| Re: you have to be kidding
Mary wrote:
> six years ago I bought a Trek 1200. I love the bike and have put
about 4500
> miles a year on it. I took it in for a tune-up last week and to have
the
> chain and chain ring in the back replaced. I just got a call from
the
> mechanic. He said that the front ring is worn out and that total
cost of
> replacing everything that needs to be replaced will be about $300.
He also
> said that many of the parts on the bike have become obsolete and that
in 6
> months it will be hard to find parts for the bike. He recommended I
come in
> and look at a new bike in the 600 to 700 $$ range.
> I thought this was the last bike I would have to buy. Didn't bikes
use to
> last like forever? Your opinion...should I fix the bike I have now
for 300$
> and buy new when I come to that bridge or purchase new now? Any
thoughts
> would be appreciated. I ride daily when the temperature is over 40
f.
> Longest ride each year is a century with 20 mile rides each night and
many
> 30 to 40 mile rides on the weekends.
I agree with VeloPsycho, although I wouldn't express it as brutally as
him. Chainrings (the gears in front) and cassettes (the cogs in back)
plus a chain can be purchased for $100 or so. And the part about these
things becoming obsolete is simply not true. (New drivetrain parts are
still being made for 30 year old bikes with 5 speed freewheels).
Once you do get your bike repaired (by a reputable shop or by yourself)
you should replace the chain more often. Your chainrings and cogs will
then last for a long long long time.
Tom
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