LBS

[HLaB]

All you ever get in my LBS if they not got it in stock is.......I'll order you one....be in next week

Unfortunately that's my experience of LBS's

 

[compo]

All you ever get in my LBS if they not got it in stock is.......I'll order you one....be in next week

Unfortunately that's my experience of LBS's

Years ago all a LBS needed to stock was about 3 sizes of tube and tyres, a couple of sizes of chains, two or three sizes of ball bearings and a box of cotter pins and he was in business. Even headsets were pretty much interchangeable between different manufacturers and models. Compare to now with so many models and variations, all requiring different parts with reduced interchangeability. Just think how often we see queries on here about which parts will fit which bike. It is just not practical for a small shop to stock everything, and a large stock would probably mean a financial outlay far beyond the means of a small LBS. Unfortunately for these small shops this is where the internet comes into it's own. Unfortunately for cyclists this is where why say goodbye to so many bike shops who find it impossible to compete. We are all ultimately losers, shops and customers.

 

[HLaB]

Years ago all a LBS needed to stock was about 3 sizes of tube and tyres, a couple of sizes of chains, two or three sizes of ball bearings and a box of cotter pins and he was in business. Even headsets were pretty much interchangeable between different manufacturers and models. Compare to now with so many models and variations, all requiring different parts with reduced interchangeability. Just think how often we see queries on here about which parts will fit which bike. It is just not practical for a small shop to stock everything, and a large stock would probably mean a financial outlay far beyond the means of a small LBS. Unfortunately for these small shops this is where the internet comes into it's own. Unfortunately for cyclists this is where why say goodbye to so many bike shops who find it impossible to compete. We are all ultimately losers, shops and customers.

I hear what you are saying but all too often I've went into the lbs for basic things, grease, brake pads, gear cables, etc and they've not had them, the usual line is they are due in next week

 

[e-rider]

Specialized cycles in Norwich know their stuff, but don't stock much and what they have is quite pricey. All other Norwich shop are quite rubbish IMO - I buy online.

 

[jiggerypokery]

Scotts Cycles of Hall Green in Birmingham are my fave LBS of choice - very old skool, dark, bit dingy and mucky but they have everything and anything, can fix and fettle ANYTHING and will chat for hours. I would love to be allowed free reign in there

 

[e-rider]

Scotts Cycles of Hall Green in Birmingham are my fave LBS of choice - very old skool, dark, bit dingy and mucky but they have everything and anything, can fix and fettle ANYTHING and will chat for hours. I would love to be allowed free reign in there

what would you do? Fill your pockets with bearings?

 

[postman]

Edinburgh Cycles in Chapel Allerton Leeds 7 get my vote often offer free advice and help.Good at getting stuff in for you.

 

[Jefferson Meriwether]

Soanes Cycles in Colyton are my LBS of choice for repairs & buying new bikes. I often buy bits & pieces from Auto-Bitz in Bridport; they're good for that kind of thing.