LBS Loyalty ???

Ok, Oscar is looking to be picked up in about 3 weeks. I've been 'practicing' during spin classes for his arrival. I've read many a post about loyalty to LBS, which I intend to support for most purchases.

However, when it comes to women specific products, my LBS is severely lacking. Would I be breaking some sort of cycling honor code to venture over to Houston's REI to look at seats?? And all I've seen so far are 5 types of clipless shoes at my LBS--most Shimano brand.

Any input is appreciated. Thanks.

I say there ain't no such thing... all's fair in love and LBS's.

Here in Portland we have a number of very good bike shops but they still carry different inventory and different brands. Some carry very good selection of WSD but none compare to TE for specific items. I'm partial to the customer service and friendly feeling at one of the bike shops but ended up buying my bike from the other store because they had the bike that I wanted. Sure, I felt a little bit bad, but I'm not going to buy a different bike just because of LBS loyalty. Frankly, all of these stores get plenty of my money so I'm not losing any sleep over it. :p

As for REI, I find their cycling selection to be pretty limited. But if I can buy the same item for the same price at REI, I will often do that so that I get a bigger dividend. FWIW, I've never seen a good saddle selection at my local REI stores.

I don't know the secret handshake of the official women's bicycle society for advancement of all things beautiful and strong... but here's my take ;)

Shop where you need to shop to get the products you want / need. Put your comfort first. If your LBS is otherwise worthy of your support, tell them that you'd like to support them and buy products [X, Y, Zed] from them, but because of their lacking selection you're forced to go elsewhere. Let them see the dollars they are missing!

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Originally Posted by Nokomis

I don't know the secret handshake of the official women's bicycle society for advancement of all things beautiful and strong... but here's my take ;)

Shop where you need to shop to get the products you want / need. Put your comfort first. If your LBS is otherwise worthy of your support, tell them that you'd like to support them and buy products [X, Y, Zed] from them, but because of their lacking selection you're forced to go elsewhere. Let them see the dollars they are missing!

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Thank you. See, THIS is why I come here. All the cyclist I personally know are men & they have given me so much sh** about being loyal to the LBS. Ya know, if you're a dude, maybe it could work that way, but dang, I need more options!

I bought my bike from my LBS and was happy with that. After riding a few miles, I realized I needed a new seat. My LBS would not take a return on a seat if I didn't like it so I bought mine at REI here in REading, Mass. The selection was somewhat limited but I only needed one. I bought a Serfas RX (so far, so good:D ) but they also had Terry Butterfly for the same price as at the LBS.

Do what you have to do to get what you need!
Patty

If the LBS doesn't **have** what I want... then they're not serving their market, me. I might make a point of going in and asking "do you have any other women's shoes?" so that they know the market is there.

However, if I have to pay a bit more than at the discount Nashbar catalogue, I'll do it, at least to a point.

I also won't go there for advice on stuff... and then walk out and order it online. That's just cheesy, IMHO... I save enough on the petrol to be able to support them a bit.

My LBS knows it can't carry everything for everyone and has recommended another LBS or an online shop where I can find whatever it is I'm looking for. Because of their willingness to help me find what I need, and their honesty about why they can't carry it (small shop, trying to keep inventory/overhead down) I will Always go to them first. Even if I don't end up buying from them. They also know - they'll be the first place I come to if I ever buy a new non-custom bike, and they take care of all my bikes rather I purchased it from them or not. As a trade-off, they take care of me!

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Originally Posted by Geonz

If the LBS doesn't **have** what I want... then they're not serving their market, me. I might make a point of going in and asking "do you have any other women's shoes?" so that they know the market is there.

However, if I have to pay a bit more than at the discount Nashbar catalogue, I'll do it, at least to a point.

I also won't go there for advice on stuff... and then walk out and order it online. That's just cheesy, IMHO... I save enough on the petrol to be able to support them a bit.

