Bike Shop Loyalty

I recently found a shop that I like to go to, like the people, and it has soul. I recently wrote a review of said shop(Cal Coast). When I first got into biking we(South SD) had the best shop around by far(Mission Cyclery), unfortunately the devil of bike shops(Performance) swooped in and forced them to sell, they were a family affair, owned and operated by the same family for 25 years. Such a sad story for the local cycling community. I miss this shop every time I think about going to a bike shop.
 
I'm mostly guilty of LBS loyalty. The only real reason I go anywhere else is in stock items. I hate waiting for something to be ordered, I want to walk in and buy the item I need.
 
Absofrigginlutely--but it's a balancing act. If a shop (bike or other) provides me with exceptional service, I reciprocate by giving them my business as long as their prices are fair.

If prices are dramatically more than the competition or if service is consistently poor, then I seek a shop that can better meet my needs.
 
Stupid to rant.

The shop I want and do support the most is doing its best to keep its patrons happy. The owner is a friend and the two main Asst Mgrs are great. Many shops have killer vibes and feel... dare I say - "Dirty", "organic". I failed to recognize "Roadie" clean vs MTB clean. My LBS is like a NASCAR garage - clean neat and orderly. I wear the colors of my LBS, wave the flag for then at festivals.
 
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I have been to a few bike shops in O.C. I must say that I am loyal to one and it just happens to be the closest one to me. I have no need to go anywhere else. :clap:
 
Unfortunately, the LBS around here (3 within 4 1/2 miles) are pretty cool to deal with, good people, but I never get any service done at shops since I do my own and their prices are a bit higher then most and none of them ever have what I need/want in stock (most shops don't).

I have bought riding gear for the Mrs and kids from one of the shops though.

The best shop was one I spent a good amount of cash at but that was between 2000 and 2005 before all the good employees left. The Path reminds me of that shop at that time.

Another cool shop about 20min drive that has a very cool vibe to it is Newhall Bicycle Co. Roger is a very cool cat. I have not been there for some time though as I have not had a reason. If they are still there when I get my next roadie I will buy from them.

:beer:
 
Whatever Maxwell...

maxwell said:
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! :lol:

And NO, I don't plan on changing that. :beer:
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Naw, bike shop loyalty is overrated...who needs 'em, doesn't everyone love getting worked over by some online-no-customer-service-severe-lack-of-knowledge-profit-driven-money-monger?

... I'm in the same boat as Maxwell, GO SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL BIKE SHOPS!

Especially during times of economic downturns, it's tempting to just find the lowest prices, resist this temptation and support the solid brick & mortor shops. Besides, I believe they're still the best value for your money. I've heard it said, "...it's the cheap ones that end up spending the most in the end..."

Here in Tustin, we're fortunate to have a couple solid options in very near proximity.

Aukmal
 
davidB said:
you found one in the pasadena area? do tell!
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Jones bikes in San Marino, on Huntington Drive.

Not the biggest LBS, but I've found them to be very helpful and friendly. On all bikes they sell, they offer lifetime free tune ups and their mechanic(s) do quality work the first time.

R
 
El Salt said:
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.
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I feel the exact same way about shops on the Westside. Although it's ~40 miles away, I consider that one shop in Tustin as my LBS. The drive's always long, but I know I'll always feel welcomed and leave happy. Thus, I'll always be loyal to them. On the flip side, luckily we don't have a shop like that in West LA..........I would've declared bankruptcy awhile ago!
 
Living in Tustin for two dozen years leaves me a bit biased naturally, but do agree with brew master regarding fidelity.
 
Shop Loyalty...

I have it. I know several shop owners but it will take a lot to get me to purchase anywhere but The Path. I don't have any negative things to say about those other shops.... it's just Tani and the gang are great and loyal to me as well. Awesome shop!

thanks guys!!!!
 
bjammin said:
I want to kick his ass.
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Haha, dude, I know. One time he came to one of our rides and we were going up a hill. He was getting on everyone's nerves and I asked him straight up, "do you want me to kick your ass?"

Priceless.
 
OMG--I remember that. I was right behind him. What a douche.

I was riding with him once and I went down in some cactus. Dude wouldn't even help me pick the needles out of my @$$. Total Choad. Seriously!!
 
PacMan said:
OMG--I remember that. I was right behind him. What a douche.

I was riding with him once and I went down in some cactus. Dude wouldn't even help me pick the needles out of my @$$. Total Choad. Seriously!!
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Thanks for my new signature! :bang:
 
I'm a bit of a creature of habit so once I find a shop I like, I do stick with them.

Conversely, if I go into one that sucks, I usually never go back, regardless of how good the stuff they carry, or how close to ome it is.


I've had more bad experiences at road centric shops then mountain, but some of my closest of each I never frequent due to being ignored on my first visit - one is even managed by a friend of the family.
 
I used to work at another shop until I got hired over at Helen's Cycles of Arcadia. Working there I would see what I thought were loyal customers at my old shop shopping at Helen's. As soon as they saw and realized who I was, the looks are their faces were priceless :lol: I know loyal customer's exist, but I realized that people are always looking for a good deal out there. Final word, if you find yourself with a good shop that treats you well, no real reason to shop at other shops, unless its inconvenient for you i.e. you have to purchase a tube.
 

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