[mr_dove]

How much of a bikes assembly has to be done when the LBS takes it out of the box? Do they have to build the wheels? assemble the drive-train?

I ask this because I planning to buy a bike with mostly lx and deore components. I want to buy some xt components and have the shop assemble the bike with the xt instead of the deore stuff. I don't know if this would be lots of extra work for them, or if they would just do it anyways.

thanks

 

[Brian HCM#1]

Bikes come 90% assembled usally. Most come where you only have to install the stem/bar(already set up with shifters/levers/grips) and front wheel, pedals. When I'm building a prebuilt bike I remove the cranks & BB and regrease, retrue the wheels and check tension of the spokes adjust brakes and shifters adjust headset, grease seat post etc. Most good shops will upgrade parts on request.

 

[ChrisRobin]

Get the shop to install everything for you in one shot. It's easier for you (most of all). That's it, a good shop will appreciate the fact you're buying a bike from them that they won't charge you extra for installation of new parts.

 

[bomberz1qr20]

An XT/LX level bike will be pretty much 90%, high end bikes usually require a bit more. High end road bikes come with alot of the components still in the individual little cartons!

 

[Dave]

i hate it when i get the brown box with unbleed disc brakes...uggh.

 

[oldfart]

Built up a TREK 5200 last night out of the box. Had to install cables and adjust the throw and orientation of the front derailleur. Had to install bars and put the levers on and tape. Saddle was on the post and very crooked. Its just there to keep it all in one spot. Many of the small fasteners were greased but not all. The brake pads needed alignment. The bb had gobs of grease from the install as did the headset. Put the qr on the front wheel, removed the spoke reflectors and pumped up the tires. Put on the pedals. Trimmed cables.

 

[Universe]

At the shop I work at, ALL bikes have the BB removed, regreased, wheels repacked, headset repacked, wheels trued, then stressed and trued again.

 

[WTGPhoben]

Originally posted by Universe
At the shop I work at, ALL bikes have the BB removed, regreased, wheels repacked, headset repacked, wheels trued, then stressed and trued again.

(assuming you weren't kidding) how do you make money? The labor that would cost kills the margin on most any bike you'd sell. (but props to your shop if you can do that without going bankrupt. That's pretty sweet)

 

[oldfart]

That's exactly what we did at the shops I worked at. Most Vancouver shops do that. Fact is, shops here pretty much all offer free tune up type work for a year. If you build it right the first time, the bike is less likely to come back needing work and the customer is happier. Took me 2 hours to build up the wifes bike last night and I'm rusty. If I was working in a shop I could probably knock a half hour off that.

I think most shops also do not do that kind of prep on cheaper bikes. Then there is no margin for it.

 

[johnbryanpeters]

OK, oldfart, I'm confused. how does one grease a sealed BB?

J

 

[bomberz1qr20]

Originally posted by johnbryanpeters
OK, oldfart, I'm confused. how does one grease a sealed BB?

J

I'm sure he meant the threads. Most new bikes have oodles of grease coming out from everywhere from the factory assembly. They don't wipe it off in China.

And you CAN pop the seals on some sealed BB's and get more grease in there with a grease gun, Ive done it as a band-aid fix while waiting for a replacement.