> Bikes are pretty low maintenance, the repairs are usually fairly simple Most forks and rear shocks require full service yearly or more frequently (typically

> Bikes are pretty low maintenance, the repairs are usually fairly simple Most forks and rear shocks require full service yearly or more frequently (typically every 100 to 200 hours). It is not that simple and requires experience and tools. Tubeless tires are messy. Bleeding breaks is another thing I would rather not do at home. And frankly, I can never setup my derailleur as well as my mechanic. > the parts are cheap Shocks, forks, transmission components, performance wheels are easily in the iPhone category and beyond. Clothing, protection, accessories, smaller components like handlebar stems or seatposts are still usually in the three digit range. You would be surprised to know how much consumables like chains and tires can cost per year. > low volume service I might be living in a place where both MTB and road cycling are very popular, but bike mechanics have so much work that they redirect clients to each other. > If a bike is really damaged it usually makes more sense to just replace it wholesale Full suspension bikes can easily have a $2K frame and $2K worth of components. Unless it was hit by a freight train, the bike is almost never completely destroyed by a crash. So it makes sense to replace what's broken. If the frame is solid, everything else is replaceable. As long as bikes are ridden hard, there is always work for mechanics, and it can be pretty expensive.