Rant: A customer in Phoenix insisted his squeaky chain just needed more lube

This guy came into the shop last week with a chain that sounded awful. I told him it was worn out and needed replacing, but he said he'd just put a whole bottle of Tri-Flow on it at home. I showed him the stretch with my Park Tool gauge, and it was way past the 0.75 mark. He finally agreed to a new chain, but only after I let him try to 'fix' the old one with more lube right there on the stand. Has anyone else had a customer fight you on a simple wear check like that?

3 comments

3 Comments

theawest26d ago

Honestly, it's not even about the tool for some people. Tbh I've seen guys take it as a personal insult, like you're calling them a bad bike owner for letting it get that far. So they double down on the lube because admitting they need a new chain feels like losing.

the_amy26d ago

That 0.75 reading is wild. Did he think the gauge was lying, or just not understand what it meant?

derek9391h ago

My buddy had a guy bring in a 10-speed with a chain at 1.2 on the checker. The customer said it was just dirty and asked for a can of degreaser instead.