How much are you prepared to pay for a service?

[openmind]

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?

I pay myself in beers.

[Butterbean]

It's all about relativity...

 

If you have a mega bike that does cost more than most merry level cars, then a) you should be able to comfortably afford the best service, and b) the correct maintenance becomes a micro investment each time it's done. You'll still haemorrhage money on resale but clearly you're well off enough not to care.

 

However, when you've only paid a couple of G for your bike, and now a service costs close to its value, then using the services of a professional becomes a little hard to swallow.. So, this is where its probably more economical for your time and money to service and maintain it yourself..

 

Lastly, if you're able to afford a Superbike, then your hourly wage is probably double, or more, than a mechanics wage and in the case, it's likely better to spend the money than use your valuable time...

 

It's all relative.

[Wimmas]

There are only four things which I will take my bike to a bike shop for and what I am willing to pay:

 

- Fork service = R450 excluding replacement parts

- Brake bleeding - R200 for both or R100 each

- Wheel true - R100 per wheel

- Replacing damaged spokes - R50 per spoke + true wheel at another R100

 

For the rest one can buy the parts, watch youtube videos and apply common sense (If you have the tools).

 

Just a note: I ride a mid range alloy hard tail so there is no rocket science to setting gears, greasing components, replacing cables, lubing components etc. I assume if you ride a fancy bike it probably becomes more complicated.

[Patchelicious]

It's all about relativity...

 

If you have a mega bike that does cost more than most merry level cars, then a) you should be able to comfortably afford the best service, and b) the correct maintenance becomes a micro investment each time it's done. You'll still haemorrhage money on resale but clearly you're well off enough not to care.

 

However, when you've only paid a couple of G for your bike, and now a service costs close to its value, then using the services of a professional becomes a little hard to swallow.. So, this is where its probably more economical for your time and money to service and maintain it yourself..

 

Lastly, if you're able to afford a Superbike, then your hourly wage is probably double, or more, than a mechanics wage and in the case, it's likely better to spend the money than use your valuable time...

 

It's all relative.

Or you can take the approach of buying a Makro Cannondale, ride thill it’s broken, it and buy a new one.

It’s the Gillette way, which will make you extra woke too!

[droo]

Or you can take the approach of buying a Makro Cannondale, ride thill it’s broken, it and buy a new one.

It’s the Gillette way, which will make you extra woke too!

 

Yup. Throwing stuff in the bin beats repair any day of the week. Keeps things fresh, and it's good for the economy!

[dewaldsss]

I try and do everything myself.

repair manuals are widely available across the interweb

The only part i haven't opened or serviced myself is the rear suspension/shock

This i will take to the experts cause i normally run out of patience with small parts and the big hands factor.

 

Some people simply do not have the time to do it themselves, they work a 12hrs shift and pretty much to tired when they get home, need to spend time with kids or family. weekends they want to be out riding, so easiest is they drop the bike with the experts on Monday, bike gets sorted and by the weekend they ready to roll.

 

Some people bitching of pricing, but hey, the school fees in buggering up a frame, or stripping thread if you do not know what you are doing...

The R1k seems like a cheaper option.

[madmarc]

Trying to understand why anyone would send their bike in for a "wash and lube" Really !! maybe they deserve to be charged those kind of prices.

 

Washing and lubing is all part of the fun of riding especially MTBing.

[RENO]

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=2179714838713766&id=1687239914627930

[ChrisF]

I will gladly pay the R250 for a wash and lube if it means I can pop into the shop for an emergency repair or just a chat to pass the time or haggle a bit for an installation of a second hand part. I will also pay R250 for a wash when I know I can pop into said shop while on a ride and something is not lekker and they sort it out then and there. I will also gladly pay R250 for an urgent  repair (cannot wait for delivery of spare part) when I know the part is going to come off a shop floor bike, and my repair is going to be pushed in front of the que, or done after hours just so they can make sure the bike is ready in time. Worth the R250 every time.

 

I have most of the tools .... my LBS knows this, and we often talk about service tips and tricks ....

 

 

I DO regular checks on my bikes.  I most certainly do the "wash-and-lube" myself.  But once a year I want an experienced set of eyes make sure everything is perfect - for this I gladly pay a proper fee.

 

 

When I have to order parts ... more often than not it costs me no more to buy it from my LBS and have them fit is, than shopping about ....  I use these opportunities to ask them to check out the bike as well.

[Robbie Stewart]

That time you take your steed in for a minor tweak and adjust, maybe change the chain, and get quoted 6 grand to sort out a failing drivechain...

[Jinga]

Not a cent.

Prices being charged are crazy.

Been doing maintenance and servicing my bikes for the past five years.

Regular preventative maintenance also goes a long way in cost saving.

[hansolo]

I'm tempted to do this next time my Reverb needs a service! Previous bill was more than R3000 and I could have just bought a Lyne dropper. Maybe not as fancy but it sucks that parts and labour is so damn expensive. 

 

Or should I watch the hell out of Youtube repair videos and buy a rebuild kit?

 

I like to work on my own bikes and I'll gladly pay someone more competent to work on suspension/wheels.

 

 

Yup. Throwing stuff in the bin beats repair any day of the week. Keeps things fresh, and it's good for the economy!

[Robbie Stewart]

Or you can take the approach of buying a Makro Cannondale, ride thill it’s broken, it and buy a new one.

It’s the Gillette way, which will make you extra woke too!

 

So in other words it's the more manly way..?

[dave303e]

What irritates the living daylights out of me is the parts prices.

 

XT brake pads- 2 pads cost more than 4 for my Pajero, and they will last a lot less km and stop a lot less weight.

 

Tyres- My mx bike tyres cost less than mtb tyres, and there is a s*** load less rubber

[Thermophage]

What irritates the living daylights out of me is the parts prices.

 

XT brake pads- 2 pads cost more than 4 for my Pajero, and they will last a lot less km and stop a lot less weight.

 

Tyres- My mx bike tyres cost less than mtb tyres, and there is a s*** load less rubber

You get 4 Pajero pads for under R300? 

[Patchelicious]

So in other words it's the more manly way..?

Careful of using that word, its can be seen as a micro aggression and it might cause a micro trigger.