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- Thread starter Foxychick
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SNAKEBITER
Devout Dirtbag
It's a youth thing in my opinion.
Kids today, and by that I mean anyone younger than 25, just don't get it.
The idea of wanting, or even riding anything over 10 years old baffles them.
Bike mechanics should be taught the basics, then move up.
Now I'm not a mechanic but there is very little I would not be capable of doing on a bike (I'm just slower and lacking the trade tricks). I started on side pulls as a kid, went onto cantilever then V-brakes. I have just ventured into discs and that is still a grey area for me, so I take my time and learn as I go along.
I don't know anymore, I am losing faith in mankind bit by bit!
Kids today, and by that I mean anyone younger than 25, just don't get it.
The idea of wanting, or even riding anything over 10 years old baffles them.
Bike mechanics should be taught the basics, then move up.
Now I'm not a mechanic but there is very little I would not be capable of doing on a bike (I'm just slower and lacking the trade tricks). I started on side pulls as a kid, went onto cantilever then V-brakes. I have just ventured into discs and that is still a grey area for me, so I take my time and learn as I go along.
I don't know anymore, I am losing faith in mankind bit by bit!
Not everyone's into retro. I agree that most experienced bike mechanics should be expected to set up cantis etc, but if you're under 25, or under 20 for that matter, you probably haven't seen many retro bikes come through the door.
There's no excuse for poor service, but I'm just sticking up for the spanner monkeys out there as I run a busy workshop and know how hard it is to find to find employable folk who know their stuff.
Also, let's be honest, cantis can be a tw@ to set up sometimes!
There's no excuse for poor service, but I'm just sticking up for the spanner monkeys out there as I run a busy workshop and know how hard it is to find to find employable folk who know their stuff.
Also, let's be honest, cantis can be a tw@ to set up sometimes!
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The Cytech course covers all brakes. No excuses from the bikes shops, half the worlds bikes still have them.
SNAKEBITER
Devout Dirtbag
I suppose it's like comparing it to having a mk2 Escort taken to a garage for a service.
The young mechanics are going to stand and stare, whilst the old boys go all misty eyed and talk about the old days.
In reality because it is seen as an enthusiasts car it assumed it is looked after by knowledgable people in a garage at home.
The young mechanics are going to stand and stare, whilst the old boys go all misty eyed and talk about the old days.
In reality because it is seen as an enthusiasts car it assumed it is looked after by knowledgable people in a garage at home.
poweredbypies
Old School Grand Master
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I have 3 lbs within quich riding distance.
1, Decathlon mainly young lads in there thunk one of them is actually a member on here. Cannot fault them for normal everyday sort of stuff and if its beyond them actually try to point you in the right direction.
2, Wardys cycles, good lad mainly new stuff/ scooters and bso's. But the bloke knows his trade. Willing to work on older bikes infact quite like the retro stuff.
3, forget the name forget the shop. Based in wednesbury town, the blokes a fool. Didnt know that 1 1/4" head even existed. Would let him near any bike of mine, he would take your xtr mech off and fit a new tourney mech and think he had done you a favour.
So there are good ones out there. Easy to find out just ask a few questions that will soon tell you if they are up to the job or not.
1, Decathlon mainly young lads in there thunk one of them is actually a member on here. Cannot fault them for normal everyday sort of stuff and if its beyond them actually try to point you in the right direction.
2, Wardys cycles, good lad mainly new stuff/ scooters and bso's. But the bloke knows his trade. Willing to work on older bikes infact quite like the retro stuff.
3, forget the name forget the shop. Based in wednesbury town, the blokes a fool. Didnt know that 1 1/4" head even existed. Would let him near any bike of mine, he would take your xtr mech off and fit a new tourney mech and think he had done you a favour.
So there are good ones out there. Easy to find out just ask a few questions that will soon tell you if they are up to the job or not.
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Your bicycle had to pass some sort of standard to be allowed to be sold in the UK, the same should be had for the people that work on them. A minimum level of competency. It isnt much to ask for.
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I was at a really nice LBS a few weeks ago.
I was sat in the cafe and chatting to some roadies on the table.
They'd ridden some 100 odd over the hills miles in poor weather and their blocks had worn completely down. They had another 100miles odd back over the hills to get home.
While they where supping a coffee and cake and chatting the bike mechanic was replacing the blocks checking everything out and even fitted the modern style replaceable version, gave them some spare blocks showed them how to change them if they needed to again.
They where well happy.
I even picked up some 2.5mm spacers 'round the back in a tin' of a pile of HTII bottom brackets, and glanced through some 'Privateers' mags
Now that's an LBS
Dales Bike Centre for them that venture up into Swaledale
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As for my LBS's I don't know them any more.
Only one i've been in recently had thrown out his old RockShox stuff since dropping suspension servicing, didn't seem to interested in what I was doing but probably a bad had day to be fair. The mechanic was cheery though.
I was sat in the cafe and chatting to some roadies on the table.
They'd ridden some 100 odd over the hills miles in poor weather and their blocks had worn completely down. They had another 100miles odd back over the hills to get home.
While they where supping a coffee and cake and chatting the bike mechanic was replacing the blocks checking everything out and even fitted the modern style replaceable version, gave them some spare blocks showed them how to change them if they needed to again.
They where well happy.
I even picked up some 2.5mm spacers 'round the back in a tin' of a pile of HTII bottom brackets, and glanced through some 'Privateers' mags
Now that's an LBS
Dales Bike Centre for them that venture up into Swaledale
---
As for my LBS's I don't know them any more.
Only one i've been in recently had thrown out his old RockShox stuff since dropping suspension servicing, didn't seem to interested in what I was doing but probably a bad had day to be fair. The mechanic was cheery though.
I'm not sure if I'm a symptom or cause of the problem; I've not had an lbs since I moved to Edinburgh 11 years ago. I do all my own maintenance on retro and modern bikes, and buy all the parts I need online. There's a bike shop 3 minutes from my front door but I only go in there for things I need to finish a build then and there (cables etc), even then they're pretty crap.
