In praise of local bike shops

ROK ON

I wanted a tread where folks can praise the LBS. In the current era it is so easy to shop online.
In my view the LBS still is relevant.

My track pump broke at the weekend. I needed a new one so I popped into Cyclebike off Capel Street in Dublin.
Got a pump and 3 inner tubes - the guys grew in the tubes free gratis.
Every time I go in there the staff are very nice and professional.

There are three LBS that I shop in.

Cyclebike
Cycleways in Parnell Stree, Dublin
The Biglittlebikeshop in Killarney

In many cases these shops are as cheap as the online stores.
The customer service is great and very often there are discounts or freebies to say thank you.

LBS are often the backbone of many clubs, leagues, races and sportifs in this country.

Some of them are worth shopping in for the excellent job that thy do.

Alek

Some of LBS are cool, some not. I have a few on both lists.

On the other hand I have generally positive experience with online shops. There have been some mishaps here and there, things got damaged and whatnot, but at the end I have been compensated for the trouble on most occasions.

Let's not forget there are real people on the other side of the internet, too.

Ryath

I've been buying a good bit of stuff recently and I'm trying to give them as much business as possible. They are often surprisingly comparable to buying online especially if they have to order in or you give them a chance to price match. Could have bought a Force 22 group on merlin for ~€740 LBS is doing it fitted for €850. Well worth the bit extra I think.
On some things it is just out of their hands the cost price from the distributors are even higher than what the item's can be bought for online.

I'm looking for wheels at the minute the cost price to the LBS is higher than a lot of the wheels can be bought online at, Still I'm thinking it may be worth paying the bit extra they will be by first port of call if anything goes wrong. Much handier popping in to them than having to ship a wheel back to Germany. In saying that swimcylerun and cyclesuperstore a very reasonably priced for some models and wouldn't be to bad getting wheels back to them.

For certain things though the savings to made online are too substantial to ignore or there just items too hard to source here. In some cases you'd be sending more money out of the country if you bought it locally with the mark up the UK distributors have.

Got a good bit of stuff from starbike today sks chromoplastics €25 LBS said he can't even get them from the distributers at the minute. Conti racetubes €2.50, Set of Conti Force/Attack tires €60 LBS is never going to come close to these prices. SON Schmidt dynohub and light don't think you can even get these in Ireland. Mechanic in LBS who is building the dynowheel for me even bought his own dynohub and light online. I am getting the rim and spokes from them though I could have saved close to €30 if I had bought them online.

lennymc

another plus 1 for cyclebike. Customer service is very good, and I always try to buy here when I can.

tomasrojo

A recent Radiolab podcast called "Brown Box" detailed one journalist's experience working in an online retailer's warehouse. Not sure how similar all quick-turnaround online retailers are, but I'd rather support people working in LBS-style conditions.

But obviously not all parts obtainable locally. (Does anyone in Dublin do Koolstop brake pads?)

omri

Anyone knows the email to Mike Bike's in Dun Laoghaire ?

Paddigol

Got my bike in Cyclebike. Can't say a bad word about them.

But I'm going to give my +1 to Cycleplus in Greystones. Really nice guys - never get the feeling that you're getting ripped off. Top notch mechanic working there - highly recommend his bike repair course for any Noobs. And a good social side to them too - Wed & Sat morning rides organised for whoever's interested.

As I'm not minted, there are some on-line bargains that I just can't turn down. But if I can, I like to buy in the LBS. It's a real bonus having a good relationship with your LBS. You know that if you're in a fix, you'll get a dig out. If you're only saving a few bob here or there by buying on line, for tyres/ tubes/ lights/ mudguards etc, it's not worth it for me.

moonshadow

I'm very keen to buy locally , as a newbie I've had a lot of stuff to get and I'll always try the local shop, but last week I wanted new pedals and cleats , 23 e online, 48 in halfords and 78 in the local bike shop with no movement, I was disappointed and embarrassed walking out to go to halfords as I needed them that day . But I will get my new tires fitted in lbs just to get them to know me.

Slo_Rida

ROK ON wrote: »

I wanted a tread where folks can praise the LBS. In the current era it is so easy to shop online.
In my view the LBS still is relevant.

Tribikes Limerick:
I broke a chain mid session last week, arrived in still wearing full gear and the mechanic immediately took the bike he was working on down, put up mine, examined the chain, fitted a new one and off I went. The chain was €10 cheaper on CRC but CRC weren't going to fit it in minutes and have me back on the road to finish my