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I agree with you totally. In my situation, small town, only one LBS it makes sense for me to support them as much as I can. Otherwise, if they go out of business there is nobody there to help me when I need it. I wish I could do better but changing a flat is about the best I can do right now.

My LBS is practically across the street from my house, but it is near impossible to shop there. I have bought 2 bikes, and bunches of little stuff. But they are only open from 9:30 to 5:30. I have to leave the house at 8:30 and rarely get home befroe 6. The only time I can go there is on Sat, and quite frankly, Sat is reserved for either sleeping late, or going on a bike ride. Why can't these stores be open just ONE evening - say change Thurs hours to noon to 8? Is that asking so much, especially when the groceries are open 24 hours and the many malls open to 9? Is it any wonder that I buy almost everything on the Internet any more?

I love my LBS with a wild purple passion. (www.recycledcycles.com) If I want something, they order it for me. If it's cheaper somewhere else, they give it to me at that price, or search their used stuff and even discount the used version. They take care of me, remember me, remember my bike, and EXPLAIN things to me that I need to understand.

Andy is my favorite shop-dude, Recycled Cycles is my favorite shop.

Deep loyalty here, ladies.

I am a big supporter of small local businesses. It makes me sad when chains come in and drive my favorites out of the market. That said, there is a line between store loyalty and settling for something that is not right solely because it is carried at the local store.

When I bought my road bike I bought it at a store about 15 minutes away rather than at the store 2 blocks away. They aren't a specialized dealer and they do not have as much selection as the road bike specialty store I went to. They have good products, just limited selection due to space contraints.

I do try to throw as much business to the local shop as I can. I bought my campus peddles and my kickstand from them (for my hybrid), my kids' bikes, probably my dh's bike will be from there, and we use them for service on everything except for my road bike.

Ok, so I went back to my LBS last night to again look at extras that I'll want to put on him. Now, they do have 2 different pedals that I definitely will want, either the Shimano 520's or another Shimano pedal that is 'normal' on one side(sorry, don't know the lingo yet) & clipless on the other--not sure which to go for. Any suggestions appreciated..

Now, for the saddle, I definitely want a woman's saddle. I was lucky enough to talk with the owner about my options & he mentioned that even though he doesn't carry all the woman's saddle's on hand, he can order any that I may be interested. So, that's good.

I'm curious about one other thing...I know that he'll swap out the pedals for free, but do they generally also swap out the saddle too, or is that something I'd have to pay for??

Ok, so those are the new developments. Thanks for y'all's help.

If you're going to be using the one bike for everything and are likely to just want to be able to jump on (for a trip to the shop or whatever) in your street clothes and shoes, the pedals with the SPD bit on one side and the flat bit on the other would be great. Otherwise, I'd go with the 520s.

I love my two sided pedals - those are what I refer to in my post - campus peddles. Having the option is really nice.

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Originally Posted by pikato

Ok, so I went back to my LBS last night to again look at extras that I'll want to put on him. Now, they do have 2 different pedals that I definitely will want, either the Shimano 520's or another Shimano pedal that is 'normal' on one side(sorry, don't know the lingo yet) & clipless on the other--not sure which to go for. Any suggestions appreciated..

Now, for the saddle, I definitely want a woman's saddle. I was lucky enough to talk with the owner about my options & he mentioned that even though he doesn't carry all the woman's saddle's on hand, he can order any that I may be interested. So, that's good.

I'm curious about one other thing...I know that he'll swap out the pedals for free, but do they generally also swap out the saddle too, or is that something I'd have to pay for??

Ok, so those are the new developments. Thanks for y'all's help.

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They should switch your saddle out for you also. You might even ask them if they'll show you how to do those things so you can start learning some of the basic maintainence for yourself. As for the double-sided pedals? Greatest thing in the world if your just starting on a clips(less). Also nice if you're going to be doing a lot of stopping and starting. I highly recommend them as a first time clipless pedal.