Originally Posted by
cyclist2000
I normally go to the place with the best price for parts. I can't stand to pay the high price for maintenance so I try to do all my own. I have had some owners say that they can't compete with internet prices and won't try, while others will try.
Budget? this isn't a hobby its an addiction, there's no stinking budget!
My wife is worn down on this already, I have 9 bikes and it doesn't make sense to hide things. She likes shoes and I like bikes, at least I'm at home, sober, don't kick the dog and mow the lawn.
I try to use my LBS as much as possible. It's the least I can do, because they've been very good to me. I acquired two bikes through tips from them, and one bike free from them, plus they let me use their tools and stuff for quick jobs. I trued the wheel on my commuter on their stand Friday 10 minutes before they closed. I know there are cheaper sources for some parts, but if I'm buying somehting new I buy it from them if I can. I do a lot of my own maintenance, but they help out there a lot. They've shown me the ins and outs of a lot of maintenance tasks. If they show me how to change out a freewheel, I have no problem buying a freewheel tool from them.
I have six bikes put together, three more in pieces, a project bike that is too small for me, and two parts bikes. My wife's getting worn down too. At this point it's partly the cost, but the other part that bothers her a bit about the cycling thing is that I have remodeling projects around the house that aren't getting done.