tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4031352915519488668.post5833565296892575081..comments2023-10-31T08:49:14.757+00:00Comments on Cambridge Cyclist: Bike maintenance - Why are we so cheap?Cab Davidsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09019615820672574343noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4031352915519488668.post-70102148312200360552015-10-05T15:10:10.628+01:002015-10-05T15:10:10.628+01:00I can see you point. I do my own brakes, but have...I can see you point. I do my own brakes, but have *a fear of breaking something* when it gets more complicated than that. Tell you what - I'll promise to check my chain more diligently, and next time to try breaking and fitting a new one when the time comes (and before it takes my whole drivetrain with it...).brooksby1971https://www.blogger.com/profile/03652170830982307289noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4031352915519488668.post-3207803348152957742015-10-05T10:23:43.911+01:002015-10-05T10:23:43.911+01:00My bike is my primary mode of transportation too. ...My bike is my primary mode of transportation too. At least it was until I pick up a motorcycle this week. You sort of make a good point, my bike has been off road while I've had to get specific tools for custom parts. However reading this thread all your bikes would be more reliable if you changed chains more regularly. It sounds like a lot of wrecked cassettes and chainrings are because both customer and shop are afraid to change them out quarterly or half yearly depending on mileage. My bike absolutely burns through chains because it lacks mudguards and I can't find decent ones to fit. If I didn't change them regularly I'd have to change everything in the drivetrain.Harryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03257083035760480116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4031352915519488668.post-19895309724101858892015-10-05T08:57:37.749+01:002015-10-05T08:57:37.749+01:00In my case, because I don't want to accidental...In my case, because I don't want to accidentally screw up my beautiful bike. She's a workhorse, and my primary mode of transportation, and I don't want her off the road for any longer than I have to.brooksby1971https://www.blogger.com/profile/03652170830982307289noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4031352915519488668.post-68327370795070407222015-10-04T22:28:16.522+01:002015-10-04T22:28:16.522+01:00Gears and chains are really easy to get on and off...Gears and chains are really easy to get on and off. Same for bottom brackets. Literally everything screws on and off. What I really mean is... HOW CAN YOU LET OTHER PEOPLE TOUCH YOUR BEAUTIFUL BIKE???Harryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03257083035760480116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4031352915519488668.post-37536485874709707012015-10-02T10:39:25.964+01:002015-10-02T10:39:25.964+01:00And its still cheaper than buying a new bike! ;-)...And its still cheaper than buying a new bike! ;-)brooksby1971https://www.blogger.com/profile/03652170830982307289noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4031352915519488668.post-39557419748503421492015-10-02T10:38:32.558+01:002015-10-02T10:38:32.558+01:00Well, I can add to this comment with a real-world ...Well, I can add to this comment with a real-world example, as my LBS just called me to quote for this service. Bear in mind, the only thing done to the bike in the last eighteen months was a couple of brake pad changes.<br /><br />It now needs two new wheels, new chainrings'n'cassette, new chain, and new rear brake pads, and all of that set up and tuned. The front wheel is the bike's original - a bit over 4 years old at c.5000 miles per year - and the back one is about two years old. The brake pads are about ten minutes old, but, well, y'know...<br /><br />Anyway, all of that - parts and labour - comes to just shy of £275.<br /><br />They tried to talk me out of the drivetrain, said it *might* last a bit longer maybe, except I'd already noticed that the gears were slipping in high gears, and I'd had my doubts about it for a while anyway, so I've bitten the bullet.<br /><br />Is it a lot of money? Yes. Could I do all that work myself? No. Do I want to walk away from the bike and condemn myself to a life commuting in to the office by car or on the bus? Bl**dy hell, no!brooksby1971https://www.blogger.com/profile/03652170830982307289noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4031352915519488668.post-72050930257497233102015-09-30T16:03:47.131+01:002015-09-30T16:03:47.131+01:00Really interesting post, from both sides of the co...Really interesting post, from both sides of the counter as so to speak. There still seems to be a lack of education (my own view) of what people's expectations are when it comes to bicycles, the idea of commuting under your own steam, and the right tools for the job.Goldilockshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02712739619690718537noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4031352915519488668.post-41940229797287210752015-09-30T09:19:00.443+01:002015-09-30T09:19:00.443+01:00I have this sort of argument with my wife when I g...I have this sort of argument with my wife when I get my commuter bike serviced.<br /><br />About every 18 months I get a full service from my LBS - generally a new drivetrain (I tend to wear them into the ground), wheels trued, new brake pads, check for new cables, check bottom bracket and crank play, etc, etc, etc - and she will still be "You spent *what*???".<br /><br />But its my commuter bike - my primary mode of getting to and from work. I don't have the time or the knowledge to do it myself (and would still have to buy parts) so I am quite happy to pay a professional to do it for me. I see it the same as I would pay to have my (or my wife's car) serviced by a professional.brooksby1971https://www.blogger.com/profile/03652170830982307289noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4031352915519488668.post-66384726884456362692015-09-29T16:12:34.763+01:002015-09-29T16:12:34.763+01:00I noticed this about bike businesses when I was fi...I noticed this about bike businesses when I was first buying a bike (and blogged about it <a href="http://fasterpedestrian.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/in-which-i-do-not-do-maintainance.html" rel="nofollow">here</a>). Most other businesses encourage you to spend as much money with them as possible, and I was - and remain - baffled that it was so hard to get them to take my money.Ollyverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11296014043634320469noreply@blogger.com