Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - d*mn LBS bills

I hate it when I have to take my bike in to get something really piddly done just because I don't have the $150 tool to do it in a second.

Like today, I won't have my brakes done until I can get the LBS to cut me some brake cable housing and a new cable hanger. I just told the guy: 'get it outta my sight'--I can pick it up tomorrow.

It's the little things...

lrschum

Cable housing is a couple bucks. I cut it with wire cutter and file the bur. It IS a little thing.

I use 99 cent wire cutters to cut my cable housings. But I use a high quality cable cutter to cut cables.

The tool's about 15 bucks.

I have a membership at my LBS that lets me use all the tools, stands, etc.
Tips are free too.
Cost is $30 for 6 months. Store hours are 10-7.
Worked out great so far.

Check out the Sibley Bike Depot in St. Paul. I believe they have a co-op membership. There's also the Hub Bike Cooperative & the Grease Pit in Minneapolis.


I hate it when I have to take my bike in to get something really piddly done just because I don't have the $150 tool to do it in a second.

Like today, I won't have my brakes done until I can get the LBS to cut me some brake cable housing and a new cable hanger. I just told the guy: 'get it outta my sight'--I can pick it up tomorrow.

It's the little things...

lrschum

Freewheel also has a DIY section you can rent by the hour. That's where I found my new lockring tool (no, I didn't steal it, I said - 'WOW' and asked them to order me one. They ordered a Park tool the first time, I had to make really sure that they knew I wanted the Hozan the second time...)

Check out the Sibley Bike Depot in St. Paul. I believe they have a co-op membership. There's also the Hub Bike Cooperative & the Grease Pit in Minneapolis.

Thanks, I'll check into this. It's not really the cable housing thing as much as things like threadless headset installs and other repairs that use special tools.

what special tools are required for a threadless headset install?

I'm 100% the opposite, having got really crappy service and poor attitudes from so many different bike shops in Wichita I go out of my way to buy stuff or have my LBS do the work for me. Heck when my wheels out of true just a little i swing by and have em true it back up.

So you know what im talking about they have:

1. Repaired my old mountain bike.
2. Converted it to SS
3. Built me a Fixed gear when i brought a frame in from elsewhere.
4. I'm bidding on another chromoly frame and fork from ebay, gonna have em swap all the parts from my 17"(too small) frame to the 19", actually having it delivered to them from the seller.

Really hate to be corny but poor service is such a norm in so many ways, finding a patient and service oriented lbs is one of the real pleasures in life.

I guess i have dropped about 1500 bucks with them in the last 2 years or so, small potatoes, but they also get all the rest of my bike money for all my future bike needs.

what special tools are required for a threadless headset install?

Five bucks worth of bolt, nut, and washers...

I have come around a bit after I got my bike yesterday and the guy did such a good job (and really, really cheap). I am just sort of a do-it-yourself kind of guy so it just personally frustrating (it's not like there is anything wrong w/ the LBS).

The only thing is, I keep having to got there to pick up little parts and I always work during their business hours. Oh well, at least I can ride now...

with one brake...

my point exactly.