andr0id

There is nothing on my bike I can't do except press a headset because I don't have the tool for that and only need it done once in a blue moon.

I keep a bin of spare tubes, about half a dozen spare tires, cables and housing, and a few chains. I buy the KMC Missing Links on the cards of 6 from Amazon, so I have those on hand too.

I have either Dura Ace or Ultegra on my different bikes, so if a part were to break, I can just rob one off another bike short term and order a new one. I have rarely had top end Shimano parts break, so I don't place much value in buying from a local shop because of the warranty.

If I want to test something and it's good, I'll buy it. For example, AJs let me trial several Fizik saddles. I liked the Antares and bought one from them. But the next one I got on Craig's list.

I like Bontrager handlebar tape, so I'll buy it at Bicycle Sports Shop and browse around while I'm there at the overpriced Trek and Specialized bikes there and check retail prices.

The cost of most tools is less that what it cost to pay the bike shop to do it. The labor cost of an annual overhaul is $100 and up. $100 will buy most of the tools you need for that.

raceboy

I volunteered at the local bike co-op for awhile to learn some basics.

Change a chain? Buy online and do it myself.

Change a cassette? Ditto.

Change a tire/fix a flat? Ditto.

Shifting/brake adjustments? I'll take a stab at it myself. If I can't resolve it, take it to the pros at my LBS. The same with more advanced or special tool repairs.

Cables? I've done this at the co-op and swear I will do it the next time one of my bikes needs it. But that hasn't happened yet. I seem to check the bikes in for a major tune-up about every two years and they change them as part of the tune-up.

I have to volunteer at the co-op to learn more since I like working on my bikes. BTW, I asked a local LBS mechanic where I could learn to wrench and he turned me on to the co-op. Best volunteer opportunity ever. You learn and help others at the same time!

Machka 

Why? They aren't a charity.

Machka 

I like browsing around LBSs ... I went and did that at lunch today. It can be nice to actually see the products in person.

If I need something right away and an LBS has it in stock for a reasonable price, I'll get it.

If the LBS has something I like on sale for a good price, I'll get it.

But if the words "we can order that for you" are spoken ... no thanks, I can order it myself and have it sitting on my doorstep (or at the post office 300 metres away) in significantly less time and for significantly less money.

John_V 

Exactly! But the OP stated he needed the chain ASAP and wondered why he paid more for the chain.

John_V 

I agree but my response to the OP was related to him needing it ASAP and wondering why he may have paid more for it. However, in Florida, we have to pay sales tax on anything we purchase on or off line. The legislators need that money to pay for all their perks. Shipping can be costly if the seller doesn't offer it for free or if your order doesn't reach a minimum amount. BTW, I do order online when my LBS doesn't have or carry the item(s) I need. It's just as easy for me to order it as it is for them to do so and it saves me the trip back to the LBS to pick it up. Otherwise, I buy at the LBS since they have been giving me a 10-20% discount on everything I buy there.

Garfield Cat

The most immediate obligation is to your family. When it comes to spending money on bikes or other recreational activities, the family comes first. This includes time and money.

kuroba

If I didn't have a savvy SO, my LBS would be getting a lot more business from me lol. As it is, we only take our bikes for full maintenance and a few jobs here and there.

The only LBS I like to support doesn't work in hours that I can actually take my bike to them during the week. I don't like the other stores, every time I've gone to them, sales people have been annoyingly condescending to me.

sevenmag

I use the LBS for anything that I feel may be slightly beyond my skill level as a mechanic, and for tune ups when I just can't seem to get rid of a particularly bad chain rub or messy shift. They're great guys, and recently loaned me 4 saddles to try so I did get one from them. But I'm not going to pay double the price for a derailleur or cassette I can install on my own.

Spoonrobot 

If I can look on their website and see if they have it in stock at their physical store I'll head over and buy. If not, I just get it online.

Locally, this limits me to Peformance Bike and REI but I'm fine with that. I've had such bad experiences in the LBSs here and elsewhere that I prefer not to support that business model.

I've stopped calling for parts and if I can't find out if I can get it locally in 2-3 minutes I just order from Amazon, eBay or Nashbar. Get the part in hand within 2-3 days with minimum of fuss.

Retro Grouch 

In the end, you have no obligation to make your LBS happy. They earn their money by making you happy.

Machka 

Right ... like any business.

And if they aren't making their potential customers happy, they've got to work harder.

jefnvk

I like them for clothes. I hate buying clothes online, because no one can be bothered to make all clothes in the same size fit in a similar way.

