theden

Hey guys.

I just got my first tune-up from a bike shop since I bought my bike (Trek 520), about 6,000 miles ago. Everything seemed to be working just fine, but I wanted someone to look at it before I take a week-long trip later this month.

What a difference! The barend shifters shifted just fine, but now they are much easier too move; the brake pads were replaced, and now I stop on a dime again; the freewheel clicks louder and at a higher pitch now; the chain is running very smooth, I can't even hear anything mechanical while riding. All I hear is the hum of the tires! The hubs were also adjusted a little (might be a little faster now), and the spokes retensioned (I had replaced two spokes in the past, good enough, but not perfect), and the wheels trued up a bit.

I thought my bike was running just fine, but I guess gradual decreases in performance mile after mile are hard to notice. Best $40 I ever spent (including the new pads)! I may do this every 3,000 miles now, instead of every 6,000.

neil0502

It also means you found a good wrench at an honest shop.

Welcome back to your bike

Grasschopper

Hell I clean my chain every 2 to 3 weeks and it never stops suprising me how much of a difference simply cleaning (and lubing) the chain makes to the shifting performance.

That is a great deal for the service BTW. Good shop.

lisitsa

You can't believe how good it makes me feel in the odd times that my bike runs like this. It is just the best feeling. I went to the bike shop to get a few creaks out, and after that, I had a permanent smile on my face for around 20 minutes, getting over the joy of a totally silent bike. Its still silent 2 weeks down the track.

iowarose

I just had a derailleur cable replaced (it broke on a ride earlier this week), and have the same reaction after the LBS repair. I can do an adequate job of adjustment, but I'm no pro. The mechanic did a great job, and gave me really solid upgrade advice.

However, the LBS just changed ownership. The new owner and a new mechanic don't really know what they're doing, and I'm not sure I trust them. We'll see - lots of staff stayed through the ownership change, and maybe they can train the new owner up right.

theden

The bike shop was great, called "Ordinary Bike Shop" in Tucson, AZ. They seem to cater to commuters a lot, have plenty of lighting, fenders, baskets, trailers, even Brooks saddles. Walking distance from work too!