americanlt2

I have bought 3 different bikes over the past 15yrs from Performance bikes. I have always been stumped as to what the "lifetime adjustments" deals with. I assume it's proper brake adjustments and derailleur adjustments??? I have a GT ZUM city bike I bought in 2014 and made a ton of adjustments. Now when I take it in for brake adjustments the local mechanics give me the "third degree" and claim it's not part of the warantee????

HvPnyrs

Take a look at the ' Fine Print ' portion of the warranty.
... I would Not be surprised if it includes a clause that stipulates that 'Purchaser' must bring bike into Performance Bike at some minimal time interval (ex: six months or yearly) for 'scheduled maintenance'. Failure to do so resulting in warranty being rendered invalid, as Performance Bike has no idea the Quality and / or Timeliness of any maintenance done by 'Purchaser' or NON Performance Bike service provider.
This is common in retail Automotive, new car ' Dealer Service Contracts '.
I'm assuming that Performance Bike modelled their service contract along same lines.

Hopeful someone can speak more specifically to this issue. Other than my 'most humble' opinion.

Added: Check the FAQ section of Performance Bike website re: Lifetime Adjustments prerequisites.



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02Giant 

The following is the "Free Lifetime Adjustments" commitment from Performance Bike. No fine print.



We will adjust the bike you purchase from Performance Bicycle for as long as you own the bike.

• Basic Spot Wheel True
• Shifting and Braking Adjustments
• Loose Bolts Tightened
• Tire Inflation and Pressure Check
• Chain Lube and Safety Inspection Check

Adjustment services provided at any retail location.

badger1

What do you mean by "brake adjustments"?

Are you asking them, for example, to give the centering screw(s) on a v-brake a quarter turn, or are you (again, for example) asking them to replace the pads and cables on v-brakes or to bleed and replace the pads on a set of hydraulic discs?

MRT2

Pretty sure it is the former and not the latter. And that is sort of the point. Fully knowing a lot of folks don't do a great job maintaining their bikes, this free lifetime adjustment thing gets the customer into the store where, hopefully, he or she will purchase replacement parts, accessories, or even a new bike.

MRT2

I suppose this offers some peace of mind to the complete neophyte, though when I saw tire inflation listed I said, really? Even the complete newbie should know how to inflate his or her own tires or he will be getting a lot of pinch flats. Tires should be checked and inflated at least every couple of days, if you ride regularly or for the obsessive, before every single ride. Same with brakes. Chain should be cleaned and re lubed at least every couple of weeks to maybe monthly, or even more often if the bike is ridden in wet or dirty conditions.

TimothyH

What is a "basic spot wheel true?"

I never heard of this.


-Tim-

02Giant 

My guess...PB was probably thinking once, twice a season (as mentioned get them through the doors). Although they don't have have any restrictions in their pledge. If you show up once a week I can see the mechanic getting irritated, but it is what they are getting paid for.

SkyDog75

Here's how I'd interpret it: If there's a spot on the wheel that's out of true, they'll grab a spoke wrench and quickly coax it back into shape. As opposed to a comprehensive wheel truing and spoke tensioning.

badger1

I'm sure that's what Performance intends. I'm curious to know what the op thinks "braking adjustments" means.

Scooty Puff Jr

No to get to far off topic, but this is the worse time of year to bring a bike in to Performance for maintenance or repairs. With Christmas right around the corner, the mechanics are to busy putting new bikes together. I know this from first hand experience.

SkyDog75

Possibly true in places with warmer climates. But my local shops aren't nearly as busy now as they will be in the spring when cyclists want to get back outdoors after the snow and salt are gone.

TimothyH

That's what I thought. I would never let anyone do this apart from an emergency roadside repair.

Dave Cutter

Yep. That's pretty much it.

I bought my Fuji at Performance. I hadn't ridden much since the 80's. I was heavy and I crashed soon after the purchase. And before I learned how to care fro my bikes myself... they were wonderful. They still are.

The gave the bike a break-in adjustment.
When I broke a spoke... I only had to pay for the actual cost of the spoke (almost nothing).
When I bent the derailleur hanger (very slightly) they tweaked it for free (using an alignment tool would have been a fee... I was told).

The local store also has bicycle maintenance classes... and even host rides. They run a great store. I am almost embarrassed that my current newest bike... is a Trek.

fietsbob

Does not matter unless you life for the rest of your life where the, selling shop exists.

02Giant 

I think I get what you are saying. If your comment is in regards to Performance Bike, then it isn't accurate.

Sy Reene

I'd go to the store manager (ie. not the bike servicing area only) and politely ask about the policy and mention that you're confused on why you're getting push-back from the bike repair guys?