LBS...

[oldwheels]

I went into my lbs in Oban to get a CO2 inflator with valve which I could not find anywhere else. Guess what they had several in stock at similar price to anything I have seen on line minus valve. I need a valve as I have tyre sizes from 16” to 28” and difficult to control otherwise. Seem to have a reasonable stock of most common consumables and there is a waiting list for repairs.

 

[winjim]

I get where you’re coming from in a number of aspects, the main one being that you’re supporting your mates.

For the rest of us, looking around online and then getting someone else to order the parts for you, waiting longer as a result, then paying extra for the privilege is a couple of steps too far.

What could the LBS do differently? That’s a difficult one, as I totally get that it’s impossible to stock everything that everyone wants, whilst still maintaining a profitable business.

I guess it's knowledge and expertise. I'm probably the wrong person to judge as I'm more than happy doing my own maintenance. When it comes to tricky parts, most of the time I expect the LBS would be doing the fitting so if somebody leaves their bike with them they've got a couple of days to get the order in. I mean, how many people really install their own headsets or build their own wheels?

 

[bpsmith]

I guess it's knowledge and expertise. I'm probably the wrong person to judge as I'm more than happy doing my own maintenance. When it comes to tricky parts, most of the time I expect the LBS would be doing the fitting so if somebody leaves their bike with them they've got a couple of days to get the order in. I mean, how many people really install their own headsets or build their own wheels?

I agree that it depends on the person and whether they want to buy specific tools.

For your examples, I have dropped my own headset bearings into place myself and trued wheels when necessary. I haven’t tried building any, but will happily order my own wheels online.

I can understand some people asking the shops advice and waiting for the parts to arrive to be fitted. I get that. I don’t get someone having the knowledge to find what they need online themselves, but then instruct a local shop to order them for more money than they are online for.

The type of person, who knows enough to find their own parts, usually knows how to fit them too in my experience.

 

[rugby bloke]

Had a really good experience with my LBS this weekend. I'm off on a weeks tour go Spain so I went to my local LBS with a shopping list of bits and pieces of kit. One of the more obscure items we were recommended to bring was a spare derailleur hanger. The guy in the shop explained that these were frame specific, had a rummage around in the stock room and then put the bike on the stand to check it fitted. He also offered excellent advise on all the other bits of pieces I needed. Top service. For Northampton locals it was Newlec cycles.

 

[PeteXXX]

Had a really good experience with my LBS this weekend. I'm off on a weeks tour go Spain so I went to my local LBS with a shopping list of bits and pieces of kit. One of the more obscure items we were recommended to bring was a spare derailleur hanger. The guy in the shop explained that these were frame specific, had a rummage around in the stock room and then put the bike on the stand to check it fitted. He also offered excellent advise on all the other bits of pieces I needed. Top service. For Northampton locals it was Newlec cycles.

From the description, and I’d worked out that it must be Newlec. Helpful people there...

 

[rugby bloke]

That's the one, excellent shop.

 

[Alan O]

I mean, how many people really install their own headsets or build their own wheels?

I tried installing a headset last year but couldn't get the bugger in - LBS (Quinn's, Liverpool) came to the rescue.

 

[Johnno260]

I honestly can't complain about my LBS they go above and beyond to help.

Are they the cheapest? No.

But they more than make up for cost in service, I can drop in with a slight issue and they will take a look and adjust things etc at no cost.

 

[Gravity Aided]

I have three in my area, in the Midwest U.S. . One is pretty reasonable for all things, the other two are just plain expensive. So the bike co-op is busy and profitable, because many folks around here have bicycles because they can't afford a second car. Or the judge of the circuit court says they can't have an auto license.

 

[dantheman]

There's 3 in my town (I know of) and a specialist electric bike shop (are they real bikes? Not really) I don't really use them much. One has a guy who nice and chatty as he is, happens to be a little "eccentric". One has a little coffee shop inside and bikes I wish I could afford, and I get scared off by the super fit "proper cyclists" that adorn there. And the other I use for mechanical work I cannot do myself (ie expensive tools needed) - so rarely in any of them...
Halfords shut down a few months ago, not a big loss there...

 

[vickster]

There's 3 in my town (I know of) and a specialist electric bike shop (are they real bikes? Not really) I don't really use them much. One has a guy who nice and chatty as he is, happens to be a little "eccentric". One has a little coffee shop inside and bikes I wish I could afford, and I get scared off by the super fit "proper cyclists" that adorn there. And the other I use for mechanical work I cannot do myself (ie expensive tools needed) - so rarely in any of them...
Halfords shut down a few months ago, not a big loss there...

Why aren't e bikes proper bikes if they enable people to cycle (who may not ordinarily be able to do so? If you hold that view, shouldn't you put yourself in the super fit proper cyclist bucket (whatever that might be? Pro cyclist, full on 'MAMIL', 10k a year commuter, regular Audaxer, errrr?)

 

[dantheman]

Sorry, I didn't mean offense.. Worded badly, was sure it would be pointed out if I had classed it as a lbs.. Good for what you point out, and I'm sure if you ride one further than battery lasts it would make you work harder also

I can dream of being the super fit cyclist, but I like bacon too much... And all other food haha.

 

[vickster]

Sorry, I didn't mean offense.. Worded badly, was sure it would be pointed out if I had classed it as a lbs.. Good for what you point out, and I'm sure if you ride one further than battery lasts it would make you work harder also

I can dream of being the super fit cyclist, but I like bacon too much... And all other food haha.

LBS = local bike shop. If it's local and sells bikes, why isn't it an LBS?

I'm sure there are plenty of "superfit" cyclists out there who eat food including bacon?

 

[dantheman]

Lucky toysRus has shut down, or unlucky? Lost a LBS.

Guess I'm lazier than those guys then.

 

[bpsmith]

My LBS has a well known online presence. Great bunch of guys too.

I pop in when on a stroll lunchtime once in a while, but don’t buy much tbh. Have sent loads of business from work people down to them though and they always come back happy.