Commuting - good bike store litmus test

I've figured out how to tell if a bike store is interested in service as part of their business or just wanting to sell new bikes. If they sell 27 inch tires, they are with you for the long haul. Otherwise, their bottom line figures exclusively on the number of new bikes rolling out the door.

We have a new bike store in town. They have a glitzy showroom. Not much in the way of tools, parts, or panniers. Just a big room full of shiny new bikes. Oh, and no 27 inch tires.

Typically a new bike shop needs to build a business based on selling new bikes at first and then later those same people who bought new bikes at that shop come back to have those bikes (and others) serviced.

So the new sales drives the service.

After a while the service drives new sales. The people who brought in the bikes to be serviced do more servicing and while their bikes are being checked-in they wander around and buy stuff.

It could be your shop in question is so new that they haven't built up the stock. Or maybe they know that building up too much stock early on will cut into the space they have for stuff that sells faster. Like, in your example, new bikes.

Things may change.

All I can say is: You open a store (any store) with every $ you have and work 14+ hours * 7 days, then tell me what it's like.

I can't imagine. But I'm working in a new store right now as a new mechanic and I can tell you it's like nothing I've ever done.

My litmus test is how quickly they come out from behind the counter to see if you need a hand with anything (assuming they arn't busy). The ones that come right out are the ones worth revisiting.

My LBS opened a new "service center" a couple of weeks ago. I went in and bought 2 feet of brake cable housing from them this past weekend, and the guy gave me the little end caps that go with the cable, too. I wouldn't have thought to ask for those. I'll be going back to them for a long long time.

I know it probably frustrates small business owners to hear this, but little things really do make all the difference.

My LBS opened a new "service center" a couple of weeks ago. I went in and bought 2 feet of brake cable housing from them this past weekend, and the guy gave me the little end caps that go with the cable, too. I wouldn't have thought to ask for those. I'll be going back to them for a long long time.

I know it probably frustrates small business owners to hear this, but little things really do make all the difference.


Likewise - I have gone to a shop to have something done to a bike and asked them to put caps on the cables that I did not cap. They didn't do it. So I went to another bike shop next time ...

I brought my 17 y/o, sticker covered, beater commuter MTB to a local branch of a national chain bike shop for a new chain and a derailleur adjustment. The mechanic immediately started trying to sell me new components. (Not good)

I brought the same beater bike to an LBS with a good reputation around town. I wanted my wheels trued. I flipped off the mechanic after he looked at my bike and asked another wrench "Do they even make these stupid things anymore?" while pointing to an outdated (and no longer produced) item on my ride.

I brought my outdated, dirty, stickered, scratched, heavy, mismatched pieces parts, beater commuter MTB to another LBS. The chief wrench looked at the rainbow-haired troll doll I have duct taped to my stem and said "Cool troll. Is he good luck?" They've been my shop ever since. Synth has never pressured me to buy a new part. If it's fixable, he'll fix it for me without questioning if I want a new one. He knows that if I wanted a new one, I'd have asked him for it.

Willingness to work on old bikes and parts is the make-it-or-break-it point for me.

I've figured out how to tell if a bike store is interested in service as part of their business or just wanting to sell new bikes. If they sell 27 inch tires, they are with you for the long haul. Otherwise, their bottom line figures exclusively on the number of new bikes rolling out the door.

We have a new bike store in town. They have a glitzy showroom. Not much in the way of tools, parts, or panniers. Just a big room full of shiny new bikes. Oh, and no 27 inch tires.

Lace-up tires are a good sign, too.

Yea service is such a big part of it.
Now days you have craigslist, ebay, and interent.

People will buy things from an LBS becuase that can't get service from craigslst, ebay and the internet..

The sad thing is service don't pay the bills.

Litmus test? I'm generally happy if the staff passes the *Turing* test.

Willingness to work on old bikes and parts is the make-it-or-break-it point for me.

Same here.

When we moved to town I took my wife's 1980s schwinn that had just been through 5 yrs of complete neglect to a shop to get it tuned up/resurrected for commuting, they told me to buy a new one instead (I can't imagine a new bike for $300 or whatever they were guessing a renovation would cost would have been remotely comparable), and that they were having a big sale in December. This was August, and they're telling me to wait 4 months to come in and get a new bike while this one is unrideable????

