Am I asking too much?

[makbike]

Just prior to the Old Kentucky Home Tour I took my bike to a new shop for basic maintance (lube the bearing, check BB, adjust/replace any cables, etc). When I picked the bike up and rode it prior to the OKHT it was not shifting properly (I could not get the chain to drop into the smallest cog on the freewheel). I should note it was shifting properly prior to the work. I took the bike back and they made some minor adjustments. I was able to take it out for a few short spins and things seemed okay until I rode the OKHT. The shifting issue again appeared though minor to what it had been following the initial work on it. On the return leg of the OKHT my rear brakes also failed but I was able to get them fixed and in turn finish my ride.

I've been swamped at work since the OKHT and have not had a chance to really ride. However, this week I have been able to get out and once again the bike is not shifting correctly. The chain does not want to drop onto the smallest cog. I called the shop just a few minutes ago and asked if I could bring my bike in tomorrow or Friday so that it could hopefully be properly adjusted. The owner said sure and followed with this "And I won't even charge you." I had no intentions of paying for the work given I'm not very happy with the level of work I've already paid for. I'm I wrong in my thinking? Should I really be paying additional money for them to correct their mistakes? Have I missed something? What do you all think?

[Sheesh]

I would never even think to pay for them to re-adjust their adjustments!

[Eden]

I'll admit it can be hard to adjust a derailleur when the bike is on a workstand, but yeah - they should never charge you if they need to fix their own work....

[teigyr]

You shouldn't pay. I've been in the same situation where I love the shop but I seem to be having problem after problem even though it seems like they do a good job.

I know that it can be hard to diagnose a problem when the bike is on a workstand but they should be testing it by riding (at least the ones I go to do that) before they release it to you.

Frustrating to have it happen before a ride though.

[KnottedYet]

I get a kick out of watching my LBS guys taking bikes out for test rides after they fix 'em on the stand.

Especially the *tiny* bikes!

[Eden]

I get a kick out of watching my LBS guys taking bikes out for test rides after they fix 'em on the stand.

Especially the *tiny* bikes!

Yeah you should see my 6'something LBS owner test ride my 44.........
break out the clown music

[makbike]

I have no love for this shop. I simply took my bike there because they are fairly new and I knew the turn around time would be good. I had heard good things about their mechanic so I had no worries at that time. However, I learned shortly after dropping my bike off that they had a new mechanic, my exBF:eek: Once this situation is corrected, if I can get it corrected, I'll be looking for another shop to do the overhaul which is needed this winter. I can't say I have a lot of faith or trust in the current shop's work. I'm only taking it back because I don't feel like I should have to pay another shop to correct their mistakes.

[Zen]

It's a bad sign that he would even say 'I won't charge you'.

Have you been going to this shop for a long time?
Are the mechanics long time employees or otherwise experienced?
Do you feel any particular allegiance to this shop?

You certainly aren't asking too much.

Edit-never mind, you answered before I finished typing :D

[KnottedYet]

Ummm, is your exBF-their-new-mechanic maybe not treating your bike with the respect it deserves?

[makbike]

Knotted - I think that is a very good question and one I have asked myself here of late. I would hate to think he would mess with my bike but I'm learning that even if you think you really know someone you really don't. It is hard to say what the problem is or who is to blame. Again, once the current issues are corrected to my satisifaction I'll be looking for a new shop and new mechanic.

Yeah, I've decided to sell my purple Giro (small frame), just thought I would let you know. I'll know more next week as to what I'm going to ask - it's a very sweet bike.

[boy in a kilt]

You could try fixing it yourself.

It sounds like your rear derailleur isn't quite indexed right.

You might try backing out the limit screw about a quarter turn or so until the pulleys are centered on your small cog. The Park website does a pretty good job of explaining. Plus, once you understand how your derailleur works, you'll never have to pay someone to screw it up again.

