Commuting - Bike Shops .. Grrrr

Is anyone else sick of the "xtreme" youth-centered bike shops? I went into one yesterday to get a bell and was accosted by a clerk with disks in his ear lobes who asked me what I wanted. I mentioned I was after a bell and a spare seat post. This did not please him, and he could not help me. The music was some sort of hip hop idiocy, and the clerks were overflowing with attitude. I wouldn't care, but since I've started biking again I've noticed these shops are the rule not the exception. What's going on here? Do people actually like this sort of punk attitude?

As for the bikes, they were either ultra light over priced mountain and road bikes with no fenders or racks or cheaply made cruisers. Ask for a steel frame heavy bike and they look at you like you're insane.

Is anyone else sick of the "xtreme" youth-centered bike shops? I went into one yesterday to get a bell and was accosted by a clerk with disks in his ear lobes who asked me what I wanted. I mentioned I was after a bell and a spare seat post. This did not please him, and he could not help me. The music was some sort of hip hop idiocy, and the clerks were overflowing with attitude. I wouldn't care, but since I've started biking again I've noticed these shops are the rule not the exception. What's going on here? Do people actually like this sort of punk attitude?

As for the bikes, they were either ultra light over priced mountain and road bikes with no fenders or racks or cheaply made cruisers. Ask for a steel frame heavy bike and they look at you like you're insane.
That descsibes most shops with under 25 year old sales staff, not just bike shops.

I dunno. There's a bike shop I go to because it's close and I like the staff. One employee has discs in his ears...and he is the nicest one there. They have everything I need and are really nice and fair.

There's another I go to in a pinch because it's in the center where I work. They only have road bikes and seem pretentious to me.

I figure each shop caters to their demographic or closes. I wouldn't give it too much thought and just go to a different shop.

Id like to trap all youth and put them on an island until they
are ready to conform to approved standards.
These kids need to learn early the world is not a place to exercise
creativity or free thought and spirit.

There are 3 differently personalitied LBS' around me; one is road race oriented, one is X-treem all the time, and the last is aimed at commuters. Interesting mix, and not very overlapping product lines, so I wind up in all of them periodically although I really only fully trust one of them (sadly, not the one I bought my bike from). I feel guilty when I go to the others or, gasp, order online, but I soldier on.

I dunno. Things are pretty nice around here, but I live in the midwest. People tend to be a little nicer than back east. That being said though, I dont think my LBS has many lower end bikes. Most of their bikes are higher MTB or Road/TT bikes with an equal section of medium end hybrids in all shapes and sizes (college town and no college student is gonna drop a grand on a bike typically..).

Id like to trap all youth and put them on an island until they
are ready to conform to approved standards.
These kids need to learn early the world is not a place to exercise
creativity or free thought and spirit.
It's not free thought and creativity that I find annoying, I'm all for that, but rather the PFR, know it all attitude of 'too kool' kids.....

Last time I checked, each and every generation knows more than their parents, and has a know all attitude, and is superior to all those older than them. Yawn. How boring. This attitude changes when their "cool hip" attitudes become the fossilized norm of the older set and suddenly the young are a pain in the ass.

Sadly, people tend to figure this out once it is too late, if they ever figure this out. (If you have ever wished that you could go back 20 years in time knowing what you know now in terms of how human relationships work, then you get my point I am sure ...)

People are amusing....

There is going to be an LBS opening up here that is supposed to cater to commuters, transportation/utilitarian cyclists, and cyclists who are older and/or might have health issues that require them to use "special" bikes or trikes. I'm really looking forward to it.

Went with a coworker to look for a new bike for her. We went to a shop that is supposed to be commuting/transportation friendly and the guy spent most of his time trying to convince her she didn't really want a step-through frame.

Although he did have piercings (many, many people in Portland do), I don't think that's why he was so against step-throughs. His mind just isn't open to why people might prefer something different.

I dunno. Things are pretty nice around here, but I live in the midwest. People tend to be a little nicer than back east.

