No I said I wouldn't care if they all went out of business, not that they "should", and why is my opinion more valid because I was in the military? All I said is that I have experience with being a mechanic and that bikes are a no brainer. The fact that the place I went to charged 200 dollars more than the internet and would not go down in price and he talked to me like there was no other option for me. And who have I put in discomfort sir?

always an @ss.

Let's get this thread back on topic

http://cmcd.freewebpage.org/images/dick.png

http://www.saysoccer.org/pages/images/Dicks.jpg
MOAR DICKS

The LBS doesn't need jerks like you.

i'm all for lbs' making money, but what in the hell is actually entailed in a ONE HUNDRED DOLLAR bike fit?

it can't possibly take more than an hour. i don't think you pay tailors 100 bucks an hour to take your measurements*


*though I have never actually been measured by a tailor so I could be wrong

It involves taking a qualified, experienced staff member away from the sales floor and repair shop for at least an hour. It's a continuous process of trying different geometries then switching out stems, bars, saddles, adjusting the saddle and seatpost, etc. Certainly a ton of work and a good fit is well worth $100.

I think we do have a basic-basic for about $60. The owner does the fitting, so I don't really know. Keep in mind that our customers tend toward being serious triathletes and road racers. We have a $285 fit, and that's the one we do the most. It involves video cameras, computers, measuring/torture devices, a guy with a PhD in Physiology, and all kinds of black magick. It also takes up to 3 hours.

Ladies and gentleman of the jury, If the bike does not fit you must acquit!

I work on my bike and still buy everything from an LBS. If I break a locknut for my hub, I don't really want to spend a week waiting for someone to ship a 5 dollar part to me when I can go to my LBS and buy the part that day. The notion that only people who don't work on their bike go to an LBS is idiotic.

Wot?

???

I haven't a clue. I can only guess that he hasn't read the entire thread.

Either that or I'm having complete cognitive failure today.

Shapelike used to give reach-arounds with his bike fittings. Well worth $100

Know how you can tell when a customer is just there to check sizes and not buying a bike from you? Their VERY FIRST QUESTION out of their mouth is, "What size do you think I am?" There's a pretty fun way to deal with this and I'm still trying to perfect my strategy, but either way, the customer walks out thinking "I still have no idea what size I am. But he sure talked my ear off about bikes!"

"What size bike do you think I am?"
I instantly change the subject, back up the conversation and ask them what kind of riding their doing and that we'll get to sizing very LAST. Poke questions at them, they generally just want a number... and a number they will not get. Sometimes telling them that the correct size is what my job is all about not only gets the customer's confidence in you, but leaves their size still a mystery.

A bike shop needs to be creative with how they deal with the "Guy that steals knowledge and buys on the internet" guy. They know who you are.

Makes more sense now, no?

No.

You make it sound like paying a bike shop for a fitting is like forcing them to do something they don't want to do. Usually the person doing the fitting on bikes or cleats or anything requiring adjustments is done by a specific person who does just that, so he may perhaps work the sales floor while not fitting someone but his sole job is to do fitment and adjustments. At $100/hour you bet your ass I don't want them telling me I can't use that info I just purchased from them and use it however I want.

I don't know how I could possibly state more clearly that I was responding to that person's assertion that if you know how to work on your own bike you don't need the people at an LBS. So hey, here's a great white shark eating a seal

http://www.idealog.us/shark.jpg

nah, that shark is eating a LBS owner

Yeah that picture was awhile ago. That shark has already upgraded his Kilo by now

At most bike shops, this is not the case, as they simply do not make enough money to pay someone just to do bike fits. Most shops, even if they could afford it, would have no need for a dedicated fitter, as the demand just isn't there. Perhaps at some uppity-do-da concept bike shop there may be a staff member who is focused on fitting, but I have never seen this.

Ok, I feel like this should be said. I work in a shop in a small town in Colorado. We are the only shop in this town and because of that, the higher ups at this shop feel that we can price gouge. I do not believe that is right but I am low man on the totem pole here. We do offer price matching for online prices for non sale and in stock items. We also offer a discount for our local wheel club. Iv been here about 5 years now and love the work. I really enjoy wrenching on bicycles and helping out a customer that truly does not know what they are looking for. I am able to narrow down the type of bike that would best suit their riding style and what they intend to use the bike for weather it be basic trail riding, commuting, or just getting back into shape. I believe there is a need for the bike shop for people that have questions. It is always good to be able to go somewhere and talk to someone face to face. I also believe that alot of shops rip people off which in my opinion is not right. I understand why people sometimes get pissed off at the bike shop for their prices but you have to keep in mind that you are not just buying a product at a higher price from them. You are also paying for a service. You have questions about the installation of the product you just bought? More than likely the shop will answer any questions you may have. You have a warrenty issue with a product you bought from the shop? More than likely the shop will exchange the product for you and they will deal with the warrenty. At least thats what we do. I would be willing to pay a little more for the service of a shop, if the service is good, but will not allow the shop to rip me off. With that being said, if a shop employee was rude to me after asking a question, if I was in the right, I would talk to the manager. If the manager was rude to me, again if I was in the right, I would take my business elsewhere. If I was in the wrong, I would man up and deal with it. With all this being said, I say find a respectable shop with a friendly staff and become friends with them. Give them your business. Keep the shops that deserve to stay in business in business. I hope this may have helped you man. If not, sorry.

Deshi

Next time you have 2 cents burning a hold in your pocket just throw it in a god damn wishing well.

Are you scaring away noobs with an immense amount of potential for valuable bfssfg contribution again?