"Westie" <
[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> I'm in a similar situation except that my small town LBS is just over 1
hour
> away and the other big city bike shops are 4 hours drive. Do some more research using the 'net and
> get what you want. Even if it
means
> taking a trip to the big city bike shops _Especially_ if you end up spending big money on the new
> bike. You'd be
mad
> to settle for what the LBS supplies and be dissatisfied with it just to support them.
>
> Now, on the flipside, you CAN support the LBS without buying a bike there. You do it by getting
> all your other stuff there. And if you ride a lot there'll be LOTS of other stuff you'll want and
> need to get. Once they
get
> to know you and realise that you do ride, and that you're not just some
jerk
> hanging around wanting free stuff and talking ********, they should come
to
> the party.
> --
> Westie
>
>
This is a great thread and an interesting conversation. My opinion is that an LBS is most valuable
for someone who is marginally familiar with bikes, maintenance and fitting. Many newbies can greatly
benefit from the personal attention give at the shop, these guys are in the business and probably
have significant experience, BUT they do want to sell bikes, so a more informed buyer is always a
good thing. If you can't or don't want to wrench your own bike, then by from an LBS.
If I can be so bold, someone like myself who I would consider a reasonable wrench and somewhat
informed and experienced, can also benefit from the LBS, but not in the same way. Time and money
prohibit me from experiencing all that is available in the biking world, whether it is a helmet,
shock or tire. My LBS aquaintences provide additional knowledge and opinions on what works on local
trails. We may not ride the same way or have the same requirements, but we do ride the same trails
and roads and can discuss the merits of equipment with some common ground. I'll buy from the LBS
when their information leads me to something they have and I would like. But I'll also buy online
because I have a better selection and can install it myself.
For the super experienced rider who rides more miles in a year then they drive, the LBS is still a
great resource. Most of these guys I have met know the LBS owners well, but a ton of stuff there and
get near internet prices. They probably ride with the owners on a regular basis. When you are
spending a couple of thousand a year, you can get that from your LBS.
--
Craig Brossman, Durango Colorado (remove .nospam. if replying)