Road Cycling - Moral conundrum

A local shop (http://chainreaction.com/) holds early morning Tuesday/Thursday rides that I go on whenever I don’t have school (spring break this week). The owner absolutely loves Trek’s (well, so do I to some extent) and on the rides I’ve been on (with my Trek 1000) shows that most of the regular riders on these rides are riding bikes from his shop. Anyways, yesterday I bought a Giant composite from the Performance store maybe 4 blocks down the street (there are about 3 bike shops within a 1 mile line, and there used to be 4) and I’m having some mixed feelings if I should go on the ride with it or my Trek. On one hand I still do usually go to his shop first for accessories, service, clothing, etc. but on the other I would feel a little guilty showing up with something bought from his competitors. Mind you, I’m very shy as well and usually avoid confrontation of all sorts so I’m not sure I can entirely trust myself on this. So, any thoughts from you guys on how you would feel if you were presented with this situation?

You buy other stuff from him right? And I assume he doesn't sell the bike you bought and that you got a great deal. Odds are, nobody will say anything and if they do, tell them it was a deal you couldn't pass up. No need to go into details.

Most good shop owners are riders also. They know they can't service everybody but you do still share the passion.

Be proud of what you bought and don't worry about it. Just be low key on the particulars. Enjoy.

55/Rad

You bought the better bike. If he does not have the good sense to stock Giant composites then that is his fault. Ride it proudly and they will enjoy the sight as you dust them on their TREKs .

I wouldn’t really call it a better bike, more of an equal bike. I rode my friend’s 5200 before I rode the TCR and they each have their own set of merits. The 5200 was a little plusher over the road bumps, but lacked the stiffness I was looking for. It pretty much came down to cost, which the TCR definitely had the upper hand with at an effective cost of $1500 (I say effective because the bike was $1850, but with $370 store credit included, and I’ll need parts and accessories anyways) vs the 5200 at $2500.

From what I have heard of Mike J. I don't think he would mind that you didn't buy a bike from him. As far as I can tell, he seems committed to cycling in general and is not supporting the rides just for people who bought their bikes from him. We have a similar situation a bit further south at The Bicycle Outfitter in Los Altos. They really don't care what bike you are riding or where you bought it.

Go on the ride with a clear conscience.

SteveE

Thanks for the input guys, I think I will go (provided I can wake up on time). Tomorrow I'll stop by the shop and pick up a 12-25 cassette since this 12-23 would probably kill my legs up King's.

I don't really have a lot to say about your situation but I saw the title of your post and thought it was a great name for a band.

Ladies and gentlemen ..... please welcome to the stage ...... Moral Conundrum !!!!

As long as you patronize his store (buy something occasionally), I wouldn't feel the least bit uncomfortable. In all my travels, four continents so far, as long as you're smiling and spending money, people like you.

you don't have to feel guilty....

I am a businessman, I own computer shop and a cybercafe.. If friends and relatives buy from another store, even if I carry the same item, its fine with me. I'm sure they got a better deal there. Besides, if I lowered my prices so much to accomodate them, I would be loosing not gaining.. And its also an eyeopener, that would mean I need to get the stuff cheaper, or cut the margin, etc.

My friends even bring the stuff they bought and show it to me, and would ask my opinion about it. I don't feel offended in any way..

In another case, I am close friends w/ one of the LBS owners here. He is even a distant relative. But recently, I purchased some items from another LBS. And I brought it to him, and asked him if it was ok. He said it was beautiful, and admired it. He even though of getting one from himself.. But I don't think he'll be getting his from where I got mine. ;)

So, if the LBS owner is professional enough, he would welcome you and won't mind at all. And perhaps you may have opened his eyes, there are lots of good bikes other than treks..

Ride the Giant. I mean the rides are for everyone. You have the right to choose what, where and whom you buy from.
Freedom of choice. so have fun and ride safe

So, BFL, did you go on the Tuesday/Thursday AM ride? Did they bite your head off for not buying the bike from them?

SteveE

Don't feel guilty... You buy accessories from him so, I think that he probably makes a higher % of markup on those than his bikes...I am in the same situation, the lbs that I like didn't have the bike I was looking for but I buy other stuff from them...

So, BFL, did you go on the Tuesday/Thursday AM ride? Did they bite your head off for not buying the bike from them?

SteveE
Yeah, I eneded up going on both of them and he didn't seem to mind. I had gone in on monday and bought some new cagese, cassette, pump, and other assorted things, so at least he knows I'm still a customer though. http://chainreaction.com/diary.htm I'm the Brad kid :)

You're thinking too much! No reason to feel guilty... you buy things from him, probably get service done on your bike. No one will shun you because you wanted to buy a bike that you wanted. What if you had previously owned this bike? Would you feel bad?