Road Cycling - LBS behaving well!

In the past, I have occasionally spoken against service I have received in LBSs. This week my LBS really came through for me. My broken leg is healing enough now that I am planning my return to cycling. My helmet saved my skull and brains when I was hit by a car 3.5 months ago. However, the helmet is now heavily dented and cracked. Since it is now evidence my lawsuit, I didn't think that I would be able to get the 20% discount Giro gives when you turn in a wrecked helmet. It will be months before I can release the helmet. Last Saturday I was in my LBS ready to buy a new Eclipse ($80). I also tried on a Pneumo for the fun of it. It was just great: better fit and better coverage as a brain bucket. However, I was not ready to pay $140 for it. I remembered that Colorado Cyclist had it on sale for about $110.

I was just about to leave the store and shop by phone when the manager came up to me and said, "Great helmet, isn't it?"

I said, "Yes, but I was not planning to spend that kind of money." I explained about my old helmet. I also told him that the bike he sold me four years ago and fit so well was now a wreck.

Well, he said that they were having a no-tax sale the follwing weekend. He also said that he would give me the 20% discount and would NOT need the old helmet until I got the settlement. I was just delighted with the plan!

Yesterday (Saturday), I returned to the LBS and I bought the helmet. My cost was $111--less than what I would have paid with Colorado Cyclist with shipping. My crutches and fracture boot may have influenced the LBS manager, but whatever the reason, he has won my loyalty.

Rich

I was thinking of getting a new helmet too, amazing how expensive they can get.

I love when LBS do that for their clients.

Nicely done! But no free plug for the LBS? ;)

How much longer till your back on the bike?

Nicely done! But no free plug for the LBS? ;)

How much longer till your back on the bike?

Of course: Family Cycling Center, Santa Cruz, CA

I am not sure when I'll be back on the bike. A lot hinges on the x-rays that will be taken on Wednesday.

Thanks for asking.

Rich

I was thinking of getting a new helmet too, amazing how expensive they can get.

I like the old helmets. The scratches on the shell and random nicks remind me of how well used it is. Plus I can't stand to part with the obscene amount of different pieces of reflective tape and stickers that I've stuck on it.

great to hear a good LBS story
hope you're healing fast and back on the bike soon
and yeah, I'm looking to get a new helmet and ugh all the ones I want are pricey

G'day,

good story...sometimes its worth supporting the LBS over 'online' buying, even when it can cost you a little more. A good LBS is worth its weight in titanium!.

Sort of on the same note, (while we are talking helmets!)....are helmets compulsory in the US?.....They are here in OZ, a couple of years ago the Federal Govt linked funding to the states to the passing of a number of road safety laws, one of which was compulsory helmets. As a racer, It never occured to me to race without one even b4 they were compulsory...but it still amazes me everyday I see people without them....wake up folks....You only get one head!,

cheers,

Hitchy

but it still amazes me everyday I see people without them....wake up folks....You only get one head!,

Out of every 20 cyclicsts I see on my daily ride, maybe-maybe one of them is riding properly (not on the sidewalk, or wrong way up the street), and about 2-3 wearing a helmet properly. It pains me to see a little kid being watched by an adult (who also doesn't wear a helmet incidentally) not wearing a helmet properly (straps not tightened, tipped back).

What can you do.

G'day,

I know what you mean.......I prbably average 15 to 18,000km per year in training & racing...always with a helmet. I consider myself a good & safe rider, a pretty good bike handler (even if I do say so myself!).I had an incident last year that reminded me that accidents can happen to anyone, anytime. I was returning home from a race that had a 10km, very technical decent that I had been pushing 10/10ths (full on) down. Got to the bottom without incident & then slipped on loose gravel in my driveway doing 5km an hour. I couldn't 'unclip' quick enough & banged my head hard enough to crack my 'giro'. had a headache for a few days....but without the helmet, I wouldn't be here now. Ithink the UCI making them compulsory last year was the best rule change ever. Imagine this years TDF without helmets!!!!!

cheers,

Hitchy

Hitchy