Ugh… So I took my bike to LBS for them to install a new bottom bracket and power meter. It was supposed to be a 1 day job but now they tell me it will take 3 days. I am going to blow through 2 workouts at least. So frustrated.
End of Rant…
I need suggestion, how can I continue training without my bike? Can I use the power reported on one of those gym bikes? probably not accurate at all…
Cross training (as mentioned earlier: strength training, running, etc).
Mimic your scheduled training on a gym bike as best as you can. No, the power levels are probably not very accurate. However, if you have been doing TR long enough you will know what an SS or threshold or VO2Max effort will feel like. You can even use your cycling computer and HR strap to monitor and record the effort.
Hi, LBS mechanic here. It doesn’t take three days to install a bottom bracket and power meter, which is probably why the shop quoted a turnaround of a day. There’s just some bad communication going on here, wither between the shop and the customer, or the customer and the forum. Likely some part or another had to be ordered, and that added two days to the lead time. Or something else was broken. I’ve been guilty of underestimating the time it’ll take to get something simple done so many times. Power meters that require a weird spacer kit, or a different length preload bolt, a bottom bracket shell that’s too out of round and requires a special bearing… these things happen. The thing that makes good service is communicating that to the customer.
But yeah, maybe don’t be so quick to throw the mechanic under the bus.
Invest time and little money into servicing / maintaining / building your own bike. it will be VERY rewarding.
You’ll spend some time but gain it back by not driving to the shop
You’ll spend a little money which you’ll save multiple times paying the shop
You’ll save a TON of headache cause bike shops tend to not care. (not all of them. there are good ones but very rare) They have hundreds of bikes they have to fix per day and just not make enough money to pay too much attention to your bike. You’ll end up doing a far better job.
I am mainly frustrated at the fact I am missing training time not really at the LBS or the mechanic.
You are right, the reason it is taking longer than 1 day is in fact because we ordered the wrong bottom bracket which is actually not their fault but Specialized since they told me my serial number had a BB30 instead of BSA bracket. If I knew anything about BB, I should have spotted this one.
My intent on the post was to get ideas on what to do to get a good workout without a bike and not lose fitness, or in my case more importantly the drive to continue working out…
To the other guys recommending that I do my own maintenance, I must say, I also agree., and I do. That said, a pressure fit BB is not straight forward if you dont know what you are doing (which I don’t, as you can see I ordered Specialized recommended bottom bracket and I thought it would be fine). This is the reason why I opted to go the LBS route for this installation. I also value my LBS mechanics a lot - they are great group of guys!
As always, I appreciate this forum and everyone’s contribution!
I’m sorry, that comment wasn’t directed at you. You’re just looking to continue training when you don’t have your bike, and I think that’s admirable (and on behalf of your bike shop, thank you for your patience). Hopefully you’re back on the bike soon (and running smooth)!