Bike Servicing, why so long

[PaulTeague]

My 2c...

How long is too long...its subjective and we will all feel differently about it.

At the end of the day we are all human, and everyone makes mistakes....mechanics at lbs's are also people and bound to make a mistake once in a while...so dont blame them when it does happen...you should expect it

For the price that bike shops charge for standard services (hours of labour, excl parts), its more of less equivalent to other well run car service centres...so they should provide a same level of service.

If you are paying for a certain level of service and you don't receive that standard, then either you've received a *** service, or you need to reconsider what level of service your money is really worth.

But bikes aren't soo complicated...its worth investing in a few tools and doing it yourself...if you have enough time to ride and break it, you should have enough time to fix it again.

Generally speaking, the lbs's take advantage of the fact that most of us are used to poor standards of service, and will tolerate their laziness...granted there are some outstanding guys around, but sadly they are few and far between.

If the lbs's dont want to hold stock of brands and certain parts, then they should advise customers upfront (I.e. We are mamparas and cheapskates and dont keep stock of xyz) or should simply specialise in certain brands and refrain from servicing other brands and work on referral systems just like in the medical field. There is no justification for lbs's not keeping stock of major items.

I will rather support the home garage bandit with jobs than lbs's for the simple fact that there is usually some sort of accountability and thus usually better workmanship....but its not always that way.

Anyways, if you believe you've received *** service somewhere, dont go back...learn your lesson and move on with life...and tell all your tjommies about that *** bike shop

[hayleyearth]

Very good question, are there actual courses that one can take to become a qualified bike mechanic?

 

Although in SA you can be president without even having a matric, and you can run the SABC and lie about having a matric.

 

And then on the flip side...some can have all the qualifications (and training/courses) one can get in a certain field and still not be able to do the job properly.

[Rusty250]

And then on the flip side...some can have all the qualifications (and training/courses) one can get in a certain field and still not be able to do the job properly.

You tube, has a lot of the "show you how" for most of the items...

 

Quicker, cheaper and in your own time....

[Wyatt Earp]

And then on the flip side...some can have all the qualifications (and training/courses) one can get in a certain field and still not be able to do the job properly.

Generally you will find they have the either become complacent , lazy or lost interest.

I will rather take my chances with on of these than some aap wrench who swings tools on his own bike once in a while .

[eddy]

Firstly this is not a complaint against any particular LBS, just a general query.

 

I recently took my MTB for a service on a Wednesday, only to be told it may be ready lat the next week.

 

When I take my car in for a service, I take it in the morning, and collect it in the afternoon, why can't bike servicing be like that, or am I being naive?

 

The 3 bike shops I frequent all use a really, really innovative approach to the problem of getting through their work in a day.

 

It is called " making an appointment" and it works like this: You phone them up or drop by and say " I need the following dealt with". They look at their appointment book and say "we can do it on Thursday. When do you want to drop it off?"

 

It really is a good system, I wonder why other industries like doctors, dentists or even motor dealerships don't adopt something similar.

[Skinnyone]

The 3 bike shops I frequent all use a really, really innovative approach to the problem of getting through their work in a day.

 

It is called " making an appointment" and it works like this: You phone them up or drop by and say " I need the following dealt with". They look at their appointment book and say "we can do it on Thursday. When do you want to drop it off?"

 

It really is a good system, I wonder why other industries like doctors, dentists or even motor dealerships don't adopt something similar.

Crikey why didn't I think of that!!!