Small common parts that seem to be way overpriced
03-01-22, 09:38 PM
#26
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03-01-22, 09:40 PM
#27
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C'mon - some of you don't know what crank dust covers actually do? For real?
A clue: they most definitely serve a purpose, depending on the type of crank/BB - for example, you don't need them on cottered cranks.
"A dustcap may also refer, on a bicycle, to the crankarm bolt cover. It is usually a piece of metal or plastic that, on the crankarm, is snapped or screwed into the threaded counterbore, which houses the bolt that holds the crankarm to its axle, the bottom bracket spindle. The dustcap serves to protect the threads (on the inside of the counterbore), which are used with a crankarm puller to remove the crankarm from the spindle. It is also possible for the crank arm to squirm on the bottom bracket spindle, causing the crankarm nut/bolt to become loose, leading to the nut/bolt working its way out of the bottom bracket spindle. The dust cap limits the amount of dangerous loosening that can occur."
DD
A clue: they most definitely serve a purpose, depending on the type of crank/BB - for example, you don't need them on cottered cranks.
"A dustcap may also refer, on a bicycle, to the crankarm bolt cover. It is usually a piece of metal or plastic that, on the crankarm, is snapped or screwed into the threaded counterbore, which houses the bolt that holds the crankarm to its axle, the bottom bracket spindle. The dustcap serves to protect the threads (on the inside of the counterbore), which are used with a crankarm puller to remove the crankarm from the spindle. It is also possible for the crank arm to squirm on the bottom bracket spindle, causing the crankarm nut/bolt to become loose, leading to the nut/bolt working its way out of the bottom bracket spindle. The dust cap limits the amount of dangerous loosening that can occur."
DD
No, not necessarily C&V, but far more functional.
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03-01-22, 09:43 PM
#28
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C'mon - some of you don't know what crank dust covers actually do? For real?
A clue: they most definitely serve a purpose, depending on the type of crank/BB - for example, you don't need them on cottered cranks.
"A dustcap may also refer, on a bicycle, to the crankarm bolt cover. It is usually a piece of metal or plastic that, on the crankarm, is snapped or screwed into the threaded counterbore, which houses the bolt that holds the crankarm to its axle, the bottom bracket spindle. The dustcap serves to protect the threads (on the inside of the counterbore), which are used with a crankarm puller to remove the crankarm from the spindle. It is also possible for the crank arm to squirm on the bottom bracket spindle, causing the crankarm nut/bolt to become loose, leading to the nut/bolt working its way out of the bottom bracket spindle. The dust cap limits the amount of dangerous loosening that can occur."
DD
A clue: they most definitely serve a purpose, depending on the type of crank/BB - for example, you don't need them on cottered cranks.
"A dustcap may also refer, on a bicycle, to the crankarm bolt cover. It is usually a piece of metal or plastic that, on the crankarm, is snapped or screwed into the threaded counterbore, which houses the bolt that holds the crankarm to its axle, the bottom bracket spindle. The dustcap serves to protect the threads (on the inside of the counterbore), which are used with a crankarm puller to remove the crankarm from the spindle. It is also possible for the crank arm to squirm on the bottom bracket spindle, causing the crankarm nut/bolt to become loose, leading to the nut/bolt working its way out of the bottom bracket spindle. The dust cap limits the amount of dangerous loosening that can occur."
DD
yes, they might protect the threads.
I am an old racer at heart. Remove them.
but have sought out chrome plated bolts for the Bright and shiny effect.
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03-01-22, 09:46 PM
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There are many small parts that were cheap commodities way back... volume production provided for that.
Weinmann pads were once 55 cents each in the pre CPSC days.... fresh replacements are now Money. So it goes.
Weinmann pads were once 55 cents each in the pre CPSC days.... fresh replacements are now Money. So it goes.
03-01-22, 09:55 PM
#32
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03-01-22, 10:17 PM
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I'm thinking you could fit one of these in that hole.
https://www.boltdepot.com/Product-De...iABEgId7vD_BwE
https://www.boltdepot.com/Product-De...iABEgId7vD_BwE
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03-01-22, 11:00 PM
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03-01-22, 11:28 PM
#36
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most caps will allow 3-4 turns of thread before the bolt is stopped. ( consider most bolt heads are dished) if it backs out that much, the crank arm is well on the way to being a paperweight.
yes, they might protect the threads.
I am an old racer at heart. Remove them.
but have sought out chrome plated bolts for the Bright and shiny effect.
yes, they might protect the threads.
I am an old racer at heart. Remove them.
but have sought out chrome plated bolts for the Bright and shiny effect.
03-02-22, 02:12 AM
#37
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03-02-22, 05:54 AM
#38
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Perhaps I could buy a whole vintage bike for the dust caps like another member did for a seat post.
03-02-22, 06:08 AM
#39
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03-02-22, 06:27 AM
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It is the small stuff that sellers often overlook and are missing. Shame on those who break down a functional assembly, like calipers, brake levers, RD and FD to sell the parts individually. I get it, I don't like it and won't support it unless I get something I overlooked as missing.
- Caliper adjusting barrels - in my case, the ones needed for Monoplanar brakes. How often do you see a set of calipers for sale missing these parts?
- Cable clamp for the front FD for a specific FD. Doesn't happen often but when you need one.....
- Aero conversion part needed for early Campy brake levers that can accommodate both aero and non-aero configurations. Must be at the bottom of the bag or on the floor to be swept and thrown out.
- Hoods - maybe not common
- Innertubes. Really, >$4-5 with that poor quality?!
- 7mm Allen wrench. Can't even count to 8?! Pun intended.
