Originally Posted by moxfyre
This is a great thread! My LBS rocks because ......
... they are extremely friendly people. They host a thursday-night potluck in the shop (only been 1 time but it was great fun). They'll happily help do-it-yourselfers, even if it involves finding a bottom bracket dust cap or counting out ball bearings. They'll give repair advice without being condescending. They won't try to sell you more than they need. They have a nice dog wandering the shop. They employ a framebuilder. Everyone there obviously loves bikes and enjoys meeting others who do too. The owner rides a Colnago with Campy Record, and I enjoy drooling over it
It's Proteus Bikes in College Park, MD. College Park Bikes is nice too, but they seem to cater to the high end, and so they often don't have parts to fit my budget. (Example: they are the only local shop that stocks fixed gear parts, but the only fixie hubs they sell are Phil Wood
)
Yeah, I can see that. I don't really go for highend stuff either, but in my experience they've been helpful.
I've never bought anything from Proteus, but I've talked to the people there and they were very helpful. I might have to swing down there sometime soon.
I actually just got back from the Performance in Rockville and their shop guys are knowledgeable and everyone there seems very friendly and knowledgeable.