LBS Tuneup & Front Chain Ring Shifting Problem

[MartianDestiny]

Wrong, wrong, wrong!

Many things it could be (bad workmanship, old cable, something to do with it being a old derailleur or getting some wear, etc. just to name a few), but it SHOULD be shifting on the first try ESPECIALLY just after a tune-up (older stuff will go out of alignment faster, but unless it's plum broke or worn out it should go into alignment IMO). If the manager actually admitted that it was shifting better than his personal bike and it wasn't shifting INSTANTLY I'd never trust him or one of his mechanics.

My bikes all shift on the first try with no effort and no hesitation. They all run silently as well (NO derailleur rub, even when I'm cross-chained, which yes, I try not to do). My shop only employs professional master mechanics with years of industry experience (not kids wanting a part time job).

I will say I do PAY for it for sure, but the bike is better than new every time I pick it up, and if they can't make it that way they tell me exactly what needs to be replaced, no hemming and hawing. (Their "supermegagrande" version runs closer to $200 and involves completely stripping, cleaning, and rebuilding. I think I pay close to $90 for a "basic" (which, IMO, is anything but basic compared to other shops) tune and checkup. (when they actually make me pay full price on labor...which is about 1 out of 10 times to take a guess).

It's all in finding a GOOD mechanic and a shop that won't make excuses for their mechanic.

[tangentgirl]

Here's the description of what you get for $95. Description from their site, titles from me.

Basic Tuneup:
If you're just bringing your bike out of winter storage for the spring or are a hardcore rider prepping for a race, <Bike Shop's> basic tune-up will get you rolling. This tune-up includes adjustments to the brakes (disc brake bleed add $15 per brake), gears, headset, bottom bracket, and hubs. Our mechanics will also spot true your wheels and lube the chain and cables for smooth operation. Parts and accessories installation is additional.

Fancy One (the one we got)
This tune-up takes the basic service a couple of steps further. Included are inspection of your frame and components for wear, the removal of your chain, cassette, and crankset for cleaning in a solvent tank, cleaning of components, and cleaning and polishing of your frame. We also check the suspension components on mountain bikes. Parts and accessories installation is additional.

To be fair, both bikes are now very very clean and pretty. And I don't want to completely bash the bike shop - a mere two days ago I would have been singing their praises. But I am pretty disappointed. And I did specifically ask them to look at the shifting.

[tangentgirl]

Update - looks like things improved with the shifting overnight. When the bf rode it in the am, it was working a lot better. Maybe we have bike mechanic gnomes in the garage or something.

It was still crazy squeaky (I forgot to mention that it was squeaky too), so he dropped by the bike shop on his way to work. They had to take a bunch of stuff apart, but they got rid of the squeaks. All seems well.

So, yay, everything is working now. Boo, we sure had to go through a lot to get to this point.