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03-02-22, 11:21 AM
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Yes, small parts cost, the reason is that with out that small part, the larger part that we're trying to service wont get operational......I see folks breaking down all sorts of things in order to part the pieces out in order to maximize their profits, sometimes leaving behind parts that are not salvageable. It's not just our hobby, it affects all areas in which people are working on stuff now long out of production....
Have you ever tried to buy the small balance tube clamp bolt for a fuel injected a Corvette?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/15479080062...IAAOSwR7Bh3f4R
114.00!
https://www.ebay.com/itm/33433760094...AAAOSwrlliEr33
40.00!!!
Only 3944.00, I don't know what it's used for, but wow...and it's used!
Best, Ben
Have you ever tried to buy the small balance tube clamp bolt for a fuel injected a Corvette?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/15479080062...IAAOSwR7Bh3f4R
114.00!
https://www.ebay.com/itm/33433760094...AAAOSwrlliEr33
40.00!!!
Only 3944.00, I don't know what it's used for, but wow...and it's used!
Best, Ben
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Last edited by xiaoman1; 03-02-22 at 11:49 AM.
03-02-22, 03:28 PM
#42
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What about things have weirdly gotten cheaper over the years. Like these two Wellgo pedals which were $35-$45 when I was a teenager in the 90's, now are $18-$30.
https://www.treefortbikes.com/Wellgo...dals-1-2-Black
https://www.treefortbikes.com/Wellgo...in-Cage-Pedals
https://www.treefortbikes.com/Wellgo...dals-1-2-Black
https://www.treefortbikes.com/Wellgo...in-Cage-Pedals
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03-08-22, 03:52 PM
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03-08-22, 04:54 PM
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A pair of these currently cost $12 on ebay - all the way from Serbia:
I purchased mine for $10 from the same seller - but that was a month ago. Inflation, don't you know. Problem is, I still haven't received them in the mailbox!
My adjusting screws look naked without them. A complete pair of adjusters runs around $35-40 shipped, so this is my least-expensive option. Plus brass will look a little more bling than chrome
When they finally arrive, I'm gonna JB Weld them to the adjuster screws; I am tired of losing these things.
DD
I purchased mine for $10 from the same seller - but that was a month ago. Inflation, don't you know. Problem is, I still haven't received them in the mailbox!
My adjusting screws look naked without them. A complete pair of adjusters runs around $35-40 shipped, so this is my least-expensive option. Plus brass will look a little more bling than chrome
When they finally arrive, I'm gonna JB Weld them to the adjuster screws; I am tired of losing these things.
DD
03-08-22, 05:52 PM
#47
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I still remember paying 25 cents each for metal crimped on cable end caps from the local PBS, not too long ago, before they all closed down......
I understand that they can't just give things like that away for free, but I doubt if it even cost them a cent each, for those things.
In contrast, another bike shop (an old shop that also cater to C&Vers) I go to, gives me extras when I buy from them like the said cable caps and spoke nipples..... The salesperson/manager would count out the number I ask for in front of me on the counter.....then grab five to ten more for good luck and drop them in the bag
. That made me feel much better doing business with them and I pretty much permanently stayed away from PBS after that when shopping for small parts and sundries for my bike build projects.
I understand that they can't just give things like that away for free, but I doubt if it even cost them a cent each, for those things.
In contrast, another bike shop (an old shop that also cater to C&Vers) I go to, gives me extras when I buy from them like the said cable caps and spoke nipples..... The salesperson/manager would count out the number I ask for in front of me on the counter.....then grab five to ten more for good luck and drop them in the bag
. That made me feel much better doing business with them and I pretty much permanently stayed away from PBS after that when shopping for small parts and sundries for my bike build projects.
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03-08-22, 06:01 PM
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A few years ago, I bought an NOS Weinmann brake lever set for something like 40 bucks, just to get the hoods from them. The levers themselves were nothing special, but for some reason, they had the hoods that were normally issued just with their top of the line Carrera 400's that are pretty much unobtanium today.
If I did find a set of those hoods on their own, NOS, I would surely had paid more for them.....if I can even find them....
If I did find a set of those hoods on their own, NOS, I would surely had paid more for them.....if I can even find them....
03-08-22, 06:02 PM
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https://livingwage.mit.edu/
To use the USA as an example, $7.25/hour is the minimum wage in many states. If you consider that fair compensation for any type of labor in 2022, I don’t know what to tell you.
That being said, I respect that this isn’t a politics forum so I’m not trying to open a can of worms…
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03-09-22, 08:14 AM
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A living wage perhaps? This website has a pretty good breakdown:
https://livingwage.mit.edu/
To use the USA as an example, $7.25/hour is the minimum wage in many states. If you consider that fair compensation for any type of labor in 2022, I don’t know what to tell you.
That being said, I respect that this isn’t a politics forum so I’m not trying to open a can of worms…
https://livingwage.mit.edu/
To use the USA as an example, $7.25/hour is the minimum wage in many states. If you consider that fair compensation for any type of labor in 2022, I don’t know what to tell you.
That being said, I respect that this isn’t a politics forum so I’m not trying to open a can of worms…
Basic economics. Value commands a price. Markets determine value, but change. Labor is supplied, or not, depending on the compensation, or the forces applied that compel it.
There are people working for far too little, and far too much, but lumping them into entitlement categories for value introduces judgements based on politics, and then perspective is lost.
Some small parts cost more than I am willing to pay, or exactly what I’m willing to pay, or less. And that’s simply it.
Introducing social constructs is generally an effort to skew the market one way or another.
MIT is good at some things.
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