Grrrr, why can't bike shops sell the bits you want

[alecstilleyedye]

A PROPER LBS has a small door to an Aladin's cave of ancient parts and accessories, draw cabinets full of little bits and pieces that haven't been opened for years and an old work bench with a vice and tobacco tins on top and some nice looking frames stuffed underneath.
A PROPER LBS has a sturdy lock-up with the Master's track bike hanging on hooks with an old blue overall as a dust cover.
A PROPER LBS has a small brass bell above the door which tinkles when the door opens and closes.
A PROPER LBS has a big pile of broken bits in the back yard.
A PROPER LBS has a Monsieur Michelin sticker in the window with the edges peeled up where young lads have picked at it while waiting for wheels to be trued.
A PROPER LBS has a faded Poster of Eddy Merckx above the shelf behind the cash register.
A PROPER LBS has no carpet. There is an offcut of old brown lino where the Master sits on his wooden swivel chair.
A PROPER LBS has a card box with inner tubes in it with marker pen writing on the side "Punctured. 50p to Air Ambulance"

i know one not unlike that. they have managed to find for me a bracket for downtube shifters/cable runs, and a shimano sti brake mounting bracket from boxes of 'stuff'. i've had an old 531 frameset which came with a bar and stem combo that was lying around on the floor of the cellar. they're the place i go when i just don't have the tools or knowhow to do the job myself.

 

[jimboalee]

i know one not unlike that. they have managed to find for me a bracket for downtube shifters/cable runs, and a shimano sti brake mounting bracket from boxes of 'stuff'. i've had an old 531 frameset which came with a bar and stem combo that was lying around on the floor of the cellar. they're the place i go when i just don't have the tools or knowhow to do the job myself.

And MOST important of all, when you find a LBS where the staff know something about bikes...

When you fancy upgrading, you go in and discuss the possibilities before you order the parts,

AND

Shop there regularly, because when you have a mishap, they will lend you something to keep you going until the replacement parts arrive.

 

[MontyVeda]

You seem to be confusing a 'bike shop that just happens to be local to you' with what most people consider a 'LBS' to be.

There are plenty of bike shops in Lancaster, but none of hem qualify as a LBS because they are simply variations of the 'spotty youth selling mtbs and stuff'.

Our true LBS is 30 minutes away, and he has over 200 rims in stock of every sort. That's why Hewitt's is a LBS, but Evans, Lakes Leisure, The Edge, etc aren't.

Proximity (L) is only one criteria that makes up a LBS. They also need to be a proper BS to qualify.

I agree wholeheartedly Tim, in Lancaster LBS stands for local bull shoot.

I've been told at one shop (now gladly shut for good) that I can't just buy headset bearings, i need a new headset at £27 min... so after telling the assistant he was talking out of his arse i toddled off the next bike shop and bought said bearings for 60p

now in this bikeshop... one young member of staff told me 'nobody needs lowriders' when i asked if they had any in stock, so I repleid "they are handy, especially when going uphill on a heavily laden bike". To which the thick young bastard replied 'there aren't any hills around here'... in Lancaster!!

However there is new bike shop in town; Destination Cycles and they seem pretty good/friendly/helpful.

but if you want choice and value, go online.

 

[e-rider]

+1 for online. I've been listening to nothing but bullshit for the last 20 years from LBSs

 

[jimboalee]

The good thing about living where I do is there are half a dozen bike shops within an hour's ride away.

There were plenty more. Crowthers, Hopkins, Tower, Priory, Thornhill's and Sutton have closed but Scott's, Red Kite, ProBike racing, Gascoigne's, Harbourne, JJ's, Ladypool, Northfield, Halesowen and Mike Vaughan still operate. There is also John Atkins and Kelvin in Leamington.

If one gives lousey service, the others soon know about it. And all the club riders for 25 miles get to know about it too.