I wouldn't hold it against a brand new shop if their parts bins are not chock full of NOS obsolete stuff however.

I've figured out how to tell if a bike store is interested in service as part of their business or just wanting to sell new bikes. If they sell 27 inch tires, they are with you for the long haul. Otherwise, their bottom line figures exclusively on the number of new bikes rolling out the door.

By that standard, WalMart is with you for the long haul.

Litmus test? I'm generally happy if the staff passes the *Turing* test.

"The Turing Test is a proposal for a test of a machine's capability to demonstrate thought. "

:lol: :lol:

I ride a bike with 27" wheels, so I know what you're talking about! There are tons of them out there still... I've seen people walk into a bike shop with a spotless bike that has a flat tire and the store try to sell them a new bike because "They don't make parts for that one anymore" :mad:

My favorite bike shop is my favorite because I went in one day with my poor, beat up commuter bike and they threw it on the stand, gave it the once over, trued up the back wheel a bit for me, replaced a missing bolt for my rear rack, and sent me on my way. Total cost? $0.00

I do most of my own work, but when I need parts or service I try to go in there. Can't always make it because the store is quite a ways from my house, but I try. :)

My choice of bike shops is determined by whether the staff knows what they're talking about, or at least care enough to find out.

I went into a store recently looking for a new rear derailleur. I walked in about 15 minutes before closing time, and the manager rushed over to lock the door behind me. That set the tone immediately - "We're about to close, so don't take too long." The sales clerk told me that Shimano doesn't make a long-cage 105 derailleur. After his manager corrected him, I asked him how long it would take to come in if I ordered it. "I dunno, maybe a week." Wrong answer, and wrong shop for me.

I went up the street to another shop. I walked in less than two minutes before closing time; the clerk pulled a long-cage 105 out of the case, answered my questions about it, and rung it up five minutes after closing. He never mentioned that they were supposed to be closed - I was a customer, I was there, and that seemed good enough for him. That's the shop I'm going to go back to again and again. The part was $10 more at the second shop, and I'm more than happy to pay the difference to get good service.

The funny thing is, the first shop has 27" tires, and the second doesn't.

my original LBS seemed OK at first but they were servicing a bike they had sold (their sticker was on the frame)... but the minute I sold that bike and started taking in old bikes I got at Goodwill they changed and started telling me things weren't available and "what you're looking for doesn't exist" (which I found out was untrue, I bought the part from Harris cyclery and had my NEW shop install it for me.) the new place is very cool about repairing the old steel bike I have and were very good with a couple of old bikes I liberated from someone's trash pile. the guys are friendly and helpful. for you tempe folks this is Bicycle wheelers on Rural!

called up a bike shop the other day....

"hey, im looking for some cantilever brakes, yoiu guys got any in stock i could pick up?"


guy on phone: "uhhh what kind of brakes? Not sure.. let me get one of the mechanics on the line.."

Mechanic picks up the phone: "Hi, what kind of brakes did you say you were looking for?"
me: "Cantilever brakes"...
mechanic: "uhh you mean like cyclocross brakes?"
me: "ummm.. I mean Cantilever brakes.. you know.. Cantis?, uhhhh" trying to think of anything else they are known as.
mechanic: what kind of bike are they for?
me: (wondering why this matters), "a road bike.. but you know for wider tires"..
mechanic: "ah road bike brakes, we got a couple pairs of those in.."
me: "cantilever right?"
mechanic: "oh yeah yeah".

So this place if pretty far away, but im happy to finally find a bike shop that actually has some in stock right then (like 7th place I had called/been to that day that had _none_ in stock).. Bike all the way down there, go up to the shop..

me: "hi I had called in about the brakes, you said you had some for me?"
mechanic: "here you go!" pulls out a box of caliper brakes...
me: "uhh actually I was looking for cantilever brakes... like I said on the phone... these are caliper"..
mechanic, turns to the other mechanic and they both have a nice laugh at what I said.. "ahh you must be looking for fork mounted cyclocross brakes!! haha, we dont have any of those in!"



