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Coffee shop tune-up trap in Portland got me questioning everything
I stopped by this trendy bike cafe in Portland last weekend, the kind where they charge $120 for a basic tune and call it artisanal. Watched the mechanic use a torque wrench on every single bolt, even the seat clamp, and take 40 minutes just on the drivetrain. Meanwhile my old shop in Detroit would knock out the same job in 15 minutes flat and the bikes ran fine for years. Everyone online raves about this meticulous approach, but I think it's overkill for a commuter bike that sees rain and potholes daily. The real skill is knowing when precision matters, not acting like every cable housing is brain surgery. Has anyone else seen this fancy workshop trend price out the working rider who just needs a solid shift?
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young.kim29d agoMost Upvoted
Won't that torque wrench save you from a cracked frame later?
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