TissoT
Guru
- Location
- The Home of British cycling
I do remember the shop ... Used to go for bits
Take it that is Jack him self ... The shop was very untidy
Thanks for Posting Roadrash ...Its Brought a tear to my eye
Bike shop etiquette
- Thread starter 22camels
- Start date
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Take it that is Jack him self ... The shop was very untidy
Thanks for Posting Roadrash ...Its Brought a tear to my eye
growingvegetables
Guru
- Location
- Leeds
Leeds too - http://pedallers-arms.org/.
Hmm - googling "bike repair cooperative". Gives me http://www.theguardian.com/lifeands...ep/02/how-to-set-up-a-bike-repair-cooperative, with a link to http://www.bikecollectives.org/wiki/index.php?title=Community_Bicycle_Organizations#United_Kingdom
Useful!
roadrash
cycle chatterer
- Location
- sitting on the edge of wigan pier
I do remember the shop ... Used to go for bits
Take it that is Jack him self ... The shop was very untidy
Thanks for Posting Roadrash ...Its Brought a tear to my eye
yeah thats jack... far superior to tom watsons at newtown.
TissoT
Guru
- Location
- The Home of British cycling
Thats right ... I took a back wheel once to be trued to tom watson at newton ... he told me to throw the wheel under a bus !
"proper bike shop" ...
... Toms shop is sill there think it was a charity shop last time I was in the area
roadrash
cycle chatterer
- Location
- sitting on the edge of wigan pier
Thats right ... I took a back wheel once to be trued to tom watson at newton ... he told me to throw the wheel under a bus !
"proper bike shop" ...
yeah , its a charity shop now, no sad loss though , i dont know how he stayed open as long as he did with the attitude he had ......miserable fecker
flyingfish
Senior Member
- Location
- Luton
Went into my lbs today. My handlebars had come loose for a second time. The owner had no problem telling me torque wrench setting & said if it happens again bring it back. He is always happy to advise on doing jobs but I do buy parts & tools there when possible. He can't match the chains on inner tube prices though
Pete
Pete
TissoT
Guru
- Location
- The Home of British cycling
He was a miserable sod .. He never wanted to sell me anything.. everything he said was " That would nt fit "
Then returned to his back room ... Jack used to put the fear of God into me he must of been 6" 2 +
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steveindenmark
Legendary Member
Camel, i think you are mistaking a bike shop for a library.
A library lends things out. A bike shop is a business where they earn money by fixing bikes where people dont have the tools or expertise to fix bikes.
I use my LBS regularly and buy my bikes and gear from them. I know them all on first name terms and have been using them for years. I am sure if I wanted to borrow a tool they would lend me one, but I have never asked. You need to build a relationship with your LBS before you start taking food out of their mouths.
Steve
A library lends things out. A bike shop is a business where they earn money by fixing bikes where people dont have the tools or expertise to fix bikes.
I use my LBS regularly and buy my bikes and gear from them. I know them all on first name terms and have been using them for years. I am sure if I wanted to borrow a tool they would lend me one, but I have never asked. You need to build a relationship with your LBS before you start taking food out of their mouths.
Steve
jack smith
Veteran
- Location
- Durham
Id go into and have gone into bike shops say if ive got a flat tyre and need a hand getting air into it if ive used my co2 or if ones close by and id rather not use a co2 but id never expect one to lend tools, we used to have one round here who would often do little tweaks for free or lend you the tools to do it yourself in the shop for nothing but he closed down after a few months, i did go into a bike/car shop over the road from there recently when my rear wheel had came out of allignment and was rubbing the frame and as i didnt have a spanner thought id just ask and they ended up sorting the brakes and truing the rear wheel FOC too despite me saying it was fine and i could do it at home. But tbh ill always buy online unless the shops have ot the same price went into a local shop the ptherday and £60 for one pro4 tyre.. Not a pair.. 1! I was also in need of bartape and got some stuff for a tenner cube carbon tape, i wish i didnt impulse buy and got some nicer stuff online
byegad
Legendary Member
- Location
- NE England
I don't blame the shops for refusing to lend tools. I stopped doing that 40 years ago after getting half a riveter back from a friend. If I can't do a job it goes into the LBS, last time some 15 years ago. Everything else I do myself with my tools that I paid for and replace when they wear out. Over the years I've saved a fortune by doing this.
