The "P" word...

One of the many things that have wanted to vent about lately evolves around proprietary parts that are spec'ed by bike companies. Believe me, there's a lot of that going around lately and even more to come...
My latest "episode" had to do with a Trek 5900, that in and of itself is a great bike. But, in an effort to shave off grams, they incorporated a "proprietary" bearing that, it's my understanding, was borrowed from Klein. It's the lower cartridge bearing of the headset. Otherwise known as the crown race bearing.
Anyway, to make a long story short, it's make specifically for Trek/Klein, and therefore has to be ordered thru a Trek dealer... oh god...
Cutting directly to the chase, I got Eric at Trek Technical Service on the blower and got the Trek part number as well as checked availability. Being a "RogueMechanic", I couldn't order it directly....(that's a topic for another time...). Soooooo, I called the closest Trek dealer (the name rhymes with Freedies....) and tried to cut to the chase and told them EXACTLY what I needed... including the Trek part number.... Well, I knew that they wouldn't have anything like it in stock and they assumed that I didn't know what I was talking about. After verifying that I did indeed have the correct part number, the guy said that it was going to run me $44.95. I said, "Ouch!... order me two." I was ready to give him my CC number to pay for the two bearings in advance when he said that I would have to come in to the store to order them... I was like.... you're kidding me. I was paying if full for both bearings and I STILL had to drive to the store to make the transaction.... I was not happy....
After repeating EVERYTHING to the clerk that was available, and being looked at like I have something growing out of my forehead, they took me card and said that it should be a week... We'll see. So, the "P" word is proprietary... More on that later. Thanks for reading and checking in. -John

Comments

[Jason]

Thankfully I do not have to deal with these issues since I ride surlys and salsas, not cervelos and felts (I don't even know if these require P-parts, but you get my drift).

It seems to me that this is a tradeoff that the consumers of these high end machines are demanding. They are willing to tradeoff performance (strength and weight) for the headaches of p-parts. This trend will further complicate the mechanic's job, refining their trade and justifying higher rates. So in the end, it is in the mechanic's best interest for the manufactures to complicates the industry with p-parts.

Of course this does not go for our Rouge Mechanic who has the riders' interests at heart!

[Keith]

I've lately been toying with the idea of building-up a 29" single-speed mountain bike; I'm researching frame manufacturers, and there are currently 4 or 5 on my short list.

I recently removed the top contender from the list due to its use of a proprietary eccentric bottom bracket.

If I buy a frame that uses standard parts, and the manufacturer goes out of business, I still have a ridable frame.

If I buy a frame that uses proprietary parts, and the manufacturer goes out of business, I have an expensive piece of wall art.