Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Fixed gear bike shop employees, why don't you know anything about bikes?

My girlfriend went into the local fixed gear shop to get measured for her first bike in 15 years. She's about 5'8" or so. They had her stand over a 50cm frame and said, "Yep, that looks about right. You want to have a couple inches between the frame and your crotch for when you fall." And that, my friends, is what happens when you get measured at a fixed gear bike shop. Amazing.

Can happen with any bike shop, not just FG shops.

But with FG, if it looks good, it's good...:D

Jeebus.

And that is why I stay far far away from all of these Fixed Gear Specific Shops or "boutiques" as they like to be called.

Protip: that 50cm was probably the only one they had in stock.

I'm really hating the fact that anyone can snag an old shoe-store and turn it in to a Fixed Gear Boutique. These guys never know anything about bikes except what the hot trend is! It's embarassing for cyclists everywhere!

Fixed Gear bikes are the ultimate fashion accessory!
That's why they come in all sorts of pretty colors.

Real bikes are painted black.

never even seen a fixed gear shop. if i did, i'd be sure not to go in...
the only reason i go into bike shops is when getting something done that i don't trust myself to do properly.
the only people i'll trust more than myself are those with lots of experience.
a shop designed arount a fad is the last place i'd look for people with lots of experience...

never even seen a fixed gear shop. if i did, i'd be sure not to go in...
the only reason i go into bike shops is when getting something done that i don't trust myself to do properly.
the only people i'll trust more than myself are those with lots of experience.
a shop designed arount a fad is the last place i'd look for people with lots of experience...

Bike Revolutions?

I love my LBS. 5 bucks to take off my fork, chop it down, reinstall. A bunch of employees who ride fixed and only 1 fixed gear bike for sale in the whole place.

Yeah I would pretty much never go to a fixed-specific shop. What could they offer that a normal shop wouldn't, besides custom-painted HPlusSons?

Bike Revolutions?

good point. never went in; the $20 dollar chainring bolts pretty much told me everything i needed to know.

The only fixed gear shop I've ever liked was Yojimbo's Garage back home.

There's a shop here in Vancouver called Super Champion, and while they do sell all the hottest annod stuff, they also sell a lot of track-only stuff, too. They've built up wheels for me, and done some other maintenance stuff. The customer service is also outstanding. I suspect they're kind of an anomaly, but I'll almost always go to them for new stuff, repairs, etc.

My girlfriend went into the local fixed gear shop to get measured for her first bike in 15 years. She's about 5'8" or so. They had her stand over a 50cm frame and said, "Yep, that looks about right. You want to have a couple inches between the frame and your crotch for when you fall." And that, my friends, is what happens when you get measured at a fixed gear bike shop. Amazing.

I feel your pain.

Keep in mind that "Track Boutiques" aren't necessarily "Bike Shops". This is sort of like going to a Sneaker Boutique and expecting to get properly fitted for a running shoe for actual road running. Not gonna happen.

No offense against the boutique guys. I'm glad you have the shops, but some (not all) don't know jack about fitting bikes. Hats off to the ones that do.

"boutiques" as they like to be called

Really?

They like to be called "boutiques"?

FAIL.

My shop caters mostly to messengers and commuters, so they cater to a lot of fixed gear riders and they know their stuff.

I guess I'm lucky.

I was at the mall with the wife recently and stopped at the Sun and Ski sports where I had picked up my MASI fixed last year looking for a stem shim to install my 1 1/8" stem on my kilo. The shop tech or "SHOP PRO" said these exact words to me . . ."Oh man you don't want to put a shim there of all places, you're just looking to get hurt its just not worth it!" So i went and checked out the accessories section where I wouldn't have to ***** slap this guy for his abundant ignorance!

i imagine the only reason i'd go to one of those places if I wanted a "rare" fixed gear part i couldn't find in a real LBS. since there isn't one around here, that's what the internet is for. i doubt i'd ever trust a shop that only did one thing.

since when did we start accepting that the original bike shop that misfit the girl was indeed a boutique?

the premise here is that top tube length is the relevant issue right?

if the standover is ok, cant most folks who are not freaks just adjust the stem length to get a pretty good fit?

True story

Me: I need a 1/8" chain
LBS employee: Huh?
Me: I need a basic BMX chain.
LBS employee: what for?
Me: To put on my singlespeed fixed gear bike.
LBS: Its not going to work.
ME: Yes it will. I need a 1/8" inch chain. Like the basic KMC chain thats there under the counter.
LBS: Those don't work on 3 speeds.
ME. Yes it will, but thats irrelevant. I don't have a 3 speed. I have a fixed gear bike with a chainring and cog that require a 1/8" chain... like that KMC chain right there.
LBS: Sorry, I can't sell you that. Its not going to work.
ME: How about you just sell me the chain, and let me worry about if it will work.
LBS: You need a 9 speed chain.
ME: Goodbye.

but these fixed gear specialist who open shops have been riding supposedly for 4 years!! (sarcasm)

You got a 1/8" BMX chain to work on your fixed gear?

