Do you pay the man or fix yourself?
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: NWNJ
Posts: 3,704
Bikes: Road bike is a Carbon Bianchi C2C & Grandis (1980's), Gary Fisher Mt Bike, Trek Tandem & Mongoose SS MTB circa 1992.
Mentioned: 9 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 722 Post(s)
Liked 353 Times
in
226 Posts
Do you pay the man or fix yourself?
i feel worthless and weak. have been fixing my stuff for decades but this week i gave in and will pay big $$ for the
"tune up" no time energy motivation oh yes no skills ...get the bike back Thursday. im excited to ride but hate to pay out for tune up.
"tune up" no time energy motivation oh yes no skills ...get the bike back Thursday. im excited to ride but hate to pay out for tune up.
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Mich
Posts: 7,386
Bikes: RSO E-tire dropper fixie brifter
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Liked 2,968 Times
in
1,917 Posts
Time vs need. If it makes sense, why not have it professionally done?
__________________
-Oh Hey!
-Oh Hey!
Likes For Troul:
#3
Full Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Lutz, FL
Posts: 416
Bikes: 2014 Fuji Traverse 1.3, 2020 Electra Cruiser 1, 1995 Giant CFM-4
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 124 Post(s)
Liked 51 Times
in
36 Posts
Pay the man. When younger and I had more time to tinker, I worked on everything but now it's easier to leave anything over putting a seat on type stuff to the shop. Helping them out too.
Likes For MrWasabi:
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 18,075
Bikes: Stewart S&S coupled sport tourer, Stewart Sunday light, Stewart Commuting, Stewart Touring, Co Motion Tandem, Stewart 3-Spd, Stewart Track, Fuji Finest, Mongoose Tomac ATB, GT Bravado ATB, JCP Folder, Stewart 650B ATB
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4201 Post(s)
Liked 3,859 Times
in
2,307 Posts
It's a bit weird being grouped in "the man" category. I remember shaving my face for the first real time at the wet behind the ears age of 23 and many of the HS kids we had as customers treated me quite different then the week before when I had a beard. It would be cool to think we, as a society, have moved on past these pigeon holing terms but that would be naive. Andy
__________________
AndrewRStewart
AndrewRStewart
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 7,878
Mentioned: 38 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6963 Post(s)
Liked 10,963 Times
in
4,688 Posts
It doesn't bother me at all to pay professionals to work on my bike. Work gets done properly, nothing gets broken, and sometimes they find (and fix) things that I have missed.
Likes For Koyote:
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Mich
Posts: 7,386
Bikes: RSO E-tire dropper fixie brifter
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Liked 2,968 Times
in
1,917 Posts
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 7,878
Mentioned: 38 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6963 Post(s)
Liked 10,963 Times
in
4,688 Posts
Likes For Koyote:
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Mich
Posts: 7,386
Bikes: RSO E-tire dropper fixie brifter
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Liked 2,968 Times
in
1,917 Posts
#9
Happy With My Bikes
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 2,186
Bikes: Hi-Ten bike boomers, a Trek Domane and some projects
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 884 Post(s)
Liked 2,307 Times
in
1,117 Posts
I like working on my bikes. I will do whatever I can. But I know the time is coming on my Trek that I will probably have to pay the man. Maybe not so much because of the time or skills required, but because I don't know that I want to buy the tools.
My 40 or so year old bikes however I can't see me not working on. I just refurbished a '67 Schwinn for someone that may be older than the man at a lot of bike shops.
My 40 or so year old bikes however I can't see me not working on. I just refurbished a '67 Schwinn for someone that may be older than the man at a lot of bike shops.
__________________
"It is the unknown around the corner that turns my wheels." -- Heinz Stücke
"It is the unknown around the corner that turns my wheels." -- Heinz Stücke
#10
Passista
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 7,597
Bikes: 1998 Pinarello Asolo, 1992 KHS Montaña pro, 1980 Raleigh DL-1, IGH Hybrid, IGH Utility
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 866 Post(s)
Liked 721 Times
in
396 Posts
I do it all myself - but my bikes are old and simple, no CF, no electronics, no hydraulics, no suspension...