Hey! I grew up on the West Coast, lived in the midwest for 10 years, and have been in Boston for 6 years. I actually find most people here very nice.

My LBS seems to cater to suburban tootlers and roadies. They are big and, except when they get super busy and don't have enough staff around, have been knowledgable and great to work with.

It's not free thought and creativity that I find annoying, I'm all for that, but rather the PFR, know it all attitude of 'too kool' kids.....

Exactly. The irony is my broad ass probably clocks a lot more bike miles than they do. Anyway I managed to find a brass bell and a shiny mirror (the horror!)

Hey! I grew up on the West Coast, lived in the midwest for 10 years, and have been in Boston for 6 years. I actually find most people here very nice.

My LBS seems to cater to suburban tootlers and roadies. They are big and, except when they get super busy and don't have enough staff around, have been knowledgable and great to work with.

Well, all I've ever visted is the DC/Baltimore/Surrounding areas, but they werent very nice at all. :)

I'm living in the Bible Belt at the moment. People who move here from other parts of the country think its actually rather creepy how nice people are. I have to admit its really creepy too, but I work in public services so I'm used to it to an extent.

Is anyone else sick of the "xtreme" youth-centered bike shops? I went into one yesterday to get a bell and was accosted by a clerk with disks in his ear lobes who asked me what I wanted. I mentioned I was after a bell and a spare seat post. This did not please him, and he could not help me. The music was some sort of hip hop idiocy, and the clerks were overflowing with attitude. I wouldn't care, but since I've started biking again I've noticed these shops are the rule not the exception. What's going on here? Do people actually like this sort of punk attitude?

As for the bikes, they were either ultra light over priced mountain and road bikes with no fenders or racks or cheaply made cruisers. Ask for a steel frame heavy bike and they look at you like you're insane.

WTF do you want a bell for? Got larengitis? :rolleyes:

Just kidding. Anyway, just order online like the rest of us freaks. The LBS is for mainstream stuff. I don't think bells are mainstream anymore.

I like my LBS for urgent needs like "I just blew up my tire and need a new one." Otherwise, they just don't have what I want. Its my fault. Not theirs. I just want eccentric stuff.

I have no clue. I'm still desperately trying to avoid turning into my parents.
Being condesending towards the youth is a trait I am trying to avoid with all my willpower.

Is anyone else sick of the "xtreme" youth-centered bike shops? I went into one yesterday to get a bell and was accosted by a clerk with disks in his ear lobes who asked me what I wanted. I mentioned I was after a bell and a spare seat post. This did not please him, and he could not help me. The music was some sort of hip hop idiocy, and the clerks were overflowing with attitude. I wouldn't care, but since I've started biking again I've noticed these shops are the rule not the exception. What's going on here? Do people actually like this sort of punk attitude?

As for the bikes, they were either ultra light over priced mountain and road bikes with no fenders or racks or cheaply made cruisers. Ask for a steel frame heavy bike and they look at you like you're insane.

So let me get this straight. You are upset that a LBS sells bikes you don't have an interest in, the staff dresses in a way you don't get and the music isn't to your taste?

Get over it. Your post is brutally judgemental about cultural elements that don't suit your world view. How can you be critical of the staff's attitude when you demostrate an equally disrespectful and intolerant mindset.

Is anyone else sick of the "xtreme" youth-centered bike shops? I went into one yesterday to get a bell and was accosted by a clerk with disks in his ear lobes who asked me what I wanted. I mentioned I was after a bell and a spare seat post. This did not please him, and he could not help me. The music was some sort of hip hop idiocy, and the clerks were overflowing with attitude. I wouldn't care, but since I've started biking again I've noticed these shops are the rule not the exception. What's going on here? Do people actually like this sort of punk attitude?

As for the bikes, they were either ultra light over priced mountain and road bikes with no fenders or racks or cheaply made cruisers. Ask for a steel frame heavy bike and they look at you like you're insane.

That's because you were in the record store instead. ;) Seriously though, most of the LBS's around here don't seem to have that problem. The store I bought my bike from also sells skateboard equipment, but I've had nothing but good service from them.

