit right in. :thumb:

Here's the final result with the work done at Switchback Cyclery in Orange...nothing short of perfection ! The bike shifts like butter ..as good or better that when it was new. The bike was ready exactly when he promised and Tim and his wife were a pleasure to deal with. He found and corrected a problem with a bent bracket that I didnt even know him about and the price was so reasonable I really wanted to buy a store jersey as a way to say "Thank You" ! Unfortunately they were out of my size. Thanks Tim !

Damn they have a cool Red White and Blue jersey that compliments my bike perfectly ! Of course I am sure some of the members in here will insist I buy the material and DIY !


Chuck

Damn they have a cool Red White and Blue jersey that compliments my bike perfectly ! Of course I am sure some of the members in here will insist I buy the material and DIY !


ChuckThat's funny.