Flatballer

Today I went to my favorite LBS to ask a couple questions and pick up some chainring bolts. I was asking about rusty bolts (stem and brakes and such) and he had me buy some tri-flow to clean and lube them with.

He sold me the chainring bolts (turns out he accidentally sold me singles and I wasn't paying attention, but I'll go back later, he's out of aluminum doubles).

I asked him about the creaking headset, he couldn't get it to make the sound, he said it's probably nothing to worry about. I showed him the bent chainrings and told him I thought it was the spider, he concurred and told me there isn't anything I can do.

Great, he's been really helpful so far, as usual. Imparting me with knowledge along the way. Then I made the mistake of asking if they had any beginner tool sets. We looked at the Park set, well, I already have 70% of those tools. So he says, "why not just buy the ones you need individually?" "Great idea", I thought.

So now we're deciding what tools I need. Obviously need a chain whip. "Crank extractors are good to have", he says. What do I know, I'll take one of those. "You'll need a spoke wrench, here, this one has the three major sizes on it". "You'll need a cassette lock ring tool to install your new cassette". (I told him I bought one). We get up to the register and start bs'ing some. He mentions some guy coming in with crushed housing. "That reminds me", I say, "I need some actual cable cutters so I don't crush my housing next time and fray cables". So we go back to the tool section and he points out the cable cutter.

These are all Park Tools by the way, except for the chain whip. He always talks me into getting Park because he says the rest is junk, except Campagnalo.

So, I walk in there planning to spend maybe $10 on chainring bolts.

Grand total - $115

I was $105 over budget, for just one trip.

I'm supporting my LBS like a good little cyclist. Are they going to do the same when I'm homeless and have nothing left but a well maintained bike and a toolbox full of "excellent quality" Park Tools?

timmhaan

haha.

it's like asking a barber if you need a haircut. of course they're going to say yes.

cuski

Crank extractors? Doubt you'll need them anytime soon.

botto 

ride with the manager or mechanic. that's what works for me.

mattm

if you buy a few bikes from them at MSRP, they might start giving you discounts.

worked for me anyway.

127.0.0.1

I am in the $20,000 club at my favorite LBS...I can walk out of there with a $5000.00 bike
on a handshake and take a year to pay it off....I raced for them and bought several bikes
over the years....

it all depends on a lot of factors....Usually, if the owners ride hard, and you ride with them
and continue to show up and ride, and improve, and kick some ass, drink some beers with 'em,
you are 'in' and you get access to the inside deals. like any business. if you are a friend, friends take care of you.


I also visit all the other LBS'es and buy at least some things like small items from them, I want to spread
the load...I also mail order some stuff but usually buy from LBS's

if you are joe-blow off the street, you aren't 'in'. No shop owners are making millions off the bike biz.


but hell,....LBS doesn't automatically mean 'cool'... a good number (small percent) of shop owners are total dicks

BananaTugger

Group rides with the mechanics/manager/owner.

Put some miles in with them so you become a friend instead of a customer.

ericm979

But then you won't want to ask for a discount because you'll know how little they are actually making.

BarracksSi

If you're so poor that buying a few tools will make you live in a cardboard box, then stop buying so many tools.

What kind of "support" are you looking for, anyway?

BarracksSi

Golly, that would mean gaining a realistic view of their side of the business instead of asking for free schwag like a leech.

BananaTugger

If they cared about how much they made, they wouldn't be working with bikes. All of the guys from shops I ride with love working with, talking about and riding bikes.

I've created enough of a rapport with the local shops to get small things like chainring bolts and bar tape thrown my way.

Siu Blue Wind

The more tools you buy from him the less work you will be bringing in to him. He's already supporting you by sacrificing the money that he could be making off of you for service.

cuski

That sounds like something you'd hear in a fertility clinic, not a bike shop.

jsharr

Find out where the owner bought his boat. Get a job in the shop there. You will be his new best friend and the two of you can swap discounts. Worked for me.

botto 

echo, echo, echo...

garysol1 

Surprised?

Flatballer

Apparently my satire skills need some polishing.

You guys take everything so seriously.

Quijibo187

Actually, they make double profit here, selling you the tools, then fixing it when you screw it up.

to avoid the "double charge", familiarize yourself with the job before attempting it no matter how simple it is. Plenty of online resources, or maintenance manuals.

bpert

Congratulations you are the first on my ignore list!

Siu Blue Wind

Ha Ha!! That was almost me. We have a bike shop in our family and I will call him before I mess up majorly. Poor guy. I called him at home at 1130pm one time...

darksiderising

They started supporting you the moment they answered your questions. Not everything is about money and goods.

Someone mentioned a barber shop. This is a place where you give someone money and leave with less than you started with. It's all about the service.

uke

Bike shop's not your friend; it's a service exchange. If I can find something cheaper elsewhere, 9/10 times I get it elsewhere. Helmet, front light, rear lights, floor pump, frame pump, water bottles, bottle cages, seatbag, computers, gloves, tool kit, you name it. The only things I go to the shop for are things I can't fix myself. And those are still damn expensive.

furiousferret

They're businesses. In fact they are mostly businesses that sqeak by, and many hook up cyclists more than they should. I'm not saying they should gouge but there are plenty of shops who give services or products to many of thier customers either free or at cost.

NYJayhawk

For some bike-specific tools, Park tools make sense. For others, you can go to sears or the hardware store. Why pay extra for a Park torque wrench when an identical Craftsman can be had for less money?

Also, some tools just aren't worth it. Why buy a specialty tool for a ton of money when you may only use it once or maybe even never. Often the repair at the shop is cheaper BECAUSE they have the tools for it.

Avalanche325

You could have purchased the Park roll-up toolkit for $109. Unless you are buying one or two tools, individual tools are a financial mistake. It is like building up a bike from parts, it costs more. You are going to find out at some point that you need those skinny wrenches, etc.....