It's not free thought and creativity that I find annoying, I'm all for that, but rather the PFR, know it all attitude of 'too kool' kids.....

Ha Ha....
The last two bike shops I visitied had 'older' people with more staid sensibilities.
Up here the 'wHoA dO0dz' are usually on the sno-bored side.
The one in Rutland ingraciated himself upon me by ripping my choice
of bikes (Surly) and telling me a fixe shouldnt be ridden on the street under any
circumstance..:roflmao:
I could only think what a great sales tactic !!!! insult someone who comes into
your shop wanting to spend money..Ha Ha :roflmao:

Is anyone else sick of the "xtreme" youth-centered bike shops? I went into one yesterday to get a bell and was accosted by a clerk with disks in his ear lobes who asked me what I wanted. I mentioned I was after a bell and a spare seat post. This did not please him, and he could not help me. The music was some sort of hip hop idiocy, and the clerks were overflowing with attitude. I wouldn't care, but since I've started biking again I've noticed these shops are the rule not the exception. What's going on here? Do people actually like this sort of punk attitude?

As for the bikes, they were either ultra light over priced mountain and road bikes with no fenders or racks or cheaply made cruisers. Ask for a steel frame heavy bike and they look at you like you're insane.


The shops here are normal. Post your location in you info...would be nice to know what part of the world sucks.

cheers,

So let me get this straight. You are upset that a LBS sells bikes you don't have an interest in, the staff dresses in a way you don't get and the music isn't to your taste?

Get over it. Your post is brutally judgemental about cultural elements that don't suit your world view. How can you be critical of the staff's attitude when you demostrate an equally disrespectful and intolerant mindset.

Couldn't have been better stated...

I don't think bells are mainstream anymore.



bells aren't mainstream? They are fringe?. wow, who wouldathunk?

My local LBS is family owned, and all the sons work at one or the other location. I don't think their Dad would accept less than excellent customer service. Wish I would have bought my first bike there, and I'm glad I did buy my road bike there.

So let me get this straight. You are upset that a LBS sells bikes you don't have an interest in, the staff dresses in a way you don't get and the music isn't to your taste?

Get over it. Your post is brutally judgemental about cultural elements that don't suit your world view. How can you be critical of the staff's attitude when you demostrate an equally disrespectful and intolerant mindset.

I have to disagree here. I'm not sure the OP was "brutally judgemental." Yeah there may be a generational gap thing going on, but I think there is more. I don't have any problem with piercings, tatoos, hip-hop, etc. That said, I find a lot of shops are populated by younger folks who have bought in heavily to the "everyone needs to ride a super-light road bike, a fully suspended mountain bike or a crappy hybrid." They only know about Trek, Specialized, and Cannondale, etc. Trying to find a shop that has any good support for serious commuters is tough. Just try to find a shop that sells Brooks saddles, Tubus racks, decent panniers, etc.

I must have gone to a dozen shops or more when I was looking for my last bike--a lot were filled with salespeople with more attitude than experience. I tried to explain to a bunch of salepeople my back problems and the answer from most of them was that I would "get used to" the position I'm in when my saddle is four inches higher than the bars which is pure nonsense. I felt judged by them a lot of the time. Some even suggested that maybe I needed to stop riding when all I needed were higher handlebars a la my Surly or Rivendell, etc.

I tend to agree with the OP that a lot of shops are long on attitude and short on service.

Get over it. Your post is brutally judgemental about cultural elements that don't suit your world view. How can you be critical of the staff's attitude when you demostrate an equally disrespectful and intolerant mindset.

I am deeply intolerant of poor service and poor selection served by a staff with a poor attitude.

Thankfully there's a better place just down the street, but unfortunately it has a limited stock of add-ons. The internet is OK, but shipping to the greatland can add up fast.

I detest shops that have attitude, too. That's why I don't seek out the shop near my work unless I am in an emergency. I always feel like I'm just in their way when they "help" me. They also taught me to double check the sizes of tubes I buy. I asked them for a 27x1.75 tube and they gave me a 26x1.75. That was the suck when I got a flat...

