Originally Posted by
RH Clark
Second time I did spend $40,but I suppose that wasn't enough to be considered a customer.
Ok,I am a newby but you tell me, do gears wear out before a set of brake pads. The pads were the original set but apparently both my chain and gears needed replaced. I asked the guy why my gears would be worn out and his reply was because of all the hills we have here. I guess mountain bike gears only last on flat ground.
This is a bike you bought used, right? So you really don't know how it has been ridden or how much. It's possible that the chain was worn out well before the brake pads, and a worn chain will wreck the gears. It's very easy to check this yourself. Invest in a Park Tool chain checker or google how to check bicycle chain wear with a ruler.
Newbies are often surprised by how fast chains wear out so I wouldn't assume they were lying about this, but it's very easy to find out either way.
I'm not defending them, btw, just answering the question you asked.