Originally Posted by
Scooper
IMHO, the LBS owner should have taken a few minutes to explain the economics of fixing the bike to the OP's friend. He should have said something like "yes, your bike can be fixed up by doing A, B, and C, but that will cost approximately $xx.xx." He could also have suggested that she take the bike to the local non-profit community bike kitchen for repair as an alternative.
The OP's friend could then decide whether her sentimental attachment to the bike was worth spending the money to get it fixed.
Yes, a bike kitchen or even a local mechanically inclined high school kid would have been a good solution to the high cost of labor.
It's a bit like owning an older car, such as my 1996 Audi A4 2.8Q. It's fine if you do much of your own work, as I do, but it starts to get too expensive if you pay for every repair and maintenance operation.
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"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069