![[VIC] 50% off RACV Bike Assist - $23.50 for 12 Months @ RACV](https://files.ozbargain.com.au/n/81/757981.jpg?h=322907b4)
BIKE_50
Saw on Facebook. 50% Off RACV Bike Assist with the code 'BIKE_50'. Until March 15th.
Like roadside assistance but with your bike. Seems to be decent value with 8 pick-ups valued at $50 each.
[VIC] 50% off RACV Bike Assist - $23.50 for 12 Months @ RACV
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Lmalachite on 20/02/2023 - 09:58 racv.com.au (1377 clicks)
Last edited 20/02/2023 - 11:49 by 2 other users
Last edited 20/02/2023 - 11:49 by 2 other users
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I didnt get the RACV member cards for joining the bikr assist.
I'm sure it is discussed in that forum. From memory, you had to request it and the RACV staff then enabled it.
I certainly have one, resulting from that deal.
Is there something like that for QLD?
Thanks, about $50 a year?
Used to have it for a year. Tried to use it once. After 15 mins of confirming details:
- „Sorry no Uber is available“
- „Sorry no Taxi available either“
-„Ver sorry maybe you can organise it yourself and then send us an email stating you would like to be reimbursed?“Wasted 30 mins and just had to end up calling a friend to come pick me up.
On the flip side, I had no bullshitting around.
My tubeless tyre wouldn't seal. Called them up and was home within 30-40mins.
Or if you have RACV 'total Care' it's included or can consider upgrading to total care
https://www.racv.com.au/on-the-road/roadside-assistance/tota…
Their service is terrible. It took 1h to send someone that new nothing about bikes. Then I asked for a Taxi (as they claim a Van). After another 1h they sent a sedan and the driver refused to carry my bike.
What was the outcome / what did RACV say or do in the end?
A friend helped me out. After complaining RACV extended my service for free for one year!
Did you accept the membership extension as settlement?
I will ask to get some extension if I could later,
there's original Bike assist program run by Bicycle network, I did have membership with them before but never called up few years ago, I wonder how the quality of them are, they claim they call organize to have service serve in 10 minutes.,
I enjoyed RACV Bike assist but I agree of Fareed,
I used service about 5 times past few months,
first few times were taxi service which was hit and miss, first taxi was van, driver drives crazy and wasn't able to claim so silvertop taxi wouldn't able to get their money back from RACV. second and third time were great smooth as silk, last time took me on the road waiting for taxi for 30 minutes, called back and requested to send support to my home instead and walked 25 minutes with broken bike then RACV guy came and pumping with handpump he had (my roadbike valve is smaller one so not compatible with their car air pump) then he mentioned valve isn't right perhaps I need to change the valve as it's leaking.
I investigated that night and it's actually tube that was torn off and I have purchased from Amazon and replaced myself,
In short, when you use taxi service RACV service can be good but in busy period or not in the right area, you might not be able to get the support.
Overall, it is good value but service quality you will experience vary.
I agree. I think if the problem is anything other than a simple puncture, it is better not wait for the service and ask for a van.
can't expect even basic puncture resolved:
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/comment/13403947/redir
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/comment/13403840/redirDon't waste your time and request for a taxi at all scenarios instead.
I used service about 5 times past few months,
In 40 years of cycling (from my first bike at aged 7) both off road MTB and road cycling I have never had situation where I have not been able to get home myself (I carry a small kit of pump, tube, patch, chain breaker, chain link) Once I even snapped the frame on the seat tube..
and you have had 5 n the past few months ? I am bewildered :)
Similar experience for me. I had a guy turn up who refused to look at my bike because it is an e-bike, which was ridiculous. He wouldn’t budge from his opinion that all the components on e-bikes are different… all I needed was a tube repair for the (very standard) rear wheel! He drove off and I then waited 2hrs for a van to come pick me and the bike up.
Customer service was disappointing as well, they didn’t care and did not follow up on my complaint following.Totally agree, used it once and will not use it again, total waste of time. They sent a guy who took 45 mins to get there, and when he arrived it was clear he was just a standard roadside assist person with absolutely no training or knowledge of bikes. And they had given him barely any gear. He literally didn't know how to take the tyre off the wheel, and he tried to apply a patch to a puncture without glue because he had run out (note: not a glueless patch). Then he offered a small selection of replacement tubes which were all clearly the wrong size, but he didn't know. Not his fault the poor guy, if RACV want to sell a bike assist service they need to properly train and equip their service staff. It really is a joke.
