Bicycle Shop issues

[MarcoDeS]

Really frustrated at taking my bike in for basic work and having to return because something wasn’t done properly — or a new issue pops up straight after the “service.” This has happened multiple times, so it’s not just a once-off.

At what point do we start calling this out? 

Is it time we start naming the shops that repeatedly deliver poor workmanship, or is there a better way to hold them accountable? The quality of service in SA has deteriorated badly and the providers just shrug it off and continue with BAU.

Curious to hear if others are dealing with the same thing and how you think we should handle bike shops that just can’t seem to get the basics right. 

[Guest Mike Dewing]

maybe the actual mechanics can weigh in on this.. 

we can get some comment on work conditions, compensation and benefits, overall treatment of staff from owners and managers.. 

if these conditions are poor, expect poor service

[Thomo]

I suspect most areas have a number of viable options for service and repair so I don't see how anybody can survive when delivering sub par service ... wouldn't patrons just move on.?

[Dusty]

I vote with my wallet.

[Guest Mike Dewing]

1 hour ago, Thomo said:

I suspect most areas have a number of viable options for service and repair so I don't see how anybody can survive when delivering sub par service ... wouldn't patrons just move on.?

we literally move on.. well, I have from many shops..

[ChrisF]

3 hours ago, Thomo said:

I suspect most areas have a number of viable options for service and repair so I don't see how anybody can survive when delivering sub par service ... wouldn't patrons just move on.?

 

Couple of "big brand stores" get their fair share of bad press .... long time cyclists move on to the few shops with dedicated workshops.

 

I bought a new bike from a "local bike shop" some time back ....

 

First ride, 10km into the ride, the seat post starts dropping .... they did appologise for not torquing it down correctly.  Bike on the workshop stand ... various bolts over the bike is not torqued correctly, some plain loose .... actually very few shops that do a proper pre-delivery check !!

 

Friend takes a MTB in for a major service to this same shop, in preparation of W2W.  New steerer bearings down to a full strip down and service of the suspension and linkages, etc etc .... half way through stage 1 of W2W the brakes start dragging heavily, could barely push the bike at the end of the stage .... (okay, I do have my opinion on properly test riding a serviced bike before an event...)

 

Braai-fire talk about this shop is one thing.

 

But they get away with this year after year .... simply enough new riders, and enough people that just keep taking the bikes back for a service not understanding just how crap the service is .....

Edited November 14 by ChrisF

[bleedToWin]

1 hour ago, Thomo said:

wouldn't patrons just move on.?

Apparently not OP... 🤷‍♂️

[MarcoDeS]

I’ve got a couple of stories to tell too. I’ll drop one. One of the biggest Scott dealers in JHB serviced the headset of my Scott Spark RC.

For those of you that are unaware, the bottom and upper cups need to point in different directions otherwise you risk damaging (cracking) the top tube (reason for multiple warranties around the world on this model). 

I pick my bike up, first thing I look is to see if the cups are in the same direction. Surprise surprise they are. I point this out, and the guy argues with me. I pull out the manual for the bike and there it is in a bright Red Cross that you should never let them be in the same direction. So this oak and his whole workshop has been jamming headset cups in whatever way they wish on 100s of bikes, then customers wonder why the handling of the bike is not dialed in or even worse the top tube fails. 
 

Another story, same shop. Please just replace my bottom bracket it’s not lekker. Pick up my bike thinking you know that’s easy for them. Get home, chainring rubbing completely against the frame. Now I need to adjust the pre load myself and get that all sorted. Frustrating. I can give multiple more stories. One which was particularly bad right before the Prince George 100 miler which had me scrambling for a mechanic in the middle of the Swartberg mountains. 
 

I have found a decent shop to work with but they support a seperate brand and often don’t have the knowledge and/or parts for the Scott. 
 

At this rate I’m changing bicycle brands, fed up with poor service delivery in this country and even more so in most parts of the workmanship of the cycling stores. I’m also quite sure the issue isn’t the mechanics but rather the culture in the stores. Which actually makes it worse. 

Edited November 14 by MarcoDeS

[Ispeed_V]

90% of my bike maintenance is done by myself.

It is only when it comes to really complex issues that I will then visit my LBS.

[webs]

YouTube also taught me how to work on my own bike. Takes a bit longer to get the job done.

But no shortcuts taken. 

[Neill Du Toit]

I do my own work except for suspension. Twice I had to tighten fork leg bolts due to oil leaks after fork services. Both times well known, reputable shops. 

[Dexter-morgan]

I received a new bike with front gears not set properly, chain came of the crank and scratched my brand-new Crank, now I just do my own repairs/maintenance, if I don't have the tool, I but it from temu with my next order, I have now built up a decent Bicycle toolbox. The one thing I need to get the patience for is truing wheels.

[Martin Albrecht]

The only work I outsource on my bikes is wheel builds. I simply don’t have the patience. But I am yet to find a bike shop in South Africa where the mechanics are actually propertly trained, have all the right tools, and get paid a decent enough wage to actually care about their jobs. 
 

Over the years I have spent a small fortune building up a proper pro level bike workshop with all my own tools. I love that more bike brands are going straight to consumer. Because you mostly need to strip and re-assemble any big brand bike built by a bike shop any way.

same goes for the sales staff in the stores, who mostly know or understand very little about what their customers actually want. More than happy to buy everything online, and do all the work myself in my spare time.

[NotSoBigBen]

Sjoe tough crowd .... I fortunately have an LBS that is everything and more than I would ever need!

Grumpy at The Workshop in Alberhoughton, pedantic AND his ability to solve problems make him an exception in this humdrum cycling industry

[Paul Ruinaard]

I think you need to build a relationship with a shop and then set your expectations. Josh @cyclists workshop knew i wanted it a certain way and always would call and check with me. I miss him down her in Paarl but you do need to be consistent.

 

[Chrisjanopsyfiets]

Forget about taking your bike to a shop. Do it yourself or find a dedicated bike mechanic: