Support your local bike shop...
Discussion
....that's what they say.
So, I did just that. Handed over a part built bike with some, what I thought were decent guidelines. I just never have the time to get these things done and I really want this thing in one piece to either sell, or get on it. A week later and no progress, then to add insult to injury I started getting in the neck from one of the mechanics because 'he didn't have a clue'. It ended up with a request for a complete parts list to complete it. I mean, the point of leaving it there was to have options, to save time. I didn't have a clue about 1x conversion or if XT would work with road shifters, I just wanted some experienced guys to tell me how much for plan a or b. In the end I just collected it, f
king useless.
It took some youtube clips to sort out but everything arrived from Germany today. I am missing one adaptor for the rear caliper and the brake lines. No problem, let's phone the local bike shop, obviously not the same place as before. No stock of the adaptor, no brake lines, why, well apparently they don't get asked for them.
I fking give up. It appears in my local area all the shops want to do is sell new bikes. One closed a few months ago and the owner was moaning about business rates and how the demise of the high street was all down to Wiggle. In fact, this miserable bd once asked if I was going to buy the adult MTB helmet that my then 6 year old daughter thought would be funny to pop on her little head. That was the last time I was in there.
So. Local bike shops. Stop being so bloody useless and try and stock a few things. Don't ps off customers and try and be nice to little children, they might want a bike one day. Oh, and if someone asks if you can do something, don't tell them you can, then tell them it's their fault that you can't, because you are too lazy to follow up on anything. Or don't. I don't care, I'll just shop online, it's easier!
So, I did just that. Handed over a part built bike with some, what I thought were decent guidelines. I just never have the time to get these things done and I really want this thing in one piece to either sell, or get on it. A week later and no progress, then to add insult to injury I started getting in the neck from one of the mechanics because 'he didn't have a clue'. It ended up with a request for a complete parts list to complete it. I mean, the point of leaving it there was to have options, to save time. I didn't have a clue about 1x conversion or if XT would work with road shifters, I just wanted some experienced guys to tell me how much for plan a or b. In the end I just collected it, f
king useless. It took some youtube clips to sort out but everything arrived from Germany today. I am missing one adaptor for the rear caliper and the brake lines. No problem, let's phone the local bike shop, obviously not the same place as before. No stock of the adaptor, no brake lines, why, well apparently they don't get asked for them.
I f
king give up. It appears in my local area all the shops want to do is sell new bikes. One closed a few months ago and the owner was moaning about business rates and how the demise of the high street was all down to Wiggle. In fact, this miserable bd once asked if I was going to buy the adult MTB helmet that my then 6 year old daughter thought would be funny to pop on her little head. That was the last time I was in there. So. Local bike shops. Stop being so bloody useless and try and stock a few things. Don't p
s off customers and try and be nice to little children, they might want a bike one day. Oh, and if someone asks if you can do something, don't tell them you can, then tell them it's their fault that you can't, because you are too lazy to follow up on anything. Or don't. I don't care, I'll just shop online, it's easier!:-) Amen.
We have a local bike shop, the only one in a 12 mile area after the one in the town closed. They're renowed for being 'chiselers.' Need a water bottle mount? Only £12, mate. (The wire bendy ones, £2 from Decathlon.)
I did buy a Genesis Day One from them a few years ago, before I caught on. Only £350 more expensive than Evans, and a two year old model.
Think the LBS are struggling, last time I was in Decathlon on the last Bank Holiday, they couldn't get enough bikes set up to fill demand.
Think High Street shopping is doomed. It's easier to compare online, rather than traipse around half a dozen LBS looking for bits.
We have a local bike shop, the only one in a 12 mile area after the one in the town closed. They're renowed for being 'chiselers.' Need a water bottle mount? Only £12, mate. (The wire bendy ones, £2 from Decathlon.)
I did buy a Genesis Day One from them a few years ago, before I caught on. Only £350 more expensive than Evans, and a two year old model.
Think the LBS are struggling, last time I was in Decathlon on the last Bank Holiday, they couldn't get enough bikes set up to fill demand.