What the FACK!?!?! What kind of bike shop has no mechanic who has ever even heard the word cantilever or caliper before? Ive never even HEARD anyone refer to them as "cyclocross" and "Road bike" brakes.... I guess it makes sense if you think about the kinds of brakes those bikes typically have, but there are exceptions as well, but how the **** could noone at the bike store have ever heard of cantilever brakes? This was a big bike store that sould dozens of road bikes, mountain bikes, hybrids etc.... Am I using some sort of outdated technical term or something?

Then the mechanics laughed at ME, like I was some sort of idiot who didnt know his bike parts? wtf?!?!

Mechanic picks up the phone: "Hi, what kind of brakes did you say you were looking for?"
me: "Cantilever brakes"...
mechanic: "uhh you mean like cyclocross brakes?"
me: "ummm.. I mean Cantilever brakes.. you know.. Cantis?, uhhhh" trying to think of anything else they are known as.
mechanic: what kind of bike are they for?
me: (wondering why this matters), "a road bike.. but you know for wider tires"..
mechanic: "ah road bike brakes, we got a couple pairs of those in.."
me: "cantilever right?"
mechanic: "oh yeah yeah".

This was your cue to RUN, not walk, away from that shop. Any time a mechanic of any sort associates a technology with a specific use, they usually do not know what they are talking about.

they give you free tune up on new bike purchase

plus 20% instant bike discount

$30 discount off a Kryptonite New Yorker lock

and seem sincere and genuine in helping

My litmus test is how quickly they come out from behind the counter to see if you need a hand with anything (assuming they arn't busy). The ones that come right out are the ones worth revisiting.

I would add to this willingness to answer all my ridiculous questions. I am just getting back into biking after several decades. The last bike I owed was on old BMXer when I was a kid. In shopping and trying to learn about all these new fangled :) bikes of the three LBS in my local area, only one was willing to help understand the different components and how the different models from different stores compared. That level of service and the fact that several avid riders I know helped sway my decision.

I've figured out how to tell if a bike store is interested in service as part of their business or just wanting to sell new bikes. If they sell 27 inch tires, they are with you for the long haul. Otherwise, their bottom line figures exclusively on the number of new bikes rolling out the door.

We have a new bike store in town. They have a glitzy showroom. Not much in the way of tools, parts, or panniers. Just a big room full of shiny new bikes. Oh, and no 27 inch tires.

That is utter garbage. My LBS is largely MTB oriented and I'm a die hard roadie and I still find the best service and friendly faces in that place even though they rarely carry the stuff I need when I service my bike. Hell, I've gotten loads of free service on bikes I haven't even purchased there and I get 10% off on everything I buy there.

BTW-I have no idea if they carry 27 inch tires. I'll check the next time I'm in there though. Judging by their selection of road tires though I'm at least 90% certain that they don't. If I'm wrong, I'll let you know. :D

Same here, SDRider. My LBS is MTB, Cruiser, with some BMX tossed in. Friendly faces work, though. Also the technical knowledge, and a willingness to get the bike on the road as soon as possible.

I've figured out how to tell if a bike store is interested in service as part of their business or just wanting to sell new bikes. If they sell 27 inch tires, they are with you for the long haul. Otherwise, their bottom line figures exclusively on the number of new bikes rolling out the door.

We have a new bike store in town. They have a glitzy showroom. Not much in the way of tools, parts, or panniers. Just a big room full of shiny new bikes. Oh, and no 27 inch tires.

You can go store to store crossing them off your list because they don't have some part that you want, but that wouldn't really be fair. You'll always find some part that a store doesn't have, so maybe you're destined to be a Wal Mart or an online shopper.

As some have mentioned, running a small business in today's world is tough. You can't please everyone. But perhaps a better guage would be the shops willingness to try to help you out. Did you ask about 27" tires? I'd be they would be willing to order them for you, and then knowing that there's a demand, they might consider stocking them.

Come on Folks, don't be shy,

Let's do some name dropping here.

I San Diego, I go to Hollands, Bike Tour San Diego for service. Pedal Pushing and Ye Olde Bicycle Shopee for misc used bicycles parts.

I don't go to Pennyfarthing bicycle shop on C Street.

