Dawes Super Galaxy MOT

[indy]

I have a Dawes Super Galaxy which I bought new in about 1994. It was regularly and WELL used up until 3 or so years ago. I'm looking to get back with it so to speak BUT..... a number of parts need replacing along with damn good service.

I currently have bar end shifters which I'd like to replace with brake leaver type shifters. This is a comfort thing rather than it needing to be done. The crank at the front and bottom bracket are totally worn and would probably need replacing, the pedals both broken (lost ball bearings) would also need replacing. I guess that if the front bits are replaced then the back will have to be as well?????

I don't have the tools or knowledge to approach this project myself so am looking for a decent bike shop in the (north?) London area. My budget is NOT bottomless and would like to get this done for the least amount possible but still getting a quality service.

So....

Would I be better sourcing the parts in sales then getting them fitted OR getting the bike shop to do everything? I rather like the look of Campagnolo but can't see what would work well with a tourer rather than a racer!

Can anyone recommend a good value honest bike shop in London? I've had experience of 2 well known chains and both times I came away feeling ripped off

Any other advice would be greatly appreciated!

Indy.....

[531colin]

Any other advice would be greatly appreciated!

Indy.....

Any advice appreciated? You wont like this advice, but its good advice.....

1 You dont know enough to buy parts. Parts have to be compatible.

2 If the budget is tight, ditch the new levers....about £100 and up a pair.

3 If you want a skilled mechanic to work on your bike, and a knowledgeable person to advise you, dont go somewhere they pay national minimum wage. Skill and knowledge cost. When you cant do something yourself, its churlish to begrudge somebody making an honest living.

[thirdcrank]

Just to support what 531colin says here's the workshop page for Ellis Briggs. A reputable bike shop with which I have no connection except as a customer. They're in West Yorkshire, rather than London, but they do publish their charges. Note that at the bottom it says £25 per hour for EB bikes, £35 per hour for other makes. May sound steep but it's a lot less than a motor garage.

http://www.ellisbriggscycles.co.uk/workshop.php

[horizon]

indy: given your lack of tools and knowledge and your disinclination to acquire them, I would recommend you put it in for a full service and strip down. Edinburgh Cycles (not London) do this for £89 plus parts but other retailers (see below for one in London) seem to be following suit at a similar price. If there really is something wrong with your BB/drive train, they can repair it and put in the right parts. You should end up with a good bike for little effort and not too much outlay. As others have said, forget the STIs, forget Campag, just make it a jolly useful SG again and if you are still not happy, flog it on ebay with a clear conscience.

http://www.bikeworks.org.uk/maintenance-repairs.php

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/comms/s ... vicing.htm

[indy]

Any other advice would be greatly appreciated!

Indy.....

Any advice appreciated? You wont like this advice, but its good advice.....

1 You dont know enough to buy parts. Parts have to be compatible.

2 If the budget is tight, ditch the new levers....about £100 and up a pair.

3 If you want a skilled mechanic to work on your bike, and a knowledgeable person to advise you, dont go somewhere they pay national minimum wage. Skill and knowledge cost. When you cant do something yourself, its churlish to begrudge somebody making an honest living.

Thanks for the reply..... There doesn't seem to be a word in the English language that describes paying an honest price for something. You say 'Budget' and people automatically think you mean you'd begrudge somebody minimum wage!!! I don't, but like in all industries there are people and business out there that wouldn't give a second thought to charging as much as they can get away with regardless. I just want to pay the 'honest' price for the job.

If the levers cost over £100 then thats fine I'll pay that. I'm sure that some levers are over £500, by budget I mean I want to pay an amount that gets me some good quality, robust levers without the cutting edge top of the range price price tag.

Indy...

[531colin]

Sorry, I wasn't clear, was I? I will try again.

The biggest national chain who do mainly car stuff, but have "specialist" bike boutiques too, pay their employees minimum wage. They charge based on what it costs to run head office, national advertising, modern chrome and glass shops, and all the other overheads.

In proper bike shops, you are not paying for the surroundings, which are traditionally threadbare. You are hopefully paying for good staff, who command more than minimum wage. Obviously its good to get a recommendation based on local knowledge, but in the absence of that, visit a couple of shops and follow your instincts. Small shops will have a small pool of employees, which means that if somebody does a poor job, there is a good chance they will have to face the customer themselves, and then get a carpeting from the owner.