$$ bike repairs, but still cheaper

[TigerMom]

Than owning and operating a car several times per month.

Well, have dropped enough coin for bike part replacements and some repairs in last 2 months. About $170.00Can over 4 different situations. Highlights:

1. Replaced bike v-brakes completely by LBS. : Spring broke. Maybe someone can tell me how dangerous it was because I've been biking on this unawares until today it felt "funny" /wrong to me. Bike mechanic told today he wouldn't ride the bike. Had my bike cables and houseing replaced too.

2. Bought 1 replacement tire --a Schwable Marathon flatless tire. (we'll see about this. But I like Schwable.) : Dearie told me my tire had alot of gashes.

3. Bought 2 bike tubes: Had a flat tire which didn't show up until AFTER a 93 km. ride --with 50 km. on the Trans-CAnada highway, a major 4 lane highway. A fine black wire from shredded, rethreaded radial tire shreds, punctured my tire and caused a slow leak. Thank God, I got home!!

4. My whole handlebar set was crooked...too loose. No charge to fix, it was a gross oversight...

With such bike repair discoveries and fixes, I always feel relieved.

This goes to show how many miles you are riding. You must be super healthy. Plus, you were able to complete the 50km ride safely. Yeah!
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2012 Specialized Amira Elite, upgraded carbon handle bars, Jett saddle 143mm switched to 145mm 2012 Selle Italia Max SLR Gel Flow saddle

2011 Specialized Ariel Sport,suspension post,Serfas Rx Women's Microfiber saddle

[shootingstar]

Well, I've done about 1,200 km this summer. Other summers it's been double the mileage. However, I don't care as long as I'm on the bike daily and enjoying it/do some travel out of town (which we have).

Ridebikeme, thanks for the opinion. When the bike mechanic gave his diagnosis and told me he wouldn't ride the bike, that scared me.
So I bought the box of brakes from this store but had to go to another LBS to have them installed because lst shop was booked up for the next 5 days. (OUr LBS' stores get real busy in the downtown core in the summer. meaning one usually has to book an "appointment" to insure that bike will be repaired on xxxxx day. Walk-in repair is near impossible at this time of year.)

These problems probably indicate the roughness of roads (meaning roads that need repair or debris on them), and hard winter cycling in very cold temp. too. I need Schwable for tires.

and that major highway I was riding on its shoulder, the cars were speeding at legal limit of 110 km. Yes, bikes are allowed this particular highway section. (In B.C. and Ontario, legal limit on major highways is 100km.)

[Blueberry]

My bike mechanic will work in those who arrive on a bike and need the bike to get home on the same day if humanly possible. One of the many reasons I'm fiercely loyal to his shop.