Puncture Kid Posted January 28, 2019 Posted January 28, 2019 How much are riders prepared to pay for a service or having any work done on their bikes? Obviously there is a balance between having someone competent working on your bike and price. My feeling is that with bikes going for the same price as a small car and parts almost as expensive, you should not expect to pay bargain basement price for labour if you want a competent bike tech working on your baby. The complexity of a bike is not that of said car, but a poorly serviced bike can cost you in terms of injury or prematurely worn parts. But I fear that people want to pay a minimum and still expect competence and well trained mechs?
tinmug Posted January 28, 2019 Posted January 28, 2019 But I fear that people want to pay a minimum and still expect competence and well trained mechs? True. Suspension (and a few other intricate bits) aside a basic service on an entry level supermarket bike is about the same as a high-end hardtail. Only it's much more fun on the high-end bike, so it should be cheaper to service. (Disclaimer: kidding, of course, just as you value the R&D that goes into your fork you ought to value the experience and knowledge of a well-versed bike genius; and pay accordingly. Can't afford it? Then try yourself and then see how expensive it gets to unravel what you have done. Or take up bowls)
partydave Posted January 28, 2019 Posted January 28, 2019 I find the costs with basic services absolutely absurd, often times more than a minor service on a car. Suspension service cost I can stomach purely because it takes a bit more technical know-how.A grand for a wash and lube....
porqui Posted January 28, 2019 Posted January 28, 2019 To me there is no degree of competence. He is either competent or not and therefore should get a fair wage. If an appy then there should be someone competent in attendance. Far more people should service their own bikes it is not rocket science and the benefits are manifold.
Captain Fastbastard Mayhem Posted January 28, 2019 Posted January 28, 2019 I find the costs with basic services absolutely absurd, often times more than a minor service on a car. Suspension service cost I can stomach purely because it takes a bit more technical know-how.A grand for a wash and lube....If that wash and lube takes 3 hours @ 350 per hour, to check all the bearings, interfaces, gears, tolerances and such? Even if nothing's wrong, the guy's time is still worth something.
Kranswurm Posted January 28, 2019 Posted January 28, 2019 Mikes Bikes.. MTB / Road / Fixie Bike Service WASH & LUBE – R240.00This entails a wash and lube by the legendary Percy. WASH, LUBE & SET GEARS – R350.00This entails a wash and lube by the legendary Percy. CHECK OVER: NO WHEELS – R500.00Assessment by our experienced mechanics. CHECK OVER – R600.00Assessment by our experienced mechanics including wheels. CHECK OVER / HEADSET / BB – R800.00Assessment of the hubs, headset, bottom bracket etc by ourexperienced mechanics. We will change cables and brake pads,if need be. FULL: HARDTAIL / ROAD – R950.00This is a COMPLETE strip and rebuild of the bicycle by ourexperienced bike mechanics. Every component comes off thebike, we clean and assess the bike for any damage / replacement. FULL: FULL SUSPENSION – R1400.00This is a COMPLETE strip and rebuild of the bicycle by ourexperienced bike mechanics. Every component comes off thebike, we clean and assess the bike for any damage / replacement. (Please note all of the above-mentioned prices exclude any spares) We offer a Collection & Delivery service, contact us to make a booking.CLICK HERE for a quote or booking, or contact us on 011 888 8868 Kiddies Bike Service CHECK OVER: SINGLE SPEED – R450.00Assessment by our experienced mechanics. CHECK OVER – R550.00Assessment by our experienced mechanics. (Please note all of the above-mentioned prices exclude any spares) Cable Options INTERNALLY ROUTED – R380.00Change the cables on an internally routed road / MTB MTB – R330.00Change the cables on MTB ROAD – R360.00Change the cables on a road bike (Please note all of the above-mentioned prices exclude any spares) We offer a Collection & Delivery service, contact us to make a booking.CLICK HERE for a quote or booking, or contact us on 011 888 8868
partydave Posted January 28, 2019 Posted January 28, 2019 If that wash and lube takes 3 hours @ 350 per hour, to check all the bearings, interfaces, gears, tolerances and such? Even if nothing's wrong, the guy's time is still worth something. Fair point, but most LBSs don't take 3 hours for a wash and lube. 10 minute wash, check and lube an hour?