Don't have apoplexy when I mention internal hubs,
sell fenders,
realize racing is not the be all, end all to bicycling,
will actually help me source obscure parts, or at least not freak when I bring in esoteric tech,
know the name Sheldon Brown, (proves they occasionally do some research).

It's a lot to ask, but there are a few around.
Sunshine in Athens, Ga, and Bicycle South in Decatur, Ga are two.

I-Martin in Los Angeles, they sell the most decadent top of the line road bikes, but then also work on my beater, order cheap parts, and welded some braze-ons on my touring bike for fenders. Very cool guys.

I've figured out how to tell if a bike store is interested in service as part of their business or just wanting to sell new bikes. If they sell 27 inch tires, they are with you for the long haul. Otherwise, their bottom line figures exclusively on the number of new bikes rolling out the door.

We have a new bike store in town. They have a glitzy showroom. Not much in the way of tools, parts, or panniers. Just a big room full of shiny new bikes. Oh, and no 27 inch tires.
That's one hell of an esoteric litmus test you got there

I have 2 shops I use, one is a major national chain, and the other is a smaller shop right next door to work.

I started using Performance when all the smaller LBS's in town wouldn't so much look at my bike because I hadn't bought it there. It came with great service for life, but unfortunately the shop where I purchased it is 3000 miles away. Performance took care of it that day, and they were really friendly and even knowledgeable. I still shop there for basic supplies, and the way they handled getting my then 1 year old in a helmet was amazing.

My other shop is the on campus shop next to my store, and they are great. When I took over the store, I went in and introduced myself, gave them all free samples and brought my bike in with me. So far, they have tuned it, replaced a set of wheels after an accident and given me plenty of advice about any number of things. They also loan me any tool I need, pretty much any time. And my most solid contact there rides a really nice Fuji track bike that I am insanely jealous of .

I think the secret to finding a shop is the people there. I don't want to be met at the door with a sales pitch, but I don't want to be ignored either. Just a friendly smile and enough knowledge to be smarter than me is ok.

Come on Folks, don't be shy,

Let's do some name dropping here.

I San Diego, I go to Hollands, Bike Tour San Diego for service. Pedal Pushing and Ye Olde Bicycle Shopee for misc used bicycles parts.

I don't go to Pennyfarthing bicycle shop on C Street.

Bicycle Warehouse in Vista is where I go. I've been to a number of other local shops to. Alan's is friendly enough, Performance is okay. Nytro in Encinitas is horrible. Their service sucks and they are overpriced. If you want to drool over high priced carbon road bikes that's the place to go though. Just don't expect any help.

27"? i need 3-speed sized things. I mention a 590 tire/rim and they try to sell me a wheelchair rim. I need to find an lbs that has old guys working in it.

I started using Performance when all the smaller LBS's in town wouldn't so much look at my bike because I hadn't bought it there.


Performance in Redmond was the shop that I mentioned, where all they tried to do was sell me new parts. All I needed was a new chain and quick tune up, not a new derailleur, cassette, rings, etc... I guess it varies from shop to shop with them.

In Redmond, I go to Sammamish Valley Cycles. I specifically bring my bike to Synth (chief wrench.) The man will fix anything, and has a real appreciation for old bikes and equipment. The sales crew also knows that I'm not buying a new bike really soon, but they let me take bikes out on test rides around the lot while mine's being worked on.

I do not go to Redmond Cycle. They're a bunch of elitists, and if you don't have a brand new, $5000, light as a fart road bike, you're treated like a leper.

I do not go to REI, but only because their bike service center is always jam-packed with a long waiting list. They do good work, but you'll wait for it.

In Madison I have gone to a couple of places:
Willy Bikes on west washington had the 27" tube I needed. They were very helpful and answered my newb questions nicely even though I was only making a $5 purchase.

I have had all the service on my bike done at Yellow Jersey, very knowledgeable and they have no problems working on my 35 year old beater schwinn; plus they were open on Easter when my shifter cable broke.

I've figured out how to tell if a bike store is interested in service as part of their business or just wanting to sell new bikes. If they sell 27 inch tires, they are with you for the long haul. Otherwise, their bottom line figures exclusively on the number of new bikes rolling out the door.

