elares

When I go to the LBS and tell them what I need and what problem I'm trying to solve, I'd like them to understand the words NEED and SOLVE. When I need it, the answer "I don't think we have that" is not sufficient. I want them to look around and be sure, and if they don't have it, I'd like them to offer to order it or attempt to solve the problem another way, not simply look at me as if the discussion ends with "we don't have it".
Why do I have to point out to them that they can order parts? Why do they sigh, and droop their shoulders, and slump off to find a pencil when presented with an opportunity to sell parts/accessories? Shouldn't that be reason for them to celebrate?

BarracksSi

A. None. They're "between gigs."

ghettocruiser

More pretentious.

They always talk me out of the stupid-expensive stuff I want to buy.

LittleBigMan

People that understand my needs and know how to help me.

There are plenty of those kinds of LBS's around.

Kimmitt 

Bike selection is huge -- I need to try before I buy.

In terms of stuff -- an xtracycle folks can try out, lighting, clothing that wouldn't feed a family of 4 for a month, trailers and trailer parts. Hello Kitty cruiser tires. Maybe an electric assist thingus or two.

Friendly staff is huge. They don't have be your best friends, but a hello when you walk in and at least a few moments spent listening to what you want/need is pretty key.

Low-impact shop rides, but at a time when people who work can come to them.

donnamb 

Got one less than 2 miles from where I live.

Manetheren

I find Mountain Equipment Co-op to be my ideal bike shop. They have absolutely everything I need except the actual bikes. Full range of clothing, tools, parts, accessories, shoes, hydration systems, etc., all at the lowest prices I've seen anywhere, plus knowledgeable staff. Of course, I'm lucky enough to have one in my city, and as far as I know all their physical stores are in Canada. Most products are available at the website - www.mec.ca. I guess the real ideal for me would be to take MEC, add bikes, and have it be somewhere more accessible, i.e. not downtown.

marqueemoon

A well equipped coop shop with lots of workstands, open early and late. Oh, and it should serve beer, coffee, and fried things.

Live jazz would be pretty cool.

Sixty Fiver

Our co-op lacks the fried things but we do have chocolate and the occasional jam session.

I hear that our shop is among the best in Canada and is everything I would want my shop to be as it is the friendliest of places, has 7 stands, every tool known, and a parts room to die for. In rding season we are open 7 days a week and can barely keep up.

If I was to open a shop it would be to build custom frames and sell recycled and restored bikes as there certainly enough of them out there that could still people many years of service.

ebrady

I would like to find an LBS that offers an assortment of classes all year long, such as:

• Bike Buying 101
• Proper Bike Fit
• Basic Mechanic's training
• Wheel Building
• Traffic Laws/Safety
• Commuting 101
• Long Distance 101
• Touring 101
• Winter Weather training
• First Aid
• Night Riding
• Emergency Repairs
• Nutrition/Hydration
• Lighting / Generators 101
• Frame Building

This list is probably a little ambitious for a single shop to pull off, but you get the idea.

savethekudzu

Somebody earlier mentioned loaner bikes - that would be great!

If I'm going to leave my bike in your shop for a couple of days (since the work needed can't be done over a lunch hour), then give me some way of getting around in the meantime. The loaner bike need not, in fact I would say ought not, be a racer; three sizes of something outfitted like a Novara Transfer would be just fine.

Ruckin

I have not been there recently but I did hang out there alot in the 80's. I still have
two of the bikes that I bought there.

JusticeZero

Exactly what i've already got, but with one more guy to either man the counter or do routine work when it gets busy and a bit more floor and storage space to put out a couple bents and such.

Jeffbeerman2

Complete bikes in lots of sizes, so they can be test ridden.

When was the last time you bought a car and had to go home and wire lights for it and change the tires and seats (because the included tires and seats were not intended to actually be worth using)?

Complete bike=
Lights (dyno preferred)
Good saddle
Good tires that aren't flat-prone

Good selection =
many complete bikes in many sizes with many geometries to choose from. A guy riding two miles needs a different bike than a guy riding 15 miles. Offer thm both great bike choices

Just don't sell people things they will need/want to replace. Use you commuter experience