Usually the ones I've seen have been too short, so you need a 1/8" track chain.

^ A 1/8" chain is a 1/8" chain is a 1/8" chain.

Some do come with more or less links.

My girlfriend went into the local fixed gear shop to get measured for her first bike in 15 years. She's about 5'8" or so. They had her stand over a 50cm frame and said, "Yep, that looks about right. You want to have a couple inches between the frame and your crotch for when you fall." And that, my friends, is what happens when you get measured at a fixed gear bike shop. Amazing.

ROFL, my reply got deleted.

true story

me: I need a 1/8" chain
lbs employee: Huh?
Me: I need a basic bmx chain.
Lbs employee: What for?
Me: To put on my singlespeed fixed gear bike.
Lbs: Its not going to work.
Me: Yes it will. I need a 1/8" inch chain. Like the basic kmc chain thats there under the counter.
Lbs: Those don't work on 3 speeds.
Me. Yes it will, but thats irrelevant. I don't have a 3 speed. I have a fixed gear bike with a chainring and cog that require a 1/8" chain... Like that kmc chain right there.
Lbs: Sorry, i can't sell you that. Its not going to work.
Me: How about you just sell me the chain, and let me worry about if it will work.
Lbs: You need a 9 speed chain.
Me: Goodbye.

lmao

You got a 1/8" BMX chain to work on your fixed gear?

Usually the ones I've seen have been too short, so you need a 1/8" track chain.

Nah they come in different lengths. Some short, some longer. I have a KMC, bmx, Kool chain on mine atm, cos I couldn't get cross town to get another Izumi.

If only I new! I took a trip to Orlando FL to check out the fixed gear shops there. What did I find? Three fixed bikes with quick releases on the rear (no F'n joke) and at another store, just 3 frames and a couple of parts. Boutiques summed up what I saw. Soooo disappointed. I was hoping to see something like a regular biked shop but with only fixed stuff. Oh well.

You got a 1/8" BMX chain to work on your fixed gear?

Usually the ones I've seen have been too short, so you need a 1/8" track chain.

i dig my z610hx 3/32 bmx chain!

Bike Revolutions?

Haw, I asked them to look at a hop in my front rim and they said the problem was my brake pads.

Cute guys, though :rolleyes:

Apex Cycles in Davis is an incredible bike shop - puts all the other bike shops in town to shame. For a bike-centric town, Davis only has a few solid bike stores.

Nah they come in different lengths. Some short, some longer.

But they all have enough links unless you have huge gears or incredibly long chainstays.

If only I new! I took a trip to Orlando FL to check out the fixed gear shops there. What did I find? Three fixed bikes with quick releases on the rear (no F'n joke) and at another store, just 3 frames and a couple of parts. Boutiques summed up what I saw. Soooo disappointed. I was hoping to see something like a regular biked shop but with only fixed stuff. Oh well.



not gona happen in most place's, real bike shops make there money from selling tubes, tires, ****ty commuter bikes and doing repair work for the public.

the whole of australia has 1 single bmx only store and if you walk in there its a small place
they do good because they are the biggest online bmx store in the county

i get all my parts my self and take it all to a store my mate works at, he cuts stuff down for me and builds wheels, basically any thing i can't do or don't have the tools for..

ebay seems to be the place to get all the good stuff
there is a store in the city here that sells a few fixies and some really ****ty over priced retro motorbikes, you could build one of there bikes for half what they sell em for... thats the Boutique way take some average but trendy **** throw some paint on it and sell it for twice whats its worth to some sucker!!

My girlfriend went into the local fixed gear shop to get measured for her first bike in 15 years. She's about 5'8" or so..

If you were in socal you could go to Kings in Seal Beach. They cater to high end roadies and fixed gear, also real track bikes. They have a female that works there and she really knows her stuff.

She explained to me one day about the qualities of threads on track hubs and why you don't put a nice hard steel cog on a stock POS Pista hub and skid. It can strip the threads.
That's who you need to fit your gf.
They build really good wheels and if you need the top of the line EAI cog it's there, for $100.

To borrow a word from LeCollectif, that shop is an anomaly.

If you were in socal you could go to Kings in Seal Beach. They cater to high end roadies and fixed gear, also real track bikes. They have a female that works there and she really knows her stuff.

She explained to me one day about the qualities of threads on track hubs and why you don't put a nice hard steel cog on a stock POS Pista hub and skid. It can strip the threads.
That's who you need to fit your gf.
They build really good wheels and if you need the top of the line EAI cog it's there, for $100.

