What do you look for in a bike store?

[Dave-Dave]

I have not driven a car since 1991 and I get around town and country on one of my many bikes. Over the years I have not been able to find that perfect bike store or when I have they have gone out of business. My question to you fellow cyclists...what do you look for in a bike store? Is it just the price of things or the fact that the mechanic is the best? Is it the stock that the store has on hand or that they happen to be closest to your home or work? Is it the people that work behind the counter:does it matter if they are real cyclists(that is a loaded statement)? Is it the brands of stuff that they carry, the music that they play, the way that they look, the bikes that they ride? Does it matter if they are active in the cycling community? I don't know but I would love to know what you think.

[cyclezealot]

When entering a bike store. Every day is Christmas. Guess, the first thing is the quality of their wrenches. BUt, for wrenches, I only go to smaller bike shops. Big stores, don't expect much personal service. You are just a number and rarely do they do you any favors. I like to go into bike shops, where the owner and mechanic recognize my face. For bike accessories,I usually at least look first at the big bike stores. Prices are often better do to their volume. And choice better too. / If possible, I always try to buy from small stores, if possible. Usually small bike shops are bike dedicated people. My shop, the owner often rides with our club.

[Alfster]

I look for a store where the owner is enthusiastic about cycling. He/she has to have a certain level of enthusiasm in their voice when trying to sell me on a product. I have given up on my old LBS when the owner stepped back and let regular staff run the show. It wasn't the same. Obviously the shop must have a great mechanic. For me prices are not much of a consideration since they are mostly the same everywhere + or - 10%.

[jnb-rare]

I'm usually looking for something when I'm going to a bicycle store, so stock of quality parts and accessories is important. Better still if they have the particular brand that I might be looking for. However, a good bicycle shop will order things for you cheerfully, and without charging top dollar when they do.

Even a well-stocked shop won't get my business unless I'm treated well, however. I'm an older, primarily recreational cyclist, and it's been interesting to note how staff at various shops approach me (or not, as the case might be). The best (and most consistent) treatment I get is from a shop that has a large commuter and bike courier clientele. The worst has been from a couple of race-oriented shops.

To be honest, I haven't really made use of the mechanics beyond the free tune-ups that come with a new bike.

[rousseau]

Since you're in Waterloo, let's hear the scoop on K-W bike shops. Me, I live outside K-W and have a (poorly-stocked and not very good) LBS that gets most of my non-online business, but I do go to K-W occasionally.

Here's what I think of the two places I'm familiar with:

Braun's: I've purchased a few minor components there. Long-time family business. They seem to know bikes because it's what they do, but most of the people in there are 40 pounds overweight, so they don't seem to ride bikes. They have a fairly good selection of stuff on hand. I've never had anything fixed there. My guess is that they're good, solid choice for retail.

Ziggy's: I dislike this shop. I've attempted to purchase things in there a couple of times (after checking with Braun's), but the service is terrible. Either they completely ignore me or are dismissive. Don't want my money? Fine.

Can anyone add to this thread? What shops in K-W did you find that you liked? Which ones are "passable"?

[Alfster]

Since you're in Waterloo, let's hear the scoop on K-W bike shops. Me, I live outside K-W and have a (poorly-stocked and not very good) LBS that gets most of my non-online business, but I do go to K-W occasionally.

Here's what I think of the two places I'm familiar with:

Braun's: I've purchased a few minor components there. Long-time family business. They seem to know bikes because it's what they do, but most of the people in there are 40 pounds overweight, so they don't seem to ride bikes. They have a fairly good selection of stuff on hand. I've never had anything fixed there. My guess is that they're good, solid choice for retail.

Ziggy's: I dislike this shop. I've attempted to purchase things in there a couple of times (after checking with Braun's), but the service is terrible. Either they completely ignore me or are dismissive. Don't want my money? Fine.

Can anyone add to this thread? What shops in K-W did you find that you liked? Which ones are "passable"?

Braun has a decent selection of accessories, however I prefer going to Cambridge Cycle. The owner Winston, is a very enthusiastic cyclist and loves talking about bikes. He will also spend the time with you to ensure your bike is properly fitted. Another decent Cambridge shop is Gears and Grills ... although I find that their service has dropped a bit over the last couple of years.

BTW, I also dislike going to Ziggy's. I found it difficult to get anyone to help me and when they finally did get around to helping me it seemed I was more of an annoyance to them since I was only interested in a couple of accessories. I won't be going back anytime soon.

[jm01]

I only support stores that have staff that know how to listen, then customer service, tech skills, and product mix are secondary considerations

[Treker]

A referral preferably. Without one, one LBS might as well be the same as another.

Cleanliness and layout of the store are important as is sales rep rapport. I was just talking to one on the phone today at an Ottawa shop I know of but have never been to. Their starter roadie is an Opus Otello on sale at $999 from its $1150 reg price. Nothing lower than that he said because then the quality of the bikes is cheaper and Canadian Tire fills the market. No mention of entry-level Giants or Treks. So, I think he was patronizing me. :mad: No sale there that's for sure.

Their pricing is competitive with other LBSs as well as established prices in other regions. I'm willing to pay more for great service but not to be taken.

[jm01]

A referral preferably. Without one, one LBS might as well be the same as another.

