repair time
 

I broke a spoke Tues AM on the way to work. I borrowed a car and ran my back wheel to my LBS in hopes they could fix it so I could ride it home. I did not do it becasue I dont know how and I am kinda a perfectionist aobut my bike and cars. So what is a reasonable time to replace a spoke. I have bought 3 bikes in less than a year there so it is not like I just pop in and want something fixed quickly.

Your description of what you did or didn't do is rather confusing. Did you leave the wheel or not?

There is no "standard" turn-around time. It depends on your LBS and their work-load at the time. You should ask them when it will be ready when you drop it off or call ahead to see if they can do it while you wait.

The actual repair time, assuming the spoke is a standard configuration or they have a duplicate in stock, is only about 15 to 20 minutes.

yea I left it there. The manager knows I commute and they certainly did not seem too busy at the time. Thinking about going to get it and take it somewhere else. I also know I can be a jerk, that is why I was asking if I was being reasonable or not.

actual repair time as mentioned is about 15 - 25 minutes. all they have to do is replace the broken spoke with a new one, and re true the wheel

Oh this ought to be funny. My wife works the same place I do. I just sent her an alpha page.

"Since my bike is broke and will be in the shop for an uncertain amount of time, could I just get a new one?, I will keep it under $2000.00"

Like mentioned before, it should take about 15-20 minutes to actually repair the spoke.

Don't get too mad if they can't get to the bike right away even if they don't seem too busy at the moment. At my shop, we try to not take in any walk in repairs on evenings and weekends over the summer. Just because you can have nothing to do one minute and all of a sudden ten people who need service help walk in the door. Normally we will still try to get a simple repair like a spoke replacement back in a day or two though.

OK well thanks, I am just going through withdrawl, the shaking should end soon. My wife wont let me get a new one till next year either. It is just so nice out too.:cry:

Why didn't you ask "How Long?" when you dropped it off ??

A simple sentance such as:

"Hi, I broke a spoke on my daily commuter bike. Do you think you can fix it soon so I can get back on the bike ?"

OK lets try maybe tommorw but might be Thursday. Er what day is this?

Better yet, if there's more than 1 LBS, call and see which one will be quickest.

yep this is Friday, I am going to pick it up at noon wether it is done or not. If not I am just taking it to another shop. There are quite a few LBS in Indianapolis. I always bragged about how good this shop was too.

I really thought it would be a 20 min job. but it is Friday and still no bike

if i were the sevice manager and knew you, and knew that you needed the wheel for commuting/transportation, i would have done it on the spot. it ain't that hard to replace a spoke and true a wheel. if you are a regular and are cool to everyone there's no reason why you would have to wait longer than necessary. if they hook you up with some quick service...tip 'em. it will ensure future express service.

My friend took his bike into his LBS for a true straight after a fall, on the way home.

The mechanic put his tools down on the bike he was working on, and trued my friend's wheel.

He bought his bike at the same LBS, and they have great service

If you need the stuff done right away is better for you to start learning mechanics, thats the way to go an cheaper in these cases.

Good luck!

The actual repair does not take very long but understand that the shop probably has a long list of jobs already...

I see this as time you learned how to replace a spoke and true your own wheels.

I just went down to pick it up and take it somewere else. I called first to tell him I was coming to get it. When I walked in he was alomst done with it. He did not try to BS me, he just said he is so busy he did not get to it. I was very happy before this with the place so I am going to forget this incidence and still do buisness with them. I think he is just so busy he is putting out fires. Anyway he was appropraitely apologetic.

Well it happened again Thursday morning. I popped another spoke in the back wheel. This time I called and asked the owner if he could have it done for me Friday if I brought in my wheel thursday after work. He said if I got it in at lunch he might be able to get it done by Thrusday night. At first I did not think I could take off work but my coworkers covered for me to run it down to him, guess I got grouchy last time I did not have a bike. He took my work number and told me he would call when done. So remembering what a jerk I can be I did not call and harrass them until about noon today (Friday). The person who answered the phone said they had not started on it yet. I should be riding home right now, but instead I am sitting here at work waiting for my wife. Still no wheel. Think I have spent my last dollar in that shop.

Sounds like you are pretty fussy, but that's not the main problem...

you need to stop getting single spoke replaced on that wheel - get the whole thing relaced with new spokes by someone who builds wheels often. Then you will have no more broken spokes. If you get this spoke replaced, then there will be another, then another...

Also, I have worked in a few shops and getting somenthing done 'next day' when we are busy is a special favour that we try to do for people, but it doesn't always work. Also, if a particular person at the shop said he might be able to get it done, talk to that guy!!! Don't just get angry because the person who answers the phone doesn't think it is going to get done.

Well I know I am a jerk and try hard not to be. So I stopped on the way home tonight to pick it up either way, and of course they had not touched it. I said fine, give it to me and I will take it to a bike shop. Then suddenly it was the next project they were getting ready to start, if I come back in 1/2 hour it would be done. I did and it was. Why do I have to get tired of waiting and come to pick it up to get it done? If they cant work it in because I am a good customer and a commuter, why all the sudden can they when I am tired of waiting for it?

Oh yea, if I dont upgrade the whole bike next time a spoke busts should I have all the spokes replaced or upgrade the wheels. How much difference in costs would it be?

It's quite possible this is the source of your problems.

Yea, you sound like my x wife. :notamused: I know you might be right, but I am the customer and buisness is buisness. And for what it is worth I very rarely complain about service or anything like that anywhere else. I just "feel" l was not treated right either time.

If you have bought 3 bikes from them, then you have at least 2 spare bikes. What's the rush?

everyone is in a rush to get their bike back. Lots of people got there before you. Be patient.
Anyone can do a hack job quickly. If you're happy with the service (and if there's a lineup, then obviously others are too) then suck it up and wait. If not, then go somewhere else and I'm sure they won't mind losing a pain in the ass customer.

The best part is, is that often the people that whine the most and you make a special effort to get it done right away for... don't come back for several days to pick up their bike. So don't be surprised that shops might be jaded when it comes to rush jobs.

Next time take it to another shop. See how long you have to wait there. It might be worse!
Why not ride one of the other 2 bikes you bought while waiting for the repair?

one was a cross towner I dont want to ride 30 miles and the other one is my son's so he is riding it. I am a jerk i guess but there are 3 bike shops very close to me. I will think about it, but I still think they just messed with me both times.