Why I love my LBS (or not): Jump In!

[Anyabeth]

My LBS is rated really highly by locals and in magazines and I do understand why. They are very knowledgable and have great stock and great policies about trying bikes and getting the fit right. But I do think there is a hole in their store for women. They don't have any women that work at my location (there is one at another store I believe) and you can tell they don't feel as knowledgable about the WSD bikes. They also carry almost no clothing or gear for women - especially compared to the men's selection.

I can understand all the reasons, I am in the retail business myself, but at the same time I have been in the stores dozens of times and have NEVER been the only female customer there. To me that says that the cycling community here has a lot of women. So having such a gap in your knowledge and selection in frustrating.

In the end I have gotten very good service there. I just have to work a little bit harder to get it (and be more prepared) than my husband does.

[indysteel]

My LBS is rated really highly by locals and in magazines and I do understand why. They are very knowledgable and have great stock and great policies about trying bikes and getting the fit right. But I do think there is a hole in their store for women. They don't have any women that work at my location (there is one at another store I believe) and you can tell they don't feel as knowledgable about the WSD bikes. They also carry almost no clothing or gear for women - especially compared to the men's selection.

I can understand all the reasons, I am in the retail business myself, but at the same time I have been in the stores dozens of times and have NEVER been the only female customer there. To me that says that the cycling community here has a lot of women. So having such a gap in your knowledge and selection in frustrating.

In the end I have gotten very good service there. I just have to work a little bit harder to get it (and be more prepared) than my husband does.

I don't disagree that a lot of shops don't understand the WSD product they carry and/or carry less of a selection for women, BUT some of the worst service I've gotten is from sales women who didn't understand what a particular manufacturer's "WSD" label means. It sometimes means very little, and yet they insist that it does.

This is my take after buying a number bikes: Somebody either understands bike fit or they don't. There are only a few fit issues that I see as being absolutely specific to women. We come in all shapes, sizes and proportions. WSD is just a starting point when it comes to fitting a bike to a woman. You don't have to be a woman to get that, nor does being a woman guarantee that you do. There are plenty of men who deviate from the norm enough that they could benefit from a fitting with someone who isn't going to make any fit assumptions based solely on gender. The same applies to women.

I'm not saying that your bike shop does or doesn't get bike fit, but I would suggest that it's not necessariliy a gender issue if they don't.

[Owlie]

Having moved around a lot since I bought my bike, I have a string of LBSes:
LBS 1 (where I bought the bike): I really liked the owner. Excellent customer service, and he didn't treat me like I was an idiot. He probably should have caught that the bike was too big, but I take responsibility for that too.

LBS 2: I only had one thing done there (tune-up). Never went there again. Owner rubbed me the wrong way. Decent selection of clothing.

LBS 3: Local chain. I really don't know how to feel about these guys. I like the wrench/fitter at one location, and the manager and one of the wrenches at another. They've got good people and I trust them with my bike, and are the only store in the region that carries Specialized (one of my choices for the next bike), but overall they feel a little too slick and corporate until you really get to know them, then they're awesome. I haven't quite figured out how they're consistently highly rated, though.

LBS 4: Nice guys, not terribly busy, but they really cater more to BMX and mountain bikers.

"L"BS 5: I work here. I really like the people I work with. I've never asked them to fix my bike, but they're knowledgeable and awesome.
Indy, sometimes I think they just get stuck in some rut, in regard to the WSD bikes. I did yesterday. It was slightly embarrassing, because I should know better.

[Anyabeth]

I don't disagree that a lot of shops don't understand the WSD product they carry and/or carry less of a selection for women, BUT some of the worst service I've gotten is from sales women who didn't understand what a particular manufacturer's "WSD" label means. It sometimes means very little, and yet they insist that it does.

This is my take after buying a number bikes: Somebody either understands bike fit or they don't. There are only a few fit issues that I see as being absolutely specific to women. We come in all shapes, sizes and proportions. WSD is just a starting point when it comes to fitting a bike to a woman. You don't have to be a woman to get that, nor does being a woman guarantee that you do. There are plenty of men who deviate from the norm enough that they could benefit from a fitting with someone who isn't going to make any fit assumptions based solely on gender. The same applies to women.

I'm not saying that your bike shop does or doesn't get bike fit, but I would suggest that it's not necessariliy a gender issue if they don't.

