Foo - Funny little bike shop observation..

Local big shop was having a big sale, and they were very crowded. Anyway that happened to be the day I was taking in my Rockhopper to have it fixed.


As I tried to weasel my thing in, I got the STRANGEST looks from the customers in the store.


Many were admiring glances, however the majority of people looked at me like I was doing something wrong/very strange by bringing my bike into the store. Some of them gave me downright dirty looks. I was very confused.


I guess I'll never bring my bike into the bike shop again :)

thats funny. I've brought my road bikes in several times, and I always get either looks of awe (from the people w/ cheaper bikes then me) or just plain indifference (from those who already have a more expensive bike). never disdain, though.

It is odd, at the shop I've told people "Bring your bike in" And they ask "Are you sure?" Well, it is a bike shop so I guess it's OK.

What shop was having the big sale?

Its called Zane's. Sale wasn't great for little stuff, but soem bikes were ~200 off. I picked up a pair of Specialized '04 Pro gloves (Great great gloves.) for 24 bucks

Its a nice shop -- they tend to be a little pricey with thier labor fees but I don't mind because I get free tuneups because I bought the bike there. I just make sure I get enough tuneups to pay for the labor fees on recent work >=)

My bike is very flashy yellow/black scheme with the Avid front mech, color coordinated black+yellow water-bottle cages... so I tend to get looks of "wow" or looks of "mines nicer" just like Phatman said. But most of these were just "what are you doing with a bike in here" looks.

Yea, I know Zanes. I've been in there a few times but never bought anything, a few years ago I stopped in on my bike to pick up a spare tube, I was on tour (Hartford to DC) and had 3 flats that day. The jurk...ummm clerk asked me why I don't ride a "real bike" I left the tubes on the counter and walked out.

Don't get me wrong, Zane's is a nice shop. I guess the clerk thought it was funny, but I did not think the clerk was. Every shop has one I guess.

How do you like the Avids? I have a pair on the front of the new bike. So far so good. The braking gets a little better with each ride.

I always get looks when I bring my bikes into any shop, even my own. (well not mine, I hang out there) It's not easy to blend in when you ride a recumbent.... let alone a tandem recumbent trike....

Yea, I know Zanes. I've been in there a few times but never bought anything, a few years ago I stopped in on my bike to pick up a spare tube, I was on tour (Hartford to DC) and had 3 flats that day. The jurk...ummm clerk asked me why I don't ride a "real bike" I left the tubes on the counter and walked out.


You should've asked him why he doesn't have a real job. (no offence to bike shop employees in these fora)

The Avids are beautiful brakes.


Never given me trouble, stopping power is AMAZING.


Heres a little anecdote to attest to this (it also explains why my bike is in the shop):

I have my brake levers set up so that they are very, very tight. All the modulation is within a half inch or so of lever travel, this is how I like it. My friend, who is used to loose-set V-Brakes tried out my bike. Going about.. 8mph on a flat surface he goes to use them. Hes a light fellow.. ~120lbs. So he cranks on these things, and my frame visibily compresses; it then expands, beings to endo, and sends him FLYING over the handlebars. He manages to vault the bars and stay on his feet. My bars got cranked around a good 400 degrees, and resulted in my derailer cable getting a rather sharp tug.

Please, bring your bike in to the shop :) I often have people ask me if we work on bikes while I am working on a bike.

I did have someone ask me the samething one day, three stands all with bikes in them, and mecs working at each of them and I'm building up wheels. I so badly wanted to say no, but could not bring myself to do it.

Noway to endo this bike http://www.organicengines.com/Troika/index.htm

You should've asked him why he doesn't have a real job. (no offence to bike shop employees in these fora)

None taken. As a matter of fact, I find your comment to be a compliment. I feel lucky to be making my living outside the realm of "real Jobs". If what you do is more than a paycheck and you are passionate about it, that job is not a "real Job", it is a "Fun Job". And that's what I have.