| Re: you have to be kidding
cal wrote:
> But not everyone knows what they need to know to procure the correct,
> or compatible parts. Nor does everyone have the correct tools, or
the
> knowledge of their use to do the work. Nor does everyone know which
> pedal, or bottom bracket cup has the left-hand thread.
>
> The LBS has all of these, in a place that is accessible, which
> incidentally, has to be paid for, as well.
Yes, that's why you pay a premium for LBS service. When you're paying
that premium however, you're paying for peace of mind -- that the job
is necessary, is done well, and any maintenace issues that may ruin
your day will be checked.
The question is how much of a premium is that worth. For a mid-range
bike used by a recreational rider like the OP, a chain, chainring &
cassette swap for $160 is pushing the limit of reasonability, $300 is
in the realm of the absurd.
> The suggestion that Mary buy a new bike by reason of the obsolescence
> of her current bike's components seems to have been misguided. But
> even at that, if the group was very low-end and wasn't working
> properly for her, and she is "coming into her own" as a rider with
> ever increasing goals and objectives in her riding, then maybe it was
> not so very misguided.
Why are you making up so many specious qualifications? The guy was out
to lunch. A shop that charges $160 for a drivetrain tuneup should be
holding a customer's hand, not terrorizing her. The guy was spewing
crap, even the other LBS people admitted that. A mid-range bike, used a
typical amount, shouldn't be so costly to maintain that it's better off
discarded every few years.
> I am very cynical of much I see and experience in the retail business
> world today. None of this cynicism has grown out of any experiences
> with bike shops.
When I first started biking I had a LBS do all of my work. It was a
fair deal, because, while I paid a premium, the premium was for
service, and the service was excellent. The service included being sold
the right part and having it installed the right way. As I became more
familiar with bicycle mechanics, it became more convenient for me to do
my own work. When I consider buying something from a LBS or having work
done there, I factor the premium that I know I'll pay, if it makes
sense, they get the business.
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