Is this a busy time of year

[Ken M]

for your local bike shop as far as service goes? I dropped my bike off
yesterday for a bunch of upgrades / changes and they said it would be
two to three days. Maybe I am wrong, as I often am, but for the work
being done seems to be a bit on the long side. They are changing my fork
from a sus model(original) to a rigid one, changing the integrated
threaded headset to a threadless set, changing the stem to a threadless
one, and dumping the disc brakes for v-brakes front and rear. So is two
to three days a reasonable time?

Ken
--
[T]he bicycle is the most efficient machine ever created: Converting
calories into gas, a bicycle gets the equivalent of three thousand miles
per gallon. ~Bill Strickland, The Quotable Cyclist

Homepage: http://kcm-home.tripod.com/

[Jeff Williams]

Ken M wrote:
> for your local bike shop as far as service goes? I dropped my bike off
> yesterday for a bunch of upgrades / changes and they said it would be
> two to three days. Maybe I am wrong, as I often am, but for the work
> being done seems to be a bit on the long side. They are changing my fork
> from a sus model(original) to a rigid one, changing the integrated
> threaded headset to a threadless set, changing the stem to a threadless
> one, and dumping the disc brakes for v-brakes front and rear. So is two
> to three days a reasonable time?
>
> Ken

Here, Winnipeg, they tend to be busy working on skis.

Jeff

[Sorni]

Ken M wrote:
> for your local bike shop as far as service goes? I dropped my bike off
> yesterday for a bunch of upgrades / changes and they said it would be
> two to three days. Maybe I am wrong, as I often am, but for the work
> being done seems to be a bit on the long side. They are changing my
> fork from a sus model(original) to a rigid one, changing the
> integrated threaded headset to a threadless set, changing the stem to
> a threadless one, and dumping the disc brakes for v-brakes front and
> rear. So is two to three days a reasonable time?

Yes.

[Mike Kruger]

"Ken M" > wrote in message
...
> for your local bike shop as far as service goes? I dropped my bike off
> yesterday for a bunch of upgrades / changes and they said it would be two
> to three days. Maybe I am wrong, as I often am, but for the work being
> done seems to be a bit on the long side. They are changing my fork from a
> sus model(original) to a rigid one, changing the integrated threaded
> headset to a threadless set, changing the stem to a threadless one, and
> dumping the disc brakes for v-brakes front and rear. So is two to three
> days a reasonable time?
>
Some shops around Chicago are closed between Christmas and New Year's, which
implies to me that it's not a heavy time for business. Different localities
may have different experiences, though.

I wouldn't think 2 to 3 days for any repair is a particularly long time, but
then with multiple bikes if the work can't be done right then I'm usually
not in a big hurry. It might be that a particular wrench is better at this
sort of thing and his day off is tomorrow.

[Justa Lurker]

Mike Kruger wrote:

>
> Some shops around Chicago are closed between Christmas and New Year's, which
> implies to me that it's not a heavy time for business. Different localities
> may have different experiences, though.
>

Yes, I noticed that the Evanston Bike Shop [I think that is its official
name, it's a Schwinn dealer IIRC] on Central Ave. down by Reese & Ewing
Sts. was closed all last week while we were out there visiting
relatives. I would've thought that this might actually be a somewhat
busy time for them, with folks giving bikes and accessories, etc. for
Christmas gifts as well as college students home for the holidays etc.
but then again maybe not.

No doubt the rather ubiquitous "big box" retailers just down the
proverbial road selling low-end bikes have hurt the LBS guys at least a bit.

[gds]

Ken M wrote:
> for your local bike shop as far as service goes? I dropped my bike off
> yesterday for a bunch of upgrades / changes and they said it would be
> two to three days. Maybe I am wrong, as I often am, but for the work
> being done seems to be a bit on the long side. They are changing my fork
> from a sus model(original) to a rigid one, changing the integrated
> threaded headset to a threadless set, changing the stem to a threadless
> one, and dumping the disc brakes for v-brakes front and rear. So is two
> to three days a reasonable time?
>

Often the wait time is more related to the size of the queue rather
than the amount of work being done on yor bike. If there are three days
worth of repairs and builds ahead of you your bike won't be worked on
until the 4th day so whether yor project takes an hour or 4 hours it
will still not get done until the 4th day.
Also, at this time of year it is possible/likely that some of the staff
are taking a few days off so that would mean that the same amount of
work to be done will take longer on the calendar.