Sure some of the youth are a holes, but then again so are some of the middle aged old farts who think the world should go back to the ways of Beaver Cleaver. Some of those with a "punk attitude" have been the most valuable source of info I've come across.

I wish I could bottle and clone the LBS we have in Waterloo. The service is great, the bike selection is great, the associated gear collection is great, they listen to you, sell you what you ask for, and get it if they dont normally stock it and then ASK about it when you come back and LISTEN to your answer. I flatly refuse to buy a bike or piece of bike gear any place else. They stock Kona, Specialized, and Trek (I think) as well as Opus road bikes, and can steer you to True North Bikes if you want something special (trust me, those bikes are special.... wish I had more money http://www.truenorthcycles.com/default.asp).

Some people in the service industry are too dense to understand why they lost a job or why the business went under when they couldn't draw the customers or keep a clientele.

Whoever drew the record-store analogy was dead on. Bike shops, record stores, hardware stores: many of the customers of these stores are know-it-alls who feel the need to parade their knowledge before the clerks. Imagine dealing with all the opinions on BF — but never being able to flame anybody. Could you deal with a**holes like us?

And "hip-hop idiocy"? Picture your grandfather railing about that "rock and roll idiocy." Alas, it's the same thing.

We grow old, we grow old. We shall wear our trousers rolled. (Or do those reflective clips work?)

Here in Bloomington, all the bike shops are full of both old and young people. It seems the same 3 types of people are in every shop: the business-oriented owner who keeps opinions in line enough to make money; the young, serious rider who would like to steer people to the most expensive stuff; and the older guy who caters to the communters, rec riders, and families.

No business survives if it doesn't understand it's market. If a store is full of young, hip-hop kids and only sells super high-end gear in one segment, either they know their market, and you'll have to look elsewhere, or you won't have to worry about the store for very long since it will be gone. Poor service should not be tolerated, but selection and focus of the store is not their fault, it's the fault of the market. The Bloomington market has three big groups: serious riders, especially Little 500 participants; students who want to ride to class; and retirees (Bloomington being a huge retirement community). The three shops know that, and cater to those groups.

Whoever drew the record-store analogy was dead on.

Indeed. Most music stores I've been to were full of the same attitude. The clerks are annoyed if you're insufficiently hip or show an interest in improper music. There's a sense that the customer must prove himself to the staff before getting respect. Sadly, my questions about new wave never score any points for me :D

Go to Target for a bell. A couple weeks ago I saw a pretty decent looking bell for $1 in their bargain bins. I was about to buy a handful of them.

Actually for the most part, when buying "casual" gear (as in not racing, and nothing specialized, like fancy racks), hit up the dept stores. Most of them will have horns, bells, and various other tidbits. Heck some are actually selling generator lights again.

Is anyone else sick of the "xtreme" youth-centered bike shops? I went into one yesterday to get a bell and was accosted by a clerk with disks in his ear lobes who asked me what I wanted. I mentioned I was after a bell and a spare seat post. This did not please him, and he could not help me. The music was some sort of hip hop idiocy, and the clerks were overflowing with attitude. I wouldn't care, but since I've started biking again I've noticed these shops are the rule not the exception. What's going on here? Do people actually like this sort of punk attitude?

As for the bikes, they were either ultra light over priced mountain and road bikes with no fenders or racks or cheaply made cruisers. Ask for a steel frame heavy bike and they look at you like you're insane.

I used to go to a couple of bike shops where I got that kind of attitude. I stopped going to them. I found a mom and pop place that has been in business for 40 plus years who have had mechanics working there with over thirty years experience. It was a hole in the wall type of place but they knew how to treat customers and didn't talk down to those less knowledgeable.

