jlafitte 

fwiw - someone who goes to the LBS for parts, supplies, service etc. over a couple years will provide more $$$ than someone who just buys a bike.

Dave1978

I can't believe the controversy! I didn't just go to bike shops to get free information knowing the whole time the exact bike I was going to buy on Ebay. I was looking for used bikes, or summer blow-outs or whatever. I probably spent a total of 6 or 7 min actually talking to someone. When I was in the State shop there was nobody in there. I spent about 10 min total talking to the guy about fixies. I took one model and rode it around the parking lot twice. 95% of my time looking for bikes has been spent on the internet, comparing bike specs, reading reviews, browsing c-list, looking at bluebook prices, etc. I got an Undefeated with 100 miles on it for $548. Thats $400 off retail ffs. For those of you who could spend the extra $400 just because you made a bike sales man do his job for 10 min I have one thing to say, must be nice. . What percentage of people who walk into bike shops and browse around, maybe ask a few questions, end up walking out with a bike? There must be statistics on this. I'll bet it's well below 50%

TejanoTrackie 

Cool story, bro.

Scrodzilla

You haven't ridden a fixed gear bike in two years. Why are you still so obsessed with posting in this forum?

nightfly

You can use brakes on non-machined wheels.

Scrodzilla

On some non-machined rims, yes. The worst that will happen is having the finish eventually wear off.

However, the stock rims that come on the Undefeated have no reinforced brake surface (like an H+Son Formation Face) and it says right on State's site not to use brakes on them.

TenSpeedV2

What kind of advice is this?

Nagrom_

You have a stick up your ass.

TejanoTrackie 

Nagrom_

Those who stir the **** pot get to lick the spoon.

SquidPuppet

Muffin Man

this is a fun thread

TejanoTrackie 

If you are in middle school.

BilbroSwaggins

you say this as if shops won't charge you for a fitting.

SpeshulEd 

When I say fitting, I mean putting pedals on the bike, adjusting the seat, etc in order to test ride it. Do that for 5 different bikes and it's going to take up someone's time.

Hmm, let's try this fixed one.
That was nice, but I wonder how this road bike handles, I might want a road bike ya know...
That wasn't too bad, but maybe I'd like something a bit lighter, can I try this one?
No, I'm still thinking fixed is the way to go, how about this one with bullhorns as opposed to the one with drops?

Etc, etc, etc

FakeFuji

I am all about supporting your local business but that isn't really what we are talking about.

The OP got a bike for almost half of retAil, when he went in the shop he probably didn't even bother to look at the undefeated as it was most likely out of his price range.

He went shopping to find a good deal, and when he saw how rediculusly expensive a good bike is he bought a used one for a deal.

OP didn't do anything immoral, he test ride a bike and didn't buy it, I am sure that has happened once or twice before. I go into so many lbs' that carry an incredibly limited stock and if I have them order me the parts I want or need then i end up having to ride back over there a week later when I can order it for half the price shipped to my door.

lbs need to be competitive online as well as in person, that is the country we live in. I don't owe the lbs anything, there's 8 stores I can go into and buy the same thing, what are they doing to make me come back?

Siu Blue Wind

Okay guys what's done is done. Different people have different aspects on how they buy a bike. We have a new guy here, lets give him some slack okay? Lesson learned. Let's keep it cool in here please. No more lynch mob. The point has been made.

Huffandstuff

I've used bike pumps from shops I've never bought anything in or plan too. I'm a monster.

Dave1978

Well here's a conundrum, I went to more than one shop. Asked questions in all of them. One actually took a road bike off the rack and told me about the awesome carbon fork it came with. So who do I have to buy from? In the old days it was a salesman's job to convince the customers why they should buy something from them. Nowadays I guess they get their commissions a lot easier since any looky-loo who asks a few questions is morally bound to give them their business. Must be nice.

Siu Blue Wind

Okay let's not stir the pot any further please. Things have calmed down in here, and they have a point but if you want it to start again, I'm not going to take the time with it.

Yellowbeard

Notwithstanding disc-specific rims and whatever dumbass rims a company like State uses...true?

Phil_gretz

I remember Romper Room! I wanted to be a "do bee", too. Not doobie, you guys. Sheesh.

prooftheory

My favorite thing to do is to ask Scrod a lot of questions on the Ask Scrod thread about stuff he sells and then buy it on Amazon. It's more expensive but worth it.

Nagrom_

I don't see this thread going anywhere it already hasn't.

inb4tl

Dave1978

It has though, I really appreciate the heads up on those Wabi wheels, I'll probably get em if there are no more suggestions. So with wheels that are that light, are you sacrificing any strength or stability? Are they more prone to bending or anything?