Besides the fact that I hate being without my bike (Really, I had tears in my eyes when I left it.), it's always such a hassle to go through the whole repair process. I don't like change -- hate it even -- and my bike never feels quite the same when I get it back. Plus, I usually have to do at least 8-12 miles of test riding (on Indianapolis streets -- UGH!) when I pick it up. "Nope, it's still noisy in 18+. Now it's skipping gears. Now the chain is dropping off. Can't get 1st gear." And on and on and on... I HATE IT, I tell you! (Don't dare ask how I really feel! :rolleyes: ) Is it too much to ask that someone actually verify that everything's working before they call me to say it's ready to come home?! But I digress...
So I took my bike to the LBS as soon as they opened on Monday; they thought it'd be Thursday before it was done. Gave them the sitter-care instructions: If you have to untape my bars, you must use screaming yellow tape to reattach my black bar tape; I only want certain mechanics touching my bike; please straighten my handlebars while you've got it, they've been a scoosh off since the last time you had it (Technical terms will get them every time!); don't think about calling me until you're certain I can come test ride it in gears 18-20 without having it chatter at decibels normally reserved for chainsaws and other power tools. All very nice mind you, but I am the customer. At one point one of the guys asked DH, "You're not allowed to do the laundry at home, are you?" How'd he know??! :)
In the it-figures department: I was explaining to Mr. Ticket Writer at the bike shop what my bike was coming in for. When I told him a cable had snapped, he gave me a really strange look like he didn't believe me. I walked him over to where it was parked and showed him said cable that just pops in and out of my brake actuator. His comment was, "Do you tend to have bad luck in all aspects of your life? In all my years working here, I've never seen that happen." (Now granted, he's not one of the mechanics, so I don't know how much weight to give that statement, but why am I not surprised?!)
Segue to Wednesday. Since I was in the middle of a history lesson on Bartolome de Las Casas when the LBS called at 11:18 a.m. (Yes, trust me -- exactly 11:18 a.m.), I let DH take it in his office. Woo-hoo! Jump for joy! Class is cancelled kids! I'll bet my bike's done early! And then DH walked into the house with the news; and then depression set in all over again; and then I jumped up and down with much wailing and gnashing of teeth. The owner of the shop apologized because, "I've got that shifter in a thousand pieces, and I still can't get that nib out." Let's see, didn't someone make a comment about bad luck?! What was initially supposed to be a relatively simple repair has now necessitated removing and dismantling the shifter, sending said shifter and all its components off to Shimano, and waiting for them to repair/replace it. Turn-around time: two weeks. TWO WEEKS?! Just shoot me now!
