The margin on cars is not so big so the financial relationship created is where the profit is found.



Dealerships need to move iron to gain factory incentives but the lion share of money is made through service and parts and it is the same for the bike industry.

He had lots of great advice about bikes, and was very generous with his time writing up his knowledge for us.

But, that is not really what made him special. He was decent, kind, and funny. That is what made him special for many of us.

I still miss him.

Jim

I can totally understand the appeal of simpler living, simpler technology, etc. Especially when it comes to hobbies.
But your complaint is just funny since I am confident you arent living your life surrounded by 40 year old tech. Everything has changed and requires new tools/standards for maintenance.

Europe has limited supply chains, distributors, reduced inventories, etc. I am not sure why you think the US is alone in that. google 'european supply chain bicycle parts' and you can see recent articles about this citing England, Brussels, Bike Europe, Shimano Europe, etc.
Your comments are at least partially just inaccurate.

Ali sold products are circumventing the brand's official supply chain. That is, in part, why they are cheaper.

Myself and many others would consider Europe as part of the West.

Oh, true enough.

Well 1.3 billion people and most of the wealthiest countries are in the area you are complaining about. Its hardly an isolated issue because its how the supply chains work.
I guess you should just keep hitting up Ali and hoping what ships to you is real/quality. Sounds like the best bet.

Gonna get worse.

https://www.bicycleretailer.com/inte...rQN-4L6c38F2jE

Depends if you are buying a bike with lower priced components.

Times change and methods of doing business does as well. Case in point, my barber went the mobile route during the pandemic and now has a fully equipped mobile shop. I love the convenience, he loves the flexibility and is able to pick up new customers he'd never been exposed to.

Where do you live where there are 30 bike shops within 10 miles ?

I just learned today, after thinking it was about time to buy some more brake pads. I'd always given Harris that business since Sheldon did so much evangelizing for Kool Stops.

Sounds like the Sheldon Brown page is in good hands, though. Hope it continues!

The boys in Ft. Worth became hopelessly out of touch. It was embarrassing at times.

maybe where there are lots of bikes? China? pr giggle - The Netherlands holds the record as the nation with the most bicycles per capita. Cyclists also abound in Norway, Sweden, Germany, and Denmark?

Probably easy scenario if you're in a metro area. Per google maps, there are 10 shops within a 2.3 mile radius of where I'm sitting.

For things like cars, HVAC and pretty soon if not already the lawnmower having batteries or a cord, change is forced because the old ways had unsustainable issues.

But cycling? Not much wrong with 40 year old tech unless you really care to be bothered. Modern clothing, helmet etc technology probably matters more, but the base forms of those have been around for a while, too.

Cell phones light enough to bring on a ride and having GPS and map database access of course are a game changer... but somewhat orthogonal in that they'd work just as well riding a 100 year old bike as they do on the latest carbon creation.

The free market is known by another name: The Jungle. Don't want to live there.

The disappearance of traditional hometown bike shops makes me glad that I'm riding a 1978 steel road bike that's maintainable with simple tools I bought 40 years ago.

I've no financial interest in small businesses and I don't care who does the job or sells me the product providing it's done properly.

Yes, along with Asia, and I assume Africa and S. America and Australia.

Seeing this thread near the top of the pile reminded me that I need to make a service appointment at a LBS for brake pad installs and some new bar tape. Thanks.

My suspicion is that a lot of the recent "innovation" is a bad bargain for anyone not pushing a competitive racing edge.
Eg, I see carbon anything as an anti-feature.

But there are select changes probably worthwhile, for example I could be wrong but I'd guess there are few socket head fasteners on that 1978 model. The normalization of their use is a big win - as is having them all metric.
​​
​​​​​​

Tools to maintain an old road bike: Park work stand, allen wrenches, crank extractor,13mm flat wrench for centering brake pads on the rims, Brooks saddle wrench, Kiwi mink oil as cheap substitute for Brooks Proofhide, flat wrenches to adjust hub cones, needle-nose pliers to cinch up cables, freewheel removal tool for 5-speed cassette, chain breaker, Zefal frame pump, spare tube, tire patch kit, Campy 8mm t-tool for derailleurs.

So Antarctica has a robust parts supply?

I've certainly not heard of any bicycle parts shortages in Antarctica.

When I was shopping for my now-vintage bike, one store in Toronto with Chinese staff was still working on bikes upside down on the floor. I use a ceiling hook and cord. My Brooks saddle got wet early in a tour, just when better synthetics first appeared to save my butt.