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While actually working as a bike mechanic, I had a lady bring in her two kids bikes because she wanted them sorted for a holiday. They'd been left outdoors, unused, since the previous year's holiday. I had a look at them, appraised her of the condition and likely repair cost and suggested she simply hire a couple of bikes if that was the only time they were used. She was genuinely appreciative of my honesty and grateful for the suggestion - an approach she'd never considered.
It's nice to be nice. Folk appreciate a bit of honesty.
So…have just seen the lady’s bike. It’s meant to be her daughter’s bike, apparently the daughter wants to do a London to Brighton ride, but wants something to “get into cycling again”.
The 4 weeks leading up to the big London - Brighton charity ride was always absolutely solid at the London bike shop I used to work at. Folk bringing in heaps of junk that hand't been ridden since the previous L2B, had been stored in a shed all year...
We could often point out that £200 worth of repairs to a bike that had mouse-chewed tyres and a rust-encrusted drivetrain would be better put towards a new bike.
Good work on getting out of it so well!
Suggested by an office worker with no useful skills.
🙂 🙂
someone recommended my skills on our village’s FB page
That's a criminal offence!! 😆
Almost as bad, but not quite, is people asking my buying advice. They know I'm a "keen cyclist" so are coming to me with.. "I'm thinking of buying an (you guessed it!) EBIKE. Can you advise".
It's hard to say "Er, **** off!" especially to your own brother and your mum's partner 🤣🤣
The reminded me of something that happened a few years back. I had a message from someone I used to date that went along the lines of "I want to get into cycling and I want a full suss bike like yours. I won't spend more than £300 though. Can you find one for me?"
My response went along the lines of "If I could've bought something like a Specialized Enduro for £300, I'd have bought that, not a Specialized Enduro".
Be glad your not an ex car mechanic....
I have a bit of sympathy - I mean everyone starts somewhere. Selling some of those BSO's should be illegal though, better off with a S/H fixie for that money.
In our local bike workshop there's allsorts. £3k DH bikes in for a puncture repair. Stacks of BSO's ready for recycling. They are good though - will always let you use tools in exchange for a decent donation. I think that's the way forward, doing it all for free means they'll bring it back after another 5 years of neglect.
- Dirty bike - won’t touch it.
- Can afford professional repair costs but too tight - won’t touch it.
- Assumes professional seniority means I’ll do it - won’t touch it.
- Piss taker - won’t touch it.
- Short of cash, appreciative and will assist - it’s my pleasure.
- Build bike to allow someone an affordable commute - let’s do it!
– Dirty bike – won’t touch it.
– Can afford professional repair costs but too tight – won’t touch it.
– Assumes professional seniority means I’ll do it – won’t touch it.
– Piss taker – won’t touch it.
– Short of cash, appreciative and will assist – it’s my pleasure.
– Build bike to allow someone an affordable commute – let’s do it!
whats your opinion on "can afford repair costs but wants to learn".
I'm indebted to my friends who have taught me everything from tubeless, to brake bleeds, to fork servicing over the years. Assistance varying from "borrow this tool and watch this video", to basically doing it infront of me.
I'll help anyone.
So if someone says can you show me or can you check it after I've done it that's fine