About "Support local bike shops"
#26
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If you don't sell your house, spouse, and children and give all proceeds to the local bike shop, if you don't enter into indentured servitude, a lifetime contract guaranteeing them all your time and energy for lodgings in a dog house out back and daily rations of a can of dog food, if you don't also convince your friends to do likewise ... then You and you alone are responsible for the death of "cycling culture.
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Do you have XXXX spokes? No
Do you have XXXX shorts? No
Do you have XXXX shoes? NO
Do you have XXXX rim? No
But we will be happy to order it for you for an additional $30.
The topper for me was when I went into a bike shop for a Conti GP4000II. Tagged at $76, manager's wife tried to charge me $80. But the tag on the box says $76.
Well that is a mistake, the price is $80. BUT this time you got lucky and I will charge you only $76.
Oh, I got lucky? You know I can get the tire online for $36? I plan ahead, order 3 for free shipping and I get 3 for about the price I am going to pay her for one, and I got lucky?
Here is your tire, see ya!
Do you have XXXX shorts? No
Do you have XXXX shoes? NO
Do you have XXXX rim? No
But we will be happy to order it for you for an additional $30.
The topper for me was when I went into a bike shop for a Conti GP4000II. Tagged at $76, manager's wife tried to charge me $80. But the tag on the box says $76.
Well that is a mistake, the price is $80. BUT this time you got lucky and I will charge you only $76.
Oh, I got lucky? You know I can get the tire online for $36? I plan ahead, order 3 for free shipping and I get 3 for about the price I am going to pay her for one, and I got lucky?
Here is your tire, see ya!
#28
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Need some new cleats bad. 26 bucks shipped from amazonia. Arrives in a few days as I am not Prime member. LBS had them in the shop for 35. Can put them on tonight. Not really sure what I am going to do. I do not have money to burn like I did when I was young. 10 bucks is a burger.
#29
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Need some new cleats bad. 26 bucks shipped from amazonia. Arrives in a few days as I am not Prime member. LBS had them in the shop for 35. Can put them on tonight. Not really sure what I am going to do. I do not have money to burn like I did when I was young. 10 bucks is a burger.
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#30
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My money, my business..... Period. If someone doesn't like my choices, so what.
If you need an lbs for service, great. I haven't had a bike in a shop since 95, and that was only because I was too busy working out of town to do the job myself.
The only things I've been buying at the lbs lately are tubes, patches, and e-gels....And they stopped carrying the e-gels.
If you need an lbs for service, great. I haven't had a bike in a shop since 95, and that was only because I was too busy working out of town to do the job myself.
The only things I've been buying at the lbs lately are tubes, patches, and e-gels....And they stopped carrying the e-gels.
#31
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So your first post on BF is to argue with someone's dumb post on Facebook?
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#35
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I support local bike shops located all over the world.
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#37
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Two years ago I bought a Madone from the LBS. Last year I bought a gravel bike on-line. While I like the LBS owner a lot and do enjoy hanging out with the folks at the shop some, the only thing I really need them for is warranty work. They have a tough row to hoe to stay around in my opinion.
I think over time Zwift/Pelaton will have an impact as well.
I think over time Zwift/Pelaton will have an impact as well.
#38
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I do both, I buy online and I buy from my LBS. Getting ready to buy my second bike from them, but my last bike I built with parts bought online, but now the money from selling that bike is going to the LBS for the new bike, it's the circle of (bike) life.
LBS' that won't service other brands are only hurting themselves. My LBS had no issues working on my first bike that I bought from another store.
They also have beer, so that def helps.
LBS' that won't service other brands are only hurting themselves. My LBS had no issues working on my first bike that I bought from another store.
They also have beer, so that def helps.
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#39
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A long time ago, one of the owners of my LBS told me he doesn't care if someone brings in parts they bought elsewhere. I have seen them assemble bikes direct bikes for people. They do good work and charge accordingly. I know they were pretty unhappy when Trek started selling online. That program kinda stinks for the shop, they ended up with bikes they didn't want because it turned out the person ordered the wrong bike. They dumped trek, and now the closest trek dealer is a lawnmower shop.
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#40
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Even the clothing side of shops make it nearly impossible to want to support their kids for them.
I saw a jersey I like online. $35, ordered Sunday night, on my doorstep from halfway across the country on the third working day.
A second jersey I liked and a $5 discount using the gift card the online seller sent along with the first purchase....AND A FREE PAIR OF SOCKS!
Received my shipment and another gift card, another pair of socks.
Found a super good price on a cool jersey and using he gift card, got one for $19 (sale price and $5 discount). The second $24 sale price. Received all shipments within 2 to 3 working days from across the country.
Ended up ordering about 7 jerseys that month, all great prices, great service and the online shop ended up throwing in a couple of key chains of little bicycle can opener thingies. All with $5 gift cards and free socks for each jersey ordered.
Went to a local shop. They asked if I was interested in buying a shop jersey. Trying to help them out, I said OK and the jersey looked decent. $80 discount price and a promised it within 1 month. I paid up front, to be nice, then it ended up taking 4 months to get this overpriced free advertising billboard jersey.
Walk into several local bike shops. Looking for a basic florescent color jersey to use while riding at night. Nothing but overpriced team advertising jerseys.
Really tough to support the local shops even in the clothing department when you get so much more online. Buy 7 jerseys THAT I WANT AND LIKE, get 7 free pair of socks , gift card with each shipment, and 2 of these cool little key chain bike thingies.
Sorry man, I get so much more online for my money.
I saw a jersey I like online. $35, ordered Sunday night, on my doorstep from halfway across the country on the third working day.
