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Why are bike shops so worthless?

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Why are bike shops so worthless?

Old 02-15-15, 06:28 PM
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reggieray
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Why are bike shops so worthless?

I have been waiting six days and counting for a nearby shop to lace a new PowerTap hub I got into my rim, both of which I provided to the shop on Tuesday. Receipt says done by Friday.

This shop was my second choice for a wheel build after my old hub cracked, when the shop I normally go to told me I should get an SRM so that they can build me a new set of wheels with Dura Ace hubs or whatever. Yeah pal, thanks. I make $11.66 an hour and you want me to drop $2800 on a power meter and $1500 on new wheels.

Are there any shops at all in the Sacramento/Roseville area that are worth a damn? On the few things I use shops for, I either get ridiculously slow service or am subjected to relentless and laughable upselling, given my income.

Don't tell me anymore about Rule 58. **** Rule 58.
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Old 02-15-15, 06:39 PM
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Rule 58?
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Old 02-15-15, 06:43 PM
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Find a better shop.
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Old 02-15-15, 06:43 PM
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Originally Posted by rjones28
Rule 58?
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Old 02-15-15, 06:43 PM
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Old 02-15-15, 06:43 PM
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Originally Posted by reggieray
**** Rule 58.
Then go with Rule 94.

At $11.66 an hour, you should probably do your own maintenance.
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Old 02-15-15, 06:43 PM
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I think you need to find another LBS.
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Old 02-15-15, 06:44 PM
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Originally Posted by Bah Humbug
Find a better shop.
Yes, trying to, but each one is sucking more than the previous one.
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Old 02-15-15, 06:46 PM
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My son needed 2 spokes for his Bontrager RXL front wheel so I brought to to the closest shop. I was told they couldn't order jsut 2 since they were specific to the wheel and would have to buy 10. 8 weeks later still no news so I just took the wheel back and brought it to another store 12 miles away. 5 days later it was done and only $20 for parts and labor.

BTW, I bought my new Emonda SLR from them.
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Old 02-15-15, 06:46 PM
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They probably had to order spokes.
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Old 02-15-15, 06:48 PM
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Originally Posted by TrojanHorse
Then go with Rule 94.

At $11.66 an hour, you should probably do your own maintenance.
Touché.

I do for everything except wheels.

I'll start Googling right now.
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Old 02-15-15, 06:50 PM
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Originally Posted by Jiggle
They probably had to order spokes.
Spokes are being reused (DT Swiss Competition 14 gage). Either way, they have plenty.
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Old 02-15-15, 06:52 PM
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Originally Posted by datlas
Originally Posted by reggieray
Never read it.
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Old 02-15-15, 06:54 PM
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Originally Posted by reggieray
Touché.

I do for everything except wheels.

I'll start Googling right now.
Wheel building can be an enjoyable winter pastime.
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Old 02-15-15, 07:22 PM
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I used to hang out in a shop all the time on my lunch breaks and any other time I was close by. I bought tons of stuff from them so I got good service and became friends with them all. I was even invited to employee only parties and activities. All that time there made me realize why people wait so long for their stuff though, all they did was screw around. It was incredible how much time they wasted on stuff that wasn't customer related or related to the bike shop at all. Even though I got good service I still had times when they told me to pick something up after work, I'd get there and it wouldn't even be started yet. Of course, the one guy there that was good at timelines, and the best mech, was fired. Everyone suffered more after that happened. Still like the guys but started to use different shops when I needed service I couldn't do myself.
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Old 02-15-15, 08:17 PM
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I have not had bad experiences with the shops in my area.
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Old 02-15-15, 08:32 PM
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Originally Posted by reggieray
Spokes are being reused (DT Swiss Competition 14 gage). Either way, they have plenty.
Re-using spokes from a wheel that had enough use/abuse to crack the hub doesn't seem like a good way to save money. Those spokes are $1 a piece.

