Local Bike Shop

Page may contain affiliate links. Please see terms for details.

gavroche

Getting old but not past it
Location
North Wales
Lately, I have had some problems changing from front middle gear to big gear. Also, the chain was rubbing on the shifter, in middle gear, when changing to the last two high gears on the cassette. I have a Specialized Allez.
Expecting a high price to pay, I went to my LBS for the lot to be re-adjusted.
The chap there first proceeded to lecture me on bike maintenance and why people pay a lot of money for bikes which are "not worth that money anyway" ( his words).
Eventually, I managed to leave, and picked up my bike the following day.
Everything was reset and now runs smoothly and quietly but he also trued up the back wheel which was slightly buckled, and all that for £12.00!!
I cant praise him enough for his workmanship and he can be assured that he has my custom for as long as I ride bikes.
By the way, he also advised me to change the chain every 2000 miles, even if it looks ok and that I will do as I dont think he says it just to get the business. I trust him.
He runs a small shop in the east end of my town and there is also another, much larger LBS in the west end ( where I purchased my bike). The former will now be my preferred place for servicing my bike as the workmanship in the other place is crap!
 

PaulSecteur

No longer a Specialized fanboy
How about giving a name and a link for your fellow locals.
 

musa

Über Member
Location
Surrey
Yeah its a shame small LBS don't get the work needed especially with C2W schemes et al all the big retailers get the business and because majority of people getting bikes don't know nowt about bikes 9/10 you'll take it back to where you bought it. 50/50 I suppose
 

Gary E

Veteran
Location
Hampshire
slightly off topic, but how does anyone starting up a Bike shop compete with Halfords for novice/beginners custom ?
Think this thread illustrates the answer to your question quite nicely - word of mouth and customer satisfaction.

I got ripped off in a couple of LBSs before I found the one I use now. Top bloke has actually talked me out of spending money in his shop :laugh:

As for Halfords, I know a few people have had good service so I won't say they're all bad but after the morons I've encountered in there I won't be going back any time soon.
 

Psyclist

Über Member
Location
Northamptonshire
slightly off topic, but how does anyone starting up a Bike shop compete with Halfords for novice/beginners custom ?

Experience. Riders who've rode for years doing their own repairs etc. Halfords can employ those people, but usually, it's monkeys with spanners, basically people who aren't evene bikers but just want a job and learn a basic mechanics course.

I've heard bad stories about Halfords, putting the wrong PSI in air forks or shocks on DH bikes etc.
 
Top Bottom