mikmz

Hey all,

I need to replace my chain, rear cassette and front chain rings on my racing bike. My LBS has quoted 330€ for the lot. By buying the components myself, it works out a lot cheaper, but I lack the tools and skills to do it.

Is it common practice to buy the components yourself and bring them to the LBS for fitting?

I realise that they would be losing out on money, and so I don't want to offend them!

Cheers!

Michael

FBinNY 

You never know. Many shops will ask "do you bring your own meat to McDonalds?" However others will take the job, though possibly charging more for the labor than they would have if they sold the parts.

The work you need isn't complicated, so your best bet is to do it yourself. If there's a bike co-op in your city that's the right place to start. Or you might have a friend who can walk you through doing it yourself.

dabac

It happens but it's not that common.

First, it does rob the shop of some money they'd otherwise have gotte from the sales.

But also, it makes people think of the shop as co-responsible for the function of the parts and the bike.

Some shops really dislike that kind of mixed responsibility.
They might have good reason not to want to use chain A together with crank B and derailer C, or something along those lines.

It's a clearer situation if you get both the parts and the labour from the same place.

And less room for the shop to dodge if the bike won't perform as expected after the work.

All you can do really is to ask. They won't be offended, they will have heard the question before.

But it is similar to bringing a raw steak to a resturant, walking into he kitchen and saying "Cook this for me".
If it turns out tough, who's responsible, you or the cook?

What's generally accepted is to have a shop do the particularly tool-heavy installs even if you supply the (single) parts. Like cutting and fitting a new fork. Planing a frame for a new BB etc.

CliffordK

If you buy the tools once, they can last you a lifetime, and repeatedly save on service charges, as well as give you the tools to conduct emergency repairs at home, or on the road.

Do you have any bike co-ops with shared workspace? They may not care about where you obtain the parts.

Personally, I wouldn't bring mail-order parts into a shop, but it might depend on whether they are parts they normally stock, or if they would have to be ordered by the shop (or are vintage parts and not available through normal parts channels).

HillRider

Saving the shop's labor cost alone should more than pay for for the correct tools. You will need:

1. A decent chain tool to remove the old chain and shorten the new one. If you buy a Wipperman, KMC or SRAM chain you can install the master link with no tools. Shimano chains use the chain tool to install the specific joining pin.

2. A cassette lock ring tool to match the make of cassette, a chain whip to use with the lockring tool and a reasonably large adjustable wrench to grip the lockring tool.

3. A 5mm hex wrench or proper size Torx wrench to remove and reinstall the chainrings.

None of these tools are expensive and once bought are good nearly forever. As noted a knowledgable friend, a bike co-op or even on-line tutorials should show you how to do the work yourself. None of these jobs are complex or difficult.

mstateglfr 

Lacking the tools is an easy fix. You need what amount to $40 in tools, and that would be to get good ones that will last multiple uses.
The knowledge is easily available here, on youtube, on sheldon's site, and parktool's site. You would have access to written step by step directions, pictures, and video.

I suggest trying to install on your own because all 3 components you have are fairly straight forward for installing. The cassette and chain rings are changes which required threading(like a screw).
Also, having a chain breaker and/or understanding how to release the chain(quick link) is, to me, something that all avid cyclists should know how to do and have immediate access to. Same with changing a cassette- Having a chainwhip and lockring tool are going to last longer than multiple bikes yet provide easy access to basic maintenance.


I would figure it would save you money because though itll take 30min for a shop to swap out all those components, I would figure the charge would probably be double what itll cost you for tools. <----that sentence is admittedly a guess.


At worst, you can always take it to them and say you tried but couldnt swap the components. That would immediately eliminate the worry that they will be annoyed at you bringing in components purchased elsewhere.

andr0id

I am amazed by the number of people that can't change a cassette. I change cassettes depending on where I'm riding this weekend.

I went on a "hill climb" ride in NW Austin a few weeks ago and all my friends show up on different bikes. What?? They don't know how to change a cassette or chain ring so they have "climbing bikes."

I had spent at most 10 minutes replacing my 36 with 34 and putting on the 11-28 cassette. (My chain length is set for 50x28 so I don't have to ever mess with the chain)

Really??? How would I explain that to my wife? She tolerates the fixed gear, but I don't know if I could sell the idea of a climbing bike.

It is super easy and the tools aren't expensive and being able to change cassettes to match terrain is very useful.

5mm or T30 wrench is all you need to change a chain ring and it takes less than 5 minutes. (important thing is to carefully lead it over the crank arm so you don't scratch the crank arm.)

Bill Kapaun

The shop expects to make a profit on the parts.
If they don't, don't be surprised if-
They charge higher labor
or
your bike stays at the back of the repair line until they have nothing else to work on.

Tourist in MSN

And you will gain the knowledge on how this stuff works.

Depending on the chain, you might already have the chain tool on a multi-tool. And if you have a multi-tool, you might have what you need for the chainrings. I have the little wrench for the chainring nuts, but I usually do not bother to use it.

There is a good chance that the chain you buy will be longer than the chain on the bike. So, you may need the chain tool to take out a few links too.

If you try this yourself, if you have any disposable gloves (like medical personnel use), put the gloves on first, a the parts you are replacing are the messiest parts on a bike.

mconlonx

In our shop, I'd be happy to do the work. Here's how it breaks down:

Instead of giving customer either a break on parts pricing or labor, I would charge full-pop for the labor, which in this case would be something like $60-80 or so. It's winter, not much business at the shop, and we run specials -- on something like this, a customer might take advantage on a "free labor on ordered/installed parts." I.e. order the parts through us at MSRP, and install/adjust would be free.

