Gary in NJ

My neighbors own a great bike ship in the heart of Clinton NJ. I stopped in there a few months ago and told them I was looking for a new bike. We discussed the different bikes they carry and agreed that a bike with a 105 group set would be a good choice for me (both from a budget & performance stand point). I left the shop to do my own research on three bikes they recommended:

BMC Roadmachine 02 Four
Bianchi Infinito XE 105 Disc
Fuji Gran Fondo 1.5

I really wanted the Fuji because I've owned Fuji bikes since 1975 (Special Tourer) and the Gran Fondo offered the best bang for the buck. I went in about a month ago to place my order and they told me that they hadn't received a new Fuji in months, and based on what they were hearing they didn't think I'd see a new Fuji until the spring of '21. I told them to order me a BMC Roadmachine. BMC confirmed a January 2021 delivery.

Yesterday I stopped into the shop and they told me that BMC has cancelled all 105 and Ultegra orders. I really didn't want the Bianchi XE frame and told them that I guess I'd just wait until the spring to get a new Fuji. Well this morning, unbenounced to me, they went into overdrive to find me what I wanted. They couldn't locate a Gran Fondo 1.5 with a 105 groupset...but they did find me a 2020 Gran Fondo 1.3 with an Ultegra groupset. It's virtually the same as the 2021 GF 1.1...but for less money. In fact, the GF with Ultegra is the same price as the Roadmachine and EX with a 105 group set.

What a great job, especially in this market. I should have the bike in a week. Support your local bike shop, they work their ass off for your business.

pdlamb

A good bike shop is like a good hardware store, they're both worth supporting with your business.

tsmith41094

Love this!

Had a similarly-great experience recently with my LBS. Ordered a Trek back in the spring and was having all kinds of problems with noises/creeks basically from the get-go. The shop tore it down and determined it was most likely a bad BB (guess Trek's old BB90 has its issues). They went back and for with trek and got them to replace the frame with the newest model year and a T47 BB. This all while they are 2+ months behind on repairs and struggling to keep bikes on the floor.

I will never buy a new bike from anyone else.

indyfabz

I rode through Clinton on a long weekend tour from L'Ville to Spruce Run.

Gary in NJ

Great little town.

Thomas15

I live in Carbon County PA but work in Phillipsburg. Love the Clinton Station Diner.

indyfabz

You have my sympathies.

Thomas15

I live over by Beltzville Lake really nice here.

I don't think I will live long enough for the 7 mile D&L Trail gap to be closed in the Lehigh Valley but in spite of that I think next summer I'm going to ride it home from work. It's about 44 miles by car, riding the trail would add I think about 6-8 miles to the trip. Possible that I will short cut most of Allentown and cruse up through the LV Industrial Park. I live about 4 miles from the Weissport trail head.

branko_76 

Yes, support your local bike shop.

crankholio

I wish we had a good bike shop closer by. The few good ones are down in the city. Here in suburbia they just cater to the SUV drivers who want to spend $9000 on a new full uniform road setup.

Koyote

I live in a semi-rural area, so my LBS is about 80 miles away. Almost every time I go there, they go so far above my expectations, that I end up contriving ways to spend even more money – because they just deserve it.

coffeesnob

the keyword being "good"