Past that, anything I need NOW, and I don't complain about paying the premium (except when the premium tells me maybe I don't need it as NOW as I thought). Then again, most of my need it now items are tools, which generally aren't priced too far off online prices.

indyfabz

Same reason some people pay others to wash their cars?


BTW...I recently paid a LBS to install a new chain. I shipped my bike 3/4 of the way across the U.S. in preparation for a tour. The mechanic as was astute enough to notice that my chain was toast. He called me and I told him to put on a new one. Sure beat having to do it myself when I had a bunch of other things to attend to once I landed at my destination.

indyfabz

One reason I never wanted a family. They get in the way of spending money on other things, but I do make sure I have enough money for dinner, etc., for the woman I am currently trying to "woo."

corrado33

I buy small things at the LBS if I can. Disc brake pads? Sure! A tool here and there, sure. Gloves occasionally, tubes if I need one? Sure. I've only ever had them work on one thing, and it was something I didn't feel I needed to learn or needed to buy the tools for. (Rebuilding an old Talus fork.) Plus, it was pretty cheap to have them do that ~$50 including the rebuild kit, so I wasn't going to complain.

Cheddarpecker

This sums up my feelings exactly. Enough that they never offer to order anything, only to say that it's not in stock.

On most of the items in my local store, the price is right about the same as Amazon with shipping and a couple of dollars markup. If it's within five, I'll pay it to have it now.

Somebody said chase and face a bottom bracket, I'd get that done. I'll have them true my wheels. I'll buy a bicycle off of them when I decide to purchase new, but nothing more than a mountain bike. Unfortunately, they carry next to nothing for road bikes.

They know I order all of my own specific stuff because they don't have it, and they know what kind of services I perform myself because they sold me what tools I haven't made.

indyfabz

A man after my own heart.


And I wish I could quantify the value of the free stuff I have gotten from LBSs that I have given a lot of business to. I bought a new wheel set from a shop and later a custom ti frame made in-house by the shop's owner. In return, I have gotten free goods and services on a priority basis. For example, when it's time for new tubeless tires the shop will install them free, while I wait, and I never pay for sealant. One time I damaged my chain during a ride. Limped to that same shop, bought a replacement link for $5 and it was installed in less than 10 min. despite the fact that the shop was quite busy. $5 was what a train ride home would have cost (plus 1 hr. of my time waiting for the train). Instead, I got to finish my ride. It's not always about money. Time has a value. Some say that frugal people realize that and cheap people don't.

MRT2

I try to support local businesses when I can. If they are working on a build, pretty much understood I am buying parts from them. Things I can do myself, it depends. And when the price is close, I will just buy locally. Clothing? Sure, when it is on sale. Shoes, for sure. Tools, bottles, tubes and lube? Yes. Racks, seatbags, computers, even tires on sale.

On the other hand, I have bought some of that stuff online as well. Sometimes a deal is too good to pass up. and my last 3 sets of pedals were from an online store.

2 Piece

One very, very important factor that seems to have been overlooked. Is the OP comparing identical chains? I mean you can buy 10 speed chains for $5.00 or you can buy 10 speed chains for $40.00, and their is a big difference in quality between the two. I find my LBS's tend to be pretty competitive on component prices, where they tend to be a little higher is in lower cost items like tubes, lube, brake pads and such

Cyclist0094

My bikes are older than most of the employees in a LBS these days. They seldom have parts for my bikes and I'm a better mechanic.

Sy Reene

No idea to your first question. However, this thread had me curious and looking, and I found a range of $35 online up to over $70 for a mid-tier Campagnolo Chorus chain from more local US sellers that have web presence. I really would like to use an LBS for all purchases, but when markup gets over 100% it's hard to justify.

2 Piece

What I am trying to say is that there a pretty wide range of prices just between the different Shimano 10 speed chains.
Shimano Chains 10 Speed | Jenson USA

And if the OP was just comparing 10 speed chains there would be even a greater price. Bell, Schwinn and some import brands are less than $9.00. The OP seems to be fairly new and may think that all 10 speed chains are the same.

Artfahie

All of this which leads me to the question.... if not for service/parts DO YOU purchase your rides from a LBS.... through the internet... or craigslist ? ... Keeping in mind that many of the "used" listings are for very recent models ! What are your criteria on a major purchase such as a new bike ????

drlogik 

I almost never need a shop to do any repair on my bikes as I spent a good part of my youth working in them; however, like others here, I like to support my local shops and frequently buy things from them. I'm always friendly and they always respond in-kind. It's a good idea to cultivate a relationship with a shop like that. You just never know when you'll need to rely on them to save your bacon some day. If they figure you for one of those blokes that look in the shop and always buy on-line, then they may just not want to help you in your time of need.