Maybe. But the nature of retail is that you can’t please everybody and you can’t stock one of everything. If I need something that my LBS doesn’t normally have (like recumbent-specific parts), they can order it for me. And while an LBS does like to sell bikes, I think more of their money is made in the back room repairing and servicing the bikes most people ride, whether they got them from the LBS or from the MallWart store.
There was a shop a few miles from here that was *all* CF and 18-spoke wheels. About the only thing I ever bought there was handlebar tape. Recently, they changed locations and they’re now carrying a lot of commuter stuff. I no longer need to do bell laps in there…
My local shop is all race-oriented stuff, and they don’t even carry the kind of handlebar tape I like (I use cloth tape, and all they have is cork or gel). I think the only thing I ever bought from them was a spoke wrench. So I go to another shop, my favorite, which is nearly an hour away *by car* (traveling almost the whole way at 70 mph) rather than the closer one which is 20 minutes or less by bike.
Bad luck; move to a city in western Europe, where riding is very common
I have four LBS of very different types within 3.5km/2mi. Biggest is a chain store selling lots of bikes of all kinds, trailers, clothing, components, spare parts and offering repair service. But their advice isn’t best, it is furthest away and it endangeres the existence of the smaller and nearer LBS, so it’s not 1st choice to me (12 min. riding). Best LBS is a small one which offers a smal bunch of bikes, spare parts and excellent repairings, but it’s the most expensive of the four LBS; best choice for advice and repairing (6 min. riding). 3rd LBS is part of car component shop with very small bunch of bikes and components, but it’s nearest to my home (3 min. walking). 4th LBS has BMX-orientated stuff, good for spare parts (4 min. walking).
The night is young and full of possibilities
Well come on and let yourself be free
My love for you, so long than I’ve been savin’
Tonight was made for me and you
You can ring my be-e-ell, ring my bell
(Anita Ward)
back in the seventies they got the right attitude..
“Well lay back and relax while I put away the dishes
Then you and me can rock-a-bye
..You can ring my be-e-ell, ring my bell..”
In the summer I might get some air conditioning. In the winter I might get some warmth. When I need repairs, this is where I come. When I need parts, they order them for me.
There’s a bell on the door of the shop that rings when customers come in. Also, I’m assuming that a “bell lap” has something to do with racing, though that’s a guess since I have no interest in or knowledge about such things. So presumably it’s a joke.
Re: the bell and racing, Widsith is on the right track (pardon the pun). In a track race or a rode race on or ending on a circuit, a bell is rung to indicate the beginning of the last lap. (Think penultimate crossing of the finish line for the last stage of the Tour de France on the Champs Elysees. Bell rings as the riders come through.)
Bike shops are like car dealerships. You wouldn’t buy a boat and go to a Porsche dealer to buy something to pull it with. Every shop is different. Hopefully you can find the one for you but if not than try to work with your LBS to cater to you. If they are not nice to you than do not be nice to them, go elsewhere. If they are knowledgeable and nice and try to work with you than you should try and give them your money whenever possible. I have worked in many different types of bike shops and while I cannot cater the shop to every customer I can cater my knowledge and customer service to any type of cyclist.
I gave up on bike shops years ago. I build, maintain and repair my own and order parts on line. The only two exceptions were Specialized Roubaix CF roadie and Dahon Speed P8 folder. Two types of bikes that would be hard to DIY, they were very close to what I needed too (still replaced a few things) and will never see a bike shop again.
It’s their loss.
Nope. In terms of retail it’s The Cyclery’s loss.
Maybe. But the nature of retail is that you can’t please everybody and you can’t stock one of everything. If I need something that my LBS doesn’t normally have (like recumbent-specific parts), they can order it for me. And while an LBS does like to sell bikes, I think more of their money is made in the back room repairing and servicing the bikes most people ride, whether they got them from the LBS or from the MallWart store.
“MallWart”
LOL
Rarely do I go into a bike shop and not find something I want… Now if I could only afford it.
Good one K’Tesh – Like
If it is a local shop then I can usually find brake blocks, rim tap, inner tubes, chain lube, cable end crimps, or patches, or something.
There was a shop a few miles from here that was *all* CF and 18-spoke wheels. About the only thing I ever bought there was handlebar tape. Recently, they changed locations and they’re now carrying a lot of commuter stuff. I no longer need to do bell laps in there…
My local shop is all race-oriented stuff, and they don’t even carry the kind of handlebar tape I like (I use cloth tape, and all they have is cork or gel). I think the only thing I ever bought from them was a spoke wrench. So I go to another shop, my favorite, which is nearly an hour away *by car* (traveling almost the whole way at 70 mph) rather than the closer one which is 20 minutes or less by bike.
Bad luck; move to a city in western Europe, where riding is very common
I have four LBS of very different types within 3.5km/2mi. Biggest is a chain store selling lots of bikes of all kinds, trailers, clothing, components, spare parts and offering repair service. But their advice isn’t best, it is furthest away and it endangeres the existence of the smaller and nearer LBS, so it’s not 1st choice to me (12 min. riding). Best LBS is a small one which offers a smal bunch of bikes, spare parts and excellent repairings, but it’s the most expensive of the four LBS; best choice for advice and repairing (6 min. riding). 3rd LBS is part of car component shop with very small bunch of bikes and components, but it’s nearest to my home (3 min. walking). 4th LBS has BMX-orientated stuff, good for spare parts (4 min. walking).
The night is young and full of possibilities
Well come on and let yourself be free
My love for you, so long than I’ve been savin’
Tonight was made for me and you
You can ring my be-e-ell, ring my bell
(Anita Ward)
back in the seventies they got the right attitude..
“Well lay back and relax while I put away the dishes
Then you and me can rock-a-bye
..You can ring my be-e-ell, ring my bell..”
In the summer I might get some air conditioning. In the winter I might get some warmth. When I need repairs, this is where I come. When I need parts, they order them for me.
More cowbell! (panel 2)
More cowbell! Good eye.
Good catch! I didn’t see that first time through.
Tomorrow’s strip should see a guest appearance by Christopher Walken.
Ok, I give up. What does this situation have to do with a bell?
There’s a bell on the door of the shop that rings when customers come in. Also, I’m assuming that a “bell lap” has something to do with racing, though that’s a guess since I have no interest in or knowledge about such things. So presumably it’s a joke.
Re: the bell and racing, Widsith is on the right track (pardon the pun). In a track race or a rode race on or ending on a circuit, a bell is rung to indicate the beginning of the last lap. (Think penultimate crossing of the finish line for the last stage of the Tour de France on the Champs Elysees. Bell rings as the riders come through.)
Bike shops are like car dealerships. You wouldn’t buy a boat and go to a Porsche dealer to buy something to pull it with. Every shop is different. Hopefully you can find the one for you but if not than try to work with your LBS to cater to you. If they are not nice to you than do not be nice to them, go elsewhere. If they are knowledgeable and nice and try to work with you than you should try and give them your money whenever possible. I have worked in many different types of bike shops and while I cannot cater the shop to every customer I can cater my knowledge and customer service to any type of cyclist.
I gave up on bike shops years ago. I build, maintain and repair my own and order parts on line. The only two exceptions were Specialized Roubaix CF roadie and Dahon Speed P8 folder. Two types of bikes that would be hard to DIY, they were very close to what I needed too (still replaced a few things) and will never see a bike shop again.