bud16415

Thanks guys for all the great input. I do 99% of my own wrenching so in my case I would just assemble it myself and replace the parts that were not to my liking. I have been asked quite a few times where I got my Windsor and what would it take after the sale to get it up and running correctly. It sounds like about another $100 to get it assembled and tuned and maybe a little more if they wanted the wheels gone over spoke by spoke.

I understand that the shop is not set up for internet purchases and they would like you to just buy it and bring it in. I’m a little surprised that the shop would be better with it just walking in the door rather than talking it over ahead of time. One of the biggest concerns I would have is selecting a frame size but most people buying a road or touring bike have a good idea what they want.

I would defiantly suggest buying fenders, racks, bottle cages and such at the time of the assembly.

Thanks again

mconlonx

All this.

Call a shop ahead of time and see what they say. If a shop agrees to do the build and has a positive attitude about it, they may even suggest you have the bike shipped direct to them. We charge $75 for pro assembly of a new bike out of box, and would treat a BD customer as we would anyone else looking to have a bike assembled.

What you won't get: Much cooperation or sympathy if the bike arrives damaged -- don't expect the shop to follow up with shipping or warranty claims; that's on you. No preferential treatment at the shop for having purchased a new bike through them -- no discounts on parts or leaning on service for preferential scheduling.

Shops should make more money on service than on sales of bikes or even accessories, so if you come across one acting all butt-hurt that you bought a bike elsewhere, steer clear of them. Some good-natured ribbing might be in order, but no need to put up with jerks.

oldbobcat

I like the good-natured ribbing part.

We charge $80 or $85, I forget, which is a bit more than a basic tune, with free ribbing.

Actually, we encourage people to bring their BD bikes to us because we'd rather take it out of the box than work on it after somebody has already broken something.

bud16415

Thanks all. It’s nice to know the overall consensus is it’s ok to walk into a LBS with BD box (or other) in tow and feel you can expect the same quality service they would give anyone and plan on getting a free batch of good natured ribbing. Free being the key word. Most of the ribbing I get from my auto mechanic I feel sometimes comes with a price tag.

Like I said in the OP I already have a Windsor Tourist that I bought second hand and the reason it was being sold was the frame was way over sized for the guy that had it I believe. So mine being half price and nearly new and a used touring bike in a town that almost never has a used touring bike it was a no brainer.

The business models of these companies (I think) is to cut out all the middle men they can, deal in huge volume, and maybe cut a few corners here and there to shed some cost. I have no idea if all their different models work from the same build equation or not. When you look at the spec sheet of all they sell you find lots of name brand quality components with some generic components sprinkled in. in my case the biggest concern generics turned out to be the wheel set. I was never quite sure if it was the components or the build that was my problem but after about a year I started having multi spoke failures. Like most would do in the beginning I was changing a rear spoke here and there and then I said enough. Took it into my LBS and said I wanted a new wheel set. After the “good natured ribbing” ended. I was surprised the advice they offered. I was advised there was nothing really wrong with my hubs or rims and the quality of those generic parts was really ok. And what I should do is let them rebuild the wheels with DT spokes. In fact they only suggested doing the rear wheel and just trueing the front. I went for a rebuild of both and haven’t had a wheel related problem again (fingers crossed).

So for me the one thing I’m always going to ask and pay for with any new bike mail order or LBS is to have the wheels gone over. It’s my understanding most low end LBS bikes you get pretty much the machine built wheel that came in the box also. Like all things I’m sure some shops pay them more attention than others though.

jolly_ross

Tape a vacuum cleaner nozzle to the exit hole - tape up all other holes except for cable entry hole - switch on - feed light fishing line through entry hole, it will almost always find its way into the vacuum nozzle. Cut line off with plenty to spare at each end and use it as a guide for the cable outer. My 2c worth, I may be missing something here. hth