JuiceWillis

Service for the first year is free. I am not saying it was a negative experience, but over the past several months I've learned that even someone as un-mechanically inclined as myself can do basic maintenance when needed. I also went into the shop completely unprepared and didn't do enough research prior to the purchase. The prices though for parts are way higher than internet prices, so I do not see myself going back unless I need something immediately.

dahut

This always slays me, this expectation that you have to be knowledgeable BEFORE entering the bike shop.

"This is a bike shop, buddy. Have your sh-it together before coming in here!"

There is a certain ugly exclusivity surrounding bike culture, for lack of a better word.
Imagine if you went to any other store, say 'Best Buy', and they expected you know as much as they do before you could buy anything.

If they wont help a newb make the right decisions, they should get no business.

63_dorinte

The closest shop is over 50 miles from my house, so that makes it inconvenient. Add to that they don't carry the kinds of things I am usually looking for, and it's not worth the trip. Having said that, I really like the people there and the way the shop is run, and have bought from them over the years (three new bikes, wheels, parts, shoes, accessories).

When I lived in Richmond, I lived within walking distance to Rowlett's. That was a great shop, bought a few bikes from them, built up a few from their used parts bins (they were happy to be rid of the parts). They were even nice about ordering things. I went into the shop one day with a magazine and pointed to an ad and said "I want a pair of these". They acted like WTF is that? and got them for me anyway (this was a pair on Onza MTB bar ends ~1988). The people at the shop really make the difference. I miss that.

If there was a shop within ~15 miles of my house, I might buy more at a LBS. Most of the stuff I buy now is online.

Robofunc

A-freaking men.

I know a fair amount and do most of my own wrenching, but I like being able to turn to my LBS(s) for expert advice. A prickish attitude is the quickest way to ensure I will never come back to your store.

beebe

This is the problem with a lot of my LBS experience. The level of expertise varies a lot from shop to shop, as well as between the individuals working there. I do occasionally find a helpful answer from my local mechanics, but I find that more often than not I am better just looking up the answer online. This forum by itself I feel is a more useful resource than many of the local mechanics.

I don't mean to be a negative nancy though. There are some shops and mechanics here that I like a lot. That's why I frequent their stores for whatnots and doodads.

Ultraspontane

Amazon.com>LBS if you know what you want.

I have my own bike tools.

hamish5178

I'll go to the bike shop to get a fork cut or a wheel trued, or if I know they have something I want and I'm willing to pay an extra 20% not to order it online. Near my university there is a "Schwinn Shop" that seems like it's been around for 40 years. It's the ****. Two great guys (father and son) run it and they carry Schwinn, GT, and some other new bikes as well as used **** EVERYWHERE.

I hate walking into a bike shop where everything is new and their cheapest stem is $35, cheapest pedals are $20. Sometimes I just want to dig through a bin of old, dusty parts to find what I need, for cheap.

highonpez

I do most stuff at my LBS. Lights I've bought online, but $6 for a tube every couple months ain't so bad and I like going there. Plus I'm not at the point where I can regrease and retrue a wheel. I love the place by me because it's the tiniest mom and pop place. It's like 10 feet wide and really long and just filled floor to ceiling with bikes and various parts (some of them have to have been around since the 80s). The prices are decent enough and the advice is worth the difference. I wish they had more used stuff, though.

warningfs

Mix of both. I try to do the LBS however.

T34418L3one

This is my exact process for the most part. I actually HATE waiting for shipping with a passion but if it saves me like 25% or more and I don't need it ASAP then I'll buy online.

A new Bmx shop opened up near me so I've been going there for my BMX needs but I have been a supporter of Albe's mail-order and EMPIRE Bmx mail order for a loooong time.

Definitely a situational thing as well though like someone said, if it's an immediate need then I try the LBS first.

sau

find a good local bicycle shop (there are still some left) run by old timers. show the old timers some respect and they will offer you the same. support the local shop, help your local economy, and stop supporting corporate hacks.

Leukybear 

I have to completely agree with you, the first time I ever went to performance bicycle (brick and mortar version; last month, in the newly opened one in Berkeley); the workers didn't know anything (except the mechanics who had their own work in the work area)... the vast majority of my questions were answered with "I think". I just left and went to the co-op.

sillygolem

The closest shop is 40 miles away, so waiting on shipping doesn't seem lengthy when I also wait to go into town. Prices there are about the same as online with shipping unless I'm getting a lot of parts. They have a surprisingly wide range of stock, but I still have to order online for some of the odd stuff I encounter with the vintage bikes I work on.

I facepalmed when I went to another LBS that specialized in BMXs and no one knew what a half-link was.

I've made a habit of visiting used bike shops and coops whenever I visit a city so I can paw through their used parts bins because it's much cheaper than Ebaying vintage parts.