you have to be kidding - Page 3 - Cycling Mob: Road Cycling, Mountain Biking and More

03-01-2005, 06:45 PM

RonSonic <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].com> wrote in
news:[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]:
> One of the shops in my area is advertising their overhaul which they
> recommend for any bike over two years old at $192.

An overhaul includes replacing and repacking all your bearings. This is a
fairly labor intensive operation, so $200 isn't totally out-of-line.
The original poster was talking about 3 easy-to-replace parts, so labor should
be a lot less.

03-01-2005, 07:03 PM

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

03-01-2005, 07:03 PM

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

03-01-2005, 08:05 PM

On Wed, 02 Mar 2005 02:45:17 +0000, Ken <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:

>RonSonic <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].com> wrote in
>news:[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] :
>> One of the shops in my area is advertising their overhaul which they
>> recommend for any bike over two years old at $192.
>
>An overhaul includes replacing and repacking all your bearings. This is a
>fairly labor intensive operation, so $200 isn't totally out-of-line.
>The original poster was talking about 3 easy-to-replace parts, so labor should
>be a lot less.

Add those three easy to replace parts to the $200 and what do you get?

The original post says: "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."

I don't know enough to say this is a rip off. Yet.

Ron

03-01-2005, 08:05 PM

On Wed, 02 Mar 2005 02:45:17 +0000, Ken <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:

>RonSonic <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].com> wrote in
>news:[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] :
>> One of the shops in my area is advertising their overhaul which they
>> recommend for any bike over two years old at $192.
>
>An overhaul includes replacing and repacking all your bearings. This is a
>fairly labor intensive operation, so $200 isn't totally out-of-line.
>The original poster was talking about 3 easy-to-replace parts, so labor should
>be a lot less.

Add those three easy to replace parts to the $200 and what do you get?

The original post says: "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."

I don't know enough to say this is a rip off. Yet.

Ron

03-01-2005, 08:18 PM

I am the original poster. The shop wants $300 to replace the chainring,
chain and cassette. That's all folks. As I stated in a second post. I
took this bike to the shop for a full tune-up every year. I have had
general maintenance and some components replaced as needed. The kicker to
my conversation with the mechanic was that it would be more cost effective
to buy a new bike than fix the one I had. That is what really threw me for
a loop. I can't believe that a 7 year old bike is obsolete but he said it
was and that bikes are now built to become obsolete after a few years. He
said in 6 months there would be no parts available for the bike
I think he saw a middle aged woman and figured I was an easy mark. Will
pick my bike up tomorrow. Have found a shop who is sure they have the parts
and can do the work for a resonable price.

Thanks to all for the help.
..
"RonSonic" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].com> wrote in message
news:[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]...
> On Wed, 02 Mar 2005 02:45:17 +0000, Ken <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:
>
>>RonSonic <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].com> wrote in
>>news:[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] m:
>>> One of the shops in my area is advertising their overhaul which they
>>> recommend for any bike over two years old at $192.
>>
>>An overhaul includes replacing and repacking all your bearings. This is a
>>fairly labor intensive operation, so $200 isn't totally out-of-line.
>>The original poster was talking about 3 easy-to-replace parts, so labor
>>should
>>be a lot less.
>
> Add those three easy to replace parts to the $200 and what do you get?
>
> The original post says: "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."
>
> I don't know enough to say this is a rip off. Yet.
>
> Ron
>
>

03-01-2005, 08:18 PM

I am the original poster. The shop wants $300 to replace the chainring,
chain and cassette. That's all folks. As I stated in a second post. I
took this bike to the shop for a full tune-up every year. I have had
general maintenance and some components replaced as needed. The kicker to
my conversation with the mechanic was that it would be more cost effective
to buy a new bike than fix the one I had. That is what really threw me for
a loop. I can't believe that a 7 year old bike is obsolete but he said it
was and that bikes are now built to become obsolete after a few years. He
said in 6 months there would be no parts available for the bike
I think he saw a middle aged woman and figured I was an easy mark. Will
pick my bike up tomorrow. Have found a shop who is sure they have the parts
and can do the work for a resonable price.

Thanks to all for the help.
..
"RonSonic" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].com> wrote in message
news:[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]...
> On Wed, 02 Mar 2005 02:45:17 +0000, Ken <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:
>
>>RonSonic <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].com> wrote in
>>news:[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] m:
>>> One of the shops in my area is advertising their overhaul which they
>>> recommend for any bike over two years old at $192.
>>
>>An overhaul includes replacing and repacking all your bearings. This is a
>>fairly labor intensive operation, so $200 isn't totally out-of-line.
>>The original poster was talking about 3 easy-to-replace parts, so labor
>>should
>>be a lot less.
>
> Add those three easy to replace parts to the $200 and what do you get?
>
> The original post says: "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."
>
> I don't know enough to say this is a rip off. Yet.
>
> Ron
>
>

03-01-2005, 08:24 PM

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.

Without more information it's just not possible to say if $300 is too
high, too low, or an honest estimate of the "total cost of replacing
everything that needs replaced". For replacing just a chain and
non-exotic (no carbon) chainring it's outrageous but for replacing a
chain, chainring, rear cassette, rebuilding the headset, rebuilding
brifters, recabling the brakes and derailleurs, repacking all bearings,
trueing the wheels and replacing spokes as needed, and replacing tubes
and tires $300 is a steal. What exactly did he say he was going to do
for that $300?
OTOH, his claim that the parts for a six year old Trek are going to be
obsolete and hard to find in six months is misleading at best. My 9
speed Chorus/Record mix was "obsolete" when I bought it because 10
speed components were available. The computer you used to post your
question is undoubtedly "obsolete" yet both my bike and your computer
still work, right? ;-)

Regards,
Bob Hunt

03-01-2005, 08:24 PM

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.

Without more information it's just not possible to say if $300 is too
high, too low, or an honest estimate of the "total cost of replacing
everything that needs replaced". For replacing just a chain and
non-exotic (no carbon) chainring it's outrageous but for replacing a
chain, chainring, rear cassette, rebuilding the headset, rebuilding
brifters, recabling the brakes and derailleurs, repacking all bearings,
trueing the wheels and replacing spokes as needed, and replacing tubes
and tires $300 is a steal. What exactly did he say he was going to do
for that $300?
OTOH, his claim that the parts for a six year old Trek are going to be
obsolete and hard to find in six months is misleading at best. My 9
speed Chorus/Record mix was "obsolete" when I bought it because 10
speed components were available. The computer you used to post your
question is undoubtedly "obsolete" yet both my bike and your computer
still work, right? ;-)

Regards,
Bob Hunt

03-01-2005, 08:27 PM

Ken wrote:

> "Mary" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in
> news:4224ea05$0$165$[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]:
>> 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.
>
> Are all your front chainrings worn out or just one?
> New chain = $15
> New cassette = $30
> New chainring = $30
> Labor will be less than 30 minutes.
> Either you misunderstood or something doesn't add up.

Furthermore: what are the possible deleterious effects of a worn
chainring?

1. chain skipping. Well? Does your chain skip?
2. faster chain wear. I don't know whether this occurs or not, but does it
really matter? You can get a new chain for $20 Canadian.

--
Benjamin Lewis

I regret to say that we of the FBI are powerless to act in cases of
oral-genital intimacy, unless it has in some way obstructed interstate
commerce. -- J. Edgar Hoover