Think High Street shopping is doomed. It's easier to compare online, rather than traipse around half a dozen LBS looking for bits.
I think "support your LBS" should be "when you find a decent LBS, support it!"
My non-local LBS is Performance Cycles in Poulton, it's a good 30 minute drive/1hr ride from me and the gear they stock is probably 10% more pricy than internet rates (although they do price match sometimes). It's worth it though because they have a coffee machine, an outstanding workshop, a club ride, a race team, some good banter, and an overwhelming sense that they give a st.
My non-local LBS is Performance Cycles in Poulton, it's a good 30 minute drive/1hr ride from me and the gear they stock is probably 10% more pricy than internet rates (although they do price match sometimes). It's worth it though because they have a coffee machine, an outstanding workshop, a club ride, a race team, some good banter, and an overwhelming sense that they give a s
t. Usget said:
I think "support your LBS" should be "when you find a decent LBS, support it!"
My non-local LBS is Performance Cycles in Poulton, it's a good 30 minute drive/1hr ride from me and the gear they stock is probably 10% more pricy than internet rates (although they do price match sometimes). It's worth it though because they have a coffee machine, an outstanding workshop, a club ride, a race team, some good banter, and an overwhelming sense that they give a st.
This is more like it. I’ve found some cracking good LBS, and some that are just some sort of ‘tree house’ for the moody owner, and his mates. If you know the difference, and stick to the former, I’m all for supporting my LBS. As an example, a couple of months back I was on one of my 190 mile rides up to London and back, when some halfwit drove into the back of my bike, whilst I was stopped in an ASL. As luck would have it, it was about a 5 minute walk to a bike shop ( it happened at a junction by Eel Brook Common) the bike shop was called Chelsea Bikes, on the Kings Road ( by the Worlds End pub ). I asked the guy if there was any hope of me being able to buy a rear wheel, and borrow the tools to swap the cassette over. He told me just to leave it with him, and he’d have the job done in about an hour. I went off and continued what I needed to do on foot / on the tube. About an hour later, I got a call telling me the job was done. So I got the bike back, all sorted, and did the rest of the ride, thanks to decent service from a LBS. I make a point of stopping by the same shop if I need any consumables, if I’m in the area now as well.My non-local LBS is Performance Cycles in Poulton, it's a good 30 minute drive/1hr ride from me and the gear they stock is probably 10% more pricy than internet rates (although they do price match sometimes). It's worth it though because they have a coffee machine, an outstanding workshop, a club ride, a race team, some good banter, and an overwhelming sense that they give a s
t. Edited by GOATever on Friday 5th October 14:12
Slushbox said:
:-) Amen.
I did buy a Genesis Day One from them a few years ago, before I caught on. Only £350 more expensive than Evans, and a two year old model.
You are the one who made the mistake there. I did buy a Genesis Day One from them a few years ago, before I caught on. Only £350 more expensive than Evans, and a two year old model.
I used Cycles UK in Watford which is about 25 minutes away from my house and not my nearest shop. However I have used them for years and there is an element of trust there. However, my last experience wasn't a good one, so I may try more local shops. I've recently joined a cycling club and they are affiliated to a different shop, so will try that.
However, I will not buy components and consumables in any local bike shops. Nearly always considerably more expensive when compared to online. However, I still buy clothes and a few other items from the shops.
Inner tubes are a good example. They are £6 for Specialized ones from my LBS. I pay £1.85 each from Wiggle and buy 10 at a time and always make sure I have spares. Don't bother witch patching either.
We are a bit spoilt where I live, 5 bike shops within a 3 mile radius in a "city" of 26,000 people. It used to be 6 but one closed down about a year ago which was a great shame as they were always helpful and knowledgeable. It was one of those shops that had the useful bits you don't find everywhere.
Two of the other shops are big chain ones, Halfords and Hargroves, the others are independents. One is more roadie, another is MTB and the final one is a slightly weird and wonderful mix of everything including second hand bikes.
I support the independents where I can, though Halfords is useful for some general use stuff and late opening. The MTB shop is frequented by my 13 year old who they help out a fair bit when I'm at work.
