Is bike shop and customer service an oxymoron?
- Thread starter BlackCat
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I'm nervous about bike shops' understanding of old bikes too. I just joined a community bike coop where you book time in the shop to do the work yourself with mechanics available if you need help. They have all the chasing/facing/pressing tools which I'll never invest in.
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I've tried all my local ones ( probably barred from most 
), not been overly impressed with the service. And one didn't know what v brakes were, thumb shifters 
, they may be old but it is just a method of pulling a cable a certain length not black magic.
I agree with the above, many don't have knowledge of older bikes.
The one I use now (not very local) they sell new bikes but are fans of all bikes, took my Kona Explosif in a few weeks back and they were impressed.
), not been overly impressed with the service. And one didn't know what v brakes were, thumb shifters , they may be old but it is just a method of pulling a cable a certain length not black magic.I agree with the above, many don't have knowledge of older bikes.
The one I use now (not very local) they sell new bikes but are fans of all bikes, took my Kona Explosif in a few weeks back and they were impressed.
That sounds like a great option. I wish we had something like that here. I’m reasonably well equipped for tools at home.. but I would be scared to death to get within 6ft of anything that can shave or cut the metal of my frame.
I’d be online looking for frame builders within the hour, to replace what was left of the bb shell!
It’s disappointing how little passion or enthusiasm there seems to be in most LBSs I’ve been to recently. I think part of the issue is that often they genuinely can’t tell the difference between a Bonty and a BSO.. and hence they treat your hand built steel frame as if it was just another Halfords special from way back when dinosaurs roamed.
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my LBS is 'Jons bike repair'... seems to know his stuff...
But, yes, otherwise I've found most bike shops appalling, including some well respected one locally. Unless you're flashing a lot of cash in which case they can't do enough to help you. TBH, I can understand why that is the case.
But, yes, otherwise I've found most bike shops appalling, including some well respected one locally. Unless you're flashing a lot of cash in which case they can't do enough to help you. TBH, I can understand why that is the case.
Mark Manley
Raleigh Fan
Good to see 26" again, I knew if I stuck with it for long enough my stuff would come back into fashion. I do nearly all my own work but both of my two LBS are very good old school shops, they are in East Devon and South Somerset so some way from the OP but they are out there.
Agree. Makes no commercial sense. I’m not expecting anything magical - just that they treat the bike with a bit of respect and more or less do what they say they’re going to and for more or less what they say it will cost.
Most of these shops must be pretty hand to mouth unless they are selling high volumes of new, top end bikes. The shops I’m talking about, above, are basically selling cheap accessories, scruffy, low end second hand bikes and workshop services.
I would have been delighted to find a decent workshop nearby to build wheels and help out on areas I’m struggling with. I have hundreds of quids worth of work to throw their way each year.
Most of these shops must be pretty hand to mouth unless they are selling high volumes of new, top end bikes. The shops I’m talking about, above, are basically selling cheap accessories, scruffy, low end second hand bikes and workshop services.
I would have been delighted to find a decent workshop nearby to build wheels and help out on areas I’m struggling with. I have hundreds of quids worth of work to throw their way each year.
Ha. We’re a few cats short here. I think your average LBS could use a blue cat or two..
