Needed tubes: tried bike shops, Amazon won out
10-03-23, 05:04 PM
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Here you go. And those are just the options from Wheels Manufacturing. Looks like most of them even offer two-day delivery.
10-03-23, 05:30 PM
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10-03-23, 05:31 PM
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10-04-23, 04:23 AM
#30
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On rides, I carry spare tubes (and a patch hit on multi-day tours) and replace the tube if I flat.
In this recent case, neither of those tire/tubes had flatted meaning the front tube had 6k+ miles and the rear 3500+ miles of use. I've learned over the years that if I leave tubes in forever, I am like to get tube valve flats - so I do replace the tubes with the tire.
I then generally use those tubes on my wife's bike, which doesn't get a lot of mileage, and on my old Trek 520 which spends all its time on a indoor trainer on Zwift.
That wheel-on trainer setup is another data point. I use trainer tire on that setup and it has lasted about 8K files so far, and obviously no tire penetration flats - but the tube got a valve flat at about 5K miles and was replaced with a used tube. Flatting on the road is much more annoying to me than flatting in the basement.
In this recent case, neither of those tire/tubes had flatted meaning the front tube had 6k+ miles and the rear 3500+ miles of use. I've learned over the years that if I leave tubes in forever, I am like to get tube valve flats - so I do replace the tubes with the tire.
I then generally use those tubes on my wife's bike, which doesn't get a lot of mileage, and on my old Trek 520 which spends all its time on a indoor trainer on Zwift.
That wheel-on trainer setup is another data point. I use trainer tire on that setup and it has lasted about 8K files so far, and obviously no tire penetration flats - but the tube got a valve flat at about 5K miles and was replaced with a used tube. Flatting on the road is much more annoying to me than flatting in the basement.
You won on this transaction since you bought tubes and received tires, but what about the tubes?...you still cant ride your bike?
All seriousness- what was wrong with the 2 tubes already on the bike? Do you just change tubes at scheduled intervals, regardless of need? Thats preventative maintenance to another level, if thats what you are doing.
All seriousness- what was wrong with the 2 tubes already on the bike? Do you just change tubes at scheduled intervals, regardless of need? Thats preventative maintenance to another level, if thats what you are doing.
10-04-23, 07:30 AM
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Me. I do.
I also appreciate the million things my LBS (or any of the other locally owned and operated retail stores I frequent) do for me, for my community, and for our local/regional/national economy. I'm a big fan of buying something I need and taking it home - right then - certain that I got the right part, I know how to install it, can return it for immediate replacement if there's a problem, and got to hang out with other cyclists while I was doing it. I like buying from the same guy who's at the group ride, charity event, and/or race handing out free energy gels and dong free adjustments at the start line. I like buying from a guy who will remind me my new dimfrigit requires a special tool, one he's willing to loan me. I like buying from the shop that hires local kids. I like...
I also appreciate the million things my LBS (or any of the other locally owned and operated retail stores I frequent) do for me, for my community, and for our local/regional/national economy. I'm a big fan of buying something I need and taking it home - right then - certain that I got the right part, I know how to install it, can return it for immediate replacement if there's a problem, and got to hang out with other cyclists while I was doing it. I like buying from the same guy who's at the group ride, charity event, and/or race handing out free energy gels and dong free adjustments at the start line. I like buying from a guy who will remind me my new dimfrigit requires a special tool, one he's willing to loan me. I like buying from the shop that hires local kids. I like...
If I have to spend an hour out of my day to run to the LBS and back that's time that I've lost that I could be doing something more productive. It's not a win-win for me at all.
1.) LBS parts cost more than online
2.) I've burnt up gas that I have spend money replenishing
3.) Wear and tear on car
Online...Place order for same part that is cheaper...Shows up 2-3 days later.
10-04-23, 08:05 AM
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I value my time more and like to keep more dollars in my pocket.
If I have to spend an hour out of my day to run to the LBS and back that's time that I've lost that I could be doing something more productive. It's not a win-win for me at all.
1.) LBS parts cost more than online
2.) I've burnt up gas that I have spend money replenishing
3.) Wear and tear on car
Online...Place order for same part that is cheaper...Shows up 2-3 days later.
If I have to spend an hour out of my day to run to the LBS and back that's time that I've lost that I could be doing something more productive. It's not a win-win for me at all.
