RIP Agoura Cycles...

[tzvia]

Dang! Find a good shop with good people and what happens, they close! That sucks. Went there yesterday after my MTB ride to maybe pickup a few spare tubes 'n stuff, to find a 'CLEARANCE' sign, bare walls and almost all the bikes and stock gone! Last day! Ok, so I got a pair of SIDI Zephyr Carbons for 90 bucks and some shorts cheap but dang. Sad to see them go. RIP.

[Running Mommy]

We are trying to not let it happen to us, but it's really tough out there right now.
Just the other day I was thinking of doing a post to ask everyone to please please support their LBS! I had one of those days where we seemed to have a plethora of "internet shoppers" in the store. The ones that bring their internet purchases in and want you to put the cleats on their shoes, fix the mess they made trying to install said purchase, etc.
We do it, and charge them labor accordingly, but I wish they would have just given us a chance in the first place.
I had a guy w/ a pretty nice specialized looking to get some work done on it. We gave him a price for a new shifter and he said "well I saw it for xx on price point. so why don't you order from them". I thought my mechanics head was gonna pop off, but he remained cool.
And then there was the lady who brought her kids mongoose wal mart bike in yesterday. She wanted new tubes and tires, so we set her up. She left to run a few errands, and came back w/a set of tires that she found "cheaper" at wal mart. She wanted us to take the ones we had just installed off, and put the cheaper ones on. We told her sure, but since we had already done the work, and the bmx bike had pegs so was a lot of labor, that we would have to charge her double labor. So that negated anything she saved on those tires. She also pointed out that our slime tubes are more expensive than wal mart. sigh...

I know that money is tight, and you have to be a smart consumer. But if you have a good lbs, and want to be able to count on them being there, please consider spending a few extra bucks every once in awhile to keep them afloat.

[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.

[Blueberry]

It's not like I don't have other bikes I just want that one back. It's the Green Trek you've seen (and it happens to have my trainer skewer in it at the moment - so I can't ride the trainer without it). This shop is usually great - one of the mechanics is really scatter-brained (even he'd admit it). Thankfully not once he's actually working on a bike - just with remembering to get started. That's why it's late. The other mechanic now knows about it - and I can guarantee it'll be done by mid-week.

CA

[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!

[Zen]

. Just support the LBS by getting regular tune ups!

I get free lifetime tune-ups when I buy a bike there. this bike will make number three from them

I heart my LBS.
Even if you think you found a deal online it usually isn't by the time you pay shipping.

[MartianDestiny]

My LBS got my contribution to keeping their lights on this spring, to the tone of a new bike and related accessories.

They are so awesome I haven't even really considered buying anything online recently, and honestly by the time I factor in the club discount I get I can't do THAT much better online unless something is on super closeout.

[smurfalicious]

Oh that's such a bummer. I thought the name sounded familiar and as it turns out they're one of our clients at work. Sad news, for sure.