Bike Shop Loyalty

[kloepo9]

Does bike shop loyalty exist?

Today, I went to another bike shop that was much cooler and nicer than the one I usually go to. Is it weird to feel like I was cheating?

[Pugz]

I think it does exist and I am someone that it aflicts. Is there a 12 step program?

[Pain Freak]

I'm a LBS junkie. I hit them all.

[kloepo9]

Sounds like spending too much money is the problem. Have gone to another bike shop, spent money, and felt weird?

[CPATCRASH]

I think it depends on how your treated there and also on how close it is to where you live. My LBS is WAY to close!

[mt dew]

I am loyal to my bike shop, La Habra Cyclery, 99% of the time. Very rare is when i stray and cheat at another shop or the internet.

[BrewMaster]

I am loyal to several shops. No need to pick just one. It's business, not sex.

[tbowren]

I think that as you frequent a store long enough you become friends with the LBS employees. They begin to recognize you and even remember your name.

Then, if you buy somewhere else it feels like betraying a friend more than a store. Especially when they have helped you over the years with bike part problems and returns of stuff you didn't like. You kind of expect them to keep giving you that level of service, so when you go somewhere else you don't feel like you are holding up your end of the relationship.

At least that's my experience anyways.

But sometimes you just have to go to Performance and get that big jug of Cytomax they have on 40% off sale. Sure you feel a bit dirty about it, but if they are REALLY your friend, they won't hold it against you.

It easy to say "It's just business. I will go wherever I can save 5$" But when you need THEM to go the extra mile for you, it would not make you happy to hear them say "Sorry I can't help you with your complaint, its just business."

[El Salt]

I wish there was one (on the west side / WLA) that I could be loyal to.

<<begin rant>>

I don’t get it... I’ve been cycling since the mid 80’s, and have lived that entire time in the WLA area (except for a very short stint in Glendale). The only shop I ever felt any kind of loyalty to was in the late 80’s / early 90’s. St. Henri in Malibu. Now, Malibu was still a drive for me (not a far as “the Path”, which seems to be the shop of choice for many on this board, and one that seems to have a great mojo, and puts on rides, film debuts, etc. – very cool). St. Henri is long gone, and since that time there isn’t any shop that I just enjoy to visit here in WLA. That is what seems so strange to me. Come on, lots of riders (road and mtn), lots of $$$ here, great trails... no shop.

So where is our “cool, good vibe, people that ride” shop? I don’t want to really use shop names, but I’m pretty sure I’ve been to them all (in the 20 years I’ve lived here and cycled here). We’ve had a “new one”, a couple of years old now, in Santa Monica. Pretty slick and shiny, but no sole. I’ve traveled all over the western states, WA, OR, AZ, UT, CO, and have come across some real gems, ones that I wish were here in WLA.

Why is it that we (west siders) don’t have more of a shop with a cycling “family”?

Do we? Am I just missing it?

I have longer (telephone) conversations with owners of two shops half the continent away. One in Colorado, and one in Montana, both places that I’ve spent major cash at, and not necessarily because of their prices, but because I get a good vibe, because they’ll talk to you. I recently spent 30 min talking to the owner of the shop in Montana. 15min talking about a CCDB, and 15min talking about bikes, trails (there and here in SoCal), and the bike business.

Maybe its just an “LA” thing, or should I say a “WLA thing”?

<<end rant>>

Sure wish we had something “good” here on the west side.

(maybe this should be its own post?)

That is all... carry on.

[Burner]

amen brother... been sayin the same for years...

[davidB]

Originally Posted by CPATCRASH

My LBS is WAY to close!

mine's WAY to far 42.3 miles lol

[PassatBoy101]

I know when my dad bought his bikes from Bike Empire he got a 10 percent deal, he got every bike from them. Since they changed owners in Poway they are now dicks so we dont go there no mas. it is out there though

[CPATCRASH]

Originally Posted by davidB

mine's WAY to far 42.3 miles lol

All my bikes now have to be either to or silver so my wife doesn't notice a new one.

[maxwell]

I believe in being loyal to your favorite shop, and I fall into the catagory of being friend's with the employee's.

Over the last 10 years I've seen it grow, go through quite a few new guy's, hit high points, and some not so high points. Happy customers, and not so happy customers. And the idea behind the shop has always stayed the same.

"Love The Bike You Ride"

And yes, I spend way to much time there!

And NO, I don't plan on changing that.

[EMrider]

I'm fortunate to have an excellent LBS. So far, no need for me to go anywhere else.

[davidB]

Originally Posted by EMrider

I'm fortunate to have an excellent LBS. So far, no need for me to go anywhere else.

you found one in the pasadena area? do tell!

[kloepo9]

It's cool to see that there are others who think about these sorts of things. I am in the process of buying a new $2000+ bike and it does not feel right to just go to the cheapest place. There should be a relationship, an experience, a soul.

(Please forgive me, but I few beers deep)

[sladnas]

Originally Posted by PassatBoy101

I know when my dad bought his bikes from Bike Empire he got a 10 percent deal, he got every bike from them. Since they changed owners in Poway they are now dicks so we dont go there no mas. it is out there though

I've been in there a few times, and their mechanic is just an ass.

[PacMan]

Originally Posted by sladnas

I've been in there a few times, and their mechanic is just an ass.

True 'dat!! And he wears Capri pants. I don't know about you, but I just can't trust a guy who wears Capris.