1.) LBS parts cost more than online
2.) I've burnt up gas that I have spend money replenishing
3.) Wear and tear on car
Online...Place order for same part that is cheaper...Shows up 2-3 days later.
I do now live in a small city with a little bike shop, and I often patronize it. Today, while out doing errands, I will stop by and pick up some sealant.
tl;dr: Horses for courses.
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10-04-23, 09:06 AM
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Now ask yourself why the LBS didn't have the item in stock. Because it isn't free to stock an item. Warehouse space costs money -- enormous money on Amazon's scale. As does parceling out that "massive bulk" order to thousands of warehouses, so that there's stock close enough to OP to enable same-day delivery.
This is partly why Amazon's retail profit margin is so low that it could never survive as an independent business, without being subsidized by AWS. And why Amazon engages in illegal activity to bust union development, because unions will kill it dead if allowed to flourish.
This is partly why Amazon's retail profit margin is so low that it could never survive as an independent business, without being subsidized by AWS. And why Amazon engages in illegal activity to bust union development, because unions will kill it dead if allowed to flourish.
10-04-23, 10:32 AM
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Amazon (and other large online retailers) routinely loose (bone for Pedal Atlantic Guy) $ on small(ish) transactions, and I suspect they did so here as well. They can do this because their business model relies on their stock price, as well as $ from "partner" retailers, and not margins. It's why it's foolish to try to compete with them on price.
10-04-23, 11:17 AM
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preventative maintenance does increase the enjoyment of more ride time.
I didn't know the consumers have the job in regulating business activity. New news to me.
Screw better buying power, saving time, limit wasting resources; just drive around looking to spend the most for the product, & while doing so, be sure to add to traffic congestion by doing all this during peak commute times.
I didn't know the consumers have the job in regulating business activity. New news to me.
Screw better buying power, saving time, limit wasting resources; just drive around looking to spend the most for the product, & while doing so, be sure to add to traffic congestion by doing all this during peak commute times.
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10-04-23, 11:52 AM
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Yep... Certainly been there.
I do sympathize with the bike shops. I just don't see an economical way they could keep adequate stock for a broad range of bicycles. Especially since some of the newer bike shops are just bike dealerships and really not interested in repair of anything other then the bikes they market.
In that my closest bike shop is a 35 mile trip into Austin Texas that takes over an hour each way, Amazon has been a life saver!
And that's not for just bike parts. I am getting my car parts, lubricants, appliance parts, HVAC parts and other items from Amazon as well. Yep, Jeff has got plenty of my money in his pockets for sure.
So am I on the Cuff? Not really, in the long run I am personally breaking even... Go Figure...
I do sympathize with the bike shops. I just don't see an economical way they could keep adequate stock for a broad range of bicycles. Especially since some of the newer bike shops are just bike dealerships and really not interested in repair of anything other then the bikes they market.
In that my closest bike shop is a 35 mile trip into Austin Texas that takes over an hour each way, Amazon has been a life saver!
And that's not for just bike parts. I am getting my car parts, lubricants, appliance parts, HVAC parts and other items from Amazon as well. Yep, Jeff has got plenty of my money in his pockets for sure.
So am I on the Cuff? Not really, in the long run I am personally breaking even... Go Figure...
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10-04-23, 12:53 PM
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r.e.bold Scheduled AIR REPLACEMENT is a great preventative maintenance procedure. FRESH AIR is lighter, less absorbed moisture, so the bike climbs more betterer and sprints are more fasterer.
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10-04-23, 01:07 PM
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Same thing happened to a small (and poorly-run) shop near me. He "couldn't get parts". I took that to mean that he was in arrears with QBP and so they stopped shipping to him.
10-04-23, 01:08 PM
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Modern air meets current standards & is incompliant with local ordnances as well as HOAs.
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10-04-23, 02:20 PM
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It's called loss leader pricing, which is selling a good below its production cost in order to attract customers. It is illegal to sell goods below production cost in about half the US states, and some other states ban the practice for specific items; some countries ban it, too. However, I doubt that there is much enforcement, at least here in the US, since it would be difficult to prove -- and also because it likely doesn't reduce consumer well-being. It's often sound business practice to sell goods below cost, as that would sometimes entail lower losses than sticking to the original price. (Think about day-old bread as a simple example.)
Note that, along with mislabeling it as "dumping," icemilkcoffee 's claim that companies used to be "broken up" for doing this is simply false.
