cyclintom

Actually there is almost NO variety in chains. The top Shimano and Campagnolo are stainless and look nice but they wear almost identically to the cheapest KMC. And generally speaking a chain doesn't last long enough for the three fold difference in price of a KMC and a Shimano to make any sense.

Sy Reene

I've added 2 of the missing links to my saddle bag. Haven't bought a chain tool as yet (I usually go in group rides and I guess I'm hoping someone else will be bound to have one :-) That said, just feeling a missing link, I can't believe that these are nearly as strong as the original chain links, but there seem to be a lot of people who use these 'for easy chain removal' (ie. for cleaning or such).. and keep these permanently on their chain.

Sy Reene

Where are you looking for chains anyway? I visited three sites, the below being a typical results page for 11s chains; I see prices start at $20; Shimano and Campy chains in the $20-$30 area; KMC seem even more pricey than that etc.. There's no three fold difference anyway that I can see.

EDIT: forgot the link: https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/u...259,4294963609

cyclintom

I was referring to 10 speed chains. As for 11 speed chains the saying is "make hay while the sun shines,"

Shimano CN HG54 10 Speed MTB Chain 110 Links Silver | eBay

Campagnolo Veloce Ultra Narrow C 10 Chain 5 9 mm CN6 VL | eBay

blue192

I use the LBS to install stuff so I just drop off go eat at a restraint and come back. I like the convince factor unless I am in a hurry then I do work myself. Having said that in Canada a chain, rear gearing, install, and tax comes in around 100$. Knowing the job is done right and I don't have to fiddle with anything means quite a bit to someone like me that rides a bicycle daily.

American Euchre

This is what keeps me from taking my bike/s to a shop, actually. Or at least rather reluctant to do so. I've tried finding a reliable shop and/or mechanic locally and it just hasn't worked out. Mechanics are not paid very well, and the margins at shops are razor slim. As a result, mechanics are encouraged/forced to work as quickly as possible. There is also the factor of impatient customers who want their bike returned to them asap.

Shop mechanics can't be as thorough and careful as they could or should be and from what I can tell, make a TON of mistakes.

Not to mention, bike mechanics are poorly paid and tend to turn over quickly and frequently. I go to a bike shop when I absolutely have to.

I'm glad you found a reliable shop and mechanic.

blue192

Finding a LBS that is honest and has competent people on staff was the hard part. I think it is easier to convert all ISIS members to the Jewish religion compared to finding a good LBS!

rekmeyata

I actually understand you, I work on my own cars, well not the modern ones but I have a fleet of old cars I work on or I help a friend who has a warehouse of old cars, and I work on my bikes too, but sometimes I get so sick and tired of working on stuff or I just don't have the time and don't want to be bothered I will take my bikes into the LBS and let them do it.

Bike shops do not have razor thin profit margins unless it's a small one person business. They sell replacement parts and mark them up 50% above what they paid for them at wholesale, plus labor, it's the labor part that rips off the mechanic because the mechanic gets only on average $12 an hour but the shop may take in $160 an hour, and this why it's important for the shop owner to get the mechanic to be quick about his work. How does the shop make $160 an hour you scream? A basic quick tune takes about 10 to 15 minutes to do, lets say 15 minutes, most shops charge about $40 to do that, it's easy to do 4 of those in an hour, 40 times 4 is $160, minus $12 to the mechanic and the shop is making $104 an hour. Of course that's not the whole picture because the shop has to pay all the overhead like shop supplies, insurance, lights, water, heating, rent, etc. Now combine that with any part or parts they discover that the bike needs and price and profit goes up.

A good mechanic can easily do a quick $40 tune in 15 minutes and not be rushed and not do a bad job. But most mechanics are high school and college students unless the owner is the only one doing the whole show. And when a College kid graduates they're not going to be sticking around for $12 an hour. Sometimes the mechanic does flub things up, well guess what? so does a highly trained auto mechanic, so it's not really any different, and most bike shops will redo the work for free if they're honest and realize it was the mistake of the mechanic, and if they fight you about not doing the right then don't go back.

big chainring 

I took the rear wheel from my Schwinn Twin tandem into what once was an old Schwinn store.I needed a spoke. Guy took the wheel, put a spoke in, trued up the wheel, and charged me $1 plus tax.

I told him I wasn't expecting him to put the spoke in and work on the wheel. He said it had been so long since anyone brought in a wheel like mine, and he enjoyed getting it back to snuff. Also was impressed that I took the rear drum brake wheel off a tandem, removed the freewheel, and removed the tire and brought it into the shop.

Before I left I asked if they had any intention of selling their impressive collection of Var tools that were displayed behind the counter. Looked like medieval torture devices. Frame straightening tools, crank arm straightener, everything you would need to keep a classic Schwinn in shape. And no the Var tools weren't for sale.

Jseis 

I've two stores I frequent though the one a mile away gets more visits than the one 17 miles away. The close one is owned/run by a young, personable, and very competent mechanic. The nearness of his shop and his abilities saves me $. Both shops have consignments sales and I look for deals. I also unload stuff I don't need (tires, tubes, old pedals, etc.) as both shops do their best to serve those on limited incomes and I admire/support that.