We have a new bike store in town. They have a glitzy showroom. Not much in the way of tools, parts, or panniers. Just a big room full of shiny new bikes. Oh, and no 27 inch tires.
What's in stock isn't that important. The question is if they can get what's best for you in a reasonable amount of time and a good price.

Shops have to sell stuff that moves. If they help you get what you need, they provide good service. One of the specific reasons I buy practically everything through the LBS is that I've found they're very good about telling me what I can get through special order that meets my needs.

There are a zillion kinds of tires to meet different needs. For less common sizes, it makes more sense to just special order them since there are significant differences in durability, grip, ride, puncture resistance, tread, and width within a particular diameter. Instant gratification is nice, but not if you have to ride around on the wrong tires.

Performance in Redmond was the shop that I mentioned, where all they tried to do was sell me new parts. All I needed was a new chain and quick tune up, not a new derailleur, cassette, rings, etc... I guess it varies from shop to shop with them.

In Redmond, I go to Sammamish Valley Cycles. I specifically bring my bike to Synth (chief wrench.) The man will fix anything, and has a real appreciation for old bikes and equipment. The sales crew also knows that I'm not buying a new bike really soon, but they let me take bikes out on test rides around the lot while mine's being worked on.

I do not go to Redmond Cycle. They're a bunch of elitists, and if you don't have a brand new, $5000, light as a fart road bike, you're treated like a leper.

I do not go to REI, but only because their bike service center is always jam-packed with a long waiting list. They do good work, but you'll wait for it.

You just described Nytro perfectly. My friend and I stopped in there one day because his chain was binding up (he was riding a Specialized Allez-only a few months old) and they didn't carry an 8spd chain. The guy working there actually told us that they don't make 8spd stuff anymore. What an idiot...:rolleyes: On a positive note they did let us use some lube to see if we could free his chain up a bit so we could at least get back to our cars.

Another time I stopped in there because I was looking for a 26mm stem. They had one but it had a pretty noticeable scratch in the black finish. I asked if they could knock the price down a bit so he goes in back and talks to the manager for a few minutes then comes back out, takes a sharpie and colors in the scratch and tells me there's nothing wrong with it now. I said no thanks and walked out the door.

Bring in a wheel with a broken spoke 30 minutes before closing on Friday night, tell them I bike commute and ask if they can fix it by Monday, and they have it ready the next day (Cycling Spoken Here on Maynard Rd in Cary).

When you're young and need to get your bike overhauled, but don't have a lot of money, and the owner/head mechanic suggests you learn to do the work yourself and suggests a repair book, reasonably priced tools, and gives you advice on the particular repair you're attempting (an LBS in Charlotte ran by a Air Force retiree, sometime in the 80s, can't remember the name of the LBS, and I've been doing most of my own bike repairs ever since).

They don't look at you like a 3 eyed freak if you ask if they have any solid axles (this was in the early 90s in a road bike snob LBS in Charlotte, I was bending QR rear axles on my non-hyperglide 88 Nishiki MTB).

They don't recommend a $2200 aluminum+carbon frame Dura Ace equipped cyclocross bike after I tell them I want a steel frame touring or cross bike in the $800 to $1200 range for commuting (The Bicycle Chain on HWY 70 in Raleigh).

My litmus test is if they sell spares and consumables for the bikes and parts they sell. One of the biggest shops here in Riga is like this.

The shop that is the SRAM/Avid distributor here in Latvia doesn't even stock brake pads for the BB7 brakes they sell! They have to be special ordered from the warehouse. Nor do they sell tubes or tires for the hybrids which they sell that have 700x35 tires.

When looking for Canti brake pads the other I stopped in and they had XT holders with pads for $20, but they don't sell replacement pads to put in the holders once the originals wear out! WTF?

Needless to this place is the LAST place on my list of bike shops to try.....

I find often its not the shop but rather individuals that can often make or break AN LBS.