To borrow a word from LeCollectif, that shop is an anomaly.

yeah crystal is some hot stuff :love:

If you were in socal you could go to Kings in Seal Beach. They cater to high end roadies and fixed gear, also real track bikes. They have a female that works there and she really knows her stuff.

She explained to me one day about the qualities of threads on track hubs and why you don't put a nice hard steel cog on a stock POS Pista hub and skid. It can strip the threads.
That's who you need to fit your gf.
They build really good wheels and if you need the top of the line EAI cog it's there, for $100.

To borrow a word from LeCollectif, that shop is an anomaly.

You boys will take anything you hear as gospel if it comes from a pair on nice t!ts! :D

It's kind of sad, the days of a good LBS are slim to none now. I don't mean to sound like an old ******* but will. I find that true help and the youngsters that work at bike shops just don't give a damn anymore. I have two bike shops in my area and one worker out of the two knew nothing about fixed gear, no lie. A new bike shop just opened that is just sell Trek, this bike shop is so jaded and posh that it's disgusting.

When I was growing up there was this one lbs that was just awesome, the owner would allow the locals to hang out in back with the bike mechanics, there was tools everywhere and it just was carefree.

the premise here is that top tube length is the relevant issue right?

if the standover is ok, cant most folks who are not freaks just adjust the stem length to get a pretty good fit?

Yes. Especially if it's a free bike fitting.

I paid $75 to get fitted on my road bike and it took over an hour. Spent a good bit of time on the trainer. Adjusted cleats, replaced stem, moved saddle up and back. Suggested changing crank length which I did a few months later. Definitely worth it if you're going to spend 5-6 hours at a time on the bike.

It's kind of sad, the days of a good LBS are slim to none now.

I agree with you.

Well why do you think that is?

It's because everybody wants to buy online now. Online is driving all kinds of small businesses out of the game. If LBSs were making good money then they can afford to pay for good, knowledgeable employees. But if they are barely staying afloat then the use whatever employee that will work for minimum wage.

This is why I always preach "go to the local bike shop" first.

Guys, if you want a good local bike shop, give them your business. Yes, you might save a dollar by buying your tubes online. But, that $1 could go into the pocket of the LBS employee that you see in the neighrborhood instead of a warehouse owner in god-knows-where.

Also, if the shop doesn't have what you want in stock ORDER IT THROUGH THE SHOP!

They can often get close to or even match online prices. Most shops can have your part in stock within a week. It doesn't hurt to say, "Man, I really want those Nitto B123s. I was gonna get them at [website.com] but I'd like to give you guys my business. Can you get them for me at close to their price?"

It's a win-win:
You get your part.
You don't have to worry about online scams.
You don't have to pay for shipping.
You get the online price (or close to it).

They get your business.

My favorite shop looks like a typical MTB / Roadie / Cruiser place. All the mechanics ride track and own fixed gear or single speed, and one even built his own frame that he rides every day. Looks can be deceiving.

Also, if the shop doesn't have what you want in stock ORDER IT THROUGH THE SHOP!

They can often get close to or even match online prices. Most shops can have your part in stock within a week. It doesn't hurt to say, "Man, I really want those Nitto B123s. I was gonna get them at [website.com] but I'd like to give you guys my business. Can you get them for me at close to their price?"

It's a win-win:
You get your part.
You don't have to worry about online scams.
You don't have to pay for shipping.
You get the online price (or close to it).

They get your business.

I did that once because I too at one time felt sorry for the poor little neighborhood bike shop - and they ended up charging me shipping! More than the shipping cost if I ordered it online. And in addition to that, I had to pay sales tax. F' the local bike shops. They all suck.

I now exclusively order everything I need online and eagerly look forward to the demise of LBSs everywhere.

True story

Me: I need a 1/8" chain
LBS employee: Huh?
Me: I need a basic BMX chain.
LBS employee: what for?
Me: To put on my singlespeed fixed gear bike.
LBS: Its not going to work.
ME: Yes it will. I need a 1/8" inch chain. Like the basic KMC chain thats there under the counter.
LBS: Those don't work on 3 speeds.
ME. Yes it will, but thats irrelevant. I don't have a 3 speed. I have a fixed gear bike with a chainring and cog that require a 1/8" chain... like that KMC chain right there.
LBS: Sorry, I can't sell you that. Its not going to work.
ME: How about you just sell me the chain, and let me worry about if it will work.
LBS: You need a 9 speed chain.
ME: Goodbye.

lol! that is great. How f*king annoying to deal with that though.... People can't even try to be open minded anymore even if they don't know. That so called "salesperson" would of learned something from you that day and improved his knowledge.

