Originally Posted by
downwinded
Dude, your in a "big" city!
There are lots of bike shops in L-ville. Was there a few months ago and dropped in on a couple that looked like they would be very capable. Some small shops on Preston, Schellers out on Shelbyville Rd (I think there is more than one), and several others. Why not talk to some of those guys and find someone you hit it off with? Then, just leave your list of specs along with your phone number on the back of a blank check. Well, maybe modify that last part just a bit
but you get the idea
. Happy hunting! And...GO CATS!!!
Ha ha . . . Cats ?? Lolz
Yes, we do have a few good shops within walking distance of my house, but I have some reasons why I just want to git r done in one fell swoop.
I campaigned for Jackie Green of
Bike Couriers in his mayoral bid, so I like to use him when I need an LBS. If you get back here, checkout Old Bikes Belong on Preston Street and Vic's Classic Cycles on Bardstown. He posts in C&V sometimes. They are doing some unique stuff, a little different than the average shop.
FWIW, Ive been an avid cyclist since the 60's with my Stingray, and Louisville is the first place Ive ever lived in a long time where I haven't been offended by most of its shops
Parkside is the only one here that I avoid. The rest are all pretty good. In the other 5000 places Ive lived, that statistic is unheard of.
Originally Posted by
acidfast7
I'm not a big fan of dealing with a build a bike shop because you're subject to their preferences.
Where I am, the LBS hates IGH. The owner/mech states that their too complicated, heavy, expensive and doesn't recommend them AT ALL.
If the owner/mech is that passionate about something like IGH, imagine about the smaller details.
Maybe what you need is a quick trip around Europe to see what's out them.
East coast to Frankfurt, Paris or Amsterdam in the summer. Rent a bike and do some cycling. Hit Tout Terrain and some of the Swiss manufacturers, then through Germany and see what they have going (VSF and Rohloff) and over to Holland to check out the KM factory.
Just a suggestion as I saw flights from the East Coast to the US round trip for less than 500 USD recently (if you book ahead). I just bought a flight for a 3-week holiday in China for less than 500 USD from CPH.
It's cheaper than you'd think
I agree with all of this, bike and otherwise. My Brother flies Continental-United International out of Newark, so cheap tix can be mine anytime I want. Ireland for this summer