In the end they ordered me a taxi which took another 30 min to arrive, and I got home very tired and cold and annoyed.So you're telling me I shouldn't just wheel a bike with a flat tyre around everywhere and use this to get a free taxi 8 times a year?
Do you get all the benefits of RACV?
yes you are.
Excuse me for my ignorance, but what are the benefits of RACV?
Are we talking these? https://www.racv.com.au/membership/member-benefits.htmlYes - the movie tickets and other discounts you usually get for being a RACV member.
Got this last time there was a deal used it twice and was sent a taxi - overall good service for RACV waited 10 minutes longer the 2nd time for a taxi but nothing to complain about. will be using this again if i can.
Wouldn't most people be better off, $-wise and convenience-wise, just calling a maxitaxi themselves?
The cost of one maxi would likely be more than the deal?
Fine, then ask a friend or relative for a lift?
It's just a bike, surely you know someone with a vehicle large enough to transport it as a one-off favour.
I guess if you're a frequent/serious biker who frequently runs into trouble the $ value may be there, but then as other posters have said already - carrying a small repair kit and learning to fix those problems yourself prob works out much better in terms of speed & $ of repairs anyway.
I'm not seeing the value of this service even at a discount tbh, particularly after reading about the long waits and incompetent results.
1 maxi and it pays for itself. Having a mate with a ute/large car ready to go within an hour or so at a moments notice everytime you ride is not realistic. Especially during weekdays. Most of the time yea you'll have the option but if only once you need a maxi it's worth it. Not including the peace of mind plus the RACV membership benefits.
Some may find that the membership cost is worth it for the RACV Member discounts alone.
My friends cost more than this
I guess only for cyclists in Victoria?
surely you would be better off walking
You can join RACV bike assist when you need it as well. There are no waiting periods.
Not really a deal unless you want other benefits of RACV.Good price. Paid full price just before Christmas. Haven't had to use it yet.
I signed up during the $10 deal last year just for the cheap movie tickets :) Have definitely saved more than $10 so it has been worth it for me, even though I never used it for bike assistance.
I wonder if this code can be used to extend current service for another 12 months? EDIT: doesn't look like you can :(
Highly sceptical about the level of service they can provide. It's not like they have a team of bike mechanics on call 247, nor do they have any contracts with LBS to summon their mechanics.
Who are the people send to assist? Uber drivers doing a side hustle who are already on a side hustle?
Better to learn to fix your bike and plan your routes, if all else fails, a family member or friend is always more reliable.
According to their description, their assistance covers two things:
1) replace 4 types of tire tube (or patching)
2) transport support2) doesn't require any roadside service knowledge, and 1) is pretty straightforward. If 1 isn't compatible/successful, just go to option 2.
They don't require specialist bike mechanics for those options.
Best advice.
Sounds like the level of service is poor because of dodgy Taxis (surprise surprise), maybe perhaps with contacts can find a way to swap to using Uber or some other ride share that offers consistency and better levels of service?
WARNING #1:
NEVER ask for a mechanic to come to help you. Last time I had a puncture (but didn't carry my own tubes), they sent a car mechanic, with tyre tubes and they didn't even know which tubes were the correct one. I asked for a tube for 38mm tyre, the mechanic gave me a 28mm tube with 38mm valve. Similar experience to https://www.ozbargain.com.au/comment/13403250/redirThe mechanic didn't even know how to remove the tyres and only had a hand pump as well to inflate the tube (no floor pump with gauge). After this annoying interaction, I just simply asked them to send a taxi instead.
WARNING #2:
I've used the taxi 3 times (due to the above issue once, and 2 more cause I had muscle injury. At all times, the taxi company will try their best to send a non-maxi taxi even though RACV roadside assist had always assured me that it will be a Maxi Taxi. Similar to https://www.ozbargain.com.au/comment/13403102/redir , one time they sent a Ford Territory but I didn't have my bike tool with me to take off both wheels to fit in the boot of the car. So they then had to send another taxi that I had to wait (1hour 45 mins) total wait time just in Nunawading area.I won't be downvoting this as it is still a good value for free 8 pick ups back to your car or the nearest train station. A friend of mine said that you can even ride to the pub and when you're drunk you can still call RACV to get a ride home with your bike.
