Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Does your Mechanic let you watch?

I know its bad form to take your bike to the LBS for repairs at all as you should learn to do everything yourself, but if needing repair/replacement for something
that either intimidates you, don't have the tool for, or too rich and/or lazy to do,
is it bad form to ask to watch the mechanic do it to learn yourself?
Or is that akin to going to a restaurant and asking to watch the Chef make your
meal so you can do it yourself and not spend your money there anymore?

Anytime I take my bikes somewhere to get work done (usually because I don't have the proper tools), I like to hang out with the mechanics and talk/watch, assuming they can do the work on the spot. They never seem to have a problem with it.

The only work I bring my bike in for is headset removal/installation because I won't shell out the $$ for the tools due to the infrequent nature of their use. The wrenches don't care that I watch what they're doing.

depends on you relationship with the shop if you are in there all the time and have spent a lot of money there they tend to let you do what you want

The only work I bring my bike in for is headset removal/installation because I won't shell out the $$ for the tools due to the infrequent nature of their use. The wrenches don't care that I watch what they're doing.

You can make a headset remover out of a copper pipe with 4 vertical cuts in it; it's basically the same as the park tool.

You can make a simple headset press using a long threaded bolt, two nuts, and two washers.

lol i watch them fixing other peoples bikes all day so hell yea u can watch

When I'm workin on someone's bike they can watch if they want, I think it's great for people to learn how to fix their bike. If I ever took my bike somewhere to get fixed, I'd probably watch too, but maybe that's just because I'm OCD and want to be aware of what's going on. Although we have a policy at the shop I work at now and customers aren't allowed into the back because we had a rim fall from the ceiling onto some dude's head once.

I don't mind being watched although I do double my rate for that.

When I build wheels I usually can't stand the company of anyone except Alexander Keith.

:)

It sucks the worst to have people watching you work on bikes, actually. Especially when the people ask a bunch of questions, and they don't know what they are talking about.

Having worked as a mechanic in a bike shop, I found it highly annoying to have a customer breathing down my neck, getting in the way and yacking incessantly while I try to concentrate on the job at hand and do it properly as well as quickly so I can get to the next customer's bike. You can find out everything you need to know in books and online. The real issue is whether it is cost-effective to buy a very expensive tool that you might use once in a decade or pay your LBS a modest fee to do it. I recently bought a frame and fork with a 1-1/8 threadless steerer tube and did not have a driver tool for the headset fork crown race. I did not want to pay $30 for the tool and could not find any pipe with the proper ID, so I took it to my LBS. I asked the mechanic if he could also cut down the head tube, and he started writing a work ticket, said he needed 3 days to do it and would charge $15. I then said forget cutting the steerer tube I already have a pipe cutter, just drive the fork crown race. He said OK dude, tore up the ticket, pulled out his 1-1/8 driver wack wack wack its done no charge I'm outta there. Moral of the story do as much as you can yourself and if you keep it simple for the LBS they'll make it easy for you.

I would not even ask to watch.

When repairing vehicles, folks would ask if it was OK to watch. I would allow it if they told me where they worked. If they asked why I wanted to know that, I would let them know I planned on parking myself in their office to watch them "work"

Tejano, I usually use an old piece of 2" exhaust tubing and a piece of wood to hammer on my crown races, it works great.

Laj, do you do shady stuff when you "work" on people's cars? How come you wouldn't let them watch? When I was a mechanic at a hot rod shop in college I welcomed people to watch so they could know for sure I was trustworthy.

I would definitely let people watch me in my cube all day, but it sure would be boring.

I think some people don't like to be watched because there are many customers who love their bike or car, and want to make sure you are doing it right and will analyzing the job you are doing, even if not knowing really what you are doing or how it is meant to be done.

Laj, do you do shady stuff when you "work" on people's cars? How come you wouldn't let them watch? When I was a mechanic at a hot rod shop in college I welcomed people to watch so they could know for sure I was trustworthy.

No I didn't do shady stuff. I am actually quite proud of the work I do in that field. They knew I was trustworthy because their concern was addressed. Drivability is a far cry from some "hotrod shop" as well.

There are a few shops that only allow employees in the mechanic's area

I would definitely let people watch me in my cube all day, but it sure would be boring.

+1, customer service jobs are quite boring for everyone

My lbs doesn't let me watch - they let me use their tools.

My lbs doesn't let me watch - they let me use their tools.

thats the ticket.

The shop stands at my LBS are in an open area behind the counter. They even have bar stools so you can hang out while your bike is being fixed. Goes along with their policy of free installation if you buy your parts there.

That being said, if they think you're a ****** they'll say they're really backed up and your bike won't be ready until tomorrow.

I work at a guitar shop, and I will tell you that it's pretty annoying when people stand too close and watch diligently. It's a lot different if you just ask if it's cool to watch (I will always say yes), or if you are capable of holding a decent conversation. Just don't stand there wide-mouthed and watch like an idiot.

I have a bike co-op at the university nearby, and they charge slightly more than using their tools for one of the employees/volunteers/whatever to help you learn how to fix your bike.

You should avoid any craftsmen(women) who doesn't let you watch while working. That should ring some serious bells especially for those mechanics you don't really know. I had a wheel build once and somehow the guy didn't tension the spokes correctly. (Yep, and good mechanics may forget to do something.)

Picky customers are actually good customers because they are interested in work you do. Worst customers are who just "leaves" work on you. They tend to pester you with every little crap making you do all the after-service for free.

$10 if I do it.
$20 if you watch.
$30 if you help.

Lug Steel,

It is never bad form to take your steed to your lbs for repair/upgrades. Of course, it's good to be able to do work yourself and you should give things a go. But, don't ever feel inferior by going somewhere and paying someone to do their job. It's their job! If you are not a regular customer and the stands are not out in public areas then common courtesy would dictate you ask if it is OK to watch and of course you should avoid being a pain in the ass.

The two places I go to invite me back and show me what's up without me even asking. They're cool like that.

I've sort of forgotten what it's like to look for a new lbs. I've been with my local favorite for well over 10 years now. I pour my own coffee, gnaw on power bars without paying for them, poke around and whatever. About the only thing I've never done is go behind the counter.

You can make a headset remover out of a copper pipe with 4 vertical cuts in it; it's basically the same as the park tool.

You can make a simple headset press using a long threaded bolt, two nuts, and two washers.

yup I built both for my tool box. Over the year I have collected a lot of different tools the only thing I flat won't do is build wheels....it's worth it to me to have someone else deal with the hassle. I watched Ron at Blacksmith Bicycle Wheels build beautiful wheels in no time that I would still b working on if I tried

I just starting to learn a little wrenching. If they're not busy my LBS lets me use their tools. They even stop me before I do something stupid.

Anytime I take my bikes somewhere to get work done (usually because I don't have the proper tools), I like to hang out with the mechanics and talk/watch, assuming they can do the work on the spot. They never seem to have a problem with it.

Yeah, and if they do its time to take your bike someplace else. While waiting to have my bike serviced at another LBS I saw the wrech kick someones bike! (really hard!) 'cause the tool slipped and he bashed his knuckles! I grabbed up my bike and got out of there! :lol: The LBS I now use doesn't have a problem with me watching, and they know I'm watching to learn too!. :thumb: