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I was briefly listening to R4 at lunch time some article about the potential for growth in certain types of Repair services for consumer goods, it was abit broad sweeping they talked about Darning socks Vs popping to primark for some new ones, and resoling trainers but it got me thinking generally about MTB kit and how quick some people are to write off damaged equipment...
How many people would consider (or do already) using repair services for damaged/worn bike kit, I'm talking about any and all types of kit here from frames, forks, wheels, etc through to clothing, footwear and packs....
And more importantly what are the main things you would rather get repaired rather than replace?
[b]Repairs:[/b]
Clothing, footwear, pack, tubes, minor tyre damage and some accessories such as light mounts, mudguards etc.
[b]Replace:[/b]
Frame, helmet and components (not worth the risk in my opinion)
EDIT: Steel frame might be an exception.
Surely it's about cost, people weigh that up and decide based on that, not that sure bikes are a particularly relevant example.
If I wear out my jockey wheels I buy new ones. If I break the cage on the mech and the jockeys are a bit worn I'll probably replace the whole mech, as the parts are disproportionately expensive.
A cheap bike may be beyond economic repair if the transmission is gone and the wheel bearings are shot, whilst for others you'd be daft not to repair.
If it makes sense to replace it, I'll replace it. If it makes sense to repair, I'll do that!
I spent two hours last night stitching up some torn winter tights, two tops and a glove. Time well spent.
My Question is really what would people get repaired rather than outright replace.
Yes I expect cost is the main driver in most cases but then there are things which cost a significant amount new (riding jackets are a good example IMO) which can actually be repaired/reproofed pretty extensively but Im not sure how many people actually realise they can do/get this done...
Personally I'd always repair a wheel but I know some people see wheels as a single item; a bent rim = a new pair of Hoops to some people...
I suppose the other thing I'm interested in is, are tighter finances pushing people who would normally opt to replace items more towards considering repairing kit.
I've been thinking about this too and wondering how many Single trackers are having to make do and mend or go for cheaper replacement options. Money is pretty tight for me at the moment so when the bearings went on my xtr jocky wheel it was replaced with one from an old xt one. I got a few months of life out of cassette and chain from the spares box and when they gave up the ghost I replaced with a deore cassette and chain for £25 from Merlin. I guess I'd rather have cheap kit or bodge old parts and keep riding..... Doesn't stop me drooling over all the nice stuff I see on here but I am happy with what I've got and I enjoy riding regularly.
I buy new shiney top end stuff for my race bike.
Next year it will be on my spare race bike.
The year after it will be on the big bike
The following year it will be on the SS
Then it will go onto the commuter until it is properly finished.
Bodges seem to accumilate along the way, always happy to mend stuff for the bikes lower down the list. Also loath to throw bits away as can often make one working thing from two broken things.