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LBS competence repairing flats
Couple weeks ago, I had a slow leak on my Electra (Schwalbe Marathon +
tires). I told the mechanic I was very interested in knowing what caused the flat, because otherwise a new tube might be a very short term solution. He was unable to locate the puncture. The inflated tube seemed to stay inflated. He did not put it under water. The inside of the tire looked OK. Installed a new tube and sent me on my way. This morning, tire completely flat. Last night it was OK. Walked it to the shop, told the mechanic I really want to know the cause. This time, he looked at the OEM rim strip, which was both too narrow and cheap quality. One of the nipples had worn through. He used a wider cloth strip this time. Should the mechanic have checked the rim strip first time around, as standard procedure? As time goes on, I am finding more reasons to dislike this shop, which by the way is Performance Bike. J. |
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#2
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LBS competence repairing flats
On Mar 10, 12:46*pm, " wrote:
Couple weeks ago, I had a slow leak on my Electra (Schwalbe Marathon + tires). I told the mechanic I was very interested in knowing what caused the flat, because otherwise a new tube might be a very short term solution. He was unable to locate the puncture. The inflated tube seemed to stay inflated. He did not put it under water. The inside of the tire looked OK. Installed a new tube and sent me on my way. This morning, tire completely flat. Last night it was OK. Walked it to the shop, told the mechanic I really want to know the cause. This time, he looked at the OEM rim strip, which was both too narrow and cheap quality. One of the nipples had worn through. He used a wider cloth strip this time. Should the mechanic have checked the rim strip first time around, as standard procedure? As time goes on, I am finding more reasons to dislike this shop, which by the way is Performance Bike. J. Performance on Halsted? I'd go to Rapid Transit on North, but give the guys at Performance a break. Sometimes you can miss a worn bit on an OEM strip, and they did catch it the second time. |
#3
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LBS competence repairing flats
"landotter" wrote in message ... On Mar 10, 12:46 pm, " wrote: Couple weeks ago, I had a slow leak on my Electra (Schwalbe Marathon + tires). I told the mechanic I was very interested in knowing what caused the flat, because otherwise a new tube might be a very short term solution. He was unable to locate the puncture. The inflated tube seemed to stay inflated. He did not put it under water. The inside of the tire looked OK. Installed a new tube and sent me on my way. This morning, tire completely flat. Last night it was OK. Walked it to the shop, told the mechanic I really want to know the cause. This time, he looked at the OEM rim strip, which was both too narrow and cheap quality. One of the nipples had worn through. He used a wider cloth strip this time. Should the mechanic have checked the rim strip first time around, as standard procedure? As time goes on, I am finding more reasons to dislike this shop, which by the way is Performance Bike. J. Performance on Halsted? I'd go to Rapid Transit on North, but give the guys at Performance a break. Sometimes you can miss a worn bit on an OEM strip, and they did catch it the second time. Performance in Schaumburg, near home. At least now, I know wide cloth strips are the best. If I need to swap out the OEM tires on my Cannondale in favor of SM+, I will be sure to replace the strips at the same time. And of course, the front rim on the Electra is also suspect. I like Rapid Transit too, but Rudy's on Irving Park is a better location for me. J. |
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LBS competence repairing flats
"Kristian M Zoerhoff" wrote in message ell.org... On 2010-03-10, wrote: Couple weeks ago, I had a slow leak on my Electra (Schwalbe Marathon + tires). I told the mechanic I was very interested in knowing what caused the flat, because otherwise a new tube might be a very short term solution. He was unable to locate the puncture. The inflated tube seemed to stay inflated. He did not put it under water. The inside of the tire looked OK. Installed a new tube and sent me on my way. This morning, tire completely flat. Last night it was OK. Walked it to the shop, told the mechanic I really want to know the cause. This time, he looked at the OEM rim strip, which was both too narrow and cheap quality. One of the nipples had worn through. He used a wider cloth strip this time. Should the mechanic have checked the rim strip first time around, as standard procedure? As time goes on, I am finding more reasons to dislike this shop, which by the way is Performance Bike. Oh, sweet Jeebus. Of course he should have checked. However, it's Performance. I didn't realize you were all the way out in Schaumburg. There used to be an LBS on Roselle, north (?) of Golf. I forget the name, but it might still be there, and have better-trained wrenches. -- Kristian Zoerhoff Yeah, they also sell model trains. I have not been there in years, but I might give them a try. Looking back, I think the rim strip should have been checked. The shop was not very busy (not a weekend). There must be a cause *somewhere*. Why would a customer bring a bike in, and make up a story about losing 30lbs pressure per day? And I am told, getting the rear wheel off my Electra takes a bit of time and effort. J. |
#6
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LBS competence repairing flats
On Mar 10, 1:31 pm, "Jay" wrote:
