Repair or Replace Dilemma

fraser1985

Hi Folks

First time poster - hoping for some friendly advice on my repair or replace dilemma.

Visit to my LBS this morning for a bog-standard service turned in to a bit of a disaster when I was told the following need replaced:

- Carbon Fibre seat post
- Carbon Fibre forks
- 105 Chain
- 105 Cassette
- 105 Big Chain Ring

Likely to end up costing around £600 all-in with parts and labour, plus new cables etc. None are under warranty any longer.

Bit of background:

Bike

Giant Defy1
Purchased 2009 for £1000 via Cyclescheme, so would have ended up paying £650 or so
First road bike, was inexperienced at the time of purchase and maintenance knowledge was almost non-existent

Use

Mainly for commuting March – September/October (winter commute on Fixie)
Commute is 30 miles return, 5 days a week, from South side of Glasgow, through city centre and over to north side
Also try to get out every week for longer 50-60 mile training run
No racing

Question now is whether I

a) Pay the £600, upgrade the components and other parts, more or less re-building the bike
b) Buy new bike at £1000 (or more for carbon fibre), more or less to same spec as the Defy1, with 105 groupset etc
c) Buy replacement bike at £700 or so without 105 groupset, carbon fibre parts etc, which might be bit sturdier for the commute

I’m wonder whether the carbon fibre and upgraded groupset is really necessary / appropriate.

I’m also not sure whether it’s a risk paying £600 for option (a) when there could be problems with the frame in the future.

Any advice would be much appreciated – apologies for the long post!

Monty Dog

Firstly, try a different LBS, £600 is extortionate. I expect if you shop around and you don't need Giant-branded seatpost and forks:
New seatpost £50
New forks £150
New chain £30
New cassette £30
New chainring £25

Workshop time should be no more that 2 hours i.e. £60 and can't see how they say you'd need this lot without new cables and headset either.

unixnerd

I think the first thing to do is learn how to work on the bike yourself. It's not hard and there are loads of "how to" videos online. Park Tools also has a lot of good procedures on their site.

You don't HAVE to fit a 105 cassette. If you're on a budget a Tiagra or Sora version will work just as well, main difference is a few grams extra weight.

Why do they say the seatpost and forks need to be replaced? That's pretty unusual unless there's accident damage.

fraser1985

Monty Dog wrote:

Firstly, try a different LBS, £600 is extortionate. I expect if you shop around and you don't need Giant-branded seatpost and forks:
New seatpost £50
New forks £150
New chain £30
New cassette £30
New chainring £25

Workshop time should be no more that 2 hours i.e. £60 and can't see how they say you'd need this lot without new cables and headset either.

Never thought about trading down on the components, guess the LBS assumed I'd want to keep all the same at 105. Getting a second opinion might be a good idea by the sounds of it.

fraser1985

unixnerd wrote:

I think the first thing to do is learn how to work on the bike yourself. It's not hard and there are loads of "how to" videos online. Park Tools also has a lot of good procedures on their site.

You don't HAVE to fit a 105 cassette. If you're on a budget a Tiagra or Sora version will work just as well, main difference is a few grams extra weight.

Why do they say the seatpost and forks need to be replaced? That's pretty unusual unless there's accident damage.

Trading down sounds like it could be well worth considering.

The seatpost has a big crack straight up the back - have never crashed or anything, just noticed it recently.

Re: the forks, I just noticed a shuddering recently when braking, and replacement was the diagnosis!

Monty Dog

FWIW juddering forks could simply be down to a poorly adjusted or worn headset. If the forks need replacing, then don't ride the bike! Forks are either OK or not OK functionally - there's no degrees inbetween - they don't get 'floppy'. If you haven't crashed the bike, then I wouldn't expect the forks to need replacing after a year of riding, regardless of conditions unless they're damaged.

amaferanga

unixnerd wrote:

I think the first thing to do is learn how to work on the bike yourself. It's not hard and there are loads of "how to" videos online. Park Tools also has a lot of good procedures on their site.

You don't HAVE to fit a 105 cassette. If you're on a budget a Tiagra or Sora version will work just as well, main difference is a few grams extra weight.

Why do they say the seatpost and forks need to be replaced? That's pretty unusual unless there's accident damage.

Except that 105 is 10 speed and Tiagra/Sora are 9/8 speed so 105 is actually the cheapest compatible cassette.

watchfire

unixnerd wrote:

You don't HAVE to fit a 105 cassette. If you're on a budget a Tiagra or Sora version will work just as well, main difference is a few grams extra weight.

Why do they say the seatpost and forks need to be replaced? That's pretty unusual unless there's accident damage.

Apart from the fact that a 10 speed cassette gives you 10 gears whereas tiagra and sora are nine speed. This is why mechanics can be handy sometimes.

To the OP, what reasoning have they given for replacing seat post and forks? The rest is standard wear really. Sounds like you said "there's something wrog with my forks" so they said "you have to replace your forks".

fraser1985

watchfire wrote:

unixnerd wrote:

You don't HAVE to fit a 105 cassette. If you're on a budget a Tiagra or Sora version will work just as well, main difference is a few grams extra weight.

Why do they say the seatpost and forks need to be replaced? That's pretty unusual unless there's accident damage.

Apart from the fact that a 10 speed cassette gives you 10 gears whereas tiagra and sora are nine speed. This is why mechanics can be handy sometimes.

To the OP, what reasoning have they given for replacing seat post and forks? The rest is standard wear really. Sounds like you said "there's something wrog with my forks" so they said "you have to replace your forks".

There's a pretty hefty crack in the back of the seatpost. Not sure how long it's been there.

Re: the forks, I only mentioned that there had been a bit of juddering occasionally when breaking so recokned the brakes needed adjusting. He played about with it a bit and noticed a creaking from the fork, which in his experience, has meant needs replaced.

Thanks for everybody's input so far - on my way to get a second opinion, will post an update when I know.

unixnerd

It was still possible to purchase 9 speed 105 bikes in 2009, a mate of mine did at a bargain price.

The forks thing sounds more like a bad headset. As for the seatpost if it was done up too tight that may cause it to split.

Bobbinogs

When I changed my forks on my hybrid I went out for a test ride and found the forks to be slightly juddery. I readjusted the headset/forks and everything was sorted.

fraser1985

Thanks to everyone who took the time to give advice.

I'll definately spend some time getting to know the maintenance side of things.

The bike's in at an alternative LBS, just over £200 for -

New front chainring
New cassette
New chain
New seat post
New front wheel
New bearings for headset, not new forks!

Good times.

Thanks again for the advice.

Monty Dog

We should be on commission 8)

glasgowbhoy

You didn't take it to Dales did you?

Get it along to a small independent shop. Plenty on the south side. The one at Eglington Toll is good for repairs.

ozzzyosborn206

that first shop you went to sounds like one to avoid.....care to name and shame?

Monty Dog

FWIW my alternative forum name could be Fraser1965 and there were only 3 decent bike shops in the west of Scotland : Dales, Dooleys or Bislands.