My issue wasn't actually with fit. I bought a WSD because of how tiny my hands are - I just didn't feel safe breaking on the unisex styles - but I certainly tried them. But it was annoying to me that once it became obvious the WSD was right for me (and the shop agreed) they seemed a little lost. They didn't really know the differences between models or really have an opinion. I get why, the other bikes they have ridden and tested, but it was still annoying.

Perhaps female sales people wouldn't solve this problem. But it seems natural to me that a woman would be more inclined to have knowledge about WSD. It is unfortunate that some one would push you into a WSD if that isn't right for you though.

[hebe]

This is interesting, not least because my incoming bike is from a bike shop that I'd never used before (well not for bikes).

LBS1 - very local, my first bike came from there, but I never really felt much of a connection with the staff. I think their main target market is youth and mens road bikes.

LBS2 - rather less local, but hugely female and family-friendly. Go out of their way to help, and won't sell us something that isn't right. We've spent a lot of money there. On the negative side, it's too far/hilly to ride a bike there, and I can't always fit a bike into my car. They help us with that though by offering a collect/deliver service which is great for getting all the bikes serviced at the same time.

LBS3 - actually a hardware store with a bike shed out the back, within easy walking/riding/pushing distance. I knew they were a Dawes dealer so went to see if they had the mixte I wanted. They did. I had a test ride of a similar model (the mixte had cream tyres, it was raining...). They remembered the bike I liked when I went back in to put the deposit down 3 weeks later, and I get to pick it up on Friday (their wrench is part-time with another store). And their price was better than anywhere online, even with the various online sales. So we'll see, so far so good. I think there's a lot to be said for a good bike shop within walking distance.

I'm committed to shopping locally whenever I can, I really don't want to see bike shops disappearing from our High Streets. In return for that I expect good levels of service, stock and friendliness and I don't mind travelling a short distance (probably up to 45minutes).

[indysteel]

My issue wasn't actually with fit. I bought a WSD because of how tiny my hands are - I just didn't feel safe breaking on the unisex styles - but I certainly tried them. But it was annoying to me that once it became obvious the WSD was right for me (and the shop agreed) they seemed a little lost. They didn't really know the differences between models or really have an opinion. I get why, the other bikes they have ridden and tested, but it was still annoying.

Perhaps female sales people wouldn't solve this problem. But it seems natural to me that a woman would be more inclined to have knowledge about WSD. It is unfortunate that some one would push you into a WSD if that isn't right for you though.

I'm not sure what bike you have, but most brake levers--on "WSD" bikes and unisex bikes--can be adjusted to fit small hands. If a particular model can't be so adjusted, a good shop will offer to swap out the part for something that works. IMO, the reach to the brake levers, in and of itself, shouldn't have dictated a WSD bike for you. And if that's the only issue your shop considered in fitting you, then it would make me wonder about them. And if they also don't know that brake levers can often be adjusted, I would further wonder about them. That's pretty basic stuff.

I'll be honest that I often cringe when I hear the term WSD. I'm glad manufacturers are making bikes that address certain issues a lot of women have (for instance many need narrower bars than what you'll find on a unisex bike) and that they're making smaller sizes. But in so doing, they and the shops that carry them sometimes obscure the bigger fit issues that need to be addressed when someone is choosing a bike. Bars can be swapped, but if a frame is too small for somebody, it's too small.

I'm sorry; I'm coming off as combative here, and I'm not trying to direct that at you. Some shops and their limited understanding of what the term WSD means and doesn't mean really irk me. It all comes down to training--of both men and women salespeople, the patience to educate their customers and a willingness to offer some parts swaps if it would help a woman (or a man for that matter) buy the best fitting bike they can and not just the one with the right "label." I'd love to see more women working in bike shopes, but they do me little good if they're not adequately trained or vested enough in what they do to learn more about bikes than their own personal experience with them dictates.

I'd add that all but two of my bikes are labeled WSD. Two of them have somewhat different geometry from their unisex counterparts; most notably a lower standover for my short legs. The other is just a prettier color IMO; I could have gone either way. Ironically, one of the non WSD bikes that I own was sold to me by a woman. It doesn't fit as well as the WSD would have, but she never mentioned it to me as an option (and it was my first bike). When I called to ask her about it after the sale she said--and I quote--"it sounds like you know more about the bike than I do." Sigh....

