LBS rant (SadieKate, please read)

[wannaduacentury]

This is kind of long, so please bear with me.

I went to a bike shop today with a friend who was testdriving a new Lemond. While I was waiting for her, I ended up chatting with the owner, whom I'd never met before (it was my first visit to the LBS). In the course of the conversation, I excitedly told him about my new custom wheels and specifically said that they were being built up as we spoke.

Anyway, when he found out that I was using White Industries hubs, he got this funny look on his face and told me that he "hated to ruin the fun" but that the hubs were no good. Clearly surprised, I explained to him that I'd gotten a number of recommendations for the hubs, including one presumably from the builder, and that I'd generally read favorable reports about them. He insisted that they're of low quality and merely appeal to the "chi chi" bike crowd. I told him that my builder--a very experienced one who came highly recommended--didn't seem too "chi chi" to me but whatever.

He further insisted that I would have been much better off with Campy Records or Chris Kings. I told him that (a) I didn't have the $ for CKs, (b) that I'd read conflicting reports about them and (c) that Campy Records don't offer a low-spoke count anymore. He disagreed with me on this last point. He even went so far as to look it up (Guess what? Campy doesn't make a 24 count hub anymore but he insisted that they "are out there.").

I kept trying to make the point with this guy that I'd done my homework but that like everything in the bike world, there are about any many opinions out there as there are cyclists. My point being is that just about every bike product on the market has given somebody trouble at some time. He took that has an insult to his experience and essentially told me that my research and everyone else's collective experience didn't compare to his thirty years "in the field."

Then, when I continued to look crestfallen, he said that that at my weight, I couldn't do much harm to any set of wheels/hubs. He then asked why I'd even bothered with custom and pooh poohed my answer that you couldn't buy 1380 gram factory wheels for the same price as my customs. That, and they're often harder to service. He then had the nerve to suggest that he could repair the wheels when I had problems with them. I told him I'd rather not be told "I told you so" and that I would be going elsewhere.

SadieKate, do you think this guy was just as a-hole, or do I have any anything to worry about? You seem to like your WI hubs a lot. I've read all the relevant posts on www.roadbikereviews.com, and they're generally very favorable.

Putting the hubs aside, what upset me the most is that he interjected his opinion (a) without it being solicited and (b) on a matter that was a done deal. What did he think I was going to do with the information if the wheels were already built? Why ruin my excitement?

This isn't the only thing that irritated me about the guy. I went there with my friend because I have (in my humble opinion) a good understanding about bike fit. So, while he's setting her up on the bike, I ask him about top tube length. He explained that he doesn't worry too much about measurements. He just makes sure that the rider is "comfortable." I didn't respond to this, but had to wonder. Riding a bike for a 5-10 minutes on a testdrive isn't going to tell you everything you need to know about comfort. Riding it for 50 miles after you've already dumped $2,000 on it will, however, but by then it's often too late. I guess that doesn't matter to him. Experience, my you-know-what. He never even looked at her on the bike.

Admittedly, I'm kind of mad (and a little worried about the money I just spent on these wheels). Sometimes dealing with the guys at my local shops is just not worth it. I either get ignored or talked down to. Most of them honestly don't want you to know anything about bikes. Argh!
Kate

Sounds to me he did his job which is to second guess yourself. I wouldn't worry about the wheels too much, it is just "his" opinion. and I hope your friend doesn't buy a bike from his shop. Run far, run fast. This guy will take you for a ride. Test ride elsewhere and continue helping your friend with your tried and true knowledge. Enjoy those wheels. Jennifer

[Triskeliongirl]

Yes and there are good bike shops out there, just hard to find. Harris Cylery in MA had no problem selling me a bike but unfortuntaly they aren't local. Finally i did find a local shop I like. I went there cuz I was having trouble locating a laid back enough seat post for my brooks finesse saddle. Not only were these guys able to help me, but they asked me 'how do you know so much about bikes'(as I told them my woes in finding a frame in my size with a slack enough seat tube angle for my long femurs, etc.) and liked my gadgets so much they took down info. on them so they could stock them in their shop (they loved my carradice sqr slim bag and bar end miror). Turned out they are even brooks dealers. I didn't even know I had a local brooks dealer before ordering from Wallingford. The only problem with this shop is they are pricey, but I will still go there before the shop where they treat me rudely. We can speak quite loudly through our pocketbooks.