Why my LBS ROCKS!!

[Running Mommy]

Last weekend I was in the San Diego area for a race, and I decided to stop in at a local big name tri shop. This shop advertises in all the major Tri 'zines, and I figured they would have a good selection of aerobars. I want to upgrade my aerobar setup on the Seduza, but I wanted to talk to them about it. My bike is an XS, and I was afraid that I couldn't put just any set up on it. So my husband, son, and I trek in. The shop isn't that busy, there are a few people milling around, but from what I can see PLENTY of workers. So we head over to the aerobar display- and yeah it's big- and we start looking. We spend at least 10 minutes looking at the bars and talking about options. Not ONCE did anyone come over and ask if we needed help. Finally I just said "You know what, let's GO". Now mind you had they come over to help me they could have possibly had a nice sale. The bar set up I'm looking at is prolly in the 600.00 range! And whenever I get my husband around a race site he seems to want to spend money on me and my bike- not that I mind!!
So yeah, I was a bit ticked to say the least. I remarked to my husband and son that I must not look like a "real triathlete" , and Spencer said "yeah, even though your wearing an Ironman FINISHERS hat"... To which I replied "they must have figured I bought it on ebay"....

Fast forward to today...
I decide to trek down to my local family owned LBS. He's an Ironman as well, and super cool. So I walk in and the owner announces to everyone in the store "Ohhh. there comes our local Ironman!!!". I then blush as I get approving nods from the other customers. His toddler is roaming the shop on his trike, and his wife is there as well. I ended up spending at least an hour in there figuring out bar options, as yeah.. size does matter in my case. So he is going to make some calls and get me some quotes. It will still prolly be in the 600.00 range, but he wants to give me some options. We also discuss wheels, and a new crank set as future upgrades. He gives me some good wheel ideas. We also discuss a new drinking system. I;m thinking of changing to the never reach system- even though it looks like a urinal on the back of your bike! lol
So I guess it's actually a GOOD thing that the people at that shop were rude!
I would rather give Ray at my local LBS my $$ anyway!!!
Oh, and my fave ONLINE retailer??? WHY TE of course!!!!!
I'll NEVER go anywhere else!!!!

[Nanci]

Great post, RM.

[greenmachine]

My LBS rocks too!!

Me and one of my riding buddies have been having a lot of noise with our bikes, her crankset and my pedal/crankset. We finish our ride at noon yesterday and we talk about riding today, but we decide it was more important to get our bikes looked at, even if it meant we didn't ride today.

So, we call him up and tell him that we want to bring our bikes in and we get there around 12:30 yesterday. He says he's open until 5pm and he will try to look at them but he can't promise anything, and he's closed on Sunday.

I get a call from him at 4:30 and he's got both bikes ready! He took apart my friends crankset and fixed that and replaced her seatpost (hers was cracked he discovered), and he took care of my squeaky pedal also. I went and picked up both bikes and we were able to ride today!!

I wonder if he likes brownies...

[Lise]

Everybody likes brownies!

RM, great story about the contrast between the big guys and the little guys. Glad to hear your LBS treats you with respect and friendship!

[Running Mommy]

Yeah EVERYBODY likes brownies.... Well except for those few who hate chocolate!!(insert picture of Denise feigning SHOCK that such a person could exist)
****HATE CHOCOLATE??? Why that's just un american!!! ***
BTW- there is a local company here in Phoenix that makes FAB brownies you can order online! Go to wwwbrownies.com and check out fairy tale brownies... YUMMERS!!! I think it was started by a lady in the area.

Anyhoo.. Yeah, The more I ride the more I support my LBS. Ray is always there for me, and I know how hard it is for the little guy to stay in business with all the big local chains we have around here. His service is quick- and thorough! When I took the bike in for a last minute tune up right before IMAZ he noticed that there was a defect in my front DR bracket. He could have just told me to call Quintana Roo(or trisports) since it was a definte defect, but he knew I needed it for the race so he did some major surgery to make it work. And he only charged me for a tune up!! Now THATS service!!

Tho I must admit I do also shop at trisports.com occaisonally. Seton and the crew are just great people! Kinda in line with Susan. I guess you could say I spread the wealth!

[greenmachine]

BTW- there is a local company here in Phoenix that makes FAB brownies you can order online! Go to wwwbrownies.com and check out fairy tale brownies... YUMMERS!!! I think it was started by a lady in the area.

Anyhoo.. Yeah, The more I ride the more I support my LBS. Ray is always there for me, and I know how hard it is for the little guy to stay in business with all the big local chains we have around here. His service is quick- and thorough! When I took the bike in for a last minute tune up right before IMAZ he noticed that there was a defect in my front DR bracket. He could have just told me to call Quintana Roo(or trisports) since it was a definte defect, but he knew I needed it for the race so he did some major surgery to make it work. And he only charged me for a tune up!! Now THATS service!!

Tho I must admit I do also shop at trisports.com occaisonally. Seton and the crew are just great people! Kinda in line with Susan. I guess you could say I spread the wealth!

Thanks RM! I'll have to check out brownies.com for a future occasion, but I'll be baking some tonight for Ronnie and his crew.

Sounds like Ray is fantastic! And a good DR surgeon Ronnie only charged me $15 yesterday!!

When the time comes to upgrade my drivetrain, I'll consult with my frame builder about what I should get and order all the parts through Ronnie at my LBS and have him do all the work. It is so hard for the little guys to stay in business and I want to give him all the business I can, unless there is something I can't get through him.