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 7,878
Mentioned: 38 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6963 Post(s)
Liked 10,963 Times
in
4,688 Posts
I once brought a bike into one of those shops for a little bit of routine work; they had built the bike a year or so earlier. In test riding the bike before sending me on my way, they noticed that the RD was occasionally missing a shift...I hadn't noticed anything, but they did. They kept the bike another week, got a free replacement RD from Shimano (Ultegra Di2, not cheap) and installed it. I think they didn't charge me a nickel for any of it. And that is one of the smaller things they have done to earn my loyalty.
Last edited by Koyote; 03-02-21 at 08:08 PM.
Likes For Koyote:
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Mich
Posts: 7,386
Bikes: RSO E-tire dropper fixie brifter
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Liked 2,968 Times
in
1,917 Posts
#13
Clark W. Griswold
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: ,location, location
Posts: 13,516
Bikes: Foundry Chilkoot Ti W/Ultegra Di2, Salsa Timberjack Ti, Cinelli Mash Work RandoCross Fun Time Machine, 1x9 XT Parts Hybrid, Co-Motion Cascadia, Specialized Langster, Phil Wood Apple VeloXS Frame (w/DA 7400), R+M Supercharger2 Rohloff, Habanero Ti 26
Mentioned: 54 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4353 Post(s)
Liked 3,992 Times
in
2,664 Posts
I don't mind paying a professional to get a professional job done. I do some of my own work but sometimes I really don't want to do it or am having issues or just don't yet have the tools.
I would rather someone come and just say hey can you get this done for me than trying it at home and potentially causing damage and then bringing it to me. Or maybe you know how to do it and do it well but maybe you don't have the tools or just don't have the time. I see no reason to not bring it by.
Having the knowledge to do something is great but it doesn't mean you always have to do it. I can cook really well but sometimes I want something delivered to my house while I sit on the couch and watch Netflix so sue me. I could make some of the dishes and sometimes improve on them but maybe I just wanna relax and let someone else do it.
Also as of note one of my Mechanics is female and awesome. She shares my same passion for vintage stuff and having way too many bikes. So not always paying the man. Also we tend to do a lot of trading so sometimes no paying at all.
I would rather someone come and just say hey can you get this done for me than trying it at home and potentially causing damage and then bringing it to me. Or maybe you know how to do it and do it well but maybe you don't have the tools or just don't have the time. I see no reason to not bring it by.
Having the knowledge to do something is great but it doesn't mean you always have to do it. I can cook really well but sometimes I want something delivered to my house while I sit on the couch and watch Netflix so sue me. I could make some of the dishes and sometimes improve on them but maybe I just wanna relax and let someone else do it.
Also as of note one of my Mechanics is female and awesome. She shares my same passion for vintage stuff and having way too many bikes. So not always paying the man. Also we tend to do a lot of trading so sometimes no paying at all.
#14
I don’t live in Tampa
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 447
Bikes: 2014 Jamis Ventura Race, 2014 Cervelo P2, 2017 Raleigh Tamland 1, 2015 Jamis Trail X
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 151 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 42 Times
in
31 Posts
I do most of my own stuff. Honestly it’s not normally much work to maintain. I struggled a bit recently with a tubeless setup. Some stuff I’ve never done like changes hydraulic fluid so might take that in.
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 3,671
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 836 Post(s)
Liked 1,061 Times
in
745 Posts
In this case the OP should feel good about giving himself a needed break while putting money in the pocket of a mechanic that probably needs it.
Likes For Crankycrank:
#16
Senior Member
I was rebuilding car engines at 16, learned to weld at 14. Never had a bike worked on by others. I have had free warranty work done on a car, by a dealership.
Likes For DaveSSS:
#17
Full Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 259
Bikes: 2000 Santana Sovereign SE; 2005 Co-Motion Speedster; Kona Kilauea with various dorky commuter accoutrements; Mercier Kilo TT fixie; Burley Fladbed trailer for groceries, bags of cement and the like.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 95 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 85 Times
in
41 Posts
I used to do most of my car-fixing myself in my 20s through 40s and would take my bikes to the LBS for most bike-fixing. I slowly shifted toward having a trusty mechanic work on the cars and doing my own bike work. Now, in my 60s, I do all my own bike work--including lacing wheels--and I had my mechanic do all my car work until I got rid of our last car.
But I enjoy the bike work, every bit of it, and I like learning to do new stuff. I don't do it to save money. It also lets me justify buying new bike-specific tools. It's so much easier now with YouTube and forums like this. If you don't enjoy it, you should pay the pros.