[Mike Jacoubowsky]

> for your local bike shop as far as service goes? I dropped my bike off
> yesterday for a bunch of upgrades / changes and they said it would be two
> to three days.

You wouldn't like our situation at all... we're still talking 8 days. The
time around Christmas, both before & after, tends to bog down the service
department as you're trying to take care of customers who want bikes that
you've got in stock but aren't built, getting accessories installed,
exchanging bike models & sizes... there tends to be a fair amount of time
spent putting out fires.

We get around the inconvenience as much as possible by encouraging
appointments, where we schedule a bike in for repair one day, and it's out
the next. We'll also do quick emergency repairs for people who commute on
their bikes.

But a two-to-three-day turnaround on a repair doesn't sound too bad,
particularly if it wasn't previously scheduled in.

--Mike Jacoubowsky
Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReaction.com
Redwood City & Los Altos, CA USA

"Ken M" > wrote in message
...
> for your local bike shop as far as service goes? I dropped my bike off
> yesterday for a bunch of upgrades / changes and they said it would be two
> to three days. Maybe I am wrong, as I often am, but for the work being
> done seems to be a bit on the long side. They are changing my fork from a
> sus model(original) to a rigid one, changing the integrated threaded
> headset to a threadless set, changing the stem to a threadless one, and
> dumping the disc brakes for v-brakes front and rear. So is two to three
> days a reasonable time?
>
> Ken
> --
> [T]he bicycle is the most efficient machine ever created: Converting
> calories into gas, a bicycle gets the equivalent of three thousand miles
> per gallon. ~Bill Strickland, The Quotable Cyclist
>
> Homepage: http://kcm-home.tripod.com/
>
>
>

[Mark]

"Ken M" > wrote in message
...
> for your local bike shop as far as service goes? I dropped my bike
off
> yesterday for a bunch of upgrades / changes and they said it would
be two
> to three days. Maybe I am wrong, as I often am, but for the work
being
> done seems to be a bit on the long side. They are changing my fork
from a
> sus model(original) to a rigid one, changing the integrated threaded

> headset to a threadless set, changing the stem to a threadless one,
and
> dumping the disc brakes for v-brakes front and rear. So is two to
three
> days a reasonable time?
>
> Ken
>
Are you looking for fast turnaround or quality work? My opinion -
dropping a bike off without an appointment and looking for all of these
upgrades, 2-3 days is a rush job. Does the bike shop have all of these
parts and components in stock?

[David L. Johnson]

On Tue, 27 Dec 2005 08:08:59 -0500, Ken M wrote:

> for your local bike shop as far as service goes? I dropped my bike off
> yesterday for a bunch of upgrades / changes and they said it would be
> two to three days. Maybe I am wrong, as I often am, but for the work
> being done seems to be a bit on the long side. They are changing my fork
> from a sus model(original) to a rigid one, changing the integrated
> threaded headset to a threadless set, changing the stem to a threadless
> one, and dumping the disc brakes for v-brakes front and rear. So is two
> to three days a reasonable time?

Short answer is yes. If they had nothing else to do and 2-3 guys to do
it, then maybe that would be a lot of time, but they don't. Besides, they
may have to chase around for parts, tools, etc.

BTW, it's an interesting list of "upgrades": rigid fork from boingy, and
v-brakes from disc. Most people are going the other way, though I do
prefer a rigid fork, and have no use for disc brakes.

The new fork/headset will take some fussy work to change out, as will the
brakes.

--

David L. Johnson

__o | Accept risk. Accept responsibility. Put a lawyer out of
_`\(,_ | business.
(_)/ (_) |

[Ken M]

Mike Jacoubowsky wrote:

> You wouldn't like our situation at all... we're still talking 8 days. The
> time around Christmas, both before & after, tends to bog down the service
> department as you're trying to take care of customers who want bikes that
> you've got in stock but aren't built, getting accessories installed,
> exchanging bike models & sizes... there tends to be a fair amount of time
> spent putting out fires.
>
8 days??!! Well that is a long wait.

> We get around the inconvenience as much as possible by encouraging
> appointments, where we schedule a bike in for repair one day, and it's out
> the next. We'll also do quick emergency repairs for people who commute on
> their bikes.
>
Well it was a scheduled deal because they know I commute on this bike.

