stien

So I've been bouncing around bike shops on the cape ever since I got back. It's really annoying that everyone is 3 weeks behind, can't get anything done right away.

Anyway, I got a 120mm threadless stem (really nice Easton EA90) with my bike frame and figured I'd give it a shot. Built the bike and rode it on a 40 mile trek home to the Cape. Ended up with lower back pain since I was too stretched out. I switched in the only other stem I had that has an extreme incline, which sucks too. Shoulders hurt.

I called this local shop and asked them about stem swapping, figuring they might have a box of stems hanging about. I only brought the nice EA90 since the other was on my bike. I found a 100mm stem of theirs I wanted to trade for, but it was cheaper than the Easton. The owner told me to take the stem, and bring my other stem tomorrow instead of leaving my good one.

That's service, I tell ya! I'm going to bring them both my stems tomorrow and see if I can figure out a trade to get my wheel bearings greased in trade.

Anyway, when I start up my bike shop I'm going to have a custom line of bikes with used parts and I'll take parts in trade for other stuff. I just love bike parts too much.

ridethecliche

How is that service? You left them with a better stem, and they said you could come and swap tomorrow so you can trade them one of equal value. Nothing even remotely special about that...

...

longbeachgary

A lot of Bf'ers are snarky today.

datlas 

Today? More like every day.

ridethecliche

I'm just confused.

(I suppose umd is gone so we have to all pick up the slack )

stien

Nah, the point I tried to get across is that I DIDN'T leave the good stem, they said bring the crappier stem tomorrow instead.

ridethecliche

Ah!

That's nice of them.

Comprehension fail....

stien

Hah it's alright, I was longwinded.


In other news, I found out a guy I work with used to be serious into riding. He isn't anymore because he got married and had kids!

Basically, I'm never doing either.

kleinboogie

Nice of them but the reality probably is they had $0 in the stem they gave you. You'll learn that when you get your shop going.

stien

Absolutely had nothing into it, but he could've been a real dick about it like I've experienced elsewhere. That's why I appreciate it so much I guess.

ridethecliche

If you wander over to the racing forum and read there. You'll see a lot of posters have a family life and race pretty damn hard as well.

Caad 8

:facepalm:

UGASkiDawg

He isn't anymore because he decided not to or he married the wrong woman....the children have nothing to do with it. Children may cut back some of the hours you can ride but they certainly don't cut back most of the hours. He needs to htfu and tell his wife and kids he's going riding.

ls01

What happened to umd?

Aimulator64

The point is that the bike shop actually put trust and a sense of appreciation in their customer that walked in. If more bike shops were to treat their customers like they mattered instead of just more money, i would be more inclined to shop at mine. But, because my LBS's simply want to squeeze as much money as possible out of their customers and dont care at all about being personable, i get better interaction with online sellers. Make it a good experience for me, and i will come back and help you out.

JacoKierkegaard

This. I haven't been in the 41 much recently, but I get the feeling I've missed something.

Caad 8

He called someone "lame" because they went into their lbs, tried on shorts, and then went and bought them online for much cheaper. One of the mods, (a cowboys fan) banned him for that.

Aimulator64

What do the cowboys have anything to do with it? And he didn't just call someone "lame" He started a whole argument about how it was wrong to try on bibs if you dont think you were going to buy them. It was a direct assault targeted on a specific member.... anyone should be banned for that.

serra

Back to the main point of the thread, I think that's great what he did. The lbs by my university wouldn't be so accommodating. I'm at home for a month, and the bike shop here seems to be run by one guy, and he's bloody amazing. He doesn't just try to push his products, but actually tries to honestly help you. I wish all bike shops were owned by people like this guy and the people at yours.

Caad 8

It matters because I'm a Giants fan lol

ptle

I did a group ride that a LBS hosts. The owner gave me a few beer and hung out with people who stayed afterward. I've only really talked to him like three times. That's good service!