Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Do you support your LBS?

As the title states, do you primarily buy your bike stuff from a local bike shop, or do you buy it online or from a large retailer?

Yep. The advice I get, solicited or otherwise, is worth the extra money spent. And supporting local businesses, etc.

Suprisingly, my LBS can get me stuff for about as much as it costs online. I also always like being able to shop somewhere where people know my name. It seems like it builds more trust and accountability for both parties.

My process is usually:
1. Look at product online for reviews, specs and price.
2. Go to LBS and see if they have it
3. If it isn't way more expensive, I'll get it. If they have to order it, it's usually as cheap as online because they don't charge me shipping if I wait for their next parts order so I get it from them.
4. If LBS is way too expensive or can't order it, I'll get it online.

I support my local bike co-op that is 5 blocks away from my house, they also support me by letting me use their truing stand/tools for free if it's something quick. I also volunteer at the co-op quite often.

I only buy local and does not shop online.

NO, kinda.

I buy online when it's not a TIME process where I can wait for shipping

think this:

Buy tube online:
$3 tube
$2 shipping (average)
one-three weeks waiting

LBS:
$5 tube
10 minutes drive/20 minute bike
In hand that day

I see it as if I NEED TO HAVE IT NOW!!! Then LBS, other than that, I can walk into one and find all kinds of things overpriced and with bad reviews that flying off the shelf.

I support USED LBS, I have 5 new bike shops, and one USED LBS in my area.
I can older parts that work better and last longer then the newer ones for a fraction of the price.

Also, new bike<older bikes. Because I can buy a $100 10 speed that will outrace, outrun, and outperform any new trek on the road - doesn't matter about the human engine.

I work at my LBS. Love my job!

Like who else is going to help me when I get in a technical rut? Of course I do! :D

I put yes, but i'd have to say for high dollar items (except bikes), I buy online because of the 9.75% California sales tax.

I own a good portion of my LBS. Metaphorically, that is.

Is there an option for 50/50? I buy tools and some little things there but you can't compete with used bikes on Craigslist, and fast, cheap shipping on online parts that aren't in stock in the LBS's. If a shop has what I need for a little more expensive then I'll buy it there.

I try to support my LBS, but when I get the, "No we don't but we can order it" response, I usually just order it myself. What I absolutely will not do is drive around trying to find something; bike-related or otherwise.

No simple answer. When i'm impatient (frequently), LBS does the trick. When i'm poor (also frequently), it's hard to argue with online retailers for relative pricing.

Similarly the stuff i don't buy from an LBS is partially offset by labor. Installing headsets and what have you.

I try to support my LBS, but when I get the, "No we don't but we can order it" response, I usually just order it myself. What I absolutely will not do is drive around trying to find something; bike-related or otherwise.

I also support my LBS, however if they have to order it takes 1-2 weeks. On-line it takes a week or less. I don't buy on line to save money but to save time.

LBS for some service or small parts.

Online for everything else.

Yup!

I have been to some bike shops that try to sell you some stuff, then get you out very fast. My LBS is really awesome, fun to be around, very helpful, and actually pretty good on prices. I love stopping buy to pick up some stuff I need! For me, having the part I need right then and there and also knowing im supporting a cool local business is worth the extra money. +1 to everyone who supports a cool LBS. Sorry for those that have crappy ones...

.Chris

Yes, I support my LBS. Unfortunately they still don't get too much money out of me because a lot of the time I get vintage stuff which they don't carry. But when I need supplies and stuff, sure. And.... I recommend them whenever I can.

I only have three bike shops here the majority of my time I end up going to PMart since its right around the corner from my house. Performance Bike is my first choice, I like it since the employees there are extremely friendly and half of them are big fixed gear guys. My next choice would be my LBS since they support fixed gears a lot more parts wise.

kind of

I try to support em' where ever I live. Good advice, sometimes borrowed tools, and since I dont have to have things NOW they save me time buying online that I spend working on other fun things instead. I also donate to my local co-op everything I dont use up on my bikes.

the one near my college is a no, the guy thinks fixed=underling so i go online when i'm here
near my home i like the guys at my lbs they have hooked me up with many random parts from the parts bin free of charge so i enjoy giving them my business
i think a lot of it comes down to the people in the shop

I am mostly disappointed with the LBS's here. I wont let many of the mechanics touch my bike. And I find the pricing of parts here to be shameful (there is way too many shops so they hike prices to still be profitable). There is also too many elitist "i work at a shop/ am a mechanic attitudes" too.

Im not too full of hate, there are a few I love to go to and give my buisnes. I also leave near universal cycles which online price matches and then ships to the store for free... so thats nice too.

Over all its one thing I miss very much about the east coast...

I am my LBS... :)

I support my local co-op by buying my second hand parts there, and I volunteer there whenever I can.

I support a little student run shop a couple blocks from my place of residence on campus when I need to.

For the most part, my co-op and the little shop don't have what I want/need, so I support the interwebs.

Otherwise, if I really need something that I can't get anywhere else immediately, I go to the overpriced LBS just off campus. I really don't like going there.

I am mostly disappointed with the LBS's here. I wont let many of the mechanics touch my bike. And I find the pricing of parts here to be shameful (there is way too many shops so they hike prices to still be profitable). There is also too many elitist "i work at a shop/ am a mechanic attitudes" too.

Im not too full of hate, there are a few I love to go to and give my buisnes. I also leave near universal cycles which online price matches and then ships to the store for free... so thats nice too.

