TransitBiker

My only bike is in the shop. Having to walk everywhere. NOT FUN! It's my fault for not taking it sooner on the train and bus and now being in the middle of their busy season. Anyone else have their only bike in the shop for more than 2 weeks?

- Andy

Redhatter

Not for two weeks, but usually if I put a bike in, I'll do it on a Sunday afternoon and it's often the following Saturday before I can get there to pick it up.

This was one of the reasons I bought my mountain bike… I wanted something I could go touring with, but also something as a back-up for when my usual run-about was in for service (something I do every ~1000km).

wolfchild

You need to learn how to do your own maintenance and repairs and stop being a prisoner to your LBS.
2 weeks is unacceptable...I am never without a bike, I have 3 different bikes and do my own maintenance at home.

jyl

Do your own work, or get a backup bike. Two weeks is really a ridiculous length of time to be without your bike. I don't know what's wrong with your bike, but hardly anything goes wrong with my bikes that I can't fix in less than an hour. By the time you get it back, your legs will have withered up and fallen off. Okay, not really.

alan s 

You didn't explain what the problem is with the bike, but I have a strong sense you're not doing this right. Backup bike or buying the tools and doing the repair yourself is usually the way to go. Not sure how you are getting around now, but add the cost of that to your repair bill and the inconvenience of it all, and your way is rather costly.

scroca

What happened to your bike?

agmetal

I can't wrap my head around the concept of "only bike"

scroca

What if the cost of another bike is not within the budget?

I-Like-To-Bike

That is a sign that the OP should consider doing his own repairs or at least find a more responsive LBS repair shop.

agmetal

You might be taking me slightly too seriously, but here's why I said it:

I do the vast majority of my own repairs, but even then, I occasionally find myself with the bike temporarily out of commission for some reason or another. On more than one occasion, I've found myself with a flat tire that was the product of a slow leak, which wasn't noticed until 5 minutes before needing to leave the house. Public transportation can take me twice as long as biking to work, so it's quicker to just grab another bike than to take the T or fix the flat in a rush. Sometimes I need to get a part or something to fix a problem on my "main" bike, but the LBS isn't particularly convenient to get to via public transit, and I can't wait for an internet, so a second bike solves that problem.

scroca

I agree wholeheartedly.

scroca

I'm with you as far as this post.

I'm not sure why the OP has only 1 bike or why he needs it to be with his lbs for so long. If it were me, I'd be looking for ways to avoid this from happening in the future. If money is tight, the solutions may have to be gradual -- buying tools over time and/or saving for a second bike.

IIRC, the OP is looking to get another bike.

plumberroy

In 2008 I was unemployed from July to December. One of the things I did to get by was buy old bikes at yard sales for $5-$15 and sell them on C.L. for $75-$150 most were 70's road bikes destine to be fixies so I didn't have to even fix the tires . At least Here I can find a bike that I can have ride ready for $60-$80 If I do the work I always have 3 bikes plus a project or 2

auldgeunquers

So sorry for your (temporary) loss, Andy.

I'd be looking for a Craigslist or Garage Sale bike to flip when I got my good bike back.

Wanderer

Isn't that bike brand new? If so, the time is unacceptable! MHO

joeyduck

I feel your pain I've been one bike short for 72 days now.

The new breezer you were looking at must be looking really nice right now.

I do find it odd that it has taken them two weeks. Is there any reason it's taking them so long? What was the problem?

Good luck and I hope magic bike fixing elves visit this shop and get it fixed.

fietsbob

N+ 1.. the only bike is the problem .. I have 3 parked in the front entry 2 have smaller wheels.. that saves space,,


Waiting till the weather improves also lengthens repair turnaround . bikes serviced just after christmas when shops are quiet can be done same day .

leave it till spring and there is a repair Queue.

Reliable Commuting would suggest a 2 Bike Minimum ..

(An extra one sits in the Basement Here, wearing Studded tires for the 2 weeks out of 50 that may have Ice On the road)

CliffordK

A backup bike is nice, but I've done 99% of my biking on a single bike for years, finally getting more, but generally special purpose bikes such as a cargo bike, which I generally wouldn't choose to ride without a purpose in mind.

One of the issues of DIY is parts availability. But a good shop should have most of what one needs if one doesn't choose to order direct from overseas. Waiting on parts can be a pain.

TransitBiker

Well, part of the issue is warranty related, sooooooooo..... not "prisoner". I also don't have any wire cutters or any way to properly adjust my shift cables, which must be the exact same length and the last shop i took it to stretched the lower cable.


I have listed the issues in mutliple other threads which have been replied to by most of you. But, for those who didn't read it... It's getting a chaincase on, new brake pads, new rear tire (possible warranty issue) new dynohub (possible warranty issue) chain greased.

I am planning to get two other bikes, but i'm not rolling in money, so it takes time..... i had to get this bike taken in for a 1 year servicing plus some new stuff. The bad tire kinda prompted me taking it in. The base turnaround time was going to be 8 days, plus the warranty issues which take time.

- Andy

Dave Cutter

I had my new Fuji in for a free adjustment once... that took 3-4 days. I feel your pain.

That Fuji is now my rain/winter (salty roads) bike. It would work fine as a back-up bike for any warranty/service work too. But it doesn't matter how you get from here-to-there.... you always need a back-up plan. Once a bridge that I used to take a somewhat short trip to work failed during a flood. For nearly 2 years that (once) short trip became a major commute.

But just as motorists rarely own back-up cars.... you might not find it convenient to own a back-up bike. Maybe... you know someone who could lend you a bike for a few days. Or.... maybe you could buy a CL cheap bike. Then learn to fix it up and resell it after you get your bike back. Maybe you know someone close to work that could let you couch surf for a few days.

CliffordK

Many car shops have "loaners" and "rentals" to cover periods when a person's primary car is in the shop.
Perhaps the bike world needs to do the same.

Of course, many larger communities have bike rentals available.

SouthFLpix

I have two bikes and do my own repairs. I used to go to the LBS for repairs once upon a time, but they kept raising their prices and I finally said enough.

TxSpeedster

Two weeks?

Have you thought about checking out the shops in your area regarding options for those who rely on their bikes as sole means of transportation? I found one such shop, Richardson Bike Mart, that will allow ride-in ride-out same day service with enough advance scheduling. Thursday last I rode in at 2:00 pm to have a crank-set, cassette and chain installed. 45 minutes later I was on my way again. Those guys were great! (I don't have the specific tools for BB and cassette removal) Until I am tooled up and able to make repairs/installations myself, those folks will get all of my business because they allowed me to keep on riding!

I have only one bike at the moment. There is a Surly Disc Trucker with my name on it, but until my personal finances improve it remains in the custody of the LBS.

gregf83 

What kind of bike is this and why do the shift cables need to be matched? I'm presuming this is not a conventional derailleur setup.

prathmann

Even special purpose bikes like cargo bikes can serve double duty when needed. I've commuted and even gone on some club rides solo on a tandem when my regular bike was temporarily unavailable. A very inexpensive 'beater' bike can also serve as a good temporary alternative in addition to saving the better bike(s) during bad weather or when you need to leave it locked up somewhere that may be risky.

Unfortunately few bike shops are set up to handle repair jobs with the urgency that's needed for someone who is depending on the bike as primary transportation, so having some secondary bike available is highly desirable for anyone in that position.