Home vs Shop

[AndreZA]

Well that depends on your technical skill and how much you know about the bike mechanics. I never take my bike to the shop to be serviced' date=' be it to replace wheel bearings, crank headset whatever. rather go buy yourself a nice toolset for R500 and you can do EVERYTHING yourself. [/quote']

 

You bought a complete toolset for R500? My torque wrench alone was more then that. Grease gun R100, cassette tool R120, cone spanners R60 ea x4, cable cutter R120, chain tool R80 (and that's why a piece broke off when  I used it the first time), multi tools about R300 for all.

 

 

[scotty]

Home service or shop service.Why pay high service prices at shops when you can service at home.How many shop mechanics are really qualified.Was quoted 650 for service at shop.Suggestions please

 

That is exessive, i had a full service including new bar tape fitted for about half that.

[chatterbox]

Well that depends on your technical skill and how much you know about the bike mechanics. I never take my bike to the shop to be serviced' date=' be it to replace wheel bearings, crank headset whatever. rather go buy yourself a nice toolset for R500 and you can do EVERYTHING yourself. [/quote']

 

You bought a complete toolset for R500? My torque wrench alone was more then that. Grease gun R100, cassette tool R120, cone spanners R60 ea x4, cable cutter R120, chain tool R80 (and that's why a piece broke off when  I used it the first time), multi tools about R300 for all.

 

 

 

Scotty please PM me with the details of the shop

[mountain_lion]

 

I also do most myself. I don't build wheels or true them and I have never opened and serviced a shock.

The rest is all simple enough to do IF you have the time.

The nice thing is, you can fiddle with it until it is just right. The way you want it. The mechanic at the LBS has many bikes to do in a day.

 

Of most tools you don't need the very best, because you don't use it that often and take care not abuse it, but I agree the real cheapies are a waste of money.

I don't have a torque wrench (its on my wish list) although in all the years that I have been my own bike mechanic, I have not managed to damage  anything due to incorrect torque (but I have never owned top of the range bling...).

 

 

mountain_lion2008-05-29 02:11:44

[Joe Low]

If I service stuff it costs me more in repairs and pride when I have to go into the shop, covered in oil, with a washing-up bowl full of parts.

 

The one time I did the spark plugs on the car I had to be towed to the garage afterwards.

 

Tried to take the handlebars off the bike after last year's Argus and ruined the headset (apparently).

 

So it's always been a driving factor for me to earn enough money to get people to fix stuff and paint my lounge.

 

I could learn but I suspect I have the same aptitude for it as yak racing so I'm saving myself the pain.

 

I'm happy, bike shop's happy - R350 twice a year, money well spent.

 

 

[Weekend_Warrior]

Was it a shimaNO shoes perhaps?

 

No its was not a shimaNO shoes

[xak1]

Home service!  Not because of cost, but reliability.  I have had plenty bikes serviced at some very fancy places, where small things were not done right, e.g. forgetting to put back the washer in a Mavic hub (a regular mistake by bike shops), bolts not torqued right, etc.  To do it well, tools will be more expensive than R500, as you will need some special tools, definitely at least one, but probably two decent torque wrenches, workshop stand, bench vice, etc.  Some stuff I have built myself, e.g. wheel truing stand.

I do everything myself - hubs, wheels, changing bearings on the BB (with the right tool you can extract bearings from bearing cups) and servicing my fork.  Forks are quite easy to service, and very good instructions are avaliable at www.enduroforkseals.com for Fox, Rockshox and Manitou.  These seals are superior.  The only thing I do not do myself is the dampening on the rear shock, as there you have to be able to inject nitrogen.  Air chamber on rear shock is, however, very easy to service.

Since I have learnt to do things myself, my bike is in a much better condition, but you do make mistakes while learning, and that costs you.  In general, I think it is worth it, as it is of benefit in long stage races, and you understand your bike better.

[Dirtbreath]

Not a comment on servicing bikes at home versus the shop as that depends on your own personal skills in being able to work on technical things.

 

Bike shops in particular vary so much on exacctly who at the shop does the work. The lbs that charges R650.00 is booked up 2 weeks in advance. Hard to believe but that money is well spent. Sure there are other wrenches out there who are as good but people go to this shop because they don't want to risk themselves touching their own bikes and they know that when they part with their cash at this shop their bike is 100%. For this money they literally strip every bolt and seal and bearing and even polish your bare frame.

 

I have done a mechanics course and am quite technically talented (sort of) but find that I dont have the experience to trust my work on my bike for a 4 day stage race. I will continue to learn and get there but for now that R650 does give me peace of mind.

[chatterbox]

Not a comment on servicing bikes at home versus the shop as that depends on your own personal skills in being able to work on technical things.

 

Bike shops in particular vary so much on exacctly who at the shop does the work. The lbs that charges R650.00 is booked up 2 weeks in advance. Hard to believe but that money is well spent. Sure there are other wrenches out there who are as good but people go to this shop because they don't want to risk themselves touching their own bikes and they know that when they part with their cash at this shop their bike is 100%. For this money they literally strip every bolt and seal and bearing and even polish your bare frame.

 

I have done a mechanics course and am quite technically talented (sort of) but find that I dont have the experience to trust my work on my bike for a 4 day stage race. I will continue to learn and get there but for now that R650 does give me peace of mind.

 

Well said

[PPWTF]

Does anyone know if there is a maintenance and repair course running in Cape Town area? I've been looking for a while now but with no luck, and just can't bring myself to make 3 or 4 weekend flights (costs money I don't have) to fly to Jo'burg for the Yellow Saddle courses - which do look very good I admit.

 

 

[scotty]

Quite a few places such as Cyclelab and our very own bike guru JB offer bike courses, you can also get good DVD''s, i have the Zen art to MTB maintenance and the Bycycling one.

[AndreZA]

For R650 it better include new wheel bearings (R40) a top end cable kit like XTR, Dura-Ace or Record (R200), complete strip and rebuild and cleaning/drying of the inside of the frame (yes, water still gets inside), relube of all contact points and all bolts torqued to the right settings.

 

So, if you do only 2 bikes a day like this and charge R600 ea, you can cover the mechanics salary.

 

 

[Dirtbreath]

Yellow Saddle is great. Mail Johan and ask him as he does do courses in CT as well. PM him if you want.

 

I have done one and although I learnt a lot you still need to practice, practice, practice to get your bike confidently 100%.

[American Flyers]

Ja, I am also looking for course in Cape Town to learn to service own bicycle because I have 5 bicycles and I can't afford to take all for service.

Please let me know if there is one.

[Dirtbreath]

Para, it includes all of the above apart from the wheel bearings and the seals on the XTR cable kit. Strip and service of shock and fork is included as well.

[Red Zone]

AF BMC in Saltriver do courses try contact them