LBS rant (SadieKate, please read)

[SadieKate]

Indy, RUN do not walk away from that idiot. I don't deal with anyone who starts spouting this stuff in such a situation - even if you hadn't already ordered the wheels. Sales people who tell you what you should do without asking what you want the wheels for first are just jerks.

Chris King is getting some bad rap lately because they're considered too expensive for what you get. They have assumed the unwarranted cult status of a Mercedes in a field of many other equivalent level hubs and price themselves accordingly. Maintenance is stupid - they require special tools to maintain and CK controls the distribution, sale and pricing of his hibs. The bike shop has no say in the matter. Besides, the noise of a CK hub would drive you bonkers over time. Bubba has them on his mtb and they drive us all nuts.

Our LBS was actually quite happy that we went with WI over CK. Campy Record have a good reputation and they are what they are, but if they aren't available in a 24 spoke why go with it? Why build a $500 set of wheels on a set of outdated hubs even if you could find them tucked away in some dusty warehouse corner.

The guy obviously didn't get that pre-built wheels usually don't work well for someone of your weight. I can go on and on.

Basically, you said exactly what I've been saying over the years. Down to the LBS guys liking your willingness to research and come prepared with knowledge.

On the fit story for your friend, I hope she lucks out. You know what was lacking in that effort, or lack there of.

You did good and showed that you were obviously the more knowledgeable of the two. Besides, in the single speed crowd, WI hubs are considered the cream of the crop and while CK is trying to break into that market, the crowd is laughing at him for the exorbitant cost with no discernible improvement in quality or functionality. It's a market that tends to be critical of what my DH just called "rhinestone studded BS."

So, don't worry. You can justifiably be angry. Go have some chocolate and feel superior.

I think mimi nailed the guy pretty well.

[Geonz]

Which is more likely - that all your homework was wrong, or that there's a bike shop owner with strong opinions, not necessarily based on current facts about the situation at hand?
Bike shop owners can have big heads and lousy social skills.

[bcipam]

I have a number of friends who regularly build up their own bikes. They all recommend White Ind. (as well as CK). WI is the "Cadillac" component.

Like I said I know alot of bike guys, some who own shops, some who work in shops and many who can tell each a thing or two. Unfortunately it doesn't take any expertise to run or own a bike shop. I hate to say it but he sounds like a real idiot. I agree with SadieKate - run away quickly!

[Triskeliongirl]

This guiy reminds me of a LBS owner here. This guy is such a jerk that when I brought my terry titanium isis in for service he refused to work on her cuz she has a 24" front wheel. Yeh, you heard me. He tried to make me feel so bad about my purchase, when this was the only stock bike out there that FIT ME! My husband said he was just pissed I didn't buy my new bike from him. He is a calfee dealer and while I was very interested in a custom calfee, I didn't trust this guy to fit me properly since he is totally insensitive to fit issues specific to womens bodies. The net result is that I learned how to be my own mechanic so I don't need jerks like him. Enjoy your new wheels and don't frequent this fellows shop if you can avoid it!

[Bad JuJu]

This guiy reminds me of a LBS owner here. This guy is such a jerk that when I brought my terry titanium isis in for service he refused to work on her cuz she has a 24" front wheel. Yeh, you heard me. He tried to make me feel so bad about my purchase, when this was the only stock bike out there that FIT ME! My husband said he was just pissed I didn't buy my new bike from him. He is a calfee dealer and while I was very interested in a custom calfee, I didn't trust this guy to fit me properly since he is totally insensitive to fit issues specific to womens bodies. The net result is that I learned how to be my own mechanic so I don't need jerks like him. Enjoy your new wheels and don't frequent this fellows shop if you can avoid it!

Sounds like an LBS guy in northern New Jersey (about 15 years ago) who told me there was no bike that would fit me and I ought to just take up tennis or something else. Not only did I never go back there and consequently spent my cycling dollars somewhere else (ordered a Terry from another LBS, not 10 miles away), but I told my all my friends never to shop there. Not a good business strategy!

[7rider]

For some reason, bike shops can have this whole "If you didn't buy it from me, it must be crap" mentality.
Yeah - I did think of the Ford-Chevy analogy. Also, the cliche "Opinions are like belly buttons. Everybody's got one."
You did your research. You made a sound, reasoned decision. He doesn't have to like it, but it would have been nice of him to keep his yap shut. An offer to service is legitimate - but an "if you have problems" vs. "when you have problems" would have been a little better.

[CyclChyk]

....Also, the cliche "Opinions are like belly buttons. Everybody's got one."

Belly buttons??? Ohoh, my potty mouth has gotten that part wrong all these years