Originally Posted by
mstateglfr
You have to recognize that this request may be outside the sweetspot of brick and mortar retail shops.
A lot of what I want is outside the sweetspot of the shops around me. Its no fun, but its reality. I dont begrudge them for not carrying what they wont sell for a long time though.
I am 6'5 and finding long enough pants in stores around me is brutal. Its because my needs exceed the wheelhouse of what retail clothing stores know they can sell- so i just go online and often buy from the store's internet site since they can 'carry' less popular products there without the holding costs.
Its my own doing if I am upset a shop doesnt have something like a looseball bottom bracket or a clamp on cable stop in stock. They shouldnt be expected to carry something that is asked about 3x per year or is sought out by 1 in every 2000 customers.
That was an example, one of many dozens. Okay then, how about bar tape other than black or pink? Maybe Presta valve tubes that are not hugely long, or even lightweight tubes? A chain, should not be hard huh? A bottom bracket for Octalink? Pedals, maybe, huh?
Look, I am not going to buy a new bicycle every year just so I can keep up with what is being stocked for the latest 40 speed drive train "sweetspot" of marketing.