Small common parts that seem to be way overpriced
03-01-22, 03:09 PM
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Small common parts that seem to be way overpriced
As title says, some small parts seem way overpriced to me. Leading off are crank arm dust covers. I guess I didn’t have them in tight enough and lost both nice Shimano ones on my Miyata. Of course even if available, these are perhaps $20 each. Even generic plastic ones are $5. It seems generic metal ones should be $5 considering the universal fit. Brake cable end ferrules also come to mind as they are quite pricey considering the low tech and universal application. Any other rants here?
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03-01-22, 03:48 PM
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Milk and gas and, um, chewing gum!
03-01-22, 03:52 PM
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Originally Posted by hazetguy
please stop with that, seriously. it's really annoying, and i know i am not the first person to mention this.
Last edited by Riveting; 03-01-22 at 04:10 PM.
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03-01-22, 03:56 PM
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One time I told someone a presta adapter was $3 (I know they’re often cheaper) and he said “$3?! I could make that! Just need to get a chunk of brass, cut it, thread both ends, put in an o ring….”
I asked him if he’d make me one for $3.
I asked him if he’d make me one for $3.
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03-01-22, 04:05 PM
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Originally Posted by Riveting
CampagNOlo
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03-01-22, 04:07 PM
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The little wire retainer clip that slips onto the slot on the disc brake pad retainer bolt. (Also the bolt itself, which is $5.)
03-01-22, 04:34 PM
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"Vintage" parts are likely one of those things that have limited stock, so prices are all over the ballpark.
One thing that happens is that selling individual items incurs a cost. So, the Presta adapter mentioned above, they should be less than $0.50 each if purchased by the hundred, or by the thousand. But, there is a lot of handling that gets priced in when buying one.
One thing that happens is that selling individual items incurs a cost. So, the Presta adapter mentioned above, they should be less than $0.50 each if purchased by the hundred, or by the thousand. But, there is a lot of handling that gets priced in when buying one.
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03-01-22, 04:47 PM
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Small parts prices are high, and they always have been. Small stuff is what always falls off/gets lost, after all. That's why when I hook somebody up with one out of my stash, or I'm hooked up with one by somebody out of theirs, we both know we're doing each other a solid 
Suck it up - and add some blue Loctite while you're at it!
DD
Suck it up - and add some blue Loctite while you're at it!
DD
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03-01-22, 04:51 PM
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Originally Posted by Polaris OBark
The correct term (always used with affection) is Crampy.
DD
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03-01-22, 06:49 PM
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Originally Posted by sd5782
As title says, some small parts seem way overpriced to me. Leading off are crank arm dust covers. I guess I didn’t have them in tight enough and lost both nice Shimano ones on my Miyata. Of course even if available, these are perhaps $20 each. Even generic plastic ones are $5. It seems generic metal ones should be $5 considering the universal fit.
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03-01-22, 07:24 PM
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Originally Posted by Drillium Dude
Or this slightly modified version of the same:
DD
DD
Been off the bike(s) for a week or so with shoulder surgery . Its going to hurt when I get back to it .
03-01-22, 07:27 PM
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I'll never forget the day, several after leaving a shop job, when I realized I no longer had any shift ferrules. I'd brought home 2 quart-sized Ball jars of bench sweepings when I left.
03-01-22, 07:36 PM
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Originally Posted by bboy314
Imagine what small parts would cost if people were paid fair wages for manufacturing and transporting them!
03-01-22, 08:14 PM
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One word: Aliexpress.
03-01-22, 08:32 PM
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Originally Posted by sd5782
As title says, some small parts seem way overpriced to me. Leading off are crank arm dust covers. I guess I didn’t have them in tight enough and lost both nice Shimano ones on my Miyata. Of course even if available, these are perhaps $20 each
03-01-22, 08:35 PM
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Plastic Cygolite Adapter...$16
03-01-22, 08:39 PM
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I was thinking of starting a kind of loose-screws sales thread.
I got washers and and spacers and what not that I had to buy in bulk-ish.
I think this kind of goes to the OP.
I got washers and and spacers and what not that I had to buy in bulk-ish.
I think this kind of goes to the OP.
03-01-22, 08:44 PM
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If it’s old, small and I can’t find it anywhere else I pay the money and don’t look back.
I agree with comments about crank dust caps. They’re ridiculously expensive for something some see as unnecessary. I think they look clean but I’m peculiar. Very peculiar….
I agree with comments about crank dust caps. They’re ridiculously expensive for something some see as unnecessary. I think they look clean but I’m peculiar. Very peculiar….
03-01-22, 08:46 PM
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Originally Posted by Soody
crank arm dust caps are totally useless and unnecessary
03-01-22, 08:51 PM
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I'm having trouble picturing where the crank dustcaps go:
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03-01-22, 09:05 PM
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C'mon - some of you don't know what crank dust covers actually do? For real?
A clue: they most definitely serve a purpose, depending on the type of crank/BB - for example, you don't need them on cottered cranks.
"A dustcap may also refer, on a bicycle, to the crankarm bolt cover. It is usually a piece of metal or plastic that, on the crankarm, is snapped or screwed into the threaded counterbore, which houses the bolt that holds the crankarm to its axle, the bottom bracket spindle. The dustcap serves to protect the threads (on the inside of the counterbore), which are used with a crankarm puller to remove the crankarm from the spindle. It is also possible for the crank arm to squirm on the bottom bracket spindle, causing the crankarm nut/bolt to become loose, leading to the nut/bolt working its way out of the bottom bracket spindle. The dust cap limits the amount of dangerous loosening that can occur."
DD
A clue: they most definitely serve a purpose, depending on the type of crank/BB - for example, you don't need them on cottered cranks.
"A dustcap may also refer, on a bicycle, to the crankarm bolt cover. It is usually a piece of metal or plastic that, on the crankarm, is snapped or screwed into the threaded counterbore, which houses the bolt that holds the crankarm to its axle, the bottom bracket spindle. The dustcap serves to protect the threads (on the inside of the counterbore), which are used with a crankarm puller to remove the crankarm from the spindle. It is also possible for the crank arm to squirm on the bottom bracket spindle, causing the crankarm nut/bolt to become loose, leading to the nut/bolt working its way out of the bottom bracket spindle. The dust cap limits the amount of dangerous loosening that can occur."
DD
Last edited by Drillium Dude; 03-01-22 at 09:19 PM.
