What would a bike service and alignment involve? (i'm new)
05-20-08, 05:14 AM
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What would a bike service and alignment involve? (i'm new)
HI
i took my bike into the shop to get a new chain, it's an oldish carlton touring bike 10 speed.
My friend picked it up for me and explained the guy in the shop said it needed a service and alignment.
how would i go about this, i'm quite practical and love doing things like this. Is this something to do with the gear shift?
any advice would be much appreciated
Thank you
Nick
i took my bike into the shop to get a new chain, it's an oldish carlton touring bike 10 speed.
My friend picked it up for me and explained the guy in the shop said it needed a service and alignment.
how would i go about this, i'm quite practical and love doing things like this. Is this something to do with the gear shift?
any advice would be much appreciated
Thank you
Nick
05-20-08, 05:16 AM
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Hard to say what they mean by "service" - - could be a multitude of things. As far as "alignment" goes, they are probably referring to truing the wheels.
05-20-08, 06:56 AM
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Find out what they are going to do.
I find that shops and the person doing the work and the person saying what work is going to be done vary wildly.
Write it down.
I find that shops and the person doing the work and the person saying what work is going to be done vary wildly.
Write it down.
05-20-08, 07:51 AM
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Service
I think the main clue is that you had to replace the chain. Did they readjust the rest of the gear set? Did they align the frame? Was it the spokes? The key here is that the professional bike shop may not have adequately communicated with you in a way you could understand the importance of what they may be trying to sell you. You are the customer and you don't know what you don't know. So, now is probably the time to be aggressive and ask for a manager/owner and get some answers. Adjustment and alinement are important. So is your education. You want to have a pleasant experience on the bike and not be wondering or struggling. If you don't get satisfaction, change bike shops.
05-20-08, 08:52 AM
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I think the main clue is that you had to replace the chain. Did they readjust the rest of the gear set? Did they align the frame? Was it the spokes? The key here is that the professional bike shop may not have adequately communicated with you in a way you could understand the importance of what they may be trying to sell you. You are the customer and you don't know what you don't know. So, now is probably the time to be aggressive and ask for a manager/owner and get some answers. Adjustment and alinement are important. So is your education. You want to have a pleasant experience on the bike and not be wondering or struggling. If you don't get satisfaction, change bike shops.
It's worse than that
Quoting the OP:
My friend picked it up for me and explained the guy in the shop said it needed a service and alignment.
05-20-08, 11:49 AM
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Alignment is a procedure usually limited to bent frame and forks. Bent wheels are trued and gears that are missaligned can just be serviced.
You can find out about pretty much every bike serving procedure at park tools.
NB New chains can slip on old worn cogs so you may have to replace the cogs and freewheel assembly.
You can find out about pretty much every bike serving procedure at park tools.
NB New chains can slip on old worn cogs so you may have to replace the cogs and freewheel assembly.
05-21-08, 07:32 AM
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thanks for all the help, i think i'll take it down the shop again and ask them to explain.
I just really want to learn how to do it myself, i've only had the bike a week and i'm well into cycling!
I just really want to learn how to do it myself, i've only had the bike a week and i'm well into cycling!
05-21-08, 07:34 AM
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Alignment is a procedure usually limited to bent frame and forks. Bent wheels are trued and gears that are missaligned can just be serviced.
You can find out about pretty much every bike serving procedure at park tools.
NB New chains can slip on old worn cogs so you may have to replace the cogs and freewheel assembly.
You can find out about pretty much every bike serving procedure at park tools.
NB New chains can slip on old worn cogs so you may have to replace the cogs and freewheel assembly.
