Repairs Advice Please

harrydaisy

I run a 2011 wilier with campag veloce - bought in March 2011. Its well maintained, lubed and washed every week, but i am not an expert in regards to tech up keep.

I was washing bike last night and noticed that the chain had snapped half a link (so not completely snapped in half). The chain has done about 2500 miles since bike bought.

So I took it to a LBS (not the shop I bought bike in and had it serviced 3 months ago) this morning, potentially expecting a new chain to be fitted. However the guy in shop has told me that potentially I need a new chain, a new cassette, and both chain rings replaced (about £325 inc labour). I also upgraded wheels and cassette literally 3 weeks ago. The guy in this LBs also slated the shop I bought bike in and any other LBS in the area stating they are the experts etc etc and other don't know what they are doing.

So i am confused do I?:

Take on board this LBS advice as they reckon that the chain could have damaged all the sprocket and chain rings and if I just replace the chain then its only half a job and will cost more in the long run. (£325 bil at least)

Take bike to the LBS that I bought the bike from and have it regually serviced (last time in March 2012) and explain what has been said. If this is what needs doing surely they should have spotted the chain 3 months ago and advised me to replace? perhaps they will complete job and offer a discount.

If I have to replace the lot than fair enough (i would rather have a bike that is not going to have long terms problems), but if I am honest I was shocked by the attitude of guy in shop this morning as it really felt that he was just trying to upsell the job and when I mentioned this he lost his rag and slated all the other LBS. So even if all the work needs doing I really don't want to give this guy my money.

Any advice would be appreciated....

sungod

if the chain is badly worn the cassette will have worn with it, a new chain will skip like crazy on the old cassette, the chainrings *might* also have worn, but seems unlikely after such a short period

if you don't have the old chain to measure for wear, i'd just fit a new one and see if it skips on the cassette, if doesn't then you saved some money, if it does then don't ride it until you get a new cassette

to replace a chain, you need a chain tool and a chain
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/kmc-x10-73-10-s ... 112-links/
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/lifeline-chain-rivet-extractor/

well under 30 quid so far

to change cassette, i'm assuming you already own a big spanner, you need a lockring tool, chainwhip, and cassette...
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/cyclus-cassette ... ampagnolo/
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/lifeline-10-speed-chain-whip/
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/campagnolo-velo ... -cassette/

add that and you'll still be under 80-90 quid, could be less if you shop around

it's an easy job, you'll save about 250 quid, and be well on the way to independence from an lbs that sound like rip-off merchants

look at the diy guides on parktool's site to see how to do it, you do NOT need all their tools!

http://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-help

there's also a guide here...

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/article/w ... ear-20788/

you can use a ruler to measure chain stretch, learn how and check every couple of months, a new chain is much cheaper than a new cassette, tells you how, and much more, here...

http://sheldonbrown.com/chains.html

StefanP

They are, i think, correct about the chain and cassette, as they wear together. But I tend to find that chainrings can go through around 2-3 chains before needing replacing. Obviously if there is skipping at the front chainrings after replacement of the chain then you know you will have to replace them. Quite a lot of the price (just by a quick search) looks to come from the replacement of the chainrings. £325 seems quite steep when it is a 10/15 minute job.

harrydaisy

sungod wrote:

if the chain is badly worn the cassette will have worn with it, a new chain will skip like crazy on the old cassette, the chainrings *might* also have worn, but seems unlikely after such a short period

if you don't have the old chain, i'd just fit a new one and see if it skips on the cassette, if doesn't then you saved some money, if it does then don't ride it until you get a new cassette

to replace a chain, you need a chain tool and a chain
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/kmc-x10-73-10-s ... 112-links/
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/lifeline-chain-rivet-extractor/

well under 30 quid so far

to change cassette, i'm assuming you already own a big spanner, you need a lockring tool, chainwhip, and cassette...
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/cyclus-cassette ... ampagnolo/
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/lifeline-10-speed-chain-whip/
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/campagnolo-velo ... -cassette/

add that and you'll still be under 80-90 quid, could be less if you shop around

it's an easy job, you'll save about 250 quid, and be well on the way to independence from an lbs that sound like rip-off merchants

look at the diy guides on parktool's site to see how to do it, you do NOT need all their tools!

http://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-help

Many thanks - its seems like the logical think to do. TBH before I notice the link had split I really did not notice any issues on the gears or changing. As I mentioned the cassette is literally 3 weeks old and I have prob only done 300 miles.

Thats why i was so shocked when this guy recommended so much work. I would love to name and shame but whats the point....

harrydaisy

StefanP wrote:

They are, i think, correct about the chain and cassette, as they wear together. But I tend to find that chainrings can go through around 2-3 chains before needing replacing. Obviously if there is skipping at the front chainrings after replacement of the chain then you know you will have to replace them. Quite a lot of the price (just by a quick search) looks to come from the replacement of the chainrings. £325 seems quite steep when it is a 10/15 minute job.

even if the cassette is only 3 weeks old (300 miles roughly)? Perhaps I should have put a new chain on when i changed the wheels, thats my fault perhaps.

you are right £90 and £45 for campag chain rings apparently...

i can swallow a new chain and cassetts if i really need...they were going to charge me £89 labour on their premium rate other wise they would have taken 2 weeks to do the job.???

wishitwasallflat

harrydaisy wrote:

sungod wrote:

if the chain is badly worn the cassette will have worn with it, a new chain will skip like crazy on the old cassette, the chainrings *might* also have worn, but seems unlikely after such a short period

if you don't have the old chain, i'd just fit a new one and see if it skips on the cassette, if doesn't then you saved some money, if it does then don't ride it until you get a new cassette

to replace a chain, you need a chain tool and a chain
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/kmc-x10-73-10-s ... 112-links/
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/lifeline-chain-rivet-extractor/

well under 30 quid so far

to change cassette, i'm assuming you already own a big spanner, you need a lockring tool, chainwhip, and cassette...
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/cyclus-cassette ... ampagnolo/
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/lifeline-10-speed-chain-whip/
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/campagnolo-velo ... -cassette/

add that and you'll still be under 80-90 quid, could be less if you shop around

it's an easy job, you'll save about 250 quid, and be well on the way to independence from an lbs that sound like rip-off merchants

look at the diy guides on parktool's site to see how to do it, you do NOT need all their tools!

http://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-help

Many thanks - its seems like the logical think to do. TBH before I notice the link had split I really did not notice any issues on the gears or changing. As I mentioned the cassette is literally 3 weeks old and I have prob only done 300 miles.

Thats why i was so shocked when this guy recommended so much work. I would love to name and shame but whats the point....

The point is that others can be forewarned and take care or avoid that lbs as they choose.

Velonutter

Sorry Stefan, I don't agree about changing the chain rings every 2-3 chains, I work on this basis.

1. Get a Parktool Chain Checker and when your chain is at 75% then change the chain only. Typically I get a max. of 2000 miles per chain.

2. About every 4-5 chains then change your cassette.

3. I work on checking the chain rings and would expect to change at 15-20000 miles

To the OP get in the habit of cleaning your chain after every ride and lubing it the night before so it can sink in.

Budget on changing your chain every couple of thousand miles.

Hope this helps.

StefanP

I am only going by my own personal experience. On my mountain bike (as an example) it took 3 chains to go through the 32t ring, but this is probably the small number of teeth involved and so higher wear, I would expect a 52t to last a lot longer.