905

The What is wrong with me??? thread got me thinking.

I have plenty of bikes. I have plenty of stuff which goes on bikes. (Funnily enough, as the years pass more stuff comes off than goes on.) I am not in the market for another bike; indeed, may never be again. My last purchase, a custom-made titanium baby which was delivered into my trembling hands a few years ago, is supposed to last forever, at least according to forum metallurgists and my wife. And it rides so nice it might. It just might. If I harbor any unfulfilled longings it's for a little brother; more ti, but with small wheels, S&S couplers, and a belt drive. A travelin' bike. But I'm in no hurry. In fact I might be content to continue to ride that bike in my dreams.

Anyway, yesterday I found myself in a bike shop or two. Just looking. There wasn't any lust involved. There seldom is. As Paul Newman once remarked, why go out for hamburger when you have steak at home? Still, I like looking. Sometimes I get a nice suprise. The last one was a plain black simplespeed which dazzled me with its unpretentious mien and bargain basement price tag: 1/20th the cost of the £6,000 Team GoGoGo parked nearby (would I win any races on either?). I gave it an approving appraisal, grooving on the crank and chainguard in particular; briefly considered buying it then donating it back to the bike shop on the condition they keep it on the floor for others with a discerning eye to admire; moved on to accessories.

Multitools continue to fascinate me even though I'm perfectly happy with what I've got. There's a fine line between Wow! That's got everything!



and I wonder how badly I'd injure myself actually trying to use that? Though the sink would come in handy. When you first get into cycling nobody warns you how dirty it's going to be.

Flick through the expensive wardrobe, tutting over the price of gossamer and Gore. Give the shoe rack a forlorn inventory, as mine have been slowly disintigrating for years but I'm almost impossible to please. Maybe try on a helmet, gazing into a mirror as if into an alternate dimension.

Stop by the bag department. Roll the tops of the Ortleibs up and down.

Then I tuck my head down and hurry out, making my exit like a man scuttling out of a porno shop, not clutching a brown paper bag because yet again I haven't bought anything. Call me an escape artist. When they say support your LBS, I think they mean buy something. Maybe next time.

rydabent

I added to my wish or want list. I bought a special tool for my bottom bracket, and two water bottle mounts that go on the back of my trikes seat, instead of laying flat where they leak some.

gforeman 

No matter WHAT tool I buy and carry, I need the one I don't have

BlazingPedals

Am I the exception? All I went in for was a bottle of chain lube. I grabbed it, paid, and left.

Bandera

No, that was my experience last week.

Poorly designed Poll.
Where's: "Needed a consumable. Went to LBS & bought one."

-Bandera

JOHNinIL

Also need choice - left infuriated because they didn't have part or consumable again, ordered from Interweb.

905

Sorry you couldn't vote, but the poll was fit for purpose. My post was essentially about bike shop love, if not lust; you could say I didn't feel the lube was necessary. Though in RL, of course it is, else there'll be very few LBSs.

This is mine. Unfortunately for me it has changed out of all recognition since it was sold a few years ago. I'm told it's on a better business footing, which has to be good news. But it lost my heart, so I stray.

fietsbob

Worked there..

I get a few hours out of Payroll, occasionally .. I put cyclist's bikes back into a carton knocked down and packed for shipping Home ,
after they finish Crossing the country .. 5 this month all from VA


the younger guys work full time ..

Dave Horne

I was in a bike store a few days ago to pick up a bike computer they had to order for me. It was on sale and I bought it.

Pidge

I hardly go to the shop, though I did treat my mountain bike to some new grips a few weeks ago. Guy asked if he could help, I declined and thanked him. I already knew what I wanted, but of course I just had to grope all the other grips anyway. Wanted yellow, they had orange. Meh, didn't feel like ordering online so that'll do. Tried on some gloves, looked at expensive lights & tires, paid & left. And it will be months & months till my next visit.

905

Riding back from the liquor store after sampling the merchandise

Retro Grouch 

Your symptoms only qualify for the second class of the disease.

To move up to first class you have to plan road trips around visiting bike shops in other towns. Ever hear of Chariton, Iowa? That's where I'm going next week.

CactoesGel

I've been going to 2 LBS in my town trying to decide between two bikes - do I spend 1K for an alloy or spend another 1K for carbon. I'm enjoying the hunt!

linnefaulk

This is the first time I live close to my local bike shop and drive by it often. It is difficult not to stop in everyday.

Jseis 

I shot the sh$$ with the owner, checked out the consignment area and discount table then negotiated for one of the LBS jerseys to wear on the STP.

905

Is there a shop so large it can be seen from space?



Almost forgot: RAGBRAI goes through Iowa. I've never been. Is it actually one big pilgrimage to bike shops in The Hawkeye State?

Here's a video of preparations in Chariton in 2009. Too many ants, not enough bikes.

Phil_gretz

I can't recall how long ago, but I bought an innertube after I had a valve failure.

I checked the box for helping another customer, which I sometimes do. The other choices didn't fit my habits at all.

Northwestrider

I bought a wrench, not an option on your poll

aaronmcd

Went to four stores. Finally found and bought a chainring bolt.

wahoonc

Bought two bikes off the used rack...

Aaron

walrus1

If by help another customer I explained in a more direct way then the mechanic could that "There is no way you can buy a $30 front light and get it to be like 'day light' for that you're going to need a dynamo hub. Yes they are expensive."

Also where is the I picked up my parts and left option?

905

The classics never go out of style.

Wish there was more recycling in my happy hunting grounds – what a cornucopia it could be! Unfortunately, a lot of them would probably be stolen merchandise.

I am contemplating another poll to pick up the perceived slack in this one...

wahoonc

One reason I have no qualms buying used from my LBS, they do due diligence, the pawnshops are supposed to, CL?

The cruiser had actually been sold by them new a few years back and the guy traded it in on something else.

Aaron

905

Almost fell down the stairs when I saw this:



It's probably a fine bike, but oh, the things I could buy with £7650 [current exchange rate: $13,127 or 11740 Swiss Francs or 392550 New Taiwan Dollars]:


– Almost 14 2015 Langsters (is it 2015 already? how time flies) at the current BMC Team Machine/Langster exchange rate.

– 288 Conti GP4000s's, though I might be able to get a bulk discount. That's not v.2, which hopefully doesn't have the NEW! IMPROVED! rolling resistance of ice-covered wheels on ice, as the covetousness would be enervating. Might want to pick up some inner tubes while I'm at it.

Or, I could just get one big tire for a party-size tire swing.



– 262 chimpanzees, to start my chimp army. Darwin would've approved.



– Aprox. 14 miles of generic brake cable. Enough to help repair the Golden Gate Bridge after the apes have had their freedom tantrum?

– A night in the Royal Suite at The Ritz, with plenty of money left over for a show, a great meal, and generous gratuities all around. I would tip my monkey butler especially well.


Blasé indifference about the differences between apes and monkeys were high on the list of grievances.

– Pay-per-view for me and a select group of friends to watch Hulk vs King Kong.



– A fair amount of hair, should I ever go bald. Finest quality come from aged virgins.



– A controlling interest in the pound shop.



– Rent. For a while.


Turns out I had one I'd forgotten about. Registration not necessary. Voter fraud does not concern me as long as your heart is in the right place.

Cyclist0084

Bought a NiteRider MiNewt 600 headlight while having some adjustments done to my bike. Got it for a ridiculously cheap price; it was on sale 50% off, and then I had a coupon for 20% off on top of that. Great light; best I've ever owned.