droo Posted January 28, 2019 Posted January 28, 2019 An expensive thing is not always a good thing, but in terms of labour if it's too cheap it's either not done right or it's undervalued and therefore unsustainable. Labour is one of those commodities that isn't easily scaleable, so if you're not charging correctly for your time there are only two ways of compensating - work yourself to death or take shortcuts. I realise that this is pretty abstract, but there isn't an easy answer to this question - every shop has to work out what's sustainable based on a whole heap of factors. Bottom line is you've got to find someone who does the job right and will still be there in 5 years - whatever they charge is what you pay.
Captain Fastbastard Mayhem Posted January 28, 2019 Posted January 28, 2019 Fair point, but most LBSs don't take 3 hours for a wash and lube. 10 minute wash, check and lube an hour?yeah, if it's JUST a wash and lube, R 1k is a joke.
Rudii Posted January 28, 2019 Posted January 28, 2019 if you pay R 1k for a wash and lube, find another LBS. The general going rate for a minor service is R350 which includes wash, lube, gear setting and general inspection on the bike.
Duane_Bosch Posted January 28, 2019 Posted January 28, 2019 An expensive thing is not always a good thing, but in terms of labour if it's too cheap it's either not done right or it's undervalued and therefore unsustainable. Labour is one of those commodities that isn't easily scaleable, so if you're not charging correctly for your time there are only two ways of compensating - work yourself to death or take shortcuts. I realise that this is pretty abstract, but there isn't an easy answer to this question - every shop has to work out what's sustainable based on a whole heap of factors. Bottom line is you've got to find someone who does the job right and will still be there in 5 years - whatever they charge is what you pay.Who are you billing for this post?
Mokgaga'a mmakubela! Posted January 28, 2019 Posted January 28, 2019 How much are riders prepared to pay for a service or having any work done on their bikes? Obviously there is a balance between having someone competent working on your bike and price. My feeling is that with bikes going for the same price as a small car and parts almost as expensive, you should not expect to pay bargain basement price for labour if you want a competent bike tech working on your baby. The complexity of a bike is not that of said car, but a poorly serviced bike can cost you in terms of injury or prematurely worn parts. But I fear that people want to pay a minimum and still expect competence and well trained mechs? everything in the world is relative
RobertWhitehead Posted January 28, 2019 Posted January 28, 2019 I do not believe that it's that difficult to service your own bike and only pay for the parts. I must admit that I'm not 100% on a fork and shock service along with a brake bleed - everything else I first try it myself and if I mess it up then I'll concede defeat and pay the lbs
The Ouzo Posted January 28, 2019 Posted January 28, 2019 If that wash and lube takes 3 hours @ 350 per hour, to check all the bearings, interfaces, gears, tolerances and such? Even if nothing's wrong, the guy's time is still worth something. correct. The guy doing the work needs to get paid. And if you want a skilled guy to be checking gears, tolerances etc. then you need to pay for skilled labour.
Dirkitech Posted January 28, 2019 Posted January 28, 2019 Today is Monday not Friday Why are you trolling them? @puncture kid, did you do a search for previous threads asking the same question? There are some, I remember reading them. It was quite interesting for the most part. As for your actual question, so far there are (like previous threads) various opinions, motivations and experiences. In my own account, I'd much rather spend R1000 on the tools and diy for the rest of my life than spend R100-1000 everytime something goes wrong. I find the knowledge being priceless and the self sufficiency fulfilling, but others apply different values to their time and may have zero interest in diy jobs.
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