I buy stuff from a bike shop in Vermont and the sales /tech/mechanic I deal with is great hes a diehard commuter and is savy to most pros cons of most set ups... if you ask about getting somthing not in the ordinary (he had a 2 leg kick stand on the shelf) If he dosnt have it he says yep I know where I can get it ! It will take a few days and Ill mail it to you in NY.

because of his knowlage / enthusiasm the shop carries stuff thats hard to find IE : Kool stop salmon, kick stands, cantis , gortex socks...

a few shops localy are kind of the same (though not as aware of whats what like the vermont tech) some of the help knows nothing and they dont care about ordering you koolstop pads or anything else unless its a new non stock bike, but another employee at the same shop says no problem, or HMM I dont know but ill find out asap.

guy # 1 told me cantis are not made anymore I have to buy V brakes,

Guy # 2 looked through the books with me and ordered me a set of cantis. same shop

"John"

Bring in a wheel with a broken spoke 30 minutes before closing on Friday night, tell them I bike commute and ask if they can fix it by Monday, and they have it ready the next day (Cycling Spoken Here on Maynard Rd in Cary).


Walk in shoulder-carrying the bike, front wheel mangled enough that it won't roll, still have blood on me from the accident. Shop guy is checking in some guy's bazillion dollar 12-spoke racing baby, and says "we can have it done in about 30 minutes" which is quickly corrected as Synth looks up at my busted whip... "We'll have it done by tomorrow." Guy w/ 'spensive bike gets a bit huffy about this change, and says "I was here first." This arguement is countered with "Yes you were, and I'm sorry about that, but this guy *pointing at me* needs his bike to get to work tomorrow morning. You need yours for a ride this weekend. I'll discount you $5."

Walk in shoulder-carrying the bike, front wheel mangled enough that it won't roll, still have blood on me from the accident. Shop guy is checking in some guy's bazillion dollar 12-spoke racing baby, and says "we can have it done in about 30 minutes" which is quickly corrected as Synth looks up at my busted whip... "We'll have it done by tomorrow." Guy w/ 'spensive bike gets a bit huffy about this change, and says "I was here first." This arguement is countered with "Yes you were, and I'm sorry about that, but this guy *pointing at me* needs his bike to get to work tomorrow morning. You need yours for a ride this weekend. I'll discount you $5."

I'd NEVER step foot in another bike shop! Hrmm... maybe I should move... Hey, wait... Redmond, WA??? I AM moving to the Seattle area within the year. :)

Walk in shoulder-carrying the bike, front wheel mangled enough that it won't roll, still have blood on me from the accident. Shop guy is checking in some guy's bazillion dollar 12-spoke racing baby, and says "we can have it done in about 30 minutes" which is quickly corrected as Synth looks up at my busted whip... "We'll have it done by tomorrow." Guy w/ 'spensive bike gets a bit huffy about this change, and says "I was here first." This arguement is countered with "Yes you were, and I'm sorry about that, but this guy *pointing at me* needs his bike to get to work tomorrow morning. You need yours for a ride this weekend. I'll discount you $5."

Wow.

Had been looking to purchase a cyclocross for communting on dirt roads, LBS ordered it for me to try no deposit, small frame. I came in to try it just before closing night Thursday night before Memorial Day, decided to purchase it. I told them I'd pick it up Tuesday as I was going to Acadia in the morning. VP and Head mechanic stayed late and had me on the bike for the weekend. Nicer saddle, demo clipless peddles, fully tuned. LOVE THAT BIKE

i bought a bike from the closest LBS to my house. they have been around forever and i think they do decent work. but every time i have been in there since they seem more interested in talking to the local racers who stop by than in helping me. almost like they are annoyed that i'm wasting their time becasue i only spent about $1000 instead of the $3-4k that the racers are dropping per bike. i found another bike shop that is only about another 2 miles away and although it is a bit more expensive, [higher rent for the storefront, nicer part of town] the people are much nicer and i'm considering buying a road bike from them.

the first shop is a "mostly mountain bike and BMX/dirtjump" store, mostly younger (early/mid 20's) staff
the second shop is more road bikes and soccer-mom-hybrid-bikes with limited high end mountain stuff, mostly older 40+ staff.

Had been looking to purchase a cyclocross for communting on dirt roads, LBS ordered it for me to try no deposit, small frame.

That's great! I considered getting a Trek 520 for commuting but none of the local Trek dealers had my size in stock and all wanted a deposit (between 1/3 and full price) to order one.

I had to buy a couple of tires at the LBS, and the mechanic had to move several dozen tires to get to the size I was looking for. When he rang up the sale, he was still in good spirits and gave me an additional discount on the tires as well.

