Oh I’ve got one. I bought a second-hand tire for my BC and tried to buy a tube for it from this bike shop. The shop guy told me my tire was spoilt and refused to sell me a tube. He recommended I buy another tire (one of those lousy ones for cheap bikes) for $25. I asked if he’s got one of those Kenda Kinetic tires which I really wouldn’t mind getting and he says he doesn’t stock them BUT I could get one that’s as good (but suspiciously brandless) for $30-40.
If you’re wondering, my tire wasn’t spoilt and I went elsewhere to get a tube.
I should have put the tongue in cheek smiley after that comment.
Doing your own repairs will save you money. But you do need to know what you are doing or you risk damaging or ruining a part.
Some bike shops sell accessories like tools at a larger than normal markup. Don’t buy tools and accessories from bike shops like that. Some bike shops charge more for repairs than other bike shops. Don’t go to shops like that if you’re looking for inexpensive repairs. Shop around.
All I’m saying is that lots of shops (bike, car, jetski, etc) like to jerk people around. Not all, but a lot. If you can do it yourself, you’re better off. You only have to buy the tool once, and then you learn how to maintain your own stuff.
It’s cliche, but if you want something done right, you have to do it yourself. No one cares more about your stuff than you do!
All they do is give me discounts on the pedals I have bought. When ive bought new cranks, they installed them for free, and didnt charge me tax on them either.
I even go in their and just talk with them about trails and trials. THey are some cool guys.
I used to be a bike mechanic, and what else you’re missing about the Park pedal wrench is two important points:
The wrench has a long handle, because many riders fail to oil the threads on their pedals before installing them, and then ride in the rain. This takes more torque to loosen than most would imagine, and a short spanner just won’t get the job done.
The trap that removing pedals from a bike is that it has a chainring exposed presents to the bikie trying to get by with a shorter handled spanner: It takes the meat right off your fingers!
Either way, don’t blame the lbs for trying to sell the correct tool.
My LBS is also wicked…I used to work there so i get some nice deals on stuff and the staff there is awsome…Borgschulze(ha finally got it right) came in with me one day and aside from the one guy saying that he had gay pedals(jokingly) i think he can agree that thyre a pretty good bunch.
And as for my rip offs…cant say ive had any so far.
