FBinNY 

Let's be fair.

While I disagree on the details, especially the justification for $200, i consider the passage you quoted as a valid and valuable reminder of the incidental costs of DIY.

Those of us who routinely work on bikes can easily justify tool costs because we'll use them frequently. But, that's not true for those for whom bike repair is only a now and then thing.

I'm a big fan of bike co-ops, aka bike kitchens, especially those that work like a laundromat, wherein you can do your own work, using their facilities, parts, tools, and advice, OR simply leave the bike and the their staff deal with it.

Unfortunately, the lack of basic fixit shops and co-ops is a major reason many at the fringes find it cheaper to buy junk bikes, ride them until they break, then replace rather than repair them.

Millions of people are riding $200 bikes daily, and simply can't justify champagne maintenance on their beer bikes.