If there's something wrong with the parts, or the wrong part was ordered, shop would be on the hook to make the situation correct if they ordered the parts. With customer supplied parts, I would cheerily inform the customer what is wrong with the parts they are supplying and suggest either that we could order what is needed or inform them of exactly what they should order. They would have to deal with the return/exchange.

In the rare case that a part is defective and requires warranty follow-up, customer would need to handle that through whatever mail order outfit they utilized; if the shop ordered the parts, they could drop the bike off and say, "make it right."

With ordered parts, the shop is out money on the ordered parts, and/or has to deal with AP, ordering/receiving, etc. Margin on parts is somewhere in the 35-50% range. Labor on repairs is nearly all profit. Usually, businesses should be happy to make more profit on any given job...

So yeah, at our shop, happy to install customer-supplied parts. Just like we're happy to assemble, tune, and/or service online-ordered bicycles. We're on the hook for way less; we get to charge full price for labor; service is one of the highest margin sales generators in the shop.

dr_lha

You know, you could try asking them what their policy is. They're a business, if their response is to tar and feather you just for asking, I'd suggest finding another LBS, or as others have suggested, learn to do this stuff yourself.

fietsbob

Expect to pay a bit more shop labour fee since the parts sales margin is not there for the business operating costs .

Andy_K 

This is really refreshing to read. I'm not a huge fan of the culture of bike shops being about developing a relationship. I have made some friends in the local bike business and a few of them work at bike shops, but when I go to a shop for service I'd prefer to get straightforward policies. I don't want to have to figure out how often to bring the mechanics cookies or beer to maintain a good relationship. I'd rather they charge me the prices that they need to to make a profit and give me the information I need to understand whether or not those services are worth it to me. I like supporting local businesses, but I don't want to have to worry about hurting their feelings.

mstateglfr 

I would frequent different shops if they did this sort of thing.
The two shops I like both have clearly stated shop rates for component work, tiered tuneups, and misc work. Both also let you know when the work will be performed and/or when to expect it to be complete.


I cant imagine a shop taking the components and bike and saying 'we will get to it someday when we care' which is what your scenario boils down to.

Bill Kapaun

Often, when you add S&H to parts, the savings aren't that great.
There's a couple of times I've asked my LBS if they can match an internet price (delivered to my door) and they have.
The main problem is that it'll take up to 2 weeks by the time "headquarters" orders it and it finally gets delivered to the franchise from "headquarters".

Bill Kapaun

You ACTUALLY THINK they would SAY THAT?
I guess you need more imagination?

mconlonx

Guy came into the shop, wanted Shimano A530 pedals, which we had in stock. He asked the price and we told him, which was Shimano MSRP/QBP MAP pricing.

He said, "But I can get them online for $XX.XX."
OK, then maybe you should order them online.
Him: "Can't you even take a bit off to more closely match online pricing?"
Nope, shop policy; if you want a deal, suggest you order online.
Him: "But I need them today."
Then you'll need to pay MSRP, which contributes to our shop being open today with these pedals in stock.
Him: "I can't believe you won't discount the pedals; with a policy like this nowadays, you won't be in business for long!" Storms off.

We're still in business and doing fine, five years later...

mstateglfr 

I dont think they would say that, but I would expect them to give me a date to expect it completed instead of just telling me they will have it indefinitely.
Also, I would expect them to place my bike at the back of the pile when checking it in. I dont think my bike should be moved ahead of other repairs already in line waiting.

FrozenK

I would suggest asking the shop. Be polite, don't expect them to be excited about the prospect of losing a sale, and understand they may say no. Also, expect to pay for labor to install the parts.

I know some times money is tight and we all look for a deal. But like the guy said above, you can't walk into the online retailer and get the part you need for the race tonight.

CliffordK

Prices are all over the board, depending on what is purchased. The USA enjoys tax-free European items (something that the OP might not get). Shipping is often either thrown in FREE (part of the markup), or a low fixed rate.

Stock, of course, can be a problem with some bike shops.

Looking at some of my recent online bike purchases, they fall into a few categories:

1) Used, and sometimes rare components. Hard to hit the price points with new equivalent.
2) Difficult to source components.
3) Stuff with apparently a huge price differential (sometimes due to model availability).

The last time I simply went innertube shopping, 2 shops had NONE. One shop had ONE. And, a fourth shop had a couple hidden behind the counter.

kevindsingleton 

I think "rob" is the wrong word to use, here. The shop never had the money, so you're not taking it from them, and they certainly aren't owed the money for the parts.

I bring fish to restaurants in the Keys, and they're very happy to prepare it, serve it, and pour drinks. It's never less expensive than ordering off the menu, either.

The main reasons for buying the parts at the shop that will be installing them are the implicit guarantee, the relationships, and to help ensure that the shop will be there for you, the next time. It's a community thing.

Bike shops that balk at installing parts sourced elsewhere must have way too much money, and way too little competition.

kevindsingleton 

I agree. Repeat customers aren't created from arrogance and elitism.

rmfnla

This is pretty much how the shops I worked for handled it.

Exceptions might be made when the part(s) the customer brought in were used or no longer available...

RubeRad

So true. That is maybe the biggest value a local bike shop can provide, inventory. And anybody that knows anything about business knows that inventory has a cost.

DiabloScott

I find it helps if you come in with your tail between your legs and say that you thought you could do this repair/install yourself but now realize it's way over your skill level and you need the experts.