MTB too expensive to continue....

[Jules]

Two intensive days and my students are only 750% there

 

 

 

By my calculations they'll only need an hour or two to be 100% proficient. Not bad

[Azonic]

The last time I replaced my road bike gears, the "washers" in the chain were breaking of. That was about 3-4 years ago. MTB gears, if you have a swop out chain, once every 2 years.

 

Shops are VERY keen to replace...

 

[TheLegend]

 

I've been wondering when I'll find the first honest person to question the cost of cycling. I too think it has become ridiculous but then I immediately point the finger at the public. They've bought into excessive weight saving' date=' the latest 9/10/11 speed groupsets, titanium sprockets, carbon bikes, disk brakes and other nonsense. It is now all about the bike and not the ride.

When last have you heard someone here talk about a a great route or outing? It is always about the latest toy they've either just bought or the next one they absolutely must have.

Keep the cost of cycling in check by:

Buying a retro 8-speed bike with good components but V-brakes. An 8-speed chain costs R80 vs R250 or more for a 9 or ten speed chain.

Keep your old bike forever.

Service it regularly and learn how to service it. With respect, a R300 course can't teach you enough. Two intensive days and my students are only 750% there, the rest they must gain through experience.

Lubricate with free engine oil you find in the dustbin at garages.

 

Don't be fooled by stupid light parts. Stick to what you've got.

 

Fix your punctures.

 

Never buy tubes. These are free at races where spendthrifts discard them because they're punctured.

 

Buy the right tools for the job.

 

Use car grease and cheap Prepsol degreaser.

 

Start enjoying cycling and forget about the bike.

 

 

[/quote']

 

as much as i am annoyed by your answers and changes in statements this is one think that I do appreciate - you encourage people to go and cycle and not move a bling-bling object around puddles!

It's the legs, not the bike! stick with you gruppo and spend the money for a good cause and buy stationery for a school or send it to the US - apparently they need any cent there at the mo!

 

[AndreZA]

 

I'm doing it through SingleTrack MTB shop in Silver Lakes. The R300 includes drinks and snacks' date=' a Park Tool multitool and the course itself. It's this Wednesday 18:00 to whenever. PM if you want their contact details.

 

They cover (amongst others):

Gear adjustments

checking the brakes

post crash inspection

chain wear

chain rings

basic maintenance etc.

and then they are open to any questions or topics you would like to discuss.

Definetely worth the R300!

[/quote']

 

So you are paying R300 for a multi-tool and some drinks and snacks. The rest of the stuff is on the internet.

 

 

[Wazza]

 

So you are paying R300 for a multi-tool and some drinks and snacks. The rest of the stuff is on the internet.

 

 

 

You can download a service manual for a BMW M3. Does it mean you going to service it yourself if no one shows you how?

[Azonic]

My every day road bike has 8 speed, 105 drivetrain, 1" threaded Look frame/fork, 105 hubs with 36 hole wolber rim. Does the job perfectly, and requires less attention than my 9 speed, Dura Ace racer.

[Willehond]

My every day road bike has 8 speed' date=' 105 drivetrain, 1" threaded Look frame/fork, 105 hubs with 36 hole wolber rim. Does the job perfectly, and requires less attention than my 9 speed, Dura Ace racer. [/quote']

 

You fancy guys with your 9-speed Dura Ace machines....

[wackwack]

get a unicycle....

 

1 wheel

Single speed

1 tyre

 

etc, etc, etc

 

www.unicycle.co.za

[AndreZA]

 

So you are paying R300 for a multi-tool and some drinks and snacks. The rest of the stuff is on the internet.

 

 

 

You can download a service manual for a BMW M3. Does it mean you going to service it yourself if no one shows you how?

 

how much can they teach you that only needs a multi-tool, a burger and a coke?

 

 

[philip.maree]

 

http://www.yellowsaddle.co.za/services_courses_Repair%20and%20Maintenance.html

 

This looks well worth the money

 

Had 2 wheels trued this morning. Waited for them, 10 minutes = R100. Ridiculous if you ask me.

 

philip.maree2008-10-06 08:02:04

[pedal menace]

Well at least that is cheaper than a service that in total is going to cost me R2700 (that is now new tires Conti Mountain King). Perhaps one CAN survive on bread and water? I had Kenda Karma's on and now that they look like slicks I guess I can justify to replace them.

[porky]

I tend to agree with Mr Bornman, I subscribe to the theory that there is very little (home and sport wise anyway) too difficult to do yourself, usually we dont have the time or the inclination, rather than the ability.