Walk in shoulder-carrying the bike, front wheel mangled enough that it won't roll, still have blood on me from the accident. Shop guy is checking in some guy's bazillion dollar 12-spoke racing baby, and says "we can have it done in about 30 minutes" which is quickly corrected as Synth looks up at my busted whip... "We'll have it done by tomorrow." Guy w/ 'spensive bike gets a bit huffy about this change, and says "I was here first." This arguement is countered with "Yes you were, and I'm sorry about that, but this guy *pointing at me* needs his bike to get to work tomorrow morning. You need yours for a ride this weekend. I'll discount you $5."

Holy ****, that brought tears to my eyes!

Here are mine:

Ride up to a bike shop on my tall bike, mechanics are out the door to check it out before I can dismount. They give me free clipless pedals, a crankset, a saddle and random nuts, bolts and spacers on subsequent visits. (revolution cycles)

Ask if he has any brooks saddles, he pulls and old used one out of a cupboard and says "here you go". I ask "how much?" and he says "For you, it's free. If you want I can order you a new one, but that hasn't even been broken in." (the bike guy. not so much a shop, kind of a back yard type deal.)

I ask if they have single speed chain tensioners and the sales guy gets the mechanic. Mechanic grabs a Surly Singleator and shows it to me. Then he says "I can order you one that's half as much and works almost just as well. " The he takes me back and shows me his bike, which is equipped with one. Shows me his new Atomic Zombie book. (Wasatch Touring)

Mechanic doesn't give me strange looks when I tell him I want a road bike drive train on my 15 yo Mountain bike. Doesn't try to tell me the parts won't fit. Doesn't try to sell me a new bike. (Wild Rose)

I have heard good things about a couple others that are out of my way and I haven't had a chance to stop in.

My LBS started as a guy fixing bikes on the sidewalk - he would fix flats, patch tires, true wheels, adjust derailleurs, install cables and adjust brakes. He got so much business he opened up a store eventually.

They've always been about the service - but now they have cool bikes and new stuff too.

Definitely +1 on the focus on service/mechanics rather than sales.

Walk in shoulder-carrying the bike, front wheel mangled enough that it won't roll, still have blood on me from the accident. Shop guy is checking in some guy's bazillion dollar 12-spoke racing baby, and says "we can have it done in about 30 minutes" which is quickly corrected as Synth looks up at my busted whip... "We'll have it done by tomorrow." Guy w/ 'spensive bike gets a bit huffy about this change, and says "I was here first." This arguement is countered with "Yes you were, and I'm sorry about that, but this guy *pointing at me* needs his bike to get to work tomorrow morning. You need yours for a ride this weekend. I'll discount you $5."

That is the coolest thing I've ever heard.

I really like the Bike Joint in Toronto. Possibly as far away as you can get from OCP -- I don't think they sell new bikes at all -- but friendly service, and respect for any bike. The guy who runs it, Derek, is really cool.

Don't have apoplexy when I mention internal hubs,
sell fenders,
realize racing is not the be all, end all to bicycling,
will actually help me source obscure parts, or at least not freak when I bring in esoteric tech,
know the name Sheldon Brown, (proves they occasionally do some research).

It's a lot to ask, but there are a few around.
Sunshine in Athens, Ga, and Bicycle South in Decatur, Ga are two.

Bicycle South is a nice bikeshop. I have talked to Ann there before. (Not sure she still works there.) Ann had a Waterford touring bike and really was very helpful. I talked to the owner's son (can't remember his name) about how steel frames are not offered in many bike shops anymore. He remarked that the Raleigh One Way is the only steel frame they keep in the store now. He told me Bicycle South use to be a Schwinn shop back when Schwinn was Schwinn. He said being the child of a Schwinn shop owner got him 3 Schwinn Paramounts. I tried to talk him out of one. :p

That is the coolest thing I've ever heard.

I really like the Bike Joint in Toronto. Possibly as far away as you can get from OCP -- I don't think they sell new bikes at all -- but friendly service, and respect for any bike. The guy who runs it, Derek, is really cool.

+1 on Derek (BTW I think he's on this forum somewhere :))