Why are bike shops so worthless?
02-17-15, 06:58 AM
#101
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But why would this necessitate replacing the cables completely?
Just untwist the cables & re-run them through the housing.
Seems fishy...
02-17-15, 08:32 AM
#103
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i went through a few shops here locally, need up buying from one i really didn't expect to buy from. and post buying, i have not been happier with my experience. they have been very informative and willing to help. the mechanics are very seasoned and know 100% what they are doing. lesson, find a good LBS and stick with it.
02-17-15, 11:09 AM
#104
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I got a bad hamburger at McDonalds once. Clearly, all restaurants are just ripoff joints selling crap for too much money.
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02-17-15, 11:23 AM
#105
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Actually the need for a perfect cut on the top of the steerer is much exaggerated. A hacksaw and a piece of masking tape as a visual guide are all that are needed to make the cut. Assuming the measurement has been made correctly, of course. The steerer top needs to sit 2-3 mm below the stem top or the spacers above the stem if you use them. Nothing touches the steerer top, so there is no reason it has to be perfect. The top cap of the headset rests above the steerer without touching it when properly set up. So slight irregularities in the top of the steerer are completely insignificant.
02-17-15, 12:13 PM
#106
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Let me see if I have this straight:
The OP handed an LBS he usually doesn't do business with a used rim and spokes and a replacement PT hub purchased elsewhere for a rebuild on Tuesday with the expectation that the job would be done by Friday. On Monday the job isn't completed and so he's written them off as terrible and lacking customer service. When, he's admitted to not spending any more at LBS's than is absolutely neccessary (tubes, etc.).
The OP handed an LBS he usually doesn't do business with a used rim and spokes and a replacement PT hub purchased elsewhere for a rebuild on Tuesday with the expectation that the job would be done by Friday. On Monday the job isn't completed and so he's written them off as terrible and lacking customer service. When, he's admitted to not spending any more at LBS's than is absolutely neccessary (tubes, etc.).
They are not a PowerTap dealer, nor a HED dealer, and I didn't see the point in throwing away a rim with less than 2000 miles on it.
PowerTap gave me a replacement hub since the previous one cracked.
Also, it's now Tuesday (seven days after I supplied the rim and hub). Receipt says done by Friday.
02-17-15, 12:14 PM
#107
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What the OP has or hasn't done in the past is of no Importance. If the receipt said friday he has every right to expect it by friday. The LBS should view this as an opportunity to gain a new customer. Of course, with his income he should shop at Walmart, not be buying high end bikes. Instead save his money, work hard and as his income goes up then look into a better bike. Just my opinion.
02-17-15, 12:18 PM
#108
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OP,
How much did the shop quote for this build?
Did you hand them a new G3? I believe the G3 has a significantly smaller flange diameter than the old SLs with the carbon windows.
Or, did you source an old, used, SL to replace the one that cracked?
Did they provide a reason why they hadn't completed the wheel?
How much did the shop quote for this build?
Did you hand them a new G3? I believe the G3 has a significantly smaller flange diameter than the old SLs with the carbon windows.
Or, did you source an old, used, SL to replace the one that cracked?
Did they provide a reason why they hadn't completed the wheel?
I provided a new G3. Flanges are smaller, mechanic said he would cut spokes down/replace as required.
I went in on Saturday expecting to pick it up and was told "We got really busy on Friday."
Last edited by reggieray; 02-17-15 at 12:26 PM.
02-17-15, 12:35 PM
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02-17-15, 12:35 PM
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If the flanges are smaller, you need longer spokes, not shorter.
02-17-15, 12:37 PM
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02-17-15, 12:44 PM
#112
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02-17-15, 01:25 PM
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Last edited by rpenmanparker; 02-17-15 at 01:35 PM.
02-17-15, 02:16 PM
#115
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Absolutely.
Try White Castle... One is more than enough for a lifetime.
I suppose the point is that there are good hamburger joints, and bad ones. And, perhaps even some variability within a single chain, or variability from day to day depending on the staff. You can't judge all by a single experience.
However, with numerous online vendors just a mouse click away, the local stores can not rely on being the only parts source in town. They need to work extra hard to retain customer loyalty.
Covering "emergency needs" is important and a good argument to support one's LBS, I suppose only if the LBS has invested in the stock to pull a person through one's needs.
Try White Castle... One is more than enough for a lifetime.
I suppose the point is that there are good hamburger joints, and bad ones. And, perhaps even some variability within a single chain, or variability from day to day depending on the staff. You can't judge all by a single experience.
However, with numerous online vendors just a mouse click away, the local stores can not rely on being the only parts source in town. They need to work extra hard to retain customer loyalty.
Covering "emergency needs" is important and a good argument to support one's LBS, I suppose only if the LBS has invested in the stock to pull a person through one's needs.
02-17-15, 02:27 PM
#116
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A really affordable offer to build and then an excuses for not getting it done in the promised 72hrs. (sarcasm) Yep, that's reason enough to comdemn shops in general as worthless.(sarcasm off)
Then there's ^this^. You're going to need a full set of spokes. Unless they have a spoke stretcher. I'm a bit surprised that neither you nor the mechanic didn't think this through.
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02-17-15, 07:43 PM
#118
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"On the few things I use shops for, I either get ridiculously slow service." As stated in your original post, you don't use local bike shops so why should they care if they give you good service. It is a two way street.