Having said that you never know what can happen to your local. Many years ago my small local bike shop was Butlers Cycles on Highland Road, Portsmouth. The shop has gone but they are still on the internet, they go by the name Wiggle now,
Two of the other shops are big chain ones, Halfords and Hargroves, the others are independents. One is more roadie, another is MTB and the final one is a slightly weird and wonderful mix of everything including second hand bikes.
I support the independents where I can, though Halfords is useful for some general use stuff and late opening. The MTB shop is frequented by my 13 year old who they help out a fair bit when I'm at work.
Having said that you never know what can happen to your local. Many years ago my small local bike shop was Butlers Cycles on Highland Road, Portsmouth. The shop has gone but they are still on the internet, they go by the name Wiggle now,
The place I bought my last bike from were moody and unhelpful, but they were the only stockists for quite a distance for the brand I was after. I decided not to go back there as they refused to provide even basic answers when I had a maintenance question. They closed down a couple of years ago. Conversely the closest LBS to me seem very decent, and I always get good service when I'm in there for a service or to buy the odd thing. I'd definitely go to them for my next bike.
My experience is largely negative too. The nearest shop was a one man band, I used him due to him being a 5 minute walk away and he was generally good, but really a workshop only. He closed down after a year. Last time I needed something fixed (rear wheel bearings buggered) I took it to a different one man band. He took 4 weeks only to tell me he couldn’t get the bearings out and charged me £15 for the privilege. Reckons it can’t be opened and should just be thrown away. Thanks, very helpful......
Usget said:
I think "support your LBS" should be "when you find a decent LBS, support it!"
My non-local LBS is Performance Cycles in Poulton, it's a good 30 minute drive/1hr ride from me and the gear they stock is probably 10% more pricy than internet rates (although they do price match sometimes). It's worth it though because they have a coffee machine, an outstanding workshop, a club ride, a race team, some good banter, and an overwhelming sense that they give a st.
Couldn’t agree more. Not least because Performance Cycles are my local shop and I ride in their colours. They’ve been great over the years at fitting stuff I’ve bought on the internet, selling me stuff and selling me services. They always say they’d rather get some money to fit parts bought online rather get zero. They’ve done plenty of freebies for more over the years too. Only two months ago I took my disc wheel down to see if they could sell me a shorter valve extender. I walked away having paid nothing and having done a swap.My non-local LBS is Performance Cycles in Poulton, it's a good 30 minute drive/1hr ride from me and the gear they stock is probably 10% more pricy than internet rates (although they do price match sometimes). It's worth it though because they have a coffee machine, an outstanding workshop, a club ride, a race team, some good banter, and an overwhelming sense that they give a s
t. Sadly they don’t have a coffee machine now after some
s broke in last weekend and stole a load of bikes, accessories and the sodding coffee machine!I think the same goes for any specialist shop- aquatics shops are the same, often run by middle aged blokes who look down their nose at you if you're not into the same species as they are or don't believe in the same 30 year old ways of doing things as them "internet experts are ruining the hobby" etc. Eventually found one a 40 min drive away run by a really nice guy that will make you a coffee and spend time having a chat before doing you a decent deal on what you want.
To be honest there's not many indie bike shops left round here but the local Evans is pretty good, the head mechanic came down from his lunch break the other day to have a look at a wheel I had an issue with, happy to use them.
To be honest there's not many indie bike shops left round here but the local Evans is pretty good, the head mechanic came down from his lunch break the other day to have a look at a wheel I had an issue with, happy to use them.
Usget said:
I think "support your LBS" should be "when you find a decent LBS, support it!"
This sentiment exactly! Thankfully I have a couple near me. One is local to work, Kinetic in Welwyn, never had a problem, and whilst CRC are cheaper, my last purchase from them was a full Apex1 groupset. The other is Brink and are the only ones who service shocks locally, they always offer coffee when customers walk in.
I’d say purchases this year have been 80% lbs’s (split between Kinetic and Brink) and 20% online.
m444ttb said:
.
Sadly they don’t have a coffee machine now after somes broke in last weekend and stole a load of bikes, accessories and the sodding coffee machine!