"Kristian M Zoerhoff" wrote in messagenews:slrnhpg2nl.62l.kristian.zoerhoff@otaku .freeshell.org... On 2010-03-10, wrote: Couple weeks ago, I had a slow leak on my Electra (Schwalbe Marathon + tires). I told the mechanic I was very interested in knowing what caused the flat, because otherwise a new tube might be a very short term solution. He was unable to locate the puncture. The inflated tube seemed to stay inflated. He did not put it under water. The inside of the tire looked OK. Installed a new tube and sent me on my way. This morning, tire completely flat. Last night it was OK. Walked it to the shop, told the mechanic I really want to know the cause. This time, he looked at the OEM rim strip, which was both too narrow and cheap quality. One of the nipples had worn through. He used a wider cloth strip this time. Should the mechanic have checked the rim strip first time around, as standard procedure? As time goes on, I am finding more reasons to dislike this shop, which by the way is Performance Bike. Oh, sweet Jeebus. Of course he should have checked. However, it's Performance. I didn't realize you were all the way out in Schaumburg. There used to be an LBS on Roselle, north (?) of Golf. I forget the name, but it might still be there, and have better-trained wrenches. -- Kristian Zoerhoff Yeah, they also sell model trains. I have not been there in years, but I might give them a try. Looking back, I think the rim strip should have been checked. The shop was not very busy (not a weekend). There must be a cause *somewhere*. Why would a customer bring a bike in, and make up a story about losing 30lbs pressure per day? And I am told, getting the rear wheel off my Electra takes a bit of time and effort. J. Seriously? You take your bike to the shop for a flat tire? How much did they charge you, BTW? Unless it was at least $50, I don't think you can complain about the mechanic's professional thoroughness. |
#7
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LBS competence repairing flats
On Mar 10, 1:46*pm, " wrote:
Couple weeks ago, I had a slow leak on my Electra (Schwalbe Marathon + tires). I told the mechanic snip Should the mechanic have checked snip Learn how to fix a flat. It' a basic skill that will come in handy, and improve your experience of cycling. It seems you have the basic idea down (find the problem, so you can fix it). How about taking the next step. Best, Larry |
#8
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LBS competence repairing flats
Jobst Brandt wrote:
Jim Bollyn wrote: [...] Who is Jim Bollyn - a relative of Jay Bollyn? -- Tom Sherman - 42.435731,-83.985007 |
#9
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LBS competence repairing flats
Jay wrote:
"Kristian M Zoerhoff" wrote in message ell.org... On 2010-03-10, wrote: Couple weeks ago, I had a slow leak on my Electra (Schwalbe Marathon + tires). I told the mechanic I was very interested in knowing what caused the flat, because otherwise a new tube might be a very short term solution. He was unable to locate the puncture. The inflated tube seemed to stay inflated. He did not put it under water. The inside of the tire looked OK. Installed a new tube and sent me on my way. This morning, tire completely flat. Last night it was OK. Walked it to the shop, told the mechanic I really want to know the cause. This time, he looked at the OEM rim strip, which was both too narrow and cheap quality. One of the nipples had worn through. He used a wider cloth strip this time. Should the mechanic have checked the rim strip first time around, as standard procedure? As time goes on, I am finding more reasons to dislike this shop, which by the way is Performance Bike. Oh, sweet Jeebus. Of course he should have checked. However, it's Performance. I didn't realize you were all the way out in Schaumburg. There used to be an LBS on Roselle, north (?) of Golf. I forget the name, but it might still be there, and have better-trained wrenches. -- Kristian Zoerhoff Yeah, they also sell model trains. I have not been there in years, but I might give them a try. Looking back, I think the rim strip should have been checked. The shop was not very busy (not a weekend). There must be a cause *somewhere*. Why would a customer bring a bike in, and make up a story about losing 30lbs pressure per day? And I am told, getting the rear wheel off my Electra takes a bit of time and effort. J. Yeah, I can't understand why a bike shop wouldn't get more enthusiastic about the flat tire business. Sounds like they're leaving a fortune on the table. |
#10
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LBS competence repairing flats
On Mar 10, 12:46*pm, " wrote:
Couple weeks ago, I had a slow leak on my Electra (Schwalbe Marathon + tires). I told the mechanic I was very interested in knowing what caused the flat, because otherwise a new tube might be a very short term solution. He was unable to locate the puncture. The inflated tube seemed to stay inflated. He did not put it under water. The inside of the tire looked OK. Installed a new tube and sent me on my way. This morning, tire completely flat. Last night it was OK. Walked it to the shop, told the mechanic I really want to know the cause. This time, he looked at the OEM rim strip, which was both too narrow and cheap quality. One of the nipples had worn through. He used a wider cloth strip this time. Should the mechanic have checked the rim strip first time around, as standard procedure? As time goes on, I am finding more reasons to dislike this shop, which by the way is Performance Bike. J. Bicycle repairman is not a high wage job and, naturally, there's quite a bit of turnover. By and large, they're good at what they do within those limits. I would not be in a hurry to cast blame over the necessary imperfections you encounter. I change my own flats, having learned what to look for from my own mistakes over the years. But even a raw repairman is better than me at just about any other repair. |
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