Every Month?!!
By koopharper
@koopharper (7601)
Canada
September 26, 2012 6:19pm CST
Mechanic at the bike shop gave me some sage advice that I've been given before and still ignore. First time was in college while I was training for a cross continent tour. I bought a top of the line bike chain and wore it out in less than a month. When I brought it back to the bike shop the mechanic was delighted. Explained to me that the chain was designed to take all the wear and make my gears last longer. Local mechanic recently gave me the same line when I was buying parts for my bike. He changes chain every month. I think they got rocks in their collective heads. The math just does not work for me. They spend $20.00 per chain each month. I buy a cheap chain from Canadian Tire or some other discount place for $10.00. This cheap chain will last two years. It does slowly wear out the rear gear cluster and after two years I probably have to change that as well. That costs $20.00 to replace. The front sprockets last far longer. At least double the rear cluster. My math tells me that after two years I'm $210 better off than they are. Maybe I'm missing something here. Could anyone explain why the industry is right and I'm wrong?
3 people like this
5 responses
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
27 Sep 12
Sounds like the bike shop is selling you bad chains. I have had my bike since last December, (used too) and the chain is working fine on my bike.
@koopharper (7601)
• Canada
27 Sep 12
What bugs me is that it this is two different bike shops in two different countries selling me the same line. I wear a lot of things out on bikes that last most people a very long time. I put on probably better than 3000 kilometers per year at my advanced age
. I ride in a lot of bad weather so it is hard on equipment. I just want good stuff that works well and doesn't break the bank.
. I ride in a lot of bad weather so it is hard on equipment. I just want good stuff that works well and doesn't break the bank.2 people like this
@ShepherdSpy (8544)
• Omagh, Northern Ireland
27 Sep 12
Using "Stumbleupon",I came across a cycling blog with a tip for winter riding..assuming your bike has DISC brakes (cos this won't work with rim or V Brakes!
)-they used zip ties around the tyre and between the spokes,in effect giving you snow tyres which they claimed DID work just fine..
)-they used zip ties around the tyre and between the spokes,in effect giving you snow tyres which they claimed DID work just fine..2 people like this
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
27 Sep 12
I had to convert that, I think 3000 KM is about 18-19 miles, and yes, that is a lot of distance. Plus, even though I got my bike last December, we had a very mild winter that it wasn't hard on my bike to ride it all season. I am afraid because of the our winter, this winter will be very bad.
I see you live in Canada, so I'd like to ask you a few questions about winter riding. For one, what if the roads were not cleared off, do you wait until they clear it? What about icy roads? That has to be dangerous to ride your bike when the roads are covered in ice. The reason I am asking is because I go to my neighbor's once a week and if we are going to have a bad winter this year, I might have to walk instead of riding my bike..
Also, I will take any tips on riding in cold weather, because even though I am south of you, I live in a lake community, so you can imagine how much colder it will be traveling to my neighbor's home this year..
1 person likes this
@ShepherdSpy (8544)
• Omagh, Northern Ireland
27 Sep 12
Tell Me Why would a top grade chain wear out in a month when a cheap one would give you 2 years use? Me,I'd imagine the bike mechanic would be very happy to see repeat business coming in the door on a monthly basis..I could imagine the "Ka-CHING!" when he sees the door opening again!
@ShepherdSpy (8544)
• Omagh, Northern Ireland
27 Sep 12
while the guy may have a point that the chain going bad faster MAY be sparing the cogs,as you say,that's sure an expensive way of doing this..I'd be taking your calculations into account before his...
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (160665)
• United States
27 Sep 12
I would be the type to do the math as well. You would know what works out for you, and you keep on going. Maybe these mechanics just do not like to change out the gears. I will be interested to see if anyone else knows more.
1 person likes this
@koopharper (7601)
• Canada
27 Sep 12
Your point does have some merit. That rear gear cluster is a royal pain in the backside to remove. It isn't such an issue for me because there are other reasons they have to be removed besides replacement. In cycling circles I'm what is known as a Clydesdale. Racing wheels for bicycles are engineered for riders weighing 160 pounds. I'm not sure about mountain bike wheels but it probably the same. I weigh 210 (I'm tall and right within my ideal weight range before someone decides I need to lose weight). This means every 8-10000 kilometers my spokes start giving out one at a time. That means replacing spokes or replacing the wheel. You can't change rear spokes without getting that gear cluster off.
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
28 Sep 12
I think you are right, they are just trying to get more money out of people that is all.
1 person likes this
@koopharper (7601)
• Canada
28 Sep 12
I think it's a money making thing. I think a lot of good cyclists are kind off sucked in on it in the name of keeping their gears from wearing out. The guy must believe it if he's changing his own every month.
@Eukenoru (43)
•
27 Sep 12
I find that rather odd as well. Since they are in the business to make money though I guess quality isn't as important to them.
They do that with a lot of products nowadays and yes frankly it irritates me.
$210 is definitely worth saving rather than having those gears last longer. =D
Happy mylotting!~
1 person likes this
@koopharper (7601)
• Canada
27 Sep 12
$210 is a decent whole new bike. I just don't understand spending $240 dollars to save a $20 part from wearing out.