The closest shop to me (21 miles) has several half-pipes arranged into a rather dodgy looking BMX course in the back of their steel building. I was passing near, on a long pleasure ride the other day, and decided to stop for a new water bottle cage. The response: "Yeah, they are over on the wall there somewhere, but I think they throw your balance off. You oughta keep your **** in the cooler like everyone else."
--A

Indeed. Most music stores I've been to were full of the same attitude. The clerks are annoyed if you're insufficiently hip or show an interest in improper music. There's a sense that the customer must prove himself to the staff before getting respect.

Let's not forget video stores. Quite a few years back, I lived in New York's East Village. There was an infamous video shop on Avenue A -- Kim's. They had a pretty good selection, but if anyone was so uncouth as to rent a mainstream Hollywood flick, the clerks would let it be known, with sneers and snickers, exactly what they thought of the customer's taste. Of course, they'd take the customer's money -- I guess they knew where their minimum wage was coming from.

A new video store opened up right across the street (Two Boots) and they put a sign in their window that said something like "come on in -- we're a lot nicer than Kim's!" And they were. I started going there for videos.

I'd actually gotten banned from Kim's shortly before. One evening, I and my then-girlfriend had gone in looking for a movie. She picked out something pretty mainstream, brought it to the counter, and got major attitude from the twerp behind the register, to the point where he actually held up the box to show to the other moronic NYU film students working there, so they could join in his juvenile snickering. We left the store, I told my girlfriend that I'd forgotten something inside, went back in, grabbed the jerk, pulled him over the counter, told him that if he was ever rude to my girlfriend again, I'd be back. Along with all of her brothers. Then left. The whole thing took maybe 20 seconds.

The point is that between Netflix and Two Boots, Kim's is probably (hopefully) out of business at this point. LBSs that permit the bicycling equivalent of snotty NYU film students to treat paying customers like dirt should pay close attention.

The point is that between Netflix and Two Boots, Kim's is probably (hopefully) out of business at this point. LBSs that permit the bicycling equivalent of snotty NYU film students to treat paying customers like dirt should pay close attention.

I think you're overestimating them by assuming they are students. Probably snotty recent NYU film school graduates who need to find a way to pay off their $40,000/year education when no studio will produce their art house film. Probably just bitter at that point. For a variety of reasons.

Sometimes it's just a case of educating the youngsters.

When I told the kid at my LBS I wanted to replace my 11-30 8-speed cassette with a 13-23, he looked at me completely puzzled and asked, "Why would you want to do that?" I told him I can't push the 11, and I don't climb trees with my bike, so I don't need the 30 or 26. "Eight closer ratios in my cadence range makes more sense than five widely-spaced ones," I concluded.

He thought about it for a minute, then agreed.

Whoever drew the record-store analogy was dead on. Bike shops, record stores, hardware stores: many of the customers of these stores are know-it-alls who feel the need to parade their knowledge before the clerks.


Not to mention Apple stores...filled with know it all hipsters!

Let's not forget video stores. Quite a few years back, I lived in New York's East Village. There was an infamous video shop on Avenue A -- Kim's. They had a pretty good selection, but if anyone was so uncouth as to rent a mainstream Hollywood flick, the clerks would let it be known, with sneers and snickers, exactly what they thought of the customer's taste. Of course, they'd take the customer's money -- I guess they knew where their minimum wage was coming from.

A new video store opened up right across the street (Two Boots) and they put a sign in their window that said something like "come on in -- we're a lot nicer than Kim's!" And they were. I started going there for videos.

I'd actually gotten banned from Kim's shortly before. One evening, I and my then-girlfriend had gone in looking for a movie. She picked out something pretty mainstream, brought it to the counter, and got major attitude from the twerp behind the register, to the point where he actually held up the box to show to the other moronic NYU film students working there, so they could join in his juvenile snickering. We left the store, I told my girlfriend that I'd forgotten something inside, went back in, grabbed the jerk, pulled him over the counter, told him that if he was ever rude to my girlfriend again, I'd be back. Along with all of her brothers. Then left. The whole thing took maybe 20 seconds.