Note that, along with mislabeling it as "dumping," icemilkcoffee 's claim that companies used to be "broken up" for doing this is simply false.
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10-04-23, 03:09 PM
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The really well run shop that built my super fly, custom ti frame and once won best MTB at NAHBS (twice) closed the LBS portion of the business because of a very tough time getting bikes and part. My ex’s $10,000 build was delayed for many months for unavailability of parts. Had nothing to do with the business being broke. After all, the builder was able to get high grade titanium for the frame, and he machines parts for other businesses.
10-04-23, 05:34 PM
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10-04-23, 06:11 PM
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Now ask yourself why the LBS didn't have the item in stock. Because it isn't free to stock an item. Warehouse space costs money -- enormous money on Amazon's scale. As does parceling out that "massive bulk" order to thousands of warehouses, so that there's stock close enough to OP to enable same-day delivery.
This is partly why Amazon's retail profit margin is so low that it could never survive as an independent business, without being subsidized by AWS. And why Amazon engages in illegal activity to bust union development, because unions will kill it dead if allowed to flourish.
This is partly why Amazon's retail profit margin is so low that it could never survive as an independent business, without being subsidized by AWS. And why Amazon engages in illegal activity to bust union development, because unions will kill it dead if allowed to flourish.
In terms of warehouses they get massive tax breaks and lots of incentives to come to different areas they aren't some poor company barely scraping by they are a multi billion dollar company. Sure AWS helps and they make good money from that but they are again doing just fine on their own. If they are telling you they are struggling that is a massive joke on their part.
10-04-23, 06:51 PM
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Bezos does not make his money from retail, and neither does the company.
A multi-billion dollar retail company whose revenues barely cover their expenses -- which is the whole point that you seem unable to grasp.
Last edited by TC1; 10-04-23 at 06:55 PM.
10-04-23, 07:03 PM
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Amazon retail will die if unions proliferate among its employees before robots can do all the work. That's precisely why Amazon engages in blatantly illegal tactics to stop unionization -- any penalties they might be assessed are preferable to going out of business.
You are either ignorant of the situation or shilling for Amazon for some reason. Amazon retail's profit margin is just 1 or 2 percent. That is insufficient to survive, and investors would do better just buying CDs (not the music kind, fyi ).
Bezos does not make his money from retail, and neither does the company.
A multi-billion dollar retail company whose revenues barely cover their expenses -- which is the whole point that you seem unable to grasp.
You are either ignorant of the situation or shilling for Amazon for some reason. Amazon retail's profit margin is just 1 or 2 percent. That is insufficient to survive, and investors would do better just buying CDs (not the music kind, fyi ).
Bezos does not make his money from retail, and neither does the company.
A multi-billion dollar retail company whose revenues barely cover their expenses -- which is the whole point that you seem unable to grasp.
Again Amazon is not some broke company struggling to get by and your insistence on a narrative that ends like that is just silly.
I know what a CD is both kinds (country and western, watch the original Blues Brothers movie if this one flies over your head but maybe laughing is not your thing, I don't know)
10-04-23, 07:08 PM
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Tough crowd.
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10-04-23, 07:15 PM
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10-04-23, 07:46 PM
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It's called loss leader pricing
...
Note that, along with mislabeling it as "dumping," icemilkcoffee 's claim that companies used to be "broken up" for doing this is simply false.
...
Note that, along with mislabeling it as "dumping," icemilkcoffee 's claim that companies used to be "broken up" for doing this is simply false.
But charging people $140 a year to occasionally ship them some inner tubes they bought with S&H green stamps is not exactly the same
10-04-23, 07:52 PM
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If it was late 2020 thru early 2022, there might have been another explanation for not being able to get parts.
10-04-23, 08:03 PM
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I value my time more and like to keep more dollars in my pocket.
If I have to spend an hour out of my day to run to the LBS and back that's time that I've lost that I could be doing something more productive. It's not a win-win for me at all.
1.) LBS parts cost more than online
2.) I've burnt up gas that I have spend money replenishing
3.) Wear and tear on car
Online...Place order for same part that is cheaper...Shows up 2-3 days later.
If I have to spend an hour out of my day to run to the LBS and back that's time that I've lost that I could be doing something more productive. It's not a win-win for me at all.
1.) LBS parts cost more than online
2.) I've burnt up gas that I have spend money replenishing
3.) Wear and tear on car
Online...Place order for same part that is cheaper...Shows up 2-3 days later.
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