Frustrated as well.

My LBS has been a family business since 1978. I have been a customer off and on since 1979 when I moved to the area when I was 13. The son who is my age now owns the place and he is a GREAT proponent for the area and does a ton for the community. I am a member of the local advocacy group that he is part of as a board member and a sponsor and on a first name basis.


I will probably never buy a bike from them. I buy all my bikes used and he doesn't sell much of what I am interested in such as racks, bags etc all though he will order anything I ask for.


That said they are a high end bike shop and cater to people riding Madone's not so much the budget commuter, self reliant type like myself. I try to give him the buisness whenever possible but when he is close to 70cents a spoke higher then I can buy online with free shipping for the same brand spoke it really adds up. When you are rebuilding set of 36 spoke wheels it is $50 bucks. I am about to do that again. I have put them on the spot and gotten some discounts.

What he has going for him is his people. They have always gone above and beyond and know me by name despite my average purchases being under $20 a visit.

Want to support him but I just cant afford it sometimes.