Need to let of some steam

[KiwiCol]

That's a great shop & deal you have there Col.  Lucky bloke.

[Leyther]

There is nowt for free, its all absorbed in the profit, some make more profit than others and its without doubt that there are big profit margins, Well done to those eeking out the best deals. Personally and with my circumstances i go with what suits, is competitively priced and is convenient which for me is taking the wheels in rather than drive through, I would need convincing that tyre fitters were capable and competent of removing and refitting bike wheels if I went for the drive through option, as we all know bike wheels can take some setting up.............. unlike conventional car wheels.

[Blubber]

I think the guy who runs the shop @Michael Whitney goes to.. does not like his work.


To give you an idea how "my"shop is for me:

I bring my loose wheels and supply my new tires to my friendly bike shop, 3 towns away ( that is just a 15 minute drive by car  )

He is grateful for not having to order the tires becauses its saves him time and temp. storage.

It is a one man all brands repair and maintenance shop. ( Ruud from Postma motoren in Haarlem - the Netherlands )

He fits the new ones, balances them, checks the bearings, disposes the old tires. 

Total cost of that service is € 15 and i get a cup of tea.

I have lent numerous tools off him, used his shop lathe / welder for a project... even synced carbs in his workshop on my GL1100 project... all for the cost of a roll of biscuits.

If he thinks i can help him, he is not afraid to ask 

What might have contributed to that , is that we are about the same age, we went to the same school, had the same teachers and he too has an genuine interest in bikes. It's not "just" work.

Because of that, i buy my mirrors, blinkers, batteries, chains,l general maintenance stuff at his place with a discount and some times a freebee ( chain spray or the sorts )

[Andre]

Sounds like you are buddies 

I avoid the repair shops like the plaque. The suspension guy was very good, however. For the dough I shelled out to get the shocks repaired and overhauled, he better be  Will be back to get the fork done. Could do the basic things, like seal replacement, myself but there is more to it. For now, whenever that will be,  fork oil change will have to do it.

Tire change is done at the tire shop. It's in walking distance, so I load the wheels on a dolly. Buying the equipment does not pay. I could have the wheels powder coated a few times for that mammon if they get scratched up enough.

[Proteous]

Ahh well i have about 8 tyre places in my town but i travel approx 20 miles to my local BIKE ONLY tyre and MOT place. They are actualy right next door to a second hand bike shop too so i always have a nose around the bike shop while i wait for my tyres to be done.. I would NEVER trust a car tyre place to do my tyres lol