General Cycling Discussion - bummer

I live in a town that has no more than 25,000 people, and there is only one bike shop. And not very many people around here bike. So the bike shop doesn't have very much business. Now the problem with that is that the owner won't make bargains. And the other problem is that a lot of companys won't let him order just one of something, or he has to carry a bunch of other stuff to carry one type of thing. For example, he can't just carry Shimano pedals, he has to carry the Shimano line of shoes too. And he can't order me just one Titec stem, he has to place a 500$ purchase with Titec. That totally sucks, for me and for him.
Also, he only carries Schwinn and Specialized bikes, which totally sucks for me because maybe I want a Gary Fisher or a GT, it also totally sucks for him becaus it sends people else where, or online.
There are two cities close to where I live that have several bike shops that carry a large selection, so I guess I could go there, but I want to support my LBS, and so I am stuck.. And it totally sucks

Hey! I understand. So go where you have to, it's O.K.

My uncle was Army. He was movin' a lot. Visited him and cousins in Nullengen (sp?) Germany (near Stuttgart). One thing is, you get to meet different people and be able to make friends with anyone fast!

My daugher (18) says, "BOHICA" (best friend is an Air Force brat :)

Keep posting, want to hear what's going on...

Peter Clark

fubar...As Pete says, go where you have to, to find what you want. You can still support your LBS though by getting servicing done there, and at least buying small stuff, like tubes, patches, waterbottles etc.

Pete, I dunno what you ment by calling me girl, maybe my avatar of Charlize Theron threw you off. But I'm a guy, a 17 yr old dude that lives in the boonies of SC(who woulda guessed there could be boonies in SC?). But that's ok, no offense taken.
I like BOHICA too. It's perfect. Did you ever notice how military bases are in the worst possible part of the state,city, or town?
I guess I could go to the other shops. And I would definetly support my LBS by getting most of my accesories there. But everytime I go in there(my LBS) I'm the only one, and nooo bikes seem to move through.Oh well, I'm not gonna keep his shop running by myself.

F5, I agree with the others. Support the LBS if you can but you can't pay the rent. He must be getting by unless it is a new shop. Besides getting more people to ride you may want to ask him if there is anything you can do to help build a larger customer base (i.e. lead rides from his shop).

Oops, sorry about that, Fubar5. I stand corrected!

Have a great day, bud!

I'm gonna remove all references to you that way, too.

No problem Pete. That was pretty funny, you callin' me baby an all. :rolleyes:
Thats an idea I have thought of TriBob. I have also thought of asking him if he would be interested me and him designing some kinda jersey I could were when I ride in bike races. Which I plan on doing a lot this fall.

Fubar,
Hey in the same boat here. I live in a town of less than 1500. Nearest shop is 35 miles away, and he has never seen half the stuff I have set up on two different bikes. I would not feel bad about support though like previous poster's said you gotta go where you gotta go.

as for myself, I am a bargain hunter, if a particular bike shop can give me a good price on an item I am trying to buy I go for that store, if not, "no way jose" ;), and its all because there are several bike store here in Toronto

Thanks guys. You make me feel better.
orguasch, I love bargains!! that what makes shopping fun. And that why I hate shopping online. Partly because when I buy something, I want to be able to hold it, smell it, love it. And also I can be absolutely sure I am getting what I need. But online... You can't do anything, and then you have to wait till it comes in the mail, and then it might not be what I want.

If you can't support your local shop support someonelse's local shop that has a web site like Two Wheel Transit or North Divison Bicycle. Both shops are run by very cool people. Two Wheel has lots of roady stuff and excellent clothing selection and North Divison has lots of used bikes etc. Both have very good lines of new road and mtn. bikes and make smart "buys". ( Two Wheel bought ALL of the helmets (Giro?) had on sale-(several thousand).

http://twowheeltransit.com/

http://northdivision.com/