LBS let me down

[tjf9]

Well, I got a call today. Frame is in. Parts are ordered. I said I was expecting an email to confirm what parts we were going to go with. He said, oh we can do that. I guess they got what they needed when we spoke on Tuesday and thought they were just going to build to my budget.

After talking it through, I'm comfortable with what they're doing, except on the handlebars. They were going to use a Ritchey Biomax 42cm. When I do the measure my shoulders thing, I come up with 36cm. I was thinking a 38 or 40 would be good (since I like it to be a little wider for comfort and stability), but a 42 seems a bit wide. He's going to let me try it out on another bike sometime this week (if I can get there) before making a final decision. Fortunately, this is an easy thing to change.

I'm definitely going to try to get in there in the next couple of days. I can see that this is the kind of thing that is just easier in person. So, my LBS is going from a D to a C+.

Now, I'm going to be a bit paranoid. Am I being treated this way because I'm a woman? I couldn't possibly know enough about bikes to contribute to the component discussion? Or, are they this patronizing to all of their customers? Perhaps I was not clear enough that I wanted to be part of the process.

I'm going to go search the forums for info about those handlebars (I love you ladies!!) and then maybe get to the bike store tonight and make sure my bike is on the right path!

[tjf9]

I have learned my lesson. Bikes must be purchased in person. Went to the shop today. It was great. We talked through all of the components, made some changes and the parts order will go in tomorrow. They even had the frame out for me with a set of wheels and bars so I could check standover and the bar width (they had a 42 on there - waaaaay too wide).

So my grade of the shop goes up to a B+. If they actually deliver by the end of the month (they said probably, but not guaranteed) they'll definitely get an A!

I was there about closing time. Just as I was leaving, one of the guys comes back in to the shop with a 6 pack of beer. That's got to be a fun place to work - put in a hard day and have a couple of beers.

[Blueberry]

I'm *really* glad things are working out. I do think most LBS's aren't exactly up on technology, and do much better in person (I think ours has email, but it doesn't work very well...)

And yep - our guys have beers almost every day after work, and have been known to invite us to join them. I've been known to bring beer. It works out