> But a two-to-three-day turnaround on a repair doesn't sound too bad,
> particularly if it wasn't previously scheduled in.
>

Ken "needs a back up bike" M.

--
[T]he bicycle is the most efficient machine ever created: Converting
calories into gas, a bicycle gets the equivalent of three thousand miles
per gallon. ~Bill Strickland, The Quotable Cyclist

Homepage: http://kcm-home.tripod.com/

[Ken M]

Mark wrote:

> Are you looking for fast turnaround or quality work? My opinion -
> dropping a bike off without an appointment and looking for all of these
> upgrades, 2-3 days is a rush job. Does the bike shop have all of these
> parts and components in stock?
>
Both, but if the tech service is like the customer service of this shop,
I'm not expecting much.
They ordered all the parts and they finally all came in on Christmas Eve.

Ken

--
[T]he bicycle is the most efficient machine ever created: Converting
calories into gas, a bicycle gets the equivalent of three thousand miles
per gallon. ~Bill Strickland, The Quotable Cyclist

Homepage: http://kcm-home.tripod.com/

[Ken M]

David L. Johnson wrote:
> On Tue, 27 Dec 2005 08:08:59 -0500, Ken M wrote:
>
>
>>for your local bike shop as far as service goes? I dropped my bike off
>>yesterday for a bunch of upgrades / changes and they said it would be
>>two to three days. Maybe I am wrong, as I often am, but for the work
>>being done seems to be a bit on the long side. They are changing my fork
>>from a sus model(original) to a rigid one, changing the integrated
>>threaded headset to a threadless set, changing the stem to a threadless
>>one, and dumping the disc brakes for v-brakes front and rear. So is two
>>to three days a reasonable time?
>
>
> Short answer is yes. If they had nothing else to do and 2-3 guys to do
> it, then maybe that would be a lot of time, but they don't. Besides, they
> may have to chase around for parts, tools, etc.
>
> BTW, it's an interesting list of "upgrades": rigid fork from boingy, and
> v-brakes from disc. Most people are going the other way, though I do
> prefer a rigid fork, and have no use for disc brakes.
>
> The new fork/headset will take some fussy work to change out, as will the
> brakes.
>
Funny, but all the upgrades are standard on the next model up in the line.
Yeah that funny integrated headset was the reason I am not doing the
work myself, thought it would be better left to the pros.

Ken
--
[T]he bicycle is the most efficient machine ever created: Converting
calories into gas, a bicycle gets the equivalent of three thousand miles
per gallon. ~Bill Strickland, The Quotable Cyclist

Homepage: http://kcm-home.tripod.com/

[Roger Zoul]

Ken M > wrote:
:> David L. Johnson wrote:
:>> On Tue, 27 Dec 2005 08:08:59 -0500, Ken M wrote:
:>>
:>>
:>>>for your local bike shop as far as service goes? I dropped my bike
:>>>off yesterday for a bunch of upgrades / changes and they said it
:>>>would be
:>>>two to three days. Maybe I am wrong, as I often am, but for the work
:>>>being done seems to be a bit on the long side. They are changing my
:>>>fork from a sus model(original) to a rigid one, changing the
:>>>integrated threaded headset to a threadless set, changing the stem
:>>>to a threadless one, and dumping the disc brakes for v-brakes front
:>>>and rear. So is two to three days a reasonable time?
:>>
:>>
:>> Short answer is yes. If they had nothing else to do and 2-3 guys
:>> to do it, then maybe that would be a lot of time, but they don't.
:>> Besides, they may have to chase around for parts, tools, etc.
:>>
:>> BTW, it's an interesting list of "upgrades": rigid fork from
:>> boingy, and v-brakes from disc. Most people are going the other
:>> way, though I do prefer a rigid fork, and have no use for disc
:>> brakes.
:>>
:>> The new fork/headset will take some fussy work to change out, as
:>> will the brakes.
:>>
:> Funny, but all the upgrades are standard on the next model up in the
:> line. Yeah that funny integrated headset was the reason I am not
:> doing the
:> work myself, thought it would be better left to the pros.

So, do you think you might have bought the wrong model after you've had some
time with your bike?