OP
OP
22camels
Active Member
Lots of replies.. I agree both shops were perfectly reasonable. Lesson learnt I guess.
Yes bike co-ops are a good idea, there is one near me, well it's a kind of community bike recycling place, where I am hoping to volunteer for a few days to help repair bikes and pick up a few skills maybe.
As far as bike shops, it just seems there is a bit of a conflict between my current desire to learn how to fix my own bike, and supporting local shops.. I recently replaced my BB myself for the first time, if I'd given it to them, it would have cost me more and I would have learnt zilch. The knowledge is worth a lot to me.
The thing with investing in my own tools though (I have a good basic kit already), is that I'm trying to de-clutter and not amass a garage worth of tools because I know I'll be moving around quite a bit.. Guess I could sell them on when I need..
Yes bike co-ops are a good idea, there is one near me, well it's a kind of community bike recycling place, where I am hoping to volunteer for a few days to help repair bikes and pick up a few skills maybe.
As far as bike shops, it just seems there is a bit of a conflict between my current desire to learn how to fix my own bike, and supporting local shops.. I recently replaced my BB myself for the first time, if I'd given it to them, it would have cost me more and I would have learnt zilch. The knowledge is worth a lot to me.
The thing with investing in my own tools though (I have a good basic kit already), is that I'm trying to de-clutter and not amass a garage worth of tools because I know I'll be moving around quite a bit.. Guess I could sell them on when I need..
I'm guessing the OP is a wage slave that gets his / her wage no matter how the business is doing . The tooling price is rather funny as although there is one for a few quid i bet the LBS don't use that one . I can buy a router for £15 but it will be rubbish so i spend £250 on one ( i think i have 6 to be honest ) for my business and i know it will last . Can you borrow it , NO .
I have a neighbour laying a block paved drive right now and i have lent him about £1500 worth of tools to do the job . Hes caused problems with all of them but i don't mind as its easy to fix but when he asked to borrow my 6ft spirit level he was told NO .
When you run a business you tend to know if someone is wasting your time as soon as they start talking . I have no idea how you know , maybe its something they say or just the look in their eyes but you just know they wont be passing any money your way .
I have a neighbour laying a block paved drive right now and i have lent him about £1500 worth of tools to do the job . Hes caused problems with all of them but i don't mind as its easy to fix but when he asked to borrow my 6ft spirit level he was told NO .
When you run a business you tend to know if someone is wasting your time as soon as they start talking . I have no idea how you know , maybe its something they say or just the look in their eyes but you just know they wont be passing any money your way .
Vapin' Joe
Formerly known as Smokin Joe
- Location
- Bare headed cyclist, Smoker
I never lend tools to anyone, if someone asks I'll tell them to bring the bike to me and I'll help them do the job but my tools stay in my garage. I know from bitter experience that if you lend someone a tool you either won't get it back or you'll get it back broken or damaged. I can certainly understand the shop's attitude.
I can't think of a single tool you need for a bike that costs more than pocket money prices and if I need something i won't think twice about buying it rather than asking for a lend of one. Use it once and it's paid for itself, twice and you're in profit.
I can't think of a single tool you need for a bike that costs more than pocket money prices and if I need something i won't think twice about buying it rather than asking for a lend of one. Use it once and it's paid for itself, twice and you're in profit.
I must add that i do borrow tools from my LBS if i have a problem on a ride . Normally they will sort the issue for me but if they are busy i ask if i can do it myself . The flip side of that is they are welcome to use my workshop and tools if they have a diy project they want to do at home .
