Originally Posted by
phillyrider
I am a 60 mile per week commuter - so I don't do either particularly well...
I do get a ride in daily, I can tweek and tune - but prefer to have a bikeshop's help in setting up a bike.
Unfortunately, I don't have the time or tools to wrench. When I do, results are ok - but in my opinion, bike shop labor costs really are not that bad. I have had bikes built up (frame and a bag of parts) for the cost of a tune-up ($60-$70). They do a much better job, so I don't mind. I would prefer to be on a casual ride than hang out in the man cave.
I bought a newer hybrid bike missing spokes for 80$, and a set of drops with sti brifters for 50$. The bike shop fixed the bike for 100$ and I sold the bike for 400$. I am now addicted to flipping.
My next bike I may get on Saturday is a 531 competition frame that was only used for this specific model for 2 years as a trade! It has a heavier rear wheel that will need replaced and some touch up work but I hope for the same great results from this bike. (I bet I actually keep it, this will be my first 531C)
Now I ride 14 miles a day and 40 miles on the weekend but with winter coming I am going to be mostly learning to wrench properly.