A second jersey I liked and a $5 discount using the gift card the online seller sent along with the first purchase....AND A FREE PAIR OF SOCKS!
Received my shipment and another gift card, another pair of socks.
Found a super good price on a cool jersey and using he gift card, got one for $19 (sale price and $5 discount). The second $24 sale price. Received all shipments within 2 to 3 working days from across the country.
Ended up ordering about 7 jerseys that month, all great prices, great service and the online shop ended up throwing in a couple of key chains of little bicycle can opener thingies. All with $5 gift cards and free socks for each jersey ordered.
Went to a local shop. They asked if I was interested in buying a shop jersey. Trying to help them out, I said OK and the jersey looked decent. $80 discount price and a promised it within 1 month. I paid up front, to be nice, then it ended up taking 4 months to get this overpriced free advertising billboard jersey.
Walk into several local bike shops. Looking for a basic florescent color jersey to use while riding at night. Nothing but overpriced team advertising jerseys.
Really tough to support the local shops even in the clothing department when you get so much more online. Buy 7 jerseys THAT I WANT AND LIKE, get 7 free pair of socks , gift card with each shipment, and 2 of these cool little key chain bike thingies.
Sorry man, I get so much more online for my money.
Last edited by TheDudeIsHere; 02-03-20 at 12:54 PM.
#41
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Fortunately I do my own wrenching, build my own bikes, and build my own wheels as well.
Looking for a hub at the local shop, $149 for the rear Ultegra hub alone (4 different shops same price).
Online, FRONT AND REAR, SAME HUBS $123 free shipping.
Big difference in price and the shop did not have the spokes I needed to build my wheel. They could order for me but I would have to buy 2 boxes in order to get what I need and have several leftovers for no reason.
I had to go online to buy the spokes I needed, individual spokes as well, I could buy a box and a few extras to equal the amount I needed. NOT TO MENTION, THE ONLINE SHOP TOSSED IN 3 EXTRA SPOKES AND NIPS NO EXTRA CHARGE!!!
Looking for a hub at the local shop, $149 for the rear Ultegra hub alone (4 different shops same price).
Online, FRONT AND REAR, SAME HUBS $123 free shipping.
Big difference in price and the shop did not have the spokes I needed to build my wheel. They could order for me but I would have to buy 2 boxes in order to get what I need and have several leftovers for no reason.
I had to go online to buy the spokes I needed, individual spokes as well, I could buy a box and a few extras to equal the amount I needed. NOT TO MENTION, THE ONLINE SHOP TOSSED IN 3 EXTRA SPOKES AND NIPS NO EXTRA CHARGE!!!
#43
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I stopped at a LBS that I've frequented many times over the years and bought a bottle of chain lube. The owner made a comment along the lines of "that'll keep the lights on". It really caught me by surprise so I didn't comment on it. Normally he's been nothing but friendly, and even gave me patch kits "at cost" one time when he learned I was working a charity bike repair event. Oh well, maybe he was just in a sore mood that day.
#44
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No one will be a complete ass to your face... That is what the internet is for, hence my question.
I know there are strong onions on LBS, and I just wanted to know where stuff like vintage bikes or self built bikes fell on the spectrum.
#45
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Personally I don't mind spending extra at a LBS on parts. But if I have to wait a week for them to order it, or they don't even carry the bike I want, what is the point? I bought a rear light from a shop a little while ago and the light stopped working (it wouldn't turn off). Reading the amazon reviews, it appears several people had the same problem. When I went back to the shop 3 days latter, the cashier wanted the original receipt (didn't have it). Even though I spent over $800 there that day, they really wanted the original receipt. Luckily the manager overheard and corrected the situation, but I couldn't help realize that not only would I have saved $3.00 on the light if I purchased it on amazon, but I would have had zero issue returning it.
Honestly, a LBS warranty is worth $200 of shop time/a few hours of my own time. Bikes are pretty simply mechanical machines that only require basic tools.
Honestly, a LBS warranty is worth $200 of shop time/a few hours of my own time. Bikes are pretty simply mechanical machines that only require basic tools.
#46
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The only bike shop I found where the owner was knowledgeable, friendly and honest to a fault went out of business.
I guess that shows what you need to do to stay in business
I guess that shows what you need to do to stay in business
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#47
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That could be another thread topic in itself.
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#48
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It is their job to attract customers. If they aren't doing their job ... they close. Simple as that.
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#49
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Personally I don't mind spending extra at a LBS on parts. But if I have to wait a week for them to order it, or they don't even carry the bike I want, what is the point? I bought a rear light from a shop a little while ago and the light stopped working (it wouldn't turn off). Reading the amazon reviews, it appears several people had the same problem. When I went back to the shop 3 days latter, the cashier wanted the original receipt (didn't have it). Even though I spent over $800 there that day, they really wanted the original receipt. Luckily the manager overheard and corrected the situation, but I couldn't help realize that not only would I have saved $3.00 on the light if I purchased it on amazon, but I would have had zero issue returning it.
Honestly, a LBS warranty is worth $200 of shop time/a few hours of my own time. Bikes are pretty simply mechanical machines that only require basic tools.
Honestly, a LBS warranty is worth $200 of shop time/a few hours of my own time. Bikes are pretty simply mechanical machines that only require basic tools.
So who are you arguing with? No one here is telling you to go the LBS if it's not meeting your needs.
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#50
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If you ask me what I think about it a bike brand, I'll tell you. It's hardy the same thing as asking about your spouse. Are you suggesting you married Canyon.
I know you're a newbie and maybe don't know what you're doing, but this is a classic troll thread.