Cost of repairs and other rising cycling costs

DonDaddyD

BigMat wrote:

Some great innuendo in this thread, DDD why are you waiting until later in the year to "get your toolkit out", is that after the shotgun wedding you're planning?!

As for bike repairs, are you seriously saying you don't have any friends / family with a garage / backyard? Couldn't you just ride round to your parents' one weekend with a bag of tools and do it then?

SSssssshhhhhh don't type the 'w' word, she might hear you.... << shifty eyes >>

As for hauliing my bike to a friends, family. You're right and I didn't actually think of that...

rjsterry

DonDaddyD wrote:

BigMat wrote:

Some great innuendo in this thread, DDD why are you waiting until later in the year to "get your toolkit out", is that after the shotgun wedding you're planning?!

As for bike repairs, are you seriously saying you don't have any friends / family with a garage / backyard? Couldn't you just ride round to your parents' one weekend with a bag of tools and do it then?

SSssssshhhhhh don't type the 'w' word, she might hear you.... << shifty eyes >>

As for hauliing my bike to a friends, family. You're right and I didn't actually think of that...

If she reads much of this forum, I think you've got more to worry about than mentioning the 'W' word.

If you don't mind a short ride south to the far side of Mitcham, you're welcome to borrow my workstand if you need to DDD - it's so much easier to work on a bike without being bent double* (actually, you'd need to drive: it folds down, but would still be a challenge to cycle with).

*insert own Carry On joke here.

Monkeypump

DonDaddyD wrote:

Think of it this way, would you say that to my face in the pub where I'd most likely shout down the crap out of you for saying it? No. Then why do you think it is acceptible here?

If you were being as self-aggrandising as you are on this forum, you betcha I'd say it to your face.

Monkeypump

DonDaddyD wrote:

To be honest, I don't really want to discuss my personal circumstances beyond stating I

DDD wrote I need this work done and my flat makes it difficult to do it myself.

In my mind the above should be enough.

But to get back to the original point, you're labouring a point (which you often do, and despite your opinion of me, it's one of the most enjoyable aspects of this forum) which most of us have found a way around over the years we've been cycling.

You've made a point, several others have disagreed. Lighten up - it's not personal when I have a harmless little dig at you.

DonDaddyD

rjsterry wrote:

DonDaddyD wrote:

BigMat wrote:

Some great innuendo in this thread, DDD why are you waiting until later in the year to "get your toolkit out", is that after the shotgun wedding you're planning?!

As for bike repairs, are you seriously saying you don't have any friends / family with a garage / backyard? Couldn't you just ride round to your parents' one weekend with a bag of tools and do it then?

SSssssshhhhhh don't type the 'w' word, she might hear you.... << shifty eyes >>

As for hauliing my bike to a friends, family. You're right and I didn't actually think of that...

If she reads much of this forum, I think you've got more to worry about than mentioning the 'W' word.

If you don't mind a short ride south to the far side of Mitcham, you're welcome to borrow my workstand if you need to DDD - it's so much easier to work on a bike without being bent double* (actually, you'd need to drive: it folds down, but would still be a challenge to cycle with).

*insert own Carry On joke here.

Wow, thanks Mr Sterry.

So to conclude.

I should do my own repairs an mark out a part of the flat as my domain.

The rising cost of cycling isn't a barrier to entry for noobs or other types of would-be and current cyclists. What people can't outright afford they'll ind a solution or a way around to get what they want.

A lesson has been learned.

gtvlusso

DonDaddyD wrote:

rjsterry wrote:

DonDaddyD wrote:

BigMat wrote:

Some great innuendo in this thread, DDD why are you waiting until later in the year to "get your toolkit out", is that after the shotgun wedding you're planning?!

As for bike repairs, are you seriously saying you don't have any friends / family with a garage / backyard? Couldn't you just ride round to your parents' one weekend with a bag of tools and do it then?

SSssssshhhhhh don't type the 'w' word, she might hear you.... << shifty eyes >>

As for hauliing my bike to a friends, family. You're right and I didn't actually think of that...

If she reads much of this forum, I think you've got more to worry about than mentioning the 'W' word.

If you don't mind a short ride south to the far side of Mitcham, you're welcome to borrow my workstand if you need to DDD - it's so much easier to work on a bike without being bent double* (actually, you'd need to drive: it folds down, but would still be a challenge to cycle with).

*insert own Carry On joke here.

Wow, thanks Mr Sterry.

So to conclude.

I should do my own repairs an mark out a part of the flat as my domain.

The rising cost of cycling isn't a barrier to entry for noobs or other types of would-be and current cyclists. What people can't outright afford they'll ind a solution or a way around to get what they want.

A lesson has been learned.

DDD - I think you are right. But all costs for everything are rising, not just bike maint/care. I used to maintain my own cars, now they require some specialist knowledge, tools and laptop software - so, screw it, I pay someone else to fix it and accept the cost.

Bikes are becoming more difficult to maintain - carbon frames/parts require certain "torque" values for instance - requiring a low Nm torque wrench....not many people would bother! Some people are mechanically disadvantaged or have little space. There is allot to know about threads, sizes and what parts can go together, something we probably take for granted as we are interested in being cycle nerds (hence being on a forum!)

And I agree that, for the run of the mill cycle commuter who is fundamentally disinterested in cycling (apart from saving money/time on their commute) - yes, it is expensive and they will not maintain anything themselves!

davis

Rolf F wrote:

davmaggs wrote:

I support your point DDD. It does get to the point where repairs cost so much that perfectly good bikes are probably not work sinking more money into. I have an old Reynolds frame that I can't part with because of this issue. Seems criminal to junk it.