The point is that between Netflix and Two Boots, Kim's is probably (hopefully) out of business at this point. LBSs that permit the bicycling equivalent of snotty NYU film students to treat paying customers like dirt should pay close attention.

I just love it when people commit assaults and utter threats when their ability to reason properly goes out the window, you? Obviously, this is a bully that did not get stomped when young ;p Next time, DONT GO BACK!!! sheesh.

Let's not forget video stores. Quite a few years back, I lived in New York's East Village. There was an infamous video shop on Avenue A -- Kim's. They had a pretty good selection, but if anyone was so uncouth as to rent a mainstream Hollywood flick, the clerks would let it be known, with sneers and snickers, exactly what they thought of the customer's taste. Of course, they'd take the customer's money -- I guess they knew where their minimum wage was coming from.


Ha!. Nice tale. There is a Kim's way uptown (Braodway and 112ish) near Columbia U. that I used to frequent when I was in grad school up there. I loved that place. Where else can you rent the Turkish version of Star Wars? I never got that kind of attitude there, but I kinda always expected it based on the looks of the kids working in there, but then again, I mostly rented wierd stuff.

The shops round here are a mixed bag. My nearest one sells MTB's, roadies, hybrids, allsorts, but their stock of aftermarket stuff is pitiful. Two colours of bar tape, a few bells and kiddie bits, a choice of, I think, 2 saddles. Terrible. And the guy who runs the place is not charming - he's very short with you. That said, he's always totally honest, will refer you to other bike shops, has given me bike boxes for nothing, and their labour rates are cheap. The workshop don't mind doing even tiny jobs (like removing a freewheel) that I might not have to tools for, and where even up for trying to think of an esoteric solution for shifting gears on an MTB that I converted to a chopper.

The others are BMX and Road focussed, and further away, but both fine. The stuff I want, though, is mostly only available online. The shop I miss most was the retail front end of famous British custom builder Rotrax cycles. It was an oldskool bike shop, you couldn't move for stuff hanging from the walls, he had a rack full of stuff behind him, the counter was glass and full of boxed of esoteric stuff. The guy who ran it was grumpy and curmudgeonly, but knew everything, and if you wanted something, he had it. The whole operation, framebuilding and all, closed down over the winter. I was gutted.

I really like lem's idea of trapping the childish and storing them on some island until maturity reins.
I am not sure I entirely blame youth. To some extent it is marketing methods so common to the US. Sort of how the US gets movies like Dumb and Dumber. Appeal to the largest single market and to hell with everyone else.
In my old region, chain bike shops predominated. As chains took over from small independent bike shops the tendency of youth oriented marketing seemed to become more pronounced.
Method Wal Mart uses , undercut the independents and assume all the markets.
What makes no sense to me. Youth might be the largest single bike population. But, I say. Look at the customers. They are a pluriality , not a majority.
There are tons of middle aged cyclists in San Diego. Above the national norm. Yet, you go into a store, I am constantly called 'dude.' I do not mind until it is used with the frequency of 'like you know.' My limit, being called dude more than 10 times and I am out the door.
THe other part of the equation. Chains do not like long term employees. Loyalty generates a need to pay that employee maybe a dollar more an hour , if that employee is lucky.
And yes, I do remember some dude calling sales clerk dissing my choices.
I suggest looking for independent bike stores, if you can find one.

I think that I've always had great service from the young and hip kids in the LBS. At Performance Bike here they don't care if you are buying rack bags, mirrors or ultra bling goodies. The get you what you want...helpful kids they are.

On the other side of the coin is Criterium Bike... I think they are much too stuffy to be on the receiving end of my wallet. I went in there once to get a couple spokes replaced in the back wheel of my MTB. [big jump, bad landing] . The owners only interest was fanging me for 180 for a new wheel. He wouldn't even sell me the spokes so I could fix it myslef. I went to Preformance. They got me the spokes and I rode that wheel for 3 more years till I sold the bike. Too bad on Criterium... I've spent thousands since then on bike crap, and drive right past their store to go somewhere else.

