Joe Gardner

I have a two LBS's I regularly visit. Aardvark Cycles and Mad Dog Cycles. Both are geared to the mountain bike community. I purchase alot of gear from aardvark, and have my bike tuned up, and other misc shop needs at mad dog. I have two LBS's that are closer to me, but one offers really bad service. And the other is in a mall, there prices are insane.

The only "road bike only" LBS is ~50miles away in SLC, I make it there atleast once a month.

Anastasia

My current local bike shop is a most excellent place to visit. or to email questions to. It's called Hubbub Custom Cycle Shop, and they only sell custom made frames from Seven Cycles, Calfee, Waterford, Co-Motion and outfit it anyway you want. They have one of the best technicians in the area, and they are extremely helpful. They also have two cats who hang out in the shop which is most cool.

I found them because my old technician left the bike shop he was with - and my Trek was totaled in an accident, necessitating my purchase of a new bike and I only wanted him to touch the new one. I was planning on following him to his new digs - Century Cycles - but didn't because though they talked about fit being most important, they did not use a size cycle. Hubbub uses a size cycle and measurments and they are rated highly even by competitors in the area.

However, I have gotta say that this site has added to my knowledge. Thank you BikeForums - - job well done. - this is draft root beer

Ellie

My lbs of choice is Ben Haywards Cycles in Cambridge. They aren't necessarily the cheapest around, but they never sell me crap. There's another shop that's good for bolts and things, but that's all second hand stuff (mostly shoppers) so I've never bought any accessories/bikes from there. That's King Street Cycles, for anyone who's ever in Cambridge!

Ellie

lotek 

I'll tell you WHAT my LBS is like,
I bought Conti Sprinters about 6 months ago,
had em nicely stretched on clean rims. When I
mounted them (about month ago) one of the tires
would not hold air. No receipt, No box, Glued tire
they exchanged it for a new one. They will be my
LBS for as long as I am in this area.
Marty

RegularGuy

My LBS isn't the best-stocked shop. It isn't the largest shop. The owner (my friend, BJ) doesn't make a lot of money at it. But the service is excellent. The atmosphere is friendly. It's a good place to hang out. And there is this:

Earlier this week a guy stuck his head in the door. He looked shabby. His bike, a cheap department store model, was out on the sidewalk, loaded with gear.

"How much are your inner tubes?" he asked.

"$2.27" BJ replied.

The guy mumbled "thanks," shook his head, and walked away.

A few hours later, one of the local police officers came in. He asked, "How much for an inner tube?" And BJ told him "$2.27"

"Okay," the cop said, "I need to go cash my check. But I'm going to send a guy in here. Set him up with an inner tube and I'll come by later to pay for it."

BJ said, "Don't worry about it. We take care of our own."

After the policeman left, the shabby man returned, with his bicycle. As BJ worked on his bike, the man's story came out. He was broke. He was trying to get to Beloit (about 80 miles away) where he had family, or a job, or something. He had slept under a highway bridge the night before. When he woke up, his front tire was flat. He pushed his bike 14 miles up the highway when he came upon BJ's shop. He didn't have enough cash on hand to buy an inner tube. He didn't want to beg. He hung around downtown until the police stopped him and asked his story. The police officer was ready to pay for his inner tube out of pocket.

BJ repaired the guy's tire. He also adjusted his headset and replaced a frayed brake cable. Then he sat down and looked at maps with the man, helping him choose a good route to Beloit.

After the man left, BJ thought, "I should've bought him some lunch."

And that is why I love my local bike shop.

Cyclesister

Admirable.... BJ sounds like a champ.

:thumbup: