Performance Bicycle and women specific bikes

[Dogmama]

I figure my LBS has more experience fitting and troubleshooting than me. That's why I pay them. I don't have tons of money, so I save until I can afford what I want. I need "butt feel" before I buy something as important as my bike that I'll be riding for many years. (I mean the feel of my butt in the saddle --- not anything else )

[deeaimond]

Yeah I agree, it can be hard to find a good all-rounder LBS, and I guess ultimately everyone ends up with some mix and matching.

For me, the owners of the LBS nearest to my home are a husband and wife team. The husband has some attitude issues, and isn't a very good mechanic. But the wife is friendly and prompt with ordering things for me if i ask for them, and also offering me good prices. On the other hand, I know a brilliant mechanic, the LBS he worked at closed down (the boss wasn't running the business properly) so now he just works from home. He doesnt have the parts, but he is a genius with the tuning up etc.

So now i buy from the LBS, let the owner install the parts then take it to my mechanic for a checkup. (helps that my mechanic is just a block or so away.. ) That way the LBS guy stays happy and keeps giving me good prices (coz i don't get mad at him when a crap job is done) and my mechanic earns some extra to raise his 4 kids, and I feel nice and safe riding my bike.

[Crankin]

Frankly, I've never found a shop that I was 100% happy with. I bought my first 2 road bikes at a big store (Landry's) and while they were OK and I had my knowledgeable husband with me, they didn't really ask what they needed to. Hence, I've had 4 bikes in 8 years. My mtb is too big for me (Belmont Wheelworks), but since I hardly ever use it, it's OK for the amount of riding i do.
My best experience was with Quad Cycles in Arlington, where I bought my Jamis. It's a small shop, but they seem to cater to all different types of riders. So friendly and no hard sell.
I don't recommend the shop I go to now (ATA)... they cater to racers and hard core people. While most "regular" people consider me hard core, I am not. If you want an expensive European bike, it's the place to go. They do sell Giants, but no other US brand. It's funny, some people love this shop, as evidenced by comments on the web, but others hate it. SheFly told me her husband won't even buy tubes there!
I am just glad my husband is very mechanically inclined and we have all of the tools at home.

[Cataboo]

People should do what they're comfortable with...

I just don't think Denny should be chastised for buying from a chain or for not buying from her friend with a LBS. Obviously, she's already having issues and just needed help with what to do.

But I know if I had a friend who owned a shop who got upset at me because I went somewhere else to buy something - I would not be happy with said friend.

[Zen]

I've found that, after factoring in shipping charges,my LBS prices are just about the same as ordering online.

I've also learned that it doesn't pay to be cheap. Save up if you have to. (I know I do, I don't even have a visa card)

[Crankin]

Favorite saying in our house:

You get what you pay for.

[denny]

I got my bike a week early today. Whoopee!!! Performance Bike did a great job in getting it in sooner than expected and I couldn't be happier.

To answer RunningMommy- my friend at the LBS couldn't be happier about my trade in fact he had insisted in making sure that he found the right bike for me. As I had stated in previous post, 1. He wasn't open for business the first time I purchased and financed my bike with Performance. 2. He hadn't confirmed his financing company until yesterday. 3. Even with a "friend" discount I wouldn't have been able to afford their bikes w/out great financing options and a Customer guarantee program. I purchased my bike from Performance, but my friend will be doing the ongoing maintenance on my bike for "customer service and expertise reasons"

While I realise that LBS provide great customer service (and I'm sure you do too Running Mommy) you can pay for it out the wazoo! I have yet to find one LBS that fits my budget for biking accessories. In fact, my very first purchase for cycling shoes cost me $110. That same shoe cost $90 at REI and Performance. When my budget becomes more flexible,ie. getting a new job then I would be happy to consider the bike of my dreams from my friends shop. (Assuming they're still in business of course).

Another thing, as Catriona stated, I've learned the hard way.. do NOT mix friendship with business if you can help it. That kind of money passing hands is a large business transaction in my book.

NOW. Anyone wanna see my bike pics tomorrow? I named it "Song" because it hums along smoothly.