Are there bike shops that offer same-day service (or loaner bikes) for cargo bikes in your area?

[martinlj]

One barrier, in my opinion, to widespread adoption of cargo bikes is that most bike shops still use a service model where people expect to be without their bike for a week or two while it's being repaired. But if you use your cargo bike as your primary mode of transportation, having it in the shop for so long isn't viable, particularly if your bike is a car replacement.

I live in a small-ish town (Chapel Hill, NC), but suspect this is a challenge most places. Do we think we'll ever get to a model where cargo bike maintenance is treated more like car maintenance (same-day service, loaner vehicles, pleasant waiting rooms)? Or is there something about bike maintenance that makes this difficult?

 

[holzwurm]

This seems to be a worldwide problem. Here in Germany, maintenance and/or repairs often take weeks.

 

[laney]

Sometimes if the repairs will take more than a few days, the local Trek store will give me a loaner bike. It's not a cargo bike, but it's better than no bike for a week.
I think this used to be company policy but is hit or miss at different stores now.

 

[Shaun Moulds]

Same here in Sheffield UK, we have thousands of daily cyclists and it still takes a week minimum. A friend of mine was without her bike for 4months recently as the chainring spider on her HiBike was back ordered... So it's not just a shop thing.
I used to work in the motor trade and of you wanted to be a dealer you had to provide a decent loner for customers.

 

[Bike Shop Girl]

One barrier, in my opinion, to widespread adoption of cargo bikes is that most bike shops still use a service model where people expect to be without their bike for a week or two while it's being repaired. But if you use your cargo bike as your primary mode of transportation, having it in the shop for so long isn't viable, particularly if your bike is a car replacement.

I live in a small-ish town (Chapel Hill, NC), but suspect this is a challenge most places. Do we think we'll ever get to a model where cargo bike maintenance is treated more like car maintenance (same-day service, loaner vehicles, pleasant waiting rooms)? Or is there something about bike maintenance that makes this difficult?

$$, parts warehouses, cost of space, trained mechanics, appointment based systems, so many things come into play.

A few things that made it easier for me to do this in Denver, Colorado was due to the availability of a parts warehouse 20 mins from the shop. I also was very niche and kept parts in to service my major bikes (Tern, Urban Arrow, and Riese & Müller). The closest dealer to Chapel Hill for Tern doesn't keep anything in stock for Tern.

Side note, if something is happening with your bike let me know

 

[martinlj]

Thanks for this input. I hope the tide turns on this sometime soon, as more and more people start using cargo bikes as a replacement for a car.

And—my bike does need some TLC. I think my local bike shop can handle it, but if not, I'll be in touch!

 

[Lolago]

I live in Philadelphia, and my local bike shop/tern dealer can usually accommodate same day service. If they can’t, the max I’ve had to wait is a day or two.

Additionally, any time I have dropped my bike off, the work is completed and ready for pick up same day. I have never asked about a loaner bike so I cannot speak to that.

 

[SeanYYC]

One barrier, in my opinion, to widespread adoption of cargo bikes is that most bike shops still use a service model where people expect to be without their bike for a week or two while it's being repaired. But if you use your cargo bike as your primary mode of transportation, having it in the shop for so long isn't viable, particularly if your bike is a car replacement.

I live in a small-ish town (Chapel Hill, NC), but suspect this is a challenge most places. Do we think we'll ever get to a model where cargo bike maintenance is treated more like car maintenance (same-day service, loaner vehicles, pleasant waiting rooms)? Or is there something about bike maintenance that makes this difficult?

We have the option to wait-while-we-work for maintenance issues that are pre-identified: Things like tire swaps, new chain/cogset install, new brake pads. Also have a lounge area with a comfy couch, coffeem Bubly's, and kids books.

 

[linnefaulk]

My LBS knows I can’t bring my bike in my car and can’t be without it so they work with me for service. The emergency service I have needed have been small and quick so they take care of me as soon as possible.