RIP Agoura Cycles...

[tulip]

RM, best of luck to you and your shop. I've worked in local bike shops, and several that I used to work in have long since closed up. It's a shame that folks don't see the connection between small businesses that pay living wages to their staff and slightly higher prices. I say, if you go to Walmart-Performance type stores, you don't have a right to complain when the local bike shop goes out of business. They rely on customers, and we are the customers.

I haven't checked with my favorite bike shop in Maryland for while since I moved away. I hope the shop is doing okay--any DCers know how Proteus is doing?

[Aint Doody]

We're losing our lbs, too. It is soooo sad. But keep in mind that it's not just the bike shops. We all have to shop locally in order to save our small businesses that are the backbone of our communities. I only internet shop when what I want/need is unavailable locally. Unfortunately that's becoming more the norm as small businesses go out.

[Zen]

Tulip, I haven't heard any bad news about Proteus. They have been around a while and have such a rep I think they'll be OK.

I know I'm doing my part to keep the LBS in business. i was there yesterday, sold my bike, went inside and gave the $650 to Brian to put down on my new bike then spent $70 on a windbreaker and a lock

[Blueberry]

Zen- Whatcha getting????

We make an effort to support our LBS. Sometimes it's frustrating. I have a friend who could have helped me frame save my bike. I took it to the LBS. It was supposed to be done last Tuesday. They haven't started it yet. I've been without my bike (that one) for 2 weeks, and they still haven't looked at it. Meanwhile they're telling me that they have no service work I'm trying to support them, but I confess I'm a bit frustrated.

Running Mommy- I certainly hope you guys are able to hang in there. Sounds like you have a fabulous shop!

CA

[Zen]

I liked my Trek FX so much I'm getting a higher level FX (the 7.6) to ride as a road bike.

For some reason the WSD series only goes to 7.6 (tiagra ) while the men's goes to 7.9 (Ultegra).
I might switch up to a higher end drive train (105 or Ultegra) if someone can convince me it would make much difference.

[Blueberry]

Very pretty!!! Honestly, I'm not much of a component snob. I've ridden Tiagra, and haven't had any problems. Lots of the components on our Bike Fridays are Tiagra in a (failed) attempt to keep the bikes somewhat reasonable in price. Replace 'em with something better when they wear out, but I wouldn't change them out just because...

CA

[tulip]

I'm all for supporting LBS that is competent, not just because it's local. If they are not doing a good job, then I have no problem going to another shop. I just do my best to take my business to an independent shop; it doesn't have to be the closest shop. So sorry to hear about your bike, CA. It'll be spring soon (it will, it will) and I hope you have your bike before the weather gets nice.

[sundial]

I liked my Trek FX so much I'm getting a higher level FX (the 7.6) to ride as a road bike.

For some reason the WSD series only goes to 7.6 (tiagra ) while the men's goes to 7.9 (Ultegra).
I might switch up to a higher end drive train (105 or Ultegra) if someone can convince me it would make much difference.

You know you will HAVE to post pics of your new ride.

Running Mommy, I will do what I can to help support our LBS. I'm so sorry your store is struggling. I will always remember how well you supported your kids who shopped at your store.

[Aggie_Ama]

I do my part! I can get gel, tubes, seatposts cheaper online but the bike shop is right by my work they know my bike and I get the instant gratification. I have them wrap my bars, sure I could do it myself but I am not patient. Today I had a catastrophic failure on my bike- my seatpost broke on the trail! So Tess is at the shop getting all snazzied up. DH could put on his own chain but really, they charge $8 we will jsut let them.

Zen- I find Tiagra when kept in tune works just fine. Maybe not quite as crisp as 105 but isn't completely awful. Just support the LBS by getting regular tune ups!

[Cataboo]

I liked my Trek FX so much I'm getting a higher level FX (the 7.6) to ride as a road bike.

For some reason the WSD series only goes to 7.6 (tiagra ) while the men's goes to 7.9 (Ultegra).
I might switch up to a higher end drive train (105 or Ultegra) if someone can convince me it would make much difference.

I'm not sure it makes enough difference to warrant the amount of money you'd have to put into it to do it - shifters are expensive.

But if you want to compare, you're near me, you sound like you're my size & I've got one bike that's a 10 speed 105 triple & one bike that's a 10 speed ultegra double. I can't really tell the difference between the 105 & ultegra shifting.

I do prefer 10 speed shifters to the 9 speed 105's though.


I'm one of those bad shopping online people. I only do it when it's something that I can't get cheaper in the local bike shop. I went into the bicycle escape the other weekend and bought a chain & a powerlink... I looked at some of the other stuff, but couldn't see paying $50 for red skewers when I can get $15 ones shipped online. Now, maybe they're higher quality $50 red skewers... but I just want red. I tried to get a front derailleur from a lbs the other weekend, but they didn't have one that would work.

I have noticed that I'm buying a lot more from smaller LBS's online than from say performance or nashbar... Lots of bike shop ebay sellers or small websites. So maybe that would help Running Mommy move some more merchandise.

[Aggie_Ama]

I buy things online but I don't buy online if I can't put it on and I can't do much work on my bike (or chose not to). My LBS is putting a new seat post on my bike I ordered through them and are not charging labor. Works for me.