Cleanliness and layout of the store are important as is sales rep rapport. I was just talking to one on the phone today at an Ottawa shop I know of but have never been to. Their starter roadie is an Opus Otello on sale at $999 from its $1150 reg price. Nothing lower than that he said because then the quality of the bikes is cheaper and Canadian Tire fills the market. No mention of entry-level Giants or Treks. So, I think he was patronizing me. :mad: No sale there that's for sure.

Their pricing is competitive with other LBSs as well as established prices in other regions. I'm willing to pay more for great service but not to be taken.

You really don't have a clue, do you?...he was trying to explain to you how things work, and what kinds of bikes are designed/priced for their niche.

CTC has has the market cornered on cheaper bikes, inexpensive entry level Giants and Treks are available only through authorized dealers who carry the high end stuff in those brands as well.

An Opus is a remarkable value...built in Canada by a bike parts distributor who gets the components at distributor cost (below wholesale), and assembles a top quality build at each price point. You probably know the company as they are the Canadian distributors for Camelback, Ora, and many more brands.

My wife rides an Opus Capriccio, MSRP'd at $1149.00, but she got a good markdown at our LBS...she owns 6 bikes, this is her favorite asphalt bike...her Santa Cruz Blur is for XC.

Anyway, just a long way of saying that he won't miss you as a customer...attitude works from both sides of the counter and there are many kids that I wouldn't want in my store because of their arrogance, ignorance, and inability to listen and learn.

[clausen]

Of the 3 bike shops I go to I've had great to terrible service from all of them. That's the nature of beast. If there constantly bad they won't stay in business and if they do the problems not with them.

[VintageRaleigh]

I look for used bikes and good service.

Part of biking to me is resourcefulness which is why I like bike stores where they'll give you equal respect for riding a heap bike.

[lilcog]

I like a shop where they all ride.If they ask you to join in on a ride you can learn alot about the highs and lows of owning or working in a shop.Lots of laughs usually too.Of course if they have beer that's even a better selling point:)Being in Ottawa let's me visit shops where their attitude towards a rec rider helps sway my dollar.

[Kangaroo]

umm, bikes?

[Voxxy Brown]

I like a good array of stock,.. From cheapy kids stuff, to pro racing gear. And well stocked with parts and accessories. I understand, if it's really a real weird special order item, but I hate waiting for stuff on order when it's just simple stuff that most decent stores carry. In that case, I go somewhere else.

Good knowledgable maintenance.. And NO, I won't leave my bike with you for a week so you can squeeze it in for a 30 minute tune up sometime in that window. Hire some more people already!, and work out some sort of repair schedule, so I can bring it in on a certain day and hang out in the store while you do it. My LBS is that way, and is pretty much the way I've described here.

-Joe

[Malistryx]

Probably the biggest thing I look for in a shop is good employees who will actually talk to me and take my preferences into consideration without treating me like an idiot who doesn't even know what I want. I once had a 'fun' conversation with an employee in a local shop about saddles, I was looking for a high end women's saddle and he kept pushing a huge gel monstrosity on me because "it's what most women like", even when I politely declined and asked to see a nice Fiz'ik (which I eventually bought, from someone else).

I don't care too much about stock since very few shops stock women specific stuff anyways, as long as they're willing to order it in for me at a decent price with a decent turn around. Maybe I just baby my bikes but I've never needed any work done on them that I can't do myself (or with the help of more knowledgeable friends) so that's never really been a consideration for me.

Joe, which shop do you go to, I am still looking for a decent shop that deals with road stuff since I moved...

[Voxxy Brown]

Probably the biggest thing I look for in a shop is good employees who will actually talk to me and take my preferences into consideration without treating me like an idiot who doesn't even know what I want. I once had a 'fun' conversation with an employee in a local shop about saddles, I was looking for a high end women's saddle and he kept pushing a huge gel monstrosity on me because "it's what most women like", even when I politely declined and asked to see a nice Fiz'ik (which I eventually bought, from someone else).

I don't care too much about stock since very few shops stock women specific stuff anyways, as long as they're willing to order it in for me at a decent price with a decent turn around. Maybe I just baby my bikes but I've never needed any work done on them that I can't do myself (or with the help of more knowledgeable friends) so that's never really been a consideration for me.

Joe, which shop do you go to, I am still looking for a decent shop that deals with road stuff since I moved...

My favorite local shop is Main Cycle, which is around Kenilworth and Main st, in east Hamilton. New World out on plains road in Burlington is good too.

[Malistryx]

My favorite local shop is Main Cycle, which is around Kenilworth and Main st, in east Hamilton. New World out on plains road in Burlington is good too.

Haven't heard of Main Cycle, might have to check it out... I am really not a fan of New World, that's where I had my fun experience with saddles :rolleyes: and was scolded for not buying a women's bike for all that I fit better on men's.

Thanks for the input though.

[pinerider]

Central Cycle is my favourite Hamilton bike shop - not a big store, but they usually have what I need and they do a great job on repairs. They lean more towards road stuff than mountain bike stuff. Main Cycle is closer to me, but I like Central better.
I like the looks of Freewheel in Dundas, they have a good selection of stuff. Bike Works in Waterdown is on the A list too. Pieriks is right up there, too. All the Right Gears in Stoney Creek should get a mention as well. I don't venture to the upper city for bike stuff very often, but Ancaster Cycle and Scattalon are both on the good list.

I think most bike shop ratings depend on whether you think you've been stiffed on a repair or a sale. This time of year they are all busy, can't always give the level of service they want to. We are lucky in the Hammer to have a lot of good bike shops, but we don't have a lot of great bike shops.