I did that once because I too at one time felt sorry for the poor little neighborhood bike shop - and they ended up charging me shipping! More than the shipping cost if I ordered it online. And in addition to that, I had to pay sales tax. F' the local bike shops. They all suck.

I now exclusively order everything I need online and eagerly look forward to the demise of LBSs everywhere.

god help you.

I agree with you.

Well why do you think that is?

It's because everybody wants to buy online now. Online is driving all kinds of small businesses out of the game. If LBSs were making good money then they can afford to pay for good, knowledgeable employees. But if they are barely staying afloat then the use whatever employee that will work for minimum wage.

This is why I always preach "go to the local bike shop" first.

Guys, if you want a good local bike shop, give them your business. Yes, you might save a dollar by buying your tubes online. But, that $1 could go into the pocket of the LBS employee that you see in the neighrborhood instead of a warehouse owner in god-knows-where.

The good shops have adapted and many have added online sales to their business strategy. They bad shops are being driven out because they are poorly run.

Also, if the shop doesn't have what you want in stock ORDER IT THROUGH THE SHOP!

They can often get close to or even match online prices. Most shops can have your part in stock within a week. It doesn't hurt to say, "Man, I really want those Nitto B123s. I was gonna get them at [website.com] but I'd like to give you guys my business. Can you get them for me at close to their price?"

It's a win-win:
You get your part.
You don't have to worry about online scams.
You don't have to pay for shipping.
You get the online price (or close to it).

They get your business.

You still don't get it? Maybe you've got access to good shops. Personally, I've never been in a shop (except one) that is willing to even come close to online prices. Its not about paying an extra dollar here or there. Many times its more like twice the price at the LBS, and if you need to order it from them, you still need to pick it up, and pay shipping and sales tax. Plus, LBS employees I know can be rude, condescending, amazingly arrogant, and more than willing to rip you off in any way they can. They don't deserve the business and I'd rather support a few really good online shops.

You still don't get it? Maybe you've got access to good shops. Personally, I've never been in a shop (except one) that is willing to even come close to online prices. Its not about paying an extra dollar here or there. Many times its more like twice the price at the LBS, and if you need to order it from them, you still need to pick it up, and pay shipping and sales tax. Plus, LBS employees I know can be rude, condescending, amazingly arrogant, and more than willing to rip you off in any way they can. They don't deserve the business and I'd rather support a few really good online shops.

Seconded. LBS employees for the most part act like they're the ultimate gatekeepers to bicycle knowledge. I may not know much, but I know when I'm being spoken down to, and I don't appreciate it.

I don't worry about my local shops. Every one of them has a niche, and it's not really me. Every year they'll sell a zillion cruisers, baskets, lights and locks to the incoming freshmen and do fine servicing those things all year. Not to mention the population of roadies with a little too much cash that think nothing of dropping 50 bucks on a new tire instead of just looking for the source of what's deflating their tube, the mountain bikers who take advantage of the large amount of trails in the area, and the BMX kids who are also pretty ubiquitous.

You still don't get it? Maybe you've got access to good shops. Personally, I've never been in a shop (except one) that is willing to even come close to online prices. Its not about paying an extra dollar here or there. Many times its more like twice the price at the LBS, and if you need to order it from them, you still need to pick it up, and pay shipping and sales tax. Plus, LBS employees I know can be rude, condescending, amazingly arrogant, and more than willing to rip you off in any way they can. They don't deserve the business and I'd rather support a few really good online shops.

My LBS guys (at 3 shops) are cooler than a fan and have done exactly what I suggested. If they don't have a part they gladly order it for me and when I say that I can get it cheaper than MSRP online they gladly adjust the price. I've never paid shipping.

Maybe they are responding to your attitudes.

As my grandmother told me, "You'll catch a lot more bees with honey than with vinegar!"

http://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/flies.png

I now exclusively order everything I need online and eagerly look forward to the demise of LBSs everywhere.

http://lolblog.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/picard-no-facepalm.jpg

My LBS guys (at 3 shops) are cooler than a fan and have done exactly what I suggested. If they don't have a part they gladly order it for me and when I say that I can get it cheaper than MSRP online they gladly adjust the price. I've never paid shipping.

Maybe they are responding to your attitudes.

As my grandmother told me, "You'll catch a lot more bees with honey than with vinegar!"

+1

The two shops I frequent are top notch. At one I just picked up a Deda Newton handlebar for $45, and the other cannibalized two cranksets to make me a touring crankset with the rings I wanted and still charged me less than I could have found it online for. And at both shops the folks are super nice and have no attitude at all. One even opens for me when it's convenient for me to come. I'd like to see an online shop even try to match the price on the bars, let alone the service....