On the other side of the coin is Criterium Bike... I think they are much too stuffy to be on the receiving end of my wallet. I went in there once to get a couple spokes replaced in the back wheel of my MTB. [big jump, bad landing] . The owners only interest was fanging me for 180 for a new wheel. He wouldn't even sell me the spokes so I could fix it myslef. I went to Preformance. They got me the spokes and I rode that wheel for 3 more years till I sold the bike. Too bad on Criterium... I've spent thousands since then on bike crap, and drive right past their store to go somewhere else.

I try to avoid shops like that...but when I do need to go in one, I no longer tell them my problem, or give them any specific details or ask any questions. I do my research ahead of time, go in, state exactly what I want and buy it if they have it. I don't ask or answer any specific questions relating to my particular problem or what kind of bike I'm riding or anything like that. I let the "dude" or "snickering" comments bounce off me and stick with my strategy and it usually goes pretty smooth. If you get in a situation like them refusing to sell you any spokes...tell then them you are interested in a $3,000 carbon road bike, but you'd like to just fix your MTB wheel first...then you'll come back tomorrow to test ride some road bikes. That'll force them to sell you the spokes.

I guess I have always had good luck with bike shops - but I don't try to appear to be something I am not. I am not Lance Armstrong - so why should I have a bike like that? But, I do have a nice bike, and it is ridden a lot, and looks like it.

I agree with the idea of knowing that you need before you enter the store - as the old saying goes - if all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail. If someone has never commuted to work - they are likely not to know what is needed.

I tend to know what will work - but then ask what they think ahead. For example, "I need something to announce to people before I run them over that I am behind them - and I prefer to not be shouting all day if I can avoid it." Then, they might actually suggest a bell is the solution and feel pretty happy they thought of it. Or, they might have a nifty foghorn for you... ;)

Often, if a person is out of their element (like a clerk dealing with a commuter cyclist) they can act snooty as a way of being defensive. Don't take it personally - it is their problem more than yours.

I definitely don't expect maturity from the young - that wouldn't be very mature of me..., nor very reasonable. Besides, if I remember correctly, I was once young and full of it - but it is getting to be a bit far back to remember.... Thankfully, time is doing a good job of erasing that embarassment.

It's not free thought and creativity that I find annoying, I'm all for that, but rather the PFR, know it all attitude of 'too kool' kids.....

Yeah, we don't give a darn what they are saying, just how they say it! :rolleyes:

'My brain' has a point. We need be fair. I can think of one store with young argumentative punks and another store with young knowledgeable staff. But, both were chains. None -the- less, chain operated , bike shops should cater to different ages because cycling is popular with all ages. Still, I get tired of being called dude after the tenth time in a one minute conversation.

Yeah, we don't give a darn what they are saying, just how they say it! :rolleyes:
Sadly most of them only know about freeride or from time to time mountain bikes. They know nothing about road bikes. If you don't want a front shock they will give you a BS sales pitch on why SRSuntour shocks are great for city riding. :rolleyes: Don't even mention steel, that's waaay to heavy to them, only alumumium is good. Sheesh!

This thread is starting to make my brain hurt.

Mihlbach is right. Do your research before you go. Like anything niche, not everyone is gonna know what you wish they did. If you have questions, you have a place to ask them... right here.

A store is a store and they are unfortunately gonna sell what makes them money.

Moral of the story, if you don't like the kids, don't go. Do your reasearch and know what you want. And always drink milk, say your prayers and look both ways before crossing the street.

I used to go to a couple of bike shops where I got that kind of attitude. I stopped going to them. I found a mom and pop place that has been in business for 40 plus years who have had mechanics working there with over thirty years experience. It was a hole in the wall type of place but they knew how to treat customers and didn't talk down to those less knowledgeable.
I'm new to the area. Which places are you talking about?

The folks at my LBS couldn't be more helpful, courteous, informative, and respectful. Of course, I live in the Portland, Oregon, metropolitan area where such attributes are considered a normal part of doing business--and I'm sure they would act the same if they knew I was a Republican.