slcbob

Which is a two edged sword. I doubt the OP would have much trouble finding a good deal. At issue would be getting a good price on the bike he needs to sell first, given the market, and sequencing the transactions without a large bikeless window in between.

As far as lifetime maintenance -- this isn't a BMW, and even they cut it off at 4 years. I think the level of service you "should have expected" is exactly what it sounds like you got: a simple fit/set up and a tune up after a little bit. Yes, there are shops that offer a lifetime of simple adjustments, basically taking up cable stretch on brakes and derailleurs. If they're one, great. If they're not one, I wouldn't make a big issue of it. Those shops are offering you a free 2 min service as a loss leader in return for conditioning you to come to them for every need and hoping that will result in sales. I think you'd be better off being self contained and able to make the simple adjustment yourself. Whether you go to the shop for actual work beyond that or learn to do some of your own, your call, but since times are tough you'll save some $ on your own.

I suggest that, rather than going in with a perception of entitlement and a "make it right" goal regarding this minor service (no matter how polite in execution), you adjust your objectives to:
1) see what they do offer (likely the one tuneup)
2) see if they'll show you how to do your own minor adjustments (read online first so you're not starting from 0)
3) let them know how tough times are and what you're looking for, perhaps they can point you to good salvage or they have some parts around

You have absolutely no right to expect them to, e.g., replace brake pads or a cable for free just because you bought the bike there.

chriswrong

I appreciate your thoughts and suggestions! Let me clarify my statements regarding going back to the store for a discussion with the manager.

I understand and fully accept the policy of one free adjustment/one free tune-up. I am more than willing to service the simple things myself after I've utilized these services. The level of service I am more concerned with was during the original sale. The salesperson made no effort to help me find a bike, nor did they do any adjustments to ensure that the bike was properly fit to me. I was expecting at least the adjustments that h. bicycletus mentions...

I was referring to these adjustments when discussing my plan to talk to a manager at the shop.

slcbob

Pure Machiavellian take -- the salesperson made "enough" effort to sell you a bike and get you out the door. You voted most tangibly with your $$ that they met your expectation at the time.

A smart manager will appreciate that the sales staff coulda / shoulda done more to make you a happy camper for the long run. Curious whether the same salesperson is still there shoving bikes out the door, maybe has learned, or maybe is gone as you're not the first. I do get the sense the statute of limitations is expired, but good luck with all. (really, I know that sounds snide, but not meant that way)

chriswrong

Apparently I haven't posted enough to send PMs. Bumping a thread is not my preferred method of direct communication, but I guess in this case this is the only option I have. I'm definitely interested in your rack, tjspiel.

monsterpile

One option to help outfit your bike if you can come up with $15 or so is see if you can find an old road bike (or cruiser with 27 inch tires) with fenders. Buy it for $15. Take off the fenders and put them on your bike. They might not be a direct fit, btu you can make them work better than making fenders. They will probably be steel and if they are chrome if they have rust on them shine them up with steel wool. If they are painted and look crappy spray paint them flat black at worst. Then sell the road bike on CL for $15 or maybe even more especially if you can clean it up and get it running smoothly. Also you can look for a cheap bike with a rear rack and buy that one and do the same thing. Maybe you will get lucky and find something that has both. I wouldn't be surprised if you even found something like that at the dump or the dumpster. Last week I got a free plastic fender and a couple decent used tires from a bunch of stuff people were throwing out. I only took the nicest bike frame from the pile because I have to many of the crappy kind already. Good luck in your search and hopefully the weather you are trying to prepare for holds off for a while.

daddyfoxderek

This is great advice, and I was beat to it. I went in a couple days ago to the LBS that I had purchased my bike from asking about toe clips (and only paid cost/6 dollars for a set they had lying around). Also asked about some basic adjustments so my wrists wouldn't get tweaked. They ended up showing me the basic maintenance and all size adjustments while switching out my slightly swept bar for a nice straight bar (that they had lying around). I walked out with a better fitting bar, a better fitting bike and some maintenance tips for almost nothing.

Also, I don't know if you've tried this, but when my girl was that young she outgrew all her initially bought baby clothes by 3 months. I took a crapload of clothes & baby stuff to OnceUponAChild, and while I didn't get a lot for it, it was enough that it would've bought at least a set of fenders. Plasma works too, I've done that for about a month a while back.

Glad you're keeping the better/newer/defnotalemon bike.

kludgefudge

Try posting something like "looking for used fenders and rack for hybrid free or cheap" on craigslist, and maybe some conscientious flipper will notice it and give you a call to unload some of the detritus they have stripped off bikes lying around.

treebound 

Watch yard/garage/rummage sales for donor bikes to scavange parts off of, and any thift shops in your area. Also watch your local craigslist for deals on less than desirable donor bikes. I see bikes for under $25 that often have racks on them and probably a few others parts you can use. Some of the older step-thru framed bikes can be had for $15, and many that came with 27" wheels had decent metal skinny fenders on them to salvage. You might have to modify the fender support arms to work on your bike though.

Spend some time on the parktool web site in their repair how to do it section, as well as spending time on sheldonbrown.com which I've heard Harris Cyclery is updating and adding to and keeping the site alive. You'll find lots of tips and tricks on both sites. Also check youtube by searching for bicycle phrases, like fixing a flat, rebuilding a road bike, adding or installing bicycle fenders, prepping a commuter bike, and so forth. There is some goofy junk on youtube, but lots of good stuff to.

Sometimes you can find a donor bike, remove what you need, then relist it for a few dollars less to recover some of your costs. If you need some initial stake money to get started then sell something you don't use that you currently have (rocking chair, bathroom scale, Hamilton Beach blender, espresso machine, vintage jeans, ...) .

Call it a project and have some fun with it. Sew a waist belt onto your backpack to help support it and run the shoulder straps a little looser to help with the sweat issue. Or just turn it into a large waist pack if you or someone you know has sewing skills.

Good luck with the project. And if you update your profile to indicate at least what country or state you are in you might find some local people willing to help out. Some stuff you could use, like a rack or seat bag, are probably not worth the cost of shipping, but someone local might have one to give you or at least loan to you for awhile.