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I would like to have RunningMommy down the street.
My LBS supports our PD. They never fail to discount anything i buy, whether it is for my personal bikes or for the PD. They service my bikes quickly and well. They are friendly and don't treat me like an idiot, even though I'm not a bike mechanic and not a race rider. All in all, I like em. They came out for our bike race and cheered.
So I would rather support them than an online store, and I never buy any bike stuff from a discount shop. Ever. Actually, I try to buy NOTHING from discount shops.
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I've had my new bike into the LBS a bunch of times for minor tweaks in the past few weeks. He's within riding distance (poor guy, lol). He has adjusted the gears, changed the stem height a skosh, put on fenders... It's just him and one employee and they are both very good. He will put together bikes bought on the internet, but he does it by appointment, and charges for labor and tweaking.
Deb
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My coach owns a small studio (sells GURU bikes exclusivel;y) and sells some other stuff- aerobars, wheel sets, tires, saddles, polar stuff, and Vega nutritonal products. He lives 45 min bike ride away.
My LBS is 5 minutes from my house. Nice shop - a bit more expensive. I bought my bike there and have it serviced there. LBS is inolved in community fundraising as well, so supporting them seems logical and important, Sometimes, I will just stop in to chat. No high pressure sales; and they will adjust fix my bike in an instant. They have started carrying some more women's specific stuff with my suggestion. And it is selling.
TE is awesome. I ordered some Tifosi sunglasses this year; they sent the wrong interchangable lenses. I didn't even realize it until they sent me the ones that were supposed to come with them. That is service!
I get my tires at Pricepoint, on-line. More than 50% cheaper than LBS, coach doesn't carry them (Hutchinson Fusion).
So I spend my life..feeling a bit guilty when I buy on-line, feeling a bit guilty when I buy from my coach, LBS etc. I try to spread it around. Now local running shop has gone under. I feel like a vulture, but I hope to get a couple pair of my favourtie running shoes at 50% off - am going there today.
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I love my LBS, and I try to stay faithful to them. The owner likes me a lot and in fact one late afternoon, he gave ME beer. They have a keg out back for the employees after hours, and he goes out and pours me a draft and brings it out. Now that's a bike shop! I'll buy bike parts more inexpensively online as I do my own wrenching. But I will save out as many purchases as I can and get it from the LBS when I roll through as they are a half hour from me. The staff greet me with open arms when I walk through and treat me like family. And you better believe I'll buy my bikes there. They often don't have the bike shorts and some other apparel I favor. But TE always does.