Was your old hub also a PT? If not, re-using the spokes is a really bad idea.
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Old 02-15-15, 08:43 PM
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Did the shop explain the delay? I can understand stuff happening, but unless there's a valid reason, repairs need to be ready when promised.

Wheelbuilding start to finish takes well less than two hours, for a decent builder, it's less than an hour, so unless something like the rim arriving dented, or wrong item sent, the shop really has no excuse.
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Old 02-15-15, 08:44 PM
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Originally Posted by canam73
Re-using spokes from a wheel that had enough use/abuse to crack the hub doesn't seem like a good way to save money. Those spokes are $1 a piece.

Was your old hub also a PT? If not, re-using the spokes is a really bad idea.
The old hub was a PT SL+ that cracked. It went through three rims before cracking (in the alloy sections between the carbon fiber windows).

It was in its current rim, (with all new spokes) for less than 2000 miles when it cracked.

Bleh. If a bunch of spokes pop, they pop. On to the next shop that hopefully doesn't suck, then.
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Old 02-15-15, 09:20 PM
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Originally Posted by reggieray
Are there any shops at all in the Sacramento/Roseville area that are worth a damn?
The only shops in the Sacramento area I've used for service are Folsom Bike (in Folsom, though they have another shop in El Dorado Hills) and Rex Cycles (in midtown). On numerous occasions Folsom Bike has replaced spokes while I waited. Rex Cycles also has been very prompt both in building up new wheels and minor adjustments to my drivetrain (although since I got the bike there anyway, perhaps I got better-than-average service ).
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Old 02-15-15, 09:56 PM
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Originally Posted by KenshiBiker
The only shops in the Sacramento area I've used for service are Folsom Bike (in Folsom, though they have another shop in El Dorado Hills) and Rex Cycles (in midtown). On numerous occasions Folsom Bike has replaced spokes while I waited. Rex Cycles also has been very prompt both in building up new wheels and minor adjustments to my drivetrain (although since I got the bike there anyway, perhaps I got better-than-average service ).
Thanks man.
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Old 02-15-15, 09:58 PM
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OP, your ideas of the price of PTs and wheels built around them are totally absurd. You are a factor of 4 or more high for both. And LBS mechanics are not a reliable choice for building wheels. Some do it well. Some don't. Wheel building needs to be fully competent. Crappy wheels are worse than useless. Get good ones built by a respected wheelwright or don't bother at all.
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Old 02-15-15, 10:28 PM
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I was a mechanic back in the day. I did it all, including wheel building for the local mtn bike team. That said, most shop employees are generally worthless stoners. I'm just glad between the internet and my knowledge, I don't need local LBS for anything besides power gel, tubes and *maybe* something like bar tape.
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Old 02-15-15, 10:34 PM
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Originally Posted by rideBjj
I was a mechanic back in the day. I did it all, including wheel building for the local mtn bike team. That said, most shop employees are generally worthless stoners. I'm just glad between the internet and my knowledge, I don't need local LBS for anything besides power gel, tubes and *maybe* something like bar tape.
Just for your FYI, you can pay the with cash from the ATM Machine.

.. only if you can remember your PIN Number.
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Old 02-15-15, 11:08 PM
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Originally Posted by rideBjj
I was a mechanic back in the day. I did it all, including wheel building for the local mtn bike team. That said, most shop employees are generally worthless stoners. I'm just glad between the internet and my knowledge, I don't need local LBS for anything besides power gel, tubes and *maybe* something like bar tape.
I buy my bar tape on line as well. I would never refer to the local bike shop guys (and gals) as worthless. But... I have to admit at a couple local shops the smell of burnt herb does seem to accompany some of the employees. I know a little about drug use... and yes.. stoner may be the proper term.

I do the bulk of my bicycle work... I enjoy working on my bikes (some are vintage). I have a couple back-up bikes as well (one is my rain/trainer bike). But from time-to-time I have taken a bike in for work. And I do have trust issues with people who appear to be under the influence.
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