Over all its one thing I miss very much about the east coast...

I like the abundance of shops in pdx from small to large and from private to cooperatives.

The prices on used bikes shocked me while most other stuff (new) was fairly priced.

where's botbyte getting his $3 tubes at :o

Wait for a free shipping promo and you can get $2 tubes here:

http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/17439-345_PNTR57_SET-3-Parts-74-Tubes/Accessories/Price-Point-Tube---Set-of-10.htm

nice, ty -- though those are 35mm valves, would that be okay for the mercier kilo TT (which comes with Kenda Koncept Lite Kevlar bead 700x23c high pressure road, presta valve tubes) that I just ordered? I was trying to make sure I had some replacement tubes around. I'm still a bike noob for the most part and have never ordered online before and wasn't sure what mm valve I should get for them. I think 48 is the most common, though I'm probably wrong. A lot I see are 60mm and then those are 35. anyone know what I should stick with?

nice, ty -- though those are 35mm valves, would that be okay for the mercier kilo TT (which comes with Kenda Koncept Lite Kevlar bead 700x23c high pressure road, presta valve tubes) that I just ordered? I was trying to make sure I had some replacement tubes around. I'm still a bike noob for the most part and have never ordered online before and wasn't sure what mm valve I should get for them. I think 48 is the most common, though I'm probably wrong. A lot I see are 60mm and then those are 35. anyone know what I should stick with?

Edit: Just looked it up. Your rims will be 18mm deep, so that valve would probably work. Wouldn't hurt to ask in the kilo thread (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/305822-Mercier-Kilo-TT-Pictures)though.

yeah it's the stem length of the valve, I just don't have my bike with me yet, but wanted to go ahead and get some tubes on their way to me while I was waiting on it. Was curious if any other kilo owners here knew what the right length would be

Major components and build kits: online
Tools, accessories, saddles, small parts, clothing: LBS
Frame: online once, LBS from now on. Never installing a headset by myself again.


where's botbyte getting his $3 tubes at :o
A shop on my way home from work sells basic tubes for $3.50. I can't justify spending time to beat that.

yes and no. yes i buy tubes and stuff when i NEED it. but no im not going to spend 75$ for a 105 bottom bracket when i can get an ultegra bb online for 25$. my lbs prices are typically double or triple online prices.

Yeah i never really find myself self buying new stuff from my lbs typicaly used stuff.

I'm friends with the guys at my lbs now and stop by once or twice a week for some beers and hangin' out.Since i'm buying 95% of my stuff(I buy my frames on CL or online) there, my prices are usually less than online.I've also gotten small stuff done for free(headsets in/out,fixing shifting problem on roadbike) and usually don't pay for patchkits and other small items.For my wheels i'm going to a small one man bikeshop about an hour away.That guy sells fixed gear wheelsets below online prices and trues them up before sending them out the door.Things haven't always been this good, so i can understand how someone might prefer buying online only.

I am my LBS.

nice, ty -- though those are 35mm valves, would that be okay for the mercier kilo TT (which comes with Kenda Koncept Lite Kevlar bead 700x23c high pressure road, presta valve tubes) that I just ordered? I was trying to make sure I had some replacement tubes around. I'm still a bike noob for the most part and have never ordered online before and wasn't sure what mm valve I should get for them. I think 48 is the most common, though I'm probably wrong. A lot I see are 60mm and then those are 35. anyone know what I should stick with?

Buying 10 tubes for one bike?! Are you putting in a new tube every time you get a flat? Learn to patch, save $$$.

Tubes = $3-$5 each
Patches = 10¢-25¢ each

I buy major components online and smaller stuff/tools/accessories at the LBS.

Well having worked previously at 3 LBS in the area I can usually get bro deals on most things I want still. And I am a phone call away when they are backed up and need a hand, so that helps when I want something or need to use some tools.

I would if I wasn't so effing DIY (poor) and if they didn't close so ridiculously early in the day. If I wanted to go after work I would have to haul ass.

My local bike shop went out of business. Probably because they only stocked about a dozen Jamis's and 3 Terry's. The owner of the shop referred to "stems" as "necks." Those people were completely incompetent in way too many ways to describe here.

:lol: I cringe when people (who should know better) say "necks".

I used to work at my LBS, and for some reason they still give me my 10% employee discount and never charge for labor. Much better deal than I could find online.

my 10% employee discount

that's the worst employee discount I have ever heard of. I have got cost plus 5 or 10% at all the shops I have worked at.

I buy the vast majority of my bike related items at the LBS. Got to support local

I support it sometimes. I have gotten lots of things from the LBS. But I try to get as much as I can through craig's list and the local co-op.

My local bike shop went out of business. Probably because they only stocked about a dozen Jamis's and 3 Terry's. The owner of the shop referred to "stems" as "necks." Those people were completely incompetent in way too many ways to describe here.

Does he call rims "lips" too? :lol:

Does he call rims "lips" too? :lol:

if a stem is a neck wouldn't the handlebar be the lip?

Yes I support several LBSs in my city.

- Dream Cycle
- Caps
- Bike Doctor
- La Bicicletta
- Simon's
- JV Bikes

I end up buying different things from the different shops.

It depends.

I'll go to my LBS, the only local roadie shop, for lots of small stuff and help because I really like the mechanics (they give me a lot of free service). The shop is real small though and the owner is kind of a dick so the prices are a bit high. But I volunteer at the co-op and so I pick up a lot of good used stuff now and I get all the typical LBS employee perks.

i support ppl