[Anyabeth]

I have noticed a lot of people are reactive to the term WSD. Honestly, I think this shop would have preferred I buy a unisex bike so they weren't marketing it. I could have swapped out the bars and had everything reconfigured and if I had found the bike to be SO different and obviously more comfortable than I probably would have. But honestly they felt very similar and the WSD felt more comfortable so I went there. Maybe when I am more experienced I will understand better WHY that was and find better fits but . . .I do have a body type that fits bikes well and I am 5'7" and short legged for a woman with long arms. So a lot of bikes fit me well. Not having to swap out the bars and the saddle and reconfigure everything before I could even really ride the bike was easier for me.

I should be clear that I really wouldn't want a female bike shop employee just so that they could hire a woman. I would hope that she would be just as knowledgable and informed as her co-workers. A BIKE person. But one with a different perspective than the men - like we find here on TE. It doesn't sound like that is others' experiences though.

[indysteel]

I'm a hybrid between mens and womens 'specific' styles!

Must be a mutant...

I won't tell anyone....

[Antaresia]

worst bike shop: You may have heard me complain about my soma? Worst bike shop likes to say "you'll get used to it" when I have a problem, rather than listen to me. They're ~experts~ you see. Even the compliments are back-handed, upon seeing me on a more aggressive road bike he says: "wow, I never expected you to become such a strong rider" Uhhh....thanks? They are also terrible at ordering in parts and keeping in contact.

Best bike shop: Has NEVER made me feel crappy for being a stupid newbie. They understood it, they lowered the seat & put in thumb shifters on my fist bike so I could ride it easier. I'm not a stupid newbie anymore, but it is where I started out and I was so impressed with this bike shop for helping me and not giving me attitude that I've since bought another bike there, and took my friend there when he needed a new bike. They're two cities away, but it's a really nice ride. When I got my first bike, I thought riding there was impossible. I now consider it to be a "short" bike ride, and usually do more riding afterwards to make up for it, haha.

[Koronin]

I really like our new LBS. It's brother's who opened and run it. They are are great at making sure they ask the right questions to help determine what is best for you. They don't try to push anything on a person. The other LBS (actually their parents) I don't like as well because that LBS does try to push things on you. The other "LBS" I like is up in Raleigh (2 hrs away), well there's two. There is Preformance (I prefer the Raleigh location to the Cary location just due to the store being larger) and there's a Trek/Felt store right downtown Raleigh. Preformance just has great selection on everything, sales people are around, but not in your face. The Trek store is small, but very knowledgeable and wanting to help you find what is right for you. Also loved our old LBS in Charlotte (also a Trek dealer). They are great. They want to help you find what works for you as well and won't push anything. The reps are there if you need help, but won't bother you unless you ask for help.
What I HATE and I mean HATE is when sales people try to tell me I have to have women's anything just because I'm a woman. I really hate that. First of all most women's jerseys won't fit because I do have broader shoulders. I need an XL jersey at best because of my shoulders and then most of those are too tight. So I just buy men's jersey's. Yet some LBS's seem to have this problem of if you're a woman you have to wear women's clothing or ride a WSD bike or girly stuff. Um, NO, I HATE girly stuff, I hate flower prints and I despise the color pink. Oh and most of the time if I can find a men's/unisex bike small enough it will fit me better than a WSD bike. Why is that so hard to get through people's heads? Hence the reason I like our new LBS and Preformance and our old LBS in Charlotte. They leave me alone to find what I want that actually fits properly.

[redrhodie]

My shop can get me anything I want, usually at a discount. But that's not why I love them. The reason it's my shop is the guys. They're like family to me now, but even before I knew them so well, they were special.

It was the first place I went in when I was thinking of moving to that town. I still remember the conversation I had with Jon that day, how cool he thought the place was, how great the cycling was. He totally influenced my decision to move there.

All the guys are funny, smart, and deep. They are passionate about bikes. They love to talk. They love to ride.

When I had the bad mammo, this is where I went, who I needed to talk to. These are the people who convinced me to get the biopsy when I wanted to wait and see, because, no you can't just leave it in there! and the first ones I told when it turned out to be cancer, because I knew they would calm me down with logic and reason. These are the guys who convinced me to do group rides when I was down, and who took shortcuts back when I was fatigued. These are good friends.

Just today they lent me a brand new pump because mine died and I the one I want needs to be ordered. They always have my back. And even though I feel like family, I am one of many who feels that way. It's more like a club than a store.