[onimity]

Yea, I'd try fixing it myself...that's one of the first things I learned to adjust & it really is easy. Builds confidence too for when these sort of problems reveal themselves on the road.

And no, you aren't asking too much! My LBS never charges me for that sort of tune up, they just thank me for my business. Granted, I give them a lot of business, but even when they didn't know me they'd suggest that I get myself a spare tube or patch kit and call it good. Of course they did teach me how to adjust my derailleurs and brakes...maybe that was a hint! :)

I'd certainly avoid the place on account of your ex-BF working there! :(

Anne

[Triskeliongirl]

I agree with the learn how to do it yourself. Even if you take your bike to a good shop and it is working fine at pickup, new cables stretch and require adjustment. Or things go out of adjustment when you are out on the road far from anyone. In the end, you'll spend less time doing your own work than you spend now bringing it back and forth, you never have to be without your bike, and you'll save money (which can be applied to those good deals on frames and parts you'll be tempted to buy once you really how easy it is to build the bike of your dreams!).
(p.s. I am not saying the shop shouldn't have done a better job or that they shouldn't rectify it, its just very freeing to get indpendent of these problems. I also learned how to do my own work after getting sick of PAYING people to do a bad job and wasting my time..........)

[makbike]

I took my bike back again today for them to try and adjust the RD correctly. The owner did not offer to let me see the mechanic (exBF) which was fine for I think he quickly picked on the fact that I was pretty unhappy with this whole mess. The owner did apologize for the mistakes (RD adjustments not be correct and my brakes failing on the OKHT - both services which I paid for initially). He offered to discount a future job but $40. I, however, was honest with him and told him once this mess was cleared up I would most likely not be returning to his shop. He again apologized and proceeded to tell me because my bike is so old it is hard to adjust. Amazing, I thought given I've had the RD adjusted on several occassions by his mechanic when we were together and this never was a problem. Again, I explained my lack of confidence in his shop and if I had a change of heart I would be the first to let him know. At this point he offered to refund my money which I declined - that took him and mechanic off the hook if today's works was not correct. I guess I'll find out tomorrow if it is right.

[HoosierGiant]

And I thought it was just me! Every time my bike has gone to the LBS for adjustments, repairs, etc., it comes out with more problems than it went in with. Honestly, it's gotten to the point that I dread even taking it in because I hate the whole process of taking it out for a test ride; returning to the shop; announcing, "It's still doing it," (whatever "it" may be on that particular occasion); waiting while they fiddle; taking it out for a test ride; returning to the shop; announcing... You get my point. The LBS is in a major metropolitan area, no place other than busy city streets to ride on -- one repair necessitated 12 miles of test riding before the bike was pronounced healthy enough to go home.

We love the shop, and the owner's a great guy, but I've taught myself how to do most of the basic adjustments/repairs just so I don't have to endure the frustration of it all. And, should a problem develop that I'm not equipped/ able to handle, it will only go to the LBS after everyone clearly understands that there are only two mechanics working there whom I'll permit to work on it. I wouldn't let an incompetent surgeon operate on my children, why should I allow a poorly trained mechanic to adjust my rear derailleur?

On a related note, my front chain rings were recalled at one point (after my bike had been to the LBS for numerous shifting issues), and when Shimano sent the new ones, they sent Shimano Ultegra cranks too. Yippee for me!! Of course, when we went to pick it up after the repair, the guys at the bike shop commented that they'd almost called DH to ask him if he wanted them to put the new parts on his bike and put his chain rings/cranks on my bike. Perhaps because I'm a "girl" and why waste the good stuff on the female? Go figure!

[Zen]

, the guys at the bike shop commented that they'd almost called DH to ask him if he wanted them to put the new parts on his bike and put his chain rings/cranks on my bike. Perhaps because I'm a "girl" and why waste the good stuff on the female? Go figure!

Go figure, my eye! That shows a total lack of respect and would send me right to another shop.