I am not a great technical fundi, but I have done straight forward basic work on my bike many times, setting gears is a "Pita" the first time, but now I can do it blindfolded, changing blades etc is basic work, take your time and work through it slowly and I am pretty sure you could do it yourself easily.

 

Just as an apart incident, my WAP high pressure washer lost pressure the other day, took it to a WAP dealer who quoted me R1200.00 to repair - I was rather surprised because he had new ones in the window for R999.00 - BUT ANYWAY - took it home and pulled the whole thing apart, carefully, found the problem was a small silver ball in a sleeve which regulates the pressure had worn and was allowing the water through, bought the part (R35.00)put the whole thing togther and its BETTER THAN EVER.!!!

 

Okay it took me roughly 6 hours of work, with numerous coffe breaks and trips to the internet for schematics, but if you really want to, you can do it yourself, even without a basic course.

 

 

porky2008-10-06 08:07:52

[Eugene]

I've been wondering when I'll find the first honest person to question the cost of cycling. I too think it has become ridiculous but then I immediately point the finger at the public. They've bought into excessive weight saving' date=' the latest 9/10/11 speed groupsets, titanium sprockets, carbon bikes, disk brakes and other nonsense. It is now all about the bike and not the ride.

When last have you heard someone here talk about a a great route or outing? It is always about the latest toy they've either just bought or the next one they absolutely must have.

Keep the cost of cycling in check by:

Buying a retro 8-speed bike with good components but V-brakes. An 8-speed chain costs R80 vs R250 or more for a 9 or ten speed chain.

Keep your old bike forever.

Service it regularly and learn how to service it. With respect, a R300 course can't teach you enough. Two intensive days and my students are only 750% there, the rest they must gain through experience.

Lubricate with free engine oil you find in the dustbin at garages.

 

Don't be fooled by stupid light parts. Stick to what you've got.

 

Fix your punctures.

 

Never buy tubes. These are free at races where spendthrifts discard them because they're punctured.

 

Buy the right tools for the job.

 

Use car grease and cheap Prepsol degreaser.

 

Start enjoying cycling and forget about the bike.

 

 

[/quote']

 

Exactly............my 3 year old Alivio specced bike has not given me an inch of trouble. I keep it clean and lube the chain often. Only once has it been to a bike shop. That was to set my gears (I don't know how to do it myself) and they didn't even charge me. Maintenance costs so far: 1 bottle Squirt R55.00 and 1 bottle of car engine cleaner (for the chain) R20.00.

 

Then again, like any rational minded cyclist, I too would not say no to an XTR equiped carbon machine. Running costs are secondary to that nice feeling that a person gets when they pitch up at the start line on a really cool bike.

 

When my credit card is sorted, a good mtb is next on my shopping list.

[wackwack]

 

how much can they teach you that only needs a multi-tool' date=' a burger and a coke?

 

[/quote']

 

Perhaps you can learn to do minor things like slight gear adjustments or tighten a spoke. Maybe even just give one some confidence to tackle minor things themselves...rather than going off to the LBS. Not everything you do on a bike requires a multi tool.

 

Have you ever opened a coke with a multitool?? Didn't think so  

 

If they learn 1, 2 or even 3 things that they can do themselves rather than the LBS then good for them. Often when you take you bike to the LBS you end up taking it back cos the tjop didn't fix it properly the first time, which equates to 2 round trips & a whole bunch of frustration.

 

"Go on your course Wazza" - even if it is R300

[pedal menace]

I saved a long time to equip my MTB with SRAM X-0...but I do realise more and more that it is expensive to maintain...too expensive and not worth the gain at the end of the day.

[Willehond]

 

Exactly............my 3 year old Alivio specced bike has not given me an inch of trouble. I keep it clean and lube the chain often. Only once has it been to a bike shop. That was to set my gears (I don't know how to do it myself) and they didn't even charge me. Maintenance costs so far: 1 bottle Squirt R55.00 and 1 bottle of car engine cleaner (for the chain) R20.00.

 

Then again' date=' like any rational minded cyclist, I too would not say no to an XTR equiped carbon machine. Running costs are secondary to that nice feeling that a person gets when they pitch up at the start line on a really cool bike.

 

When my credit card is sorted, a good mtb is next on my shopping list.

[/quote'] ?

 

Eugene, what kind of mileage do you do=  Epic, K2C, S2C, Trans Baviaans for example?  1 bottle of engine cleaner in 3 years sounds mighty impressive if you do serious riding