Tried To Support Local Bike Shop -Eagle Canyon Cycles

[CAAD4]

There definitely sounds like some sh1tty service here, but the OP must carry some blame. Getting a minor/major service is not like buying a bottle of all gold tomato sauce-every lbs will offer a different range of service. Always ask what is covered by a service, and if you feel there is something else that warrants a look at, inform the lbs.

 

R580 for a major service-if the OP has ever done some maintenance on his bike, he would know that getting a major service at that price is basically impossible.

 

Here in Canada I got my fork serviced-CAD180 (just over R2k). But the going rate for a skilled laborer is CAD100, and I know the total time spent on the fork is over an hour, plus parts, so it seems to add up.

 

Everyone acknowledges bike prices rival that of cars, so I don’t see a reason why a bike service should not be in the ballpark of a car service. But let’s be honest, how many South Africans will be willing to pay for that. Does a skilled (trained and qualified) bike mechanic deserve to earn 10% of a lawyer’s salary just because he was not been through tertiary education and only in possession of a trade qualification?

 

You get what you pay for (I’m general)

Two star or three star sir??

[T_Boss]

There definitely sounds like some sh1tty service here, but the OP must carry some blame. Getting a minor/major service is not like buying a bottle of all gold tomato sauce-every lbs will offer a different range of service. Always ask what is covered by a service, and if you feel there is something else that warrants a look at, inform the lbs.

 

R580 for a major service-if the OP has ever done some maintenance on his bike, he would know that getting a major service at that price is basically impossible.

 

Here in Canada I got my fork serviced-CAD180 (just over R2k). But the going rate for a skilled laborer is CAD100, and I know the total time spent on the fork is over an hour, plus parts, so it seems to add up.

 

Everyone acknowledges bike prices rival that of cars, so I don’t see a reason why a bike service should not be in the ballpark of a car service. But let’s be honest, how many South Africans will be willing to pay for that. Does a skilled (trained and qualified) bike mechanic deserve to earn 10% of a lawyer’s salary just because he was not been through tertiary education and only in possession of a trade qualification?

 

You get what you pay for (I’m general)

 

The major difference is, that to a large extent, bikes rival the cost of cars, because they can, and people are willing to pay for it, for whatever reason that may be.

 

But a bike is in no way anywhere as complex as a car, and you will not convinces me otherwise. (I service my own bikes as far as possible, and I used to rebuild and overhaul classic cars as a hobby). Comparing a bike service to a car service is not the same, wether major or minor. Just the oil alone required for an everage modern cars "minor service" costs what 3 bike services at a decent bike shop will cost you. 

 

I agree, we shoudnt pay good mechanics peanuts, wether they are bike or automative mechanics, but I am not going to agree to pay a bike mechanic even half of what I pay my attorney.

[WR 1.0]

I believe LBS feedback is similar to Insurer feedback. You can almost name any shop and someone will have an issue that specific company. I have had crap service from just every shop I've walked into in Jhb, (Sprocket & Jack and Dunkeld probably the exceptions). Disinterested staff who seem to be thinking you are disturbing them when you walk into the shop, ect

That said, Eagle Canyon is my local and they have alway been good to me. They recently changed the groupset on my wife's mtb. There was an issue with the FD which didn't fit, they didn't try and screw me over, the shop called me, told me that I needed a clamp on vs the direct fit that I gave them. I got a brand new one off the Hub, collected it, dropped it off and they called me an hour later to collect the bike.

it has been perfect with no issues.

[Paul Ruinaard]

Just travel a bit further past Northgate until you see Nicholas Plants on your right. In there is Cyclists Workshop. Been my LBS for the last 2 years and never had an issue. They also have lots of used bikes for sale. Ask for Josh.

Was going to say Cyclists workshop - Josh has been doing my bikes for years - wouldn't go anywhere else.

[PlemPlem]

It blows my mind with the huge number of bike shops we have nowadays that for some reason some bike shops expect subpar service to just be tolerated.

 

Granted not all shops, but it’s definitely hit and miss these days.

 

The price we pay for bikes and components these days surely warrants more vigilant service.

 

Gone are the days where the average visit to a bike shop is a few hundred bucks.

 

My 2 cents

Based on all of the above and other comments, those are the reasons why I have decided a number of years ago to perform all technical work on my bikes myself!

No more scratches on the frame, no excuses, no exorbitant costs and no waiting (except when parts are not available).

Granted, It took a bit of trial-and-error but very soon one can pick up all repair/ service procedures if one is not an imbecile. This is no rocket science and in case of doubt, there is nothing that one cannot learn from YouTube!

[King_Crispy]

I believe LBS feedback is similar to Insurer feedback. You can almost name any shop and someone will have an issue that specific company. I have had crap service from just every shop I've walked into in Jhb, (Sprocket & Jack and Dunkeld probably the exceptions). Disinterested staff who seem to be thinking you are disturbing them when you walk into the shop, ect

That said, Eagle Canyon is my local and they have alway been good to me. They recently changed the groupset on my wife's mtb. There was an issue with the FD which didn't fit, they didn't try and screw me over, the shop called me, told me that I needed a clamp on vs the direct fit that I gave them. I got a brand new one off the Hub, collected it, dropped it off and they called me an hour later to collect the bike.

it has been perfect with no issues.

I had the same issue.

Sorted out in 2 mins without a p1ssing contest

[Brendan]

...after I paid him about R2000, the crank he was supposed to repair fell off and the brakes I told him not to touch “he did me a favour” to service but were now were so worn I had to replace . Called me his “bru” and told me F off out of his shop. Costed me another R 2000 for cyclab to fix his mess. Never try anyone than cyclab again

[patches]

Generally I am my own bike-tech. Suspension services, brake bleeds, bearing replacements, etc.