However, if you want to use this service, only use it for the free Maxi Taxi service, not bike mechanic. And if you do call RACV for a taxi, the next step is a taxi company will be calling you to confirm your booking. This is another step where you have to keep reminding them that you need the taxi coming to pick you up is a Maxi Taxi.
"Like roadside assistance but with your bike."
I think a lot of the issues (warnings) seem to come from misplaced expectations like the above. While bike roadside assistance would be great, that's not what this is. There are really only 2 services offered, but they cover most situations.
1) The only mechanical service offered is puncture/tube replacement. They can either replace 4 types of tubes, or put a patch on.
2) The other assistance offered, for any mechanical fault or other need is transport/taxi. So for any other mechanical problem, or if the above is not successful, that's the other option.If you know what tube you need, or what you're looking to achieve, then the product is very useful. But if you go in expecting them to look at any bike problem you have and you don't know what tube size you have if it is a puncture (so may waste time if they're not able to replace it), then you will be unsatisfied, as that's not what they're offering, so it will just waste time on both sides.
Basically:
1) Know your tire/tube size in advance.
2) Only ask for service if it is a flat/puncture, with a compatible tube size they offer.
3) For anything else, know they offer a taxi service and request that.Service #1 can't be expected of them:
1. The mechanics do not even know how to take the wheels off let alone taking the tyres off the wheels.
2. They do not have a floor pump. It is terribly hard to pump a road bike tyre (23mm-25mm) using a hand pump as you need 100PSI at least. It's possible with high quality hand pumps (or oxygen cannisters) but they only carry cheap sub-$20 hand pumps.
3. I asked over the phone if the mechanics would have tubes for 38mm tyres and they couldn't confirm as the customer service do not have the information on what the mechanics carry with themThe bike assist page states what size tubes they carry
https://www.racv.com.au/on-the-road/roadside-assistance/bike…
Looks like there are only 4 sizes
700c/27-28 inch diam x 18-28 mm width with 60mm/presta valve
700c/27-28 inch diam x 28-45 mm width with 60mm/presta valve
20 inch diam x 1.5-2.5 inch width with 40mm/schrader valve
700c/27-28 inch diam x 28-45 mm width with 40mm/schrader valvethats interesting that its listed properly on the website but the person whom i spoke to on the phone didnt know and couldn't determine.
but my actual experience was they didnt have the tyre tube that i needed the last time i called for a mechanic. they don't even have a floor pump.
Worked for a taxi company, it's entirely up to the discretion of the taxi driver as to what they will take, if your bike is dirty at all expect a refusal. A maxi driver might take it but they are in short supply.
If they were serious about this they would work with the taxi companies to make this kind of fair a condition upon booking and train the drivers to only accept the job if they're willing to transport a bike. As is, between the underpaid booking taker and drivers, they're likely to arrive at the job and refuse leading to frustration for all parties.
Disclaimer: Things may have changed in the last 2 years.
i agree with you in that RACV haven't thought this through. I don't think they have done well with the agreement that they had with the taxi companies regarding the availability of maxi taxis.
Its probably alot easier to carry a myki, couple of tubes and c02 canisters and then learn how to change them, maybe even a spare chain link and tool.
if you get stuck near a train station you can always hitch a ride back into the city too, obviously this only works in central areas.
yes, but still, its poor form for RACV to sell you a complete package that allows you to not think about all the things you just said but then fails to deliver.
if you actually ask them, they said that this service coverage is all over Victoria with the caveat that in rural areas, there wont be many mechanic available and the taxi will be the only option. they also said the taxi ETA will be averaging 1 hour in rural areas.
however, this is not even true in metro melbourne as Maxi Taxis usually get prioritised for disabled people so even in Metro Melbourne you need an average of 1 hour wait for the taxi anyway.
Wonder how well it would work to have your bike "stole " and needing just the taxi service from the city?
I reckon you can still do it as the taxi company doesn't even check if you got a bike anyway since they have been sending non-maxi taxis many times.
thx.
It was cheaper in May last year https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/699569 but it is well worth it in my view, even at $23.50. You can get an RACV members card and all the RACV membership benefits.