LBS Politics (LONG... sorry!)

[emily_in_nc]

I think it depends on which shop it was....My LBS would be cool with it. I also think purchasing a couple year old pretty expensive fork is *way* different from ordering a rear cluster for $5 less from performance and then expecting them to install it. Just my 2 cents.

It was the Bicycle Chain on Hwy 70 in Raleigh. An easy drive from work during lunchtime, great parking, etc. The shops in Chapel Hill, which are closer to where I live, are more difficult to park at, and going there means I have to give up valuable weekend time. I'm relieved reading some of the newer posts that they probably weren't peeved at me under the circumstances!

Slightly OT - how did you guys learn so much about maintenance??

I don't know much at all, but Barry is quite mechanical. And frugal. So he is able to fix a lot of stuff on our bikes that break, but we rarely have any serious problems. It's mostly installing new chains, tires, cogsets, pedals, saddles, lubing, etc. He has that huge bike mechanic book from Performance that has been very helpful with stuff over the years. He doesn't do builds from scratch or anything like that, though. When I bought a bare frame on ebay a few years ago, I took it to a bike shop and ordered the gruppo, handlebars, etc. from them, they installed all that (and made a LOT of money off me -- can you say Campy Chorus?! )

And Barry doesn't know about mountain bikes so when I need help with that, I take it to a shop. The shop I'd used when I first bought the bike and wanted some parts changed out, checked, etc., I gave up on this time, since they were too busy with custom bikes and servicing same to handle something as petty as a fork replacement. Kinda snobby... So, a mountain biking friend recommended the Bicycle Chain, and I am glad I tried them out -- I'll be back. But I will still shop at Performance for a lot of things (not things I expect the other shop to install!) because they're convenient (we can bike there) and cheaper.

Emily