Choosing an LBS

[li10up]

Hummm, good question. That's an easy one for me since we only have one LBS in town. Would have to travel 30 miles to get to the next closest one. I'd recommend talking to experienced riders more than a salesman somewhere. I guess when it comes down to it most everything is opinion when it comes to equipment. But I do think there are some basic "rules" like: Saddle is moved up until your hips start to rock from side to side...then move it down to the point where the rocking stops. Cleats should be positioned so that the ball of the foot is over the pedal spindal. Seat fore/aft should put your knee (tibial tuberosity) in line with the pedal spindal when your foot is in the 3 o'clock position. There may be more...but after that it all comes down to the comfort of the individual person - which takes into consideration riding style, flexibility, etc.

[mimitabby]

I actually got referrals right here on this board. and some of this is magic.
No matter how long your arms are, no matter how many inches of clearance you need, some people flex different from others and what works perfectly for one is not going to work for another. That's why people can say; oh, we'll move your handlebars 1/2" back and tilt this up a hair... and maybe that time it will
be AHHHH perfect..

So of course, once you get the fit you want, dont mess with it

[indysteel]

Pooks, I understand your frustration. I started riding last year and because of an innate desire to "know stuff," (I'm a lawyer; what can I say) I started reading up on lot of cycling-related topics--everything from fit to components to frame materials to wheels. You name it; I've likely done a little research on it. In the course of doing that, I've grown to understand that there are various schools of thought on just about everything in cycling. There may be majority and minority views, but there's rarely one "right answer."

As exhausting as it can sometimes be, all that information has helped me feel more confident in dealing with the folks at the various LBSs that I frequent. Some I've grown to trust more than others. Since there is usually no one answer on any given matter, I tend to distrust the ones who act like there is. I gravitate instead to the ones who are willing to take the time to discuss the pros/cons of something with me or to explain the "why" behind their advice. If they take the attitude with me that you have to know everything about bikes/cyling to know anything, I leave and never return (I have a previous post entitled LBS Rant that describes just such a situation). If they make it clear that I appear to already know more than they do (again, I've had this happen), I steer clear of them too. They're salespeople; nothing more and nothing less.

So, I spend a fair amount of time reading up on something before I buy/go to the LBS. I want to engage with them as intelligently as possible and, for me, that means doing some of my own legwork. Thanks to forums like this, roadbikereview.com and various sites that provide a wealth of information, I find it possible, though time-consuming, to do.

[pooks]

indysteel, you're right. Knowing something -- anything -- gives me more confidence when I approach somebody at the LBS. I particularly recall not hiding my skepticism when a bike guy tried to convince me that I would hate a Brooks saddle because it's "so hard." Scoff!

[Geonz]

I would say do not judge any bike shop on the first visit ... and see if you can figure out which *person* has a model of cycling that matches yours - or is the better listener and the least likely to size you up in an instant and have you "figured out" and not pay attention when you don't fit the model.

The really good listeners are rare treasures - most bike shop people you kinda have to break in. However, you can help by telling them the things about you that "break the mold" so they pay attention. I try to figure out which slot I'm being filed in and then say something that will jolt me out of that slot... and then something else that will jolt me out of the next slot. Then I get listened to.
Now I'm a bike shop groupie anyway ...

[indysteel]

indysteel, you're right. Knowing something -- anything -- gives me more confidence when I approach somebody at the LBS. I particularly recall not hiding my skepticism when a bike guy tried to convince me that I would hate a Brooks saddle because it's "so hard." Scoff!

LOL. I've had some boneheaded things to me said as well. I went with a friend to a bike shop that I don't frequent so that she could test ride some Lemonds. The owner was helping her and said the following two things, both of which I think are just flat-out wrong. First, he doesn't adjust the fore/aft position of a saddle. His logic? The bike manufacturer places the saddle in the middle of the rails, so that's probably where it should stay. Second, he doesn't measure people for reach. He just asks customers whether they're comfortable on the bike after their test ride. Well, IMO, he should know that you can't necessarily figure that out during a short test ride. Sometimes, you don't know a bike doesn't fit until you've spent a miserable 50 miles on it.

He and I ended up getting in an argument about my custom wheels and he kept going on and on about his "20 years of experience" in the bike industry. Whatever.

[pooks]

Indy, that's just scary! Did your friend buy a bike from this jerk?

Which reminds me, the LBS where they appreciated my Brooks is very small, but they sell Lemonds.

[indysteel]

Indy, that's just scary! Did your friend buy a bike from this jerk?

Which reminds me, the LBS where they appreciated my Brooks is very small, but they sell Lemonds.

She did buy the Lemond from them. In fact, she just bought an MTB there too. She knows I can't stand the guy, but she's apparently satisfied with the level of service she's gotten. However, I have my doubts as to whether her Lemond really fits her. I think it might be too small, but she seems to be happy with it.

It's funny because she brought me with her specifically because I know more about bike fit than she does, but once we got there, I didn't feel like she really wanted to press the issue. I would have liked to see him put her and the bike on a trainer to look at her posture on the bike, take a few measurements, etc. Nope. It was more, here's the bike, now go ride it. Maybe it fits her, maybe it doesn't, but for $1800, I'd want to approach it a little more scientifically than he did.

[missymaya]

wow, indysteel. That guy kinda frightens me and I dont even know him.
I would prefer to go to an LBS that is willing to listen to what my OPINION and consider that when helping find a bike/bike product. EX: I went looking around with my BF trying to find a commuter. Now, I say commuter I mean older steel/chromally road frame that is the appropriate size. Hey, there might be a chance that one of the several LBSs might sell old frames that people leave there. Well, none of them did and none them seem to listen to what I wanted. They all tended towards the cruiser/townie bikes. All I could think was "did you hear what I said or are you deaf! I want a road bike!! If I wanted a cruiser, I'll just have my BF build up one of his 50s-60s Schwinn steel frames made in the US and not by some crappy repro made in S.Korea that'll fall apart in 2 days!"
Another situation, my BF and I went to one of the large LBSs here and we were looking for some parts and waited at the mechanic counter for some help. We waited for almost 30 minutes ! Hello, willing and paying customers standing here asking for help!! We left not getting what we needed(thank you Ebay). Unfortunately, they have most of the stuff we need so Im very reluctant to go there. Why can't any of them just be cool.

Ok, done ranting about crappy LBSs. Point is, go somewhere they a). actually pay attention to you b). Listen to you and what you want.