free lifetime adjustments at LBS worth it?
03-23-05, 03:12 PM
#26
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Originally Posted by andru0617
Is paying MSRP for free lifetime adjustments worth it? Is it really valuable? I'm trying to decide on buyng ebay or lbs. ..
One of my LBS's charges an extra $100 on top of MSRP for lifetime adjustments. (this is a yearly adjustment by the way). WHY?!!! I like the brands they carry and would love to buy from them, but just can't justify it.
03-23-05, 09:30 PM
#28
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LOL Bob.
I bought my bike at an LBS, didn't even hear "free lifetime tune-up" until I was leaving the shop with it. I was like "what? oh ok, thanks" and I think I've used it once. I was there pickin up something one day and the mechanic was bored or something and actually asked me if I needed anything done to my bike. Just so happens I was noticed my rear derailleur wasn't as smooth as I liked and mentally marked it down to fix when I got home. But I was there, so what the hell right? Go for it. So there was the only time I thought that the lifetime tune-up thing was at all useful for me... so far.
I'm by no means skilled with bike repair or tune-ups but I know enough so that if something minor (and more common) ever went wrong on a longer ride, I wouldn't be stuck there holding my... bike. I think that is the biggest reason for me personally to know how to do my own basic adjustments, it gives a bit more sense of confidence.
I bought my bike at an LBS, didn't even hear "free lifetime tune-up" until I was leaving the shop with it. I was like "what? oh ok, thanks" and I think I've used it once. I was there pickin up something one day and the mechanic was bored or something and actually asked me if I needed anything done to my bike. Just so happens I was noticed my rear derailleur wasn't as smooth as I liked and mentally marked it down to fix when I got home. But I was there, so what the hell right? Go for it. So there was the only time I thought that the lifetime tune-up thing was at all useful for me... so far.
I'm by no means skilled with bike repair or tune-ups but I know enough so that if something minor (and more common) ever went wrong on a longer ride, I wouldn't be stuck there holding my... bike. I think that is the biggest reason for me personally to know how to do my own basic adjustments, it gives a bit more sense of confidence.
03-24-05, 12:37 PM
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It is only worth it if the bike shop performs repairs up to your satisfaction. When I got my new bike from a local shop they didn't even put it together right as the steering was crooked out of the shop. I have free adjustments for life there but don't use them for the following reasons:
1. I don't have time to go back and re-adjust anything they mis-adjust.
2. I don't have time to wait for them to fix my bike. If I fix it I am first in line.
3. It benefits me to know how to fix just about anything that can go wrong with my bike on a ride and keep in practice at it.
4. I love tinkering with my bike and the feeling of being self sufficient.
1. I don't have time to go back and re-adjust anything they mis-adjust.
2. I don't have time to wait for them to fix my bike. If I fix it I am first in line.
3. It benefits me to know how to fix just about anything that can go wrong with my bike on a ride and keep in practice at it.
4. I love tinkering with my bike and the feeling of being self sufficient.
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03-24-05, 01:59 PM
#30
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Originally Posted by my58vw
For me the lifetime tuneups are worth every penny... lets see in the last 6 months
2 major checks and overhauls after bad accidents
No charge on swapping in all new drivetrain, twice.
Check up every two weeks for minor adjustments.
Training wheelset trued twice no charge.
All under the "free lifetime tuneups"... that is worth the money that I spend more (very little I may add)
2 major checks and overhauls after bad accidents
No charge on swapping in all new drivetrain, twice.
Check up every two weeks for minor adjustments.
Training wheelset trued twice no charge.
All under the "free lifetime tuneups"... that is worth the money that I spend more (very little I may add)
03-24-05, 02:39 PM
#31
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Depends what is meant by 'adjustments'.
I paid nearly MSRP on a 2005 Lemond.
Whenever I bring it for even minor issues, they tune it up. Things they have done beyond the tune up (i.e. derailer and brake adjustments and general lubing) when needed done every time:
Tightened cranks and both hubs (loosened as part of break-in period)
Trued front wheel once, back wheel twice
Replaced chain that had a sticky link that couldn't be loosened
Replaced brake pads front and back
Re-wrapped handlebar tape
Repacked rear hub
Most important they make me totally comfortable and happy to bring the bike in even for minor issues.
Totally worth it.
Al
I paid nearly MSRP on a 2005 Lemond.
Whenever I bring it for even minor issues, they tune it up. Things they have done beyond the tune up (i.e. derailer and brake adjustments and general lubing) when needed done every time:
Tightened cranks and both hubs (loosened as part of break-in period)
Trued front wheel once, back wheel twice
Replaced chain that had a sticky link that couldn't be loosened
Replaced brake pads front and back
Re-wrapped handlebar tape
Repacked rear hub
Most important they make me totally comfortable and happy to bring the bike in even for minor issues.
Totally worth it.
Al
03-24-05, 04:23 PM
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in concur that the free adjustments do have their benefit. I have a corporate trek store near me and I've brought my bike it a number of times for minor things. When I first bought my bike, my gearing was a little off and I tried to fix it myself and made it much worse (then again, I'm not the most mechanically inclined person ever). The only problem is I am moving this summer --so I'll have a 2 hr drive to get a "free" adjustment.
04-01-05, 10:48 PM
#33
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I had discussion today with a master bike mechanic who works for me part-time. He said that most bike mechanics simply hate it when store owners and managers implement their marketing gimmic of lifetime tune-up adjustments. He said it seriously devalues the services of mechanics and bikers come to think the LBS mechanics as simple peons. He said in his experience it's been this type of policy that plays a big role in finanical crippling and subsequent failure of many stores.
