General Cycling Discussion - What do bike shop guys really want for Christmas?

I want to get a little something for my LBS guys. They're always really great to us. They cut us a really great deal when we bought our BOB trailer and they're always willing to fix little things for free, that kind of stuff. But, I'm kind of at a loss as to what to get. My first thought was "Beer!". But who knows if the guys like the kind of microbrew stuff I'd be liable to pick out. Plus, I think one of the guys is under 21. Somehow it seems kind of silly to get them bike accessories or anything bike related. No doubt working in a bike shop, they probably have all the bike gadgets they could want. Suggestions? What do young 20-something males really want? Ideally this gift would be something that can easily be shared, is fairly impersonal, but still thoughtful, and would only set me back about $50 or less for the whole deal.

I work in a shop and we get given beer @ xmas !, and we all appreciate it .. cuz xmas here in Oz is usually very hot !! and a nice cold beer goes down a treat.:thumbup:

:rolleyes:

Of course....

Everywhere I've worked, we've always appreciated free beer. Doesn't have to be much, because it really is the thought that counts!

Ellie

Here's a suggestion. Beer, Pizza and some music CD's. Total for a 12-Pack, two Large Pepperoni's and a CD right around your budget of $50.00 and it would make all the guys very happy. You could even do one 6-pack of beer and one of Mt Dew (my personal fav).

Music choice could be difficult to determine, so a gift cert. to a local music store might be the way to go!

Or, if they guys aren't beer drinkers (some of those do exist) and it's cold out, I suggest a round of coffee or hot cocoa from one of the neighborhood coffee shops. Plus, you could do a dozen bagels and cream cheese. If you go this route I'd drop this off first thing Saturday morning!

These sort of things are very much appreciated and will go a looooooonnnnnnnngggggggggg way in maintaining a good relationship with those guys!

My first thought was food.

There must be a local eatery that the shop really enjoys but can rarely afford.

Let them know before hand and send em over a delivery of grub and they will be yours forever!

The gesture is extremely nice of you two.

One time a customer give me a crate of Clementine Oranges from Spain. First time I'd ever had them. They are delicious, and are just coming on the market now. There's 2 dozen or so oranges per crate and they are only about $5.00 here in Maine.

The customer moved away along time ago. But I still remember him.

That's a nice gesture - good for you! I am a 23 year old guy, and I can tell you that worrying about any of us turning our nose up at free beer of any kind is simply not a concern. And the microbrew stuff is typically more expensive and nicer than the Schlitz that we get at the gas station for $2.79 per 6-pack. So, I say pick a beer you like and bring them a 12-pack. If one of the guys is in fact under 21, do like the other person mentioned and bring a pizza with you when you go in. It really is the thought that counts, so just about anything will be appreciated. :)

You're a bookseller; they are bicycle mechanics. If the shop caters to owners of vintage machines, consider giving a copy of Berto et al., "The Dancing Chain" along with a couple of six-packs. This will backfire, however, if no one at the shop cares about older bikes.

Originally posted by HillaryRose
I want to get a little something for my LBS guys... and would only set me back about $50 or less for the whole deal.
I say, give 'em a really good, hard kiss on the toot.

:D

(Kidding, kidding, Tim!)

I worked in a service dept for quite a few years (computer service).. Lunch is always a great treat (with beer even better).. Also may I suggest you send a thank you/christmas card.. Is a great for the boss to open.. And show all the guys that work there.. I still do computer service but on site for a living.. you hardly ever here anything nice.. normaly just complaints..

Hey John E, here's a useless piece of trivia for you,Ron Shepperd the co-author of The dancing chain comes into our bike shop regularly ,these days he's confined to a wheelchair,but he's always up for a good conversation!.

I'll bet those guys are drowning in bike things. How about something non-bike related. Paperback books, latin music cd's, dress socks, coffee mugs, mechanical pencil refills, Kodak film, home made brownies...

Bike-aholic Buddy -- Thanks for the note about Ron Shepherd. Next time you see him, tell him I really enjoy the book, including the five chapters he wrote, and have traded several emails with Frank Berto. Frank is my father's age, 72; Ron is presumably somewhat older.

Beer will do for me, but my partner, my wife is wine lover...:beer:

i don't know about the GUYS(ok i do and yes they want beer and food) but us bike shop GIRLS want ...flowers. and for every male cyclist to have nice smooooooth shaved legs.
happy holly daze!
;)