Olympic Rip-Off

[Warren_G]

While racing the 42km route at Buffet Olives MTB Classic I had a little fall which popped the little ball stem out of the out of the socket because the circle clip popped out of it's housing.

 

http://fcdn.mtbr.com/attachments/brake-time/699092d1337915992-broken-shimano-br-m445-ok.jpg

Neither the c-clip nor the housing was damaged in the fall and it's simply a case of enough force being applied when the brake lever hit the ground to pop the c-clip out so it ended up looking something like this... (not my bike btw)

 

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x289/WinstonWolf_photos/P1020700.jpg?t=1293616402

 

I took my bike to Olympic Cycles thinking they could just pop it back into place with c-clip pliers as illustrated below:

 

http://www.aikencolon.com/assets/images/Knipex/CirclipPliers/InternalCirclipPliers/Circlip-Applications.jpg

 

I was told they were very busy and I could only get my bike back the following day. I arrived at Olympic expecting my brakes to be fixed and to pay them a minimal fee as it's a small job I just didn't have the tool for.

 

I was told I would need a new brake lever at R345.00 and brake would have to be bleed, another R175.00! Then they only had one white lever in stock but suggested I change both ("otherwise my bike will look silly") and new stock of white levers will arrive on Friday.

So they basically tried to rush me for R865.00 for a job that should've taken no more than a few minutes and one tool.

 

Now either the mechanic doesn't know how to fix brakes or someone's trying to pull a fast one?

 

Lucky a mate of a mate has a pair of c-clip pliers and it's all sorted free of charge over a few beers in a few minutes...

[rock]

its going the way of cars, no repairs not just replace with new parts......

[ScottCM]

I was told I would need a new brake lever at R345.00 and brake would have to be bleed, another R175.00!

 

My old LBS charges R240 to bleed the brakes

 

I swear its LBS's like these that give the rest of the guys a bad name.

[braailegend]

Smells like time for a upgrade haha. R865 is halfway to a decent set of Discbrakes. But think that could be fixed by someone who has that tool(dont think bicycle shops carry those tools), at least wort a try.

[Mike Bike]

While racing the 42km route at Buffet Olives MTB Classic I had a little fall which popped the little ball stem out of the out of the socket because the circle clip popped out of it's housing.

 

http://fcdn.mtbr.com/attachments/brake-time/699092d1337915992-broken-shimano-br-m445-ok.jpg

Neither the c-clip nor the housing was damaged in the fall and it's simply a case of enough force being applied when the brake lever hit the ground to pop the c-clip out so it ended up looking something like this... (not my bike btw)

 

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x289/WinstonWolf_photos/P1020700.jpg?t=1293616402

 

I took my bike to Olympic Cycles thinking they could just pop it back into place with c-clip pliers as illustrated below:

 

http://www.aikencolon.com/assets/images/Knipex/CirclipPliers/InternalCirclipPliers/Circlip-Applications.jpg

 

I was told they were very busy and I could only get my bike back the following day. I arrived at Olympic expecting my brakes to be fixed and to pay them a minimal fee as it's a small job I just didn't have the tool for.

 

I was told I would need a new brake lever at R345.00 and brake would have to be bleed, another R175.00! Then they only had one white lever in stock but suggested I change both ("otherwise my bike will look silly") and new stock of white levers will arrive on Friday.

So they basically tried to rush me for R865.00 for a job that should've taken no more than a few minutes and one tool.

 

Now either the mechanic doesn't know how to fix brakes or someone's trying to pull a fast one?

 

Lucky a mate of a mate has a pair of c-clip pliers and it's all sorted free of charge over a few beers in a few minutes...

unfortunately he wasnt a mechanic..he was a new parts fitter...

[dirtrider]

My old LBS charges R240 to bleed the brakes

 

I swear its LBS's like these that give the rest of the guys a bad name.

 

SAturday morning 11am , my swaer stops at my house with his MTB no brakes . I am out of miniral oil so phone Epic cycles in Centurion to help . No problem bring the bike . About hour later the Techie not only bled the brakes but also shortened the brake hoses , adjusted the rear derailure and charges us a full R120 !!!! No you got people on here that say a LBS will never see them !!! Lekker stooopid .

[Wannabe]

Smells like time for a upgrade haha. R865 is halfway to a decent set of Discbrakes. But think that could be fixed by someone who has that tool(dont think bicycle shops carry those tools), at least wort a try.

 

Any Cycle shop worth their salt, should / will have one. It is not an expensive item to purchase, even I have one at home.

[Capricorn]

SAturday morning 11am , my swaer stops at my house with his MTB no brakes . I am out of miniral oil so phone Epic cycles in Centurion to help . No problem bring the bike . About hour later the Techie not only bled the brakes but also shortened the brake hoses , adjusted the rear derailure and charges us a full R120 !!!! No you got people on here that say a LBS will never see them !!! Lekker stooopid .

 

that's a rare breed of mechanic/LBS: someone with real passion and loves what he does and does what he loves. Your swaer should rave about them as 'reward'

[Warren_G]

Point is they do have this tool in the shop and they should've sorted this out for me quick fast considering I bought my bike, cycling gear and spare parts there...so much for rewarding customer loyalty!

[Patchelicious]

You should let them know that you fixed it yourself. Would be great to see how they respond.

[dirtrider]

that's a rare breed of mechanic/LBS: someone with real passion and loves what he does and does what he loves. Your swaer should rave about them as 'reward'

 

Swaer is back in Ghana so I will do it in his absence . And we had a lesson on top of all , given by the mechanic on how to bleed brakes properly !

[Bike Mob]

I buy my own tools. My bike hasn't seen a Bike shop service dept...ever.

[Li Mu Bai]

My old LBS charges R240 to bleed the brakes

 

I swear its LBS's like these that give the rest of the guys a bad name.

bleeding brakes can be a messy painful task, been there, done it, will continue...

[Li Mu Bai]

Point is they do have this tool in the shop and they should've sorted this out for me quick fast considering I bought my bike, cycling gear and spare parts there...so much for rewarding customer loyalty!

month end, cash quotas to fill, dont be surprised. business is business.

if they wanted loyalty they would keep a dog

[breaker]

that's a rare breed of mechanic/LBS: someone with real passion and loves what he does and does what he loves. Your swaer should rave about them as 'reward'

 

Actually had the same experience with my LBS this week. I took my bike in after my fall expecting them to replace something only to be happily told, nope wasn't need, we fixed it!

So maybe like you say the rare breed not being repped enough and more the bad apples getting all the lime light.

[GoLefty!!]

many many many negative stories about that store. But they have their clientele.

 

Personally I prefer to do my mechanical work myself or take it too Epic Bike SHop or WIlliam's in Somerset west,(55km out of my way) or have Mellie at Bridge do the work.

Bowmans would also get my vote

 

The Cloetes down the road would get my money too.