That's the old line of 'Knowing the price of everything and the value of nothing'.

Same applies to cars. People think old cars are unreliable - but actually, they are unreliable not because they are old but because they are not maintained properly by their owners due to the ratio between cost of servicing and value of car. If people valued things for their function, rather than their resale value, their lives would be a lot cheaper.

Get that Reynolds frame fixed. It is a good bike. Who cares what it is worth. I'm getting some handbuilt wheels for my Dawes. They'll cost the same as I saw a mint, identical Dawes Horizon go for on Ebay last year. Even the same size! Does that mean I'm wasting my money? Should I bin my Dawes which is pretty minty itself and get the ebay one and bin that one too when something breaks? I hope not!

+1. Bring this man a pint.

roger_merriman

walked into local bike shop with old knackered wheel from wife's bike. walked out 5 mins later with new wheel plus freewheel changed over and change from £40

you can make it as pricey as you want it to be.

EKE_38BPM

Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.

Convert that quote to bikes & bike maintenance and (given the space, tools and inclination) the cost of cycle maintenance come tumbling down.

I find it difficult to believe that DDD can't find enough space to work on the bike in the flat. Probably lack of inclination and/or permission.

What is DDD? A man or one of the flat's mice?

Drysuitdiver

I found most of the tools and equipment i had from when i owned old cars that needed lots of TLC every sunday , are perfectly adequate for working on my bike. an allen key or torx driver is the same whatever you use it on . I have had a torque wrench for years, admittedly only an needle and scale one ( thats now been consigned to a museum ) . I had a new torque wrench bought as a christmas pressie years ago.

the only tools i don't own I can borrow from family ( cassete tool and BB remover)

park tools website and bike tutor have really easy to follow guides for those of a less mechanical bent.

the cost of components is not much more than it was 20 years ago so in relative terms a lot cheaper.

il_principe

DDD - I freely admit that my wrenching skills are poor, however even I can manage to swap chainrings, change cassette's, fettle gears etc. It's really not hard, and very doable in a flat. I leave the LBS to do jobs I find scary - like servicing the headset, which the Focus had done yesterday (it was f*cked). I was charged £37, but then I used the Evans next to my flat as they open early and close late = convenient. That bike is 6 years old and that's the 2nd time it's had work done by anyone other than me. Bought for £600, I'd say I've got serious value out of that.

Should also point out that no one will be 'priced out' of cycling, not while fuel and PT costs continue to rise and rise.

Just make sure you do any fettling practice on your cheap bike!

il_principe

Should add that if you're gonna get a bike serviced, at least have the decency to clean it first. Show the mechanic a little respect.

davis

+1 for doing it yourself. I did a complete drivetrain overhaul on the commuter for just under 60 quid last night. The only things I think I'd take to an LBS would be chasing+facing jobs, and maybe wheel building.

...that being said, the slightly buggered rear derailleur is still playing "close enough"-type games.

And, yeah, clean your bike. Would *you* work on a filthy bike?

sketchley

Surely there's enough people on here in a simular geographical location with shared interest enough to run a cycle maintenance club where everyone help eveyone else out, in return for cake and beer.....

That'll keep the cost down.....

hfidgen

Can't recommend these guys enough if you need work doing or some spare parts

http://www.bikeworks.org.uk/

They're a social enterprise and they source and fit spares for peanuts. You get nice shiny kit as well as a warm fuzzy feeling from knowing you're supporting a good cycling cause

Their fettling price list gives you an idea tbh
http://www.bikeworks.org.uk/maintenance-repairs.php

Stuey01

I do all my maintenance myself with the exception of headset fitting, too much opportunity to irreparably damage the frame without the proper tools. I hear tales of people banging them in with a lump of wood and a rubber mallet, but frankly that sounds like madness to me.

I wouldn't pay bike shop prices for anything I can reasonably do myself, so I see where DDD is coming from on this.

All work done in kitchen with a folding bike stand (best bit of kit ever!). I have built up two bikes from parts without a stand and it was a pain. With one it was easy.

desweller

Sketchley wrote:

Surely there's enough people on here in a simular geographical location with shared interest enough to run a cycle maintenance club where everyone help eveyone else out, in return for cake and beer.....

That'll keep the cost down.....

A beer-fuelled rig servicing party?

That sounds pretty good actually. With lots of people you'd get through it in no time (although I suspect the bikes that got done at the end of the evening would have a few beer-related loose screws...).

EKE_38BPM

DesWeller wrote:

Sketchley wrote:

Surely there's enough people on here in a simular geographical location with shared interest enough to run a cycle maintenance club where everyone help eveyone else out, in return for cake and beer.....

That'll keep the cost down.....

A beer-fuelled rig servicing party?

That sounds pretty good actually. With lots of people you'd get through it in no time (although I suspect the bikes that got done at the end of the evening would have a few beer-related loose screws...).

Loose screws or complely missing screws?
Good idea though.

Silly Commuter Servicing.

sketchley

Silly Commuter Servicing - Like it.....

Question would be where to do it?

There is a bike cafe down the road from me in Old Street, http://www.lookmumnohands.com/, there's an area outside to park bikes and there is a bike stand outside for people to do there own stuff. But they also have a workshop business there, how they would feel about group maintenance I do not know. Still if we purchased enough parts, beer and food.

If enough people are interested I could go and ask.

P_Tucker

Well, if prices are going up and you think they are extortionate, why not open a bike shop? £249 for supplying & changing a few parts which would take all of half an hour on a bike worth £350 new sounds like easy money to me.