Sadly they don’t have a coffee machine now after some
s broke in last weekend and stole a load of bikes, accessories and the sodding coffee machine!
Shire fwend! Send me a PM if you fancy a spin. I used to ride with PC and still have the kit, I’ve just been lazy since moving further away. I saw they got broken into but I also saw that they recovered most/all of the bikes so I assumed the culprits had been apprehended. Stealing the coffee machine is just cruel.
bakerstreet said:
Slushbox said:
:-) Amen.
I did buy a Genesis Day One from them a few years ago, before I caught on. Only £350 more expensive than Evans, and a two year old model.
You are the one who made the mistake there. I did buy a Genesis Day One from them a few years ago, before I caught on. Only £350 more expensive than Evans, and a two year old model.
I
I'm sure there are good LBS, but there are also plenty of Little Britain types around.
I'll contrast this local bike shop with a good story from my local halfords.
I went in there as my bike needed a new bottom bracket, the current one was shagged and would barely turn. A normal job like that they say they take the bike in and the mechanic fixes it whenever they can, usually takes up to a week. The mechanic at the time decided to sort it out there and then as it was rather quiet. job done in 20minutes. he even indexed my gears for no additional cost and showed me his preferred way of using muc off (and even cleaned some of my bike too!)
I went in there as my bike needed a new bottom bracket, the current one was shagged and would barely turn. A normal job like that they say they take the bike in and the mechanic fixes it whenever they can, usually takes up to a week. The mechanic at the time decided to sort it out there and then as it was rather quiet. job done in 20minutes. he even indexed my gears for no additional cost and showed me his preferred way of using muc off (and even cleaned some of my bike too!)
Thanks to my Dad's interest in bikes when he was young, I self-maintained my own bikes from around 9yo (mid/late 1970s). Then, after a 20 year absence, from around the age of 20, returning to cycling again brought with it some new tech and I have had to learn more.
It's been quite fun (mostly), and I have picked up much of it myself, or from asking questions here (very useful advice), or from watching YouTube videos (how to disassemble my air forks, for example).
Since returning to cycling about 10 years ago, I have visited an LBS twice. Once to be made to feel unworthy (yes, that type of LBS), and once (a different shop) to be shown how to index gears by starting with a hanger straightener.
Even the good guy went out of business which I can only ascribe to there not being enough business. I don't believe anyone can compete with internet prices for components or accessories anymore, so the only way you can earn from owning a bike shop is in maintenance charges, and I simply don't think that can be made to pay.
It's been quite fun (mostly), and I have picked up much of it myself, or from asking questions here (very useful advice), or from watching YouTube videos (how to disassemble my air forks, for example).
Since returning to cycling about 10 years ago, I have visited an LBS twice. Once to be made to feel unworthy (yes, that type of LBS), and once (a different shop) to be shown how to index gears by starting with a hanger straightener.
Even the good guy went out of business which I can only ascribe to there not being enough business. I don't believe anyone can compete with internet prices for components or accessories anymore, so the only way you can earn from owning a bike shop is in maintenance charges, and I simply don't think that can be made to pay.
The thing is it’s all on YouTube now, and if you make a mistake it’s just your time. Yesterday I routed the rear brake line incorrectly. I thought it would thread through the other side, nope, it kinked. So I used that line for the front and did the right thing of removing the crank and BB again. It’s just common sense, that I was lacking 
And now it’s conpleted, I think back to the conversations I had with the lbs. ‘Why have you left us an old crank’ ‘You’ll need a 1x’ conversation’ ‘Probably need a new control unit and code the gears’ ‘Chain line will need sorting’
All just total staff.
I spent out on better components and had free labour. I’d forgotten how much I liked building bikes actually.
And now it’s conpleted, I think back to the conversations I had with the lbs. ‘Why have you left us an old crank’ ‘You’ll need a 1x’ conversation’ ‘Probably need a new control unit and code the gears’ ‘Chain line will need sorting’
All just total staff.
I spent out on better components and had free labour. I’d forgotten how much I liked building bikes actually.
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