There are however some exceptions, where either an authorised rep needs to service, wheel builds (a good wheel build is an art), or there is a proprietary/specialist tool required and the cost of that tool doesn't warrant its purchase unless you're a bike tech for a living (like BB and headset facing tools),

 

Years ago I had an ISIS drive BB which I wanted to remove so I could install a new BB and crankset. I would usually do it myself, but I didn't have the tool as all my other bikes were either pres-fit or external cup (both of which I had tools for), and had no intention of ever installing an ISIS drive again (this one came with the bike).

 

So I popped into my nearest LBS Eagle Canyon to see if they could simply loosen the BB for me (the bike was already stripped down to the frame, cranks removed, etc).

I asked the gentleman at Eagle Canyon if they would oblige with this 20 second job, and I would pay them their standard labour minimum charge.

 

He said I'd have to book it in as they were "busy". The lack of customers and activity in the workshop indicated the contrary. I then asked if he had any ISIS tools for sale. He did not.

 

In final desperation (as I really wanted to rebuild the bike) I said: "Could I please use your ISIS BB tool, here in your store, I'll only be 1min, and I will still pay your minimum labour charge" (even though I was doing the work).

 

His response... "you'll have to book it in".

 

I left. Drove the extra miles to Linden. They did it right away, no charge, with a smile.

 

The unwillingness of Eagle Canyon to assist, and the sheer attitude was astounding from a business in the "service" industry.

 

I saw this thread and thought it must be some years old, because there's no ways they are still in business with the way they ran things. Beyond all logic, it seems they are

Edited December 16, 2020 by patches

[T_Boss]

How some bike shops stay in business I really cant fathom.

 

last year when I was in the marker for a trail bike - looking to spend between R35 and R45k, I walked into one of pretorias oldest shops (granted, they have changed hands and moved location a few time). The shop was empty, but they has pretty decent selection of bikes on the floor (mostly XC bikes though). Although they were empty, the salesman didnt find it nescesarry to engage with me. I eventually walked up to him, and said, verbatim, "Im looking for trail bike and willing to spend up to R45k, Specialised is running a massive sale down the road, why shouldnt I just go there and buy one of the new Stumpjumpers for R35k".

 

The answer I got blew my freaking mind - the muppet says to me, You should probably just go an do that, thats a really good deal - So I went and did exactly that - even though if he actually tried, he would pretty easily been able to sell me a Scott Spark 950 - seeing as they were/are scott agents....

[TheoG]

How some bike shops stay in business I really cant fathom.

 

last year when I was in the marker for a trail bike - looking to spend between R35 and R45k, I walked into one of pretorias oldest shops (granted, they have changed hands and moved location a few time). The shop was empty, but they has pretty decent selection of bikes on the floor (mostly XC bikes though). Although they were empty, the salesman didnt find it nescesarry to engage with me. I eventually walked up to him, and said, verbatim, "Im looking for trail bike and willing to spend up to R45k, Specialised is running a massive sale down the road, why shouldnt I just go there and buy one of the new Stumpjumpers for R35k".

 

The answer I got blew my freaking mind - the muppet says to me, You should probably just go an do that, thats a really good deal - So I went and did exactly that - even though if he actually tried, he would pretty easily been able to sell me a Scott Spark 950 - seeing as they were/are scott agents....

 

Unreal !  You see this more and more unfortunately, either they don't give a crap, not interested or totally incapable.

 

Very sad ...

[Kranswurm]

How some bike shops stay in business I really cant fathom.

 

last year when I was in the marker for a trail bike - looking to spend between R35 and R45k, I walked into one of pretorias oldest shops (granted, they have changed hands and moved location a few time). The shop was empty, but they has pretty decent selection of bikes on the floor (mostly XC bikes though). Although they were empty, the salesman didnt find it nescesarry to engage with me. I eventually walked up to him, and said, verbatim, "Im looking for trail bike and willing to spend up to R45k, Specialised is running a massive sale down the road, why shouldnt I just go there and buy one of the new Stumpjumpers for R35k".

 

The answer I got blew my freaking mind - the muppet says to me, You should probably just go an do that, thats a really good deal - So I went and did exactly that - even though if he actually tried, he would pretty easily been able to sell me a Scott Spark 950 - seeing as they were/are scott agents....

Maybe he was just being honest

His boss will crap on him but anyway

[Patchelicious]

Maybe he was just being honest

His boss will crap on him but anyway

I would be grateful if the salesman gave me good honest advice like that. I would be way more annoyed if the pushed on hand stock on me for the sake of a sale.

[Kranswurm]

I would be grateful if the salesman gave me good honest advice like that. I would be way more annoyed if the pushed on hand stock on me for the sake of a sale.

My kind of guy actually.I have done that on numerous occasions in business

The sense of entitlement shines through

[Thomo]

Maybe he was just being honest

His boss will crap on him but anyway

Yeah, sometimes stores just have ridiculous pricing (for whatever reason) that others just can't compete with.

Admitting that isn't necessarily poor service ...

[love2fly]

Dagley’s opposite entrance to Eagle Canyon is good

Best service in JHB along with Linden.

[love2fly]

Two star or three star sir??

I hear you but a massive BUT....the customer should not have to assume that because a Major service is cheap they are not going to do what a reasonable person would expect them to do for said major service...

 

Just take a look at the mess that is EC workshop...kind of like looking at a restaurant kitchen before you eat there...I rest my case...

 

I also do most of my own stuff and find it fun and rewarding, and saves me bucks. If I have to spend on a damper service or wheel truing Dagleys or Linden.