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Old 12-15-10 | 11:27 AM
  #24  
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pallen
Descends like a rock
 
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 4,034
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From: Fort Worth, TX

Bikes: Scott Foil, Surly Pacer

Originally Posted by coasting
Since my regular lbs closed this year, I have discovered that he was far more invovled with service than most other shops which seem to be just selling items. For example, I used to go to him to get my bearings repacked once a year on my shimano hubs. This year, I have been to 4 bike shops to ask about doing this and every one of them said "what do you mean?" or "that's not something we normally do". I think the days of relying on the shop are gone. They are just retailers now.
Yeah, the big box trend may eventually kill the LBS as we know it as it has other retail markets. Lower overhead, high volume discounts make it hard for the little guys with real expertise to compete. Luckily, we aren't there yet. I know of at least two great shops I would trust with anything near me.
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