[Ken M]

Roger Zoul wrote:
> Ken M > wrote:
> :> David L. Johnson wrote:
> :>> On Tue, 27 Dec 2005 08:08:59 -0500, Ken M wrote:
> :>>
> :>>
> :>>>for your local bike shop as far as service goes? I dropped my bike
> :>>>off yesterday for a bunch of upgrades / changes and they said it
> :>>>would be
> :>>>two to three days. Maybe I am wrong, as I often am, but for the work
> :>>>being done seems to be a bit on the long side. They are changing my
> :>>>fork from a sus model(original) to a rigid one, changing the
> :>>>integrated threaded headset to a threadless set, changing the stem
> :>>>to a threadless one, and dumping the disc brakes for v-brakes front
> :>>>and rear. So is two to three days a reasonable time?
> :>>
> :>>
> :>> Short answer is yes. If they had nothing else to do and 2-3 guys
> :>> to do it, then maybe that would be a lot of time, but they don't.
> :>> Besides, they may have to chase around for parts, tools, etc.
> :>>
> :>> BTW, it's an interesting list of "upgrades": rigid fork from
> :>> boingy, and v-brakes from disc. Most people are going the other
> :>> way, though I do prefer a rigid fork, and have no use for disc
> :>> brakes.
> :>>
> :>> The new fork/headset will take some fussy work to change out, as
> :>> will the brakes.
> :>>
> :> Funny, but all the upgrades are standard on the next model up in the
> :> line. Yeah that funny integrated headset was the reason I am not
> :> doing the
> :> work myself, thought it would be better left to the pros.
>
> So, do you think you might have bought the wrong model after you've had some
> time with your bike?
>
>
AYE! Yes, if I had known then what I know now, I would have bought
something better. So now while sitting here typing this message, waiting
for the bike shop to call and say it is ready to roll, I am
contemplating the next bike purchase, I DO need a back up bike anyway
for just such times, when the main bike is not available. I am
considering either a true road bike i.e Trek 1000 or possibly a recumbent.

Ken
--
[T]he bicycle is the most efficient machine ever created: Converting
calories into gas, a bicycle gets the equivalent of three thousand miles
per gallon. ~Bill Strickland, The Quotable Cyclist

Homepage: http://kcm-home.tripod.com/

[Roger Zoul]

Ken M > wrote:
:> Roger Zoul wrote:
:>> Ken M > wrote:
:>> :> David L. Johnson wrote:
:>> :>> On Tue, 27 Dec 2005 08:08:59 -0500, Ken M wrote:
:>> :>>
:>> :>>
:>> :>>>for your local bike shop as far as service goes? I dropped my
:>> :>>>bike
:>> :>>>off yesterday for a bunch of upgrades / changes and they said it
:>> :>>>would be
:>> :>>>two to three days. Maybe I am wrong, as I often am, but for the
:>> :>>>work being done seems to be a bit on the long side. They are
:>> :>>>changing my fork from a sus model(original) to a rigid one,
:>> :>>>changing the
:>> :>>>integrated threaded headset to a threadless set, changing the
:>> :>>>stem
:>> :>>>to a threadless one, and dumping the disc brakes for v-brakes
:>> :>>>front
:>> :>>>and rear. So is two to three days a reasonable time?
:>> :>>
:>> :>>
:>> :>> Short answer is yes. If they had nothing else to do and 2-3
:>> :>> guys
:>> :>> to do it, then maybe that would be a lot of time, but they
:>> :>> don't. Besides, they may have to chase around for parts, tools,
:>> :>> etc.
:>> :>>
:>> :>> BTW, it's an interesting list of "upgrades": rigid fork from
:>> :>> boingy, and v-brakes from disc. Most people are going the other
:>> :>> way, though I do prefer a rigid fork, and have no use for disc
:>> :>> brakes.
:>> :>>
:>> :>> The new fork/headset will take some fussy work to change out, as
:>> :>> will the brakes.
:>> :>>
:>> :> Funny, but all the upgrades are standard on the next model up in
:>> :> the line. Yeah that funny integrated headset was the reason I am
:>> :> not
:>> :> doing the
:>> :> work myself, thought it would be better left to the pros.
:>>
:>> So, do you think you might have bought the wrong model after you've
:>> had some time with your bike?
:>>
:>>
:> AYE! Yes, if I had known then what I know now, I would have bought
:> something better. So now while sitting here typing this message,
:> waiting
:> for the bike shop to call and say it is ready to roll, I am
:> contemplating the next bike purchase, I DO need a back up bike anyway
:> for just such times, when the main bike is not available. I am
:> considering either a true road bike i.e Trek 1000 or possibly a
:> recumbent.

More power to you, Ken!!!! :)