Do you use your local LBS?

[gaz71]

My nearest Lbs has closed down after being there for around 100 years.My next nearest one is Moores which ive always found very good for new bits and pieces for my bike and nice friendly staff.

 

[Mrs M]

For repairs and servicing I use a shop approx 18 miles away, small shop with good service and advice and best price for my new wheels, (get good customer service = will go back). Bought my bike 42 miles away, good service, great mechanic but too far for regular trips. My next bike is available at Halfords or Edinburgh Bikes but will probably order from Edinburgh Bikes.
Alpine Bikes is near work so pop in at lunch time for spontaneous purchases, clothes, gloves, bottles, etc.
If I am making a specific purchase I will check out prices and usually buy online.
I did venture into Evans when I was in Glasgow but was apparently invisible!

 

[martint235]

No.

I'm not in the business of creating a false relationship with a shop or person. Especially if they're in the business of making money.

That's quite sad to hear. Yes they are in the business of making money but they are also founts of knowledge that may not be available on YouTube. Mine also holds a spares supply that I can never hope to match and often gives me bits and pieces out of it for free. Without his help, I'd have had to buy a new set of mudguards (£30) after my bodged first attempt at fitting them. In the end, it cost nowt extra and he also told me where I'd been going wrong.

Still, the more people that don't want to build a relationship with him, the easier it is for me to get my commuter to the front of the repair queue when I need a wheel fixing urgently.

 

[Jimidh]

No matter how many videos I watch I always muck up any repairs I do!!

I have two shops I use regularly in the Edinburgh area.

Criterium Cycles near Dalkeith is excellent and I also use Edinburgh Bike Coop in Bruntsfield. All have good knowledgable staff.

EBC have a better range of stock but I prefer Criterium for servicing etc.

 

[Venod]

My local shop is less than a mile freewheel away, it has a very good relationship with my club and is run by two great guys, but I do all my own maintenance and parts are usually sourced online cheaper, if I ever cosidered buying a complete Scott or Cannondale I would ask them for a quote as they do seem to get some good deals, but I enjoy building from scratch and sourcing all the components myself.

 

[outlash]

There's two in town. Neither of them hold the sort of stock that I would use so I buy online and there's only one I've used a couple of times for issues I can't fix. However, a couple of weeks ago I took a wheel in to get retrued and it's come back with a flat spot large enough to make it unrideable. He claimed it'll need a rebuild, I know it's worse than when I gave it to him. I won't be going there again.

 

[Milkfloat]

I am yet to find a great LBS near me. I have tried a few and all have made a mess of repairs. I have had a few recommendations for a local mechanic, but so far not had a need to use him as I try and complete most things myself.

 

[bpsmith]

I enjoy doing my own fettling. Order components online. I haven't needed help from any LBS, so far at least, and don't browse there then but online. My conscience is clear in that respect.

I have never understood this feeling that Everyone should support their LBS. Like its some sort of disrespect if you don't.

If you like the LBS relationship, great. If you don't, great. It's everyone's choice.

People don't say it about their car main dealer, for example. Or for any other type of shop.

 

[Cuchilo]

I use my local Giant shop for pretty much everything . I like riding bikes not fixing them
If i see a real bargain i will run it by them first to see if they can do the same deal or even get the product .

 

[mickle]

I ride past my local bike shop to get to the local bike shop I work in.

 

[Milkfloat]

I ride past my local bike shop to get to the local bike shop I work in.

Which one would you recommend?

 

[Oldfentiger]

I trained as an engineer so I take pleasure in tackling the maintenance jobs myself.
However, as I didn't have the appropriate tool, I asked the LBS about replacing one of the bottle cage nutserts on my Trek hybrid (steel frame).
As I'd originally bought the bike from them I was a bit surprised when they quoted me £25.
Sod that - borrowed the tool from a mate, did the job myself in 10 mins flat.

 

[Hip Priest]

There a loads of good local bike shops in Newcastle / Gateshead and I use them all. We're spoilt for choice really.

 

[Dirk]

We have a good bike shop in the village, less than a mile from me. A 6 mile trundle down down the Tarka Trail to Barnstaple and there are four proper bike shops and H alfords. Of the four, three are very good and two have in house cafes. I try to spread my custom around the best three.

 

[xxDarkRiderxx]

LBS is just to pricey, I would like to support them but everything is cheaper online. I also do must maintenance myself using you-tube or google.