| Re: you have to be kidding
On Tue, 01 Mar 2005 17:17:58 -0500, 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.
It's easy to claim that this is a ripoff, but there may be other things
beyond the cassette (maybe $50), chainrings ($50 for name brand) chain
($20). If it needs cables, and adjustments, and perhaps brake pads, these
things add up. Labor is also a factor, and it might not just be a
20-minute job.
> 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.
Bull****. What's so big a change that is going to happen in 6 months.
The parts are available now, and they will still be there next year.
> He recommended I
> come in and look at a new bike in the 600 to 700 $$ range.
Well... obviously he was trying to sell you something. But on the other
hand, you are riding 4500 miles per year on a relatively inexpensive
bike. You definitely got your money's worth from it, already.
You might want to consider a significantly better bike, which would be in
line with the mileage you get in the saddle. I would definitely not
consider a cheap replacement like this range for someone who does as many
miles as you do.
Not that you can't enjoy riding on your current bike --- obviously you do
-- but you might consider it.
>*I thought
> this was the last bike I would have to buy. Didn't bikes use to last
> like forever?
Not really. For one thing, fatigue can take its toll on the frame and on
parts. Eventually, it will be harder to find replacement parts for what
you have, and certainly fancier components are already available.
> 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?
It depends on how much you like the bike you have. $300 is a large
fraction of its current value. Depending on whether or not there really
are that many parts that need replacing, that may be a reasonable figure.
If it is, then maybe other parts are also near the end of their life. If
you had a 1994 Honda Civic which needed $1000 worth of transmission work,
would it be worth it?* Similar call here.
--
David L. Johnson
__o | It is a scientifically proven fact that a mid life crisis can
_`\(,_ | only be cured by something racy and Italian. Bianchis and
(_)/ (_) | Colnagos are a lot cheaper than Maserattis and Ferraris. --
Glenn Davies
|