But I enjoy the bike work, every bit of it, and I like learning to do new stuff. I don't do it to save money. It also lets me justify buying new bike-specific tools. It's so much easier now with YouTube and forums like this. If you don't enjoy it, you should pay the pros.
Likes For sapporoguy:
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: South Shore of Long Island
Posts: 2,799
Bikes: 2010 Carrera Volans, 2015 C-Dale Trail 2sl, 2017 Raleigh Rush Hour, 2017 Blue Proseccio, 1992 Giant Perigee, 80s Gitane Rallye Tandem
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1088 Post(s)
Liked 1,024 Times
in
723 Posts
Couldn't afford to not do it myself. If I actually took the bikes in for an annual tune up, just the basics for each kid, the wife and I we'd have 75.00 per basic tune x14 bikes. I can use that kind of money on a vacation or the regular supply of parts I need. In going over a few of the bikes this month 2 needed new chains and cassettes, another needed new tape, and a fourth needed tires. Parts was well over 200.00 labor on all that would have meant not doing one of them. Maybe when its only the wife and I and we're down to 2 bikes each I'll have to consider it but I'll probably be bored not having kids to juggle and will still need something to do.
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Tallahassee, FL
Posts: 4,811
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1591 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1,018 Times
in
571 Posts
When I was young, I did everything myself. Not only due to cost, but in the 70s bike shops where I lived were jammed. It would take a week to ten days to get your bike back.
Now I let the shop do everything. But everything isn't much and usually once a year takes care of it. The work and the rates are good and it's always done in a day.
Now I let the shop do everything. But everything isn't much and usually once a year takes care of it. The work and the rates are good and it's always done in a day.
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Zang's Spur, CO
Posts: 9,083
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3375 Post(s)
Liked 5,513 Times
in
2,856 Posts
I do most of the mechanical work on my car, and all the work on my motorcycle and bicycles, precisely because too many miserable experiences with the incompetence of many people employed as "professional" mechanics. Yes, there are some good ones, but in my experience, those are the minority. When I do the job myself, it takes less time, and I know it was done right.
#21
Guest
Join Date: Sep 2020
Posts: 2,888
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1346 Post(s)
Liked 3,270 Times
in
1,439 Posts
I have a nice workspace in my garage and I do all of my own work, but as a former shop employee, I can go in and use their stands and tools any time I need to. I would never dream of dropping off a bike for them to deal with though, and they'd never let me live it down if I did!
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Eastern Poland
Posts: 744
Bikes: Romet Jubilat x 4, Wigry x 1, Turing x 1
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 194 Post(s)
Liked 204 Times
in
151 Posts
I used to be a car mechanic, and most of the mechanics I worked with were very good, although some of our clients were not as smart about how their cars were fixed as they thought they were. I used to wipe the excess grease from the suspension ball joints after pumping fresh grease in to reduce the amount of road dirt that would stick to it and make its way under the so-called 'dust seal'. Then some clients would get on their knees to check, not see old gooey grease sticking out around the joints, and so assume that no regreasing had occurred.
I don't work on my cars any more, arthritis prevents it, but a small bike is something I can just handle
I don't work on my cars any more, arthritis prevents it, but a small bike is something I can just handle
#23
Senior Member
Mostly I fix stuff myself. The one exception has tended to be my Brompton, but I'm not sure why. I think it's just a beast of burden and doesn't stir my heart so working on it isn't a labour of love. Obviously, if I think I'm going to be running out of skill then I take it to the LBS.
#24
Senior Member
I do it myself. It's usually faster (and cheaper) than bringing the bike to the LBS, and having to go back to pick it up a few days later.
Moreover, I've not found any LBS that is up to my standards.
Moreover, I've not found any LBS that is up to my standards.
Likes For Amt0571:
#25
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: NWNJ
Posts: 3,704
Bikes: Road bike is a Carbon Bianchi C2C & Grandis (1980's), Gary Fisher Mt Bike, Trek Tandem & Mongoose SS MTB circa 1992.
Mentioned: 9 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 722 Post(s)
Liked 353 Times
in
226 Posts
It's a bit weird being grouped in "the man" category. I remember shaving my face for the first real time at the wet behind the ears age of 23 and many of the HS kids we had as customers treated me quite different then the week before when I had a beard. It would be cool to think we, as a society, have moved on past these pigeon holing terms but that would be naive. Andy