02-17-15, 10:19 PM
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As a businessman myself, I always operate on the premise that any job which I take-on or promise that I make, becomes my responsibility to provide the utmost in quality service and honoring of the contract into which I've entered into; regardless of whether the job is for a new; infrequent; one-time; or regular customer. And yes, we all make mistakes- but what one DOES about those mistakes says a lot.
02-17-15, 10:48 PM
#120
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The problem with the bike business is that, I'd guess less than 15% of the owners really know how to run a business. These are shops that have multiple locations, and are doing $10+ million in sales. They have parts, probably 10 repair stands all with mechanics working on bikes, multiple sales people on the floor, bikes in stock so that the customer can buy the bike and go home with it that day. And you have got to know how to manage credit and cash flow. If you have that you will attract good employees and fully trained mechanics.
This store doesn't have any problem at all doing business successfully.
02-17-15, 10:52 PM
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As a businessman myself, I always operate on the premise that any job which I take-on or promise that I make, becomes my responsibility to provide the utmost in quality service and honoring of the contract into which I've entered into; regardless of whether the job is for a new; infrequent; one-time; or regular customer. And yes, we all make mistakes- but what one DOES about those mistakes says a lot.
02-18-15, 05:50 AM
#122
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I'm fortunate to be near a couple stores like this. The most successful grew from one to three stores now. They deal mostly in high end bikes and stock pretty much everything they sell in just about every size. That one store has five mechanic work stands and can fix or repair things on the spot if you have an emergency. The sales people all are accomplished racers or triathletes and know what they are talking about. If I need something like a part, tires, clothes in my size, or just about anything, I'm surprised when they don't have it.
This store doesn't have any problem at all doing business successfully.
This store doesn't have any problem at all doing business successfully.
02-18-15, 07:56 AM
#123
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That's called the 'California Cross' and it's pretty much the standard way to set up the cables. It's pretty ridiculous that they would attribute any shifting problems to that, necessitating the replacement of cables. WTH?
From your description of the problem, "...not shift into the largest or smallest gear", I would say that was likely a problem with the high/low limits not being set correctly on your derailleur - which takes like 90 seconds to solve if you're slow.
From your description of the problem, "...not shift into the largest or smallest gear", I would say that was likely a problem with the high/low limits not being set correctly on your derailleur - which takes like 90 seconds to solve if you're slow.
As to taking me for a fool, they did fix my problem and the derailleur sounds and works great now. Since tuning did not completely solve the issue and running new cables resulted in a satisfied customer, to me, it was worth the cost, especially since they had the bike for several days and should have tuned the derailleurs in the first place instead of requiring a second trip. Sure, the reason might have been total B.S. but in the end I got a free set of cables and a bike that works to my satisfaction.
This is why I ask, was this a negative experience or a positive? Negative from the standpoint that they did not do a proper job in the first place yet positive since they did finally satisfy the customer. I have no way in knowing whether it was even the same mechanic who worked on my bike both times or not. The do deal with non bike related merchandise as well and were busy working 3 guys on those items. I would not say they were busy b/c the mechanic that finally fixed my bike was working on his own snowblower when I had pulled into the parking lot and had just finished. Bike-wise, they appeared slow. Possibly due to the fact that on Long Island, there haven't been much clean roads to ride on.
Frank
02-18-15, 08:57 AM
#124
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02-18-15, 09:08 AM
#125
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I agree with you on this. I figured it was just a high/low limit setting too. To their credit, they did attempt to correct the issue with by adjustment but it did not go away completely.
As to taking me for a fool, they did fix my problem and the derailleur sounds and works great now. Since tuning did not completely solve the issue and running new cables resulted in a satisfied customer, to me, it was worth the cost, especially since they had the bike for several days and should have tuned the derailleurs in the first place instead of requiring a second trip. Sure, the reason might have been total B.S. but in the end I got a free set of cables and a bike that works to my satisfaction.
This is why I ask, was this a negative experience or a positive? Negative from the standpoint that they did not do a proper job in the first place yet positive since they did finally satisfy the customer. I have no way in knowing whether it was even the same mechanic who worked on my bike both times or not. The do deal with non bike related merchandise as well and were busy working 3 guys on those items. I would not say they were busy b/c the mechanic that finally fixed my bike was working on his own snowblower when I had pulled into the parking lot and had just finished. Bike-wise, they appeared slow. Possibly due to the fact that on Long Island, there haven't been much clean roads to ride on.
Frank
As to taking me for a fool, they did fix my problem and the derailleur sounds and works great now. Since tuning did not completely solve the issue and running new cables resulted in a satisfied customer, to me, it was worth the cost, especially since they had the bike for several days and should have tuned the derailleurs in the first place instead of requiring a second trip. Sure, the reason might have been total B.S. but in the end I got a free set of cables and a bike that works to my satisfaction.
This is why I ask, was this a negative experience or a positive? Negative from the standpoint that they did not do a proper job in the first place yet positive since they did finally satisfy the customer. I have no way in knowing whether it was even the same mechanic who worked on my bike both times or not. The do deal with non bike related merchandise as well and were busy working 3 guys on those items. I would not say they were busy b/c the mechanic that finally fixed my bike was working on his own snowblower when I had pulled into the parking lot and had just finished. Bike-wise, they appeared slow. Possibly due to the fact that on Long Island, there haven't been much clean roads to ride on.
Frank
I'm also a little skeptical of their explanation... Obviously there was a problem that extended beyond crossed cables and incorrectly set RD limits.
They either didn't tell you the truth, or they did a horrible job explaining the problem.
No doubt you're satisfied that the problem is solved - as you should be.
But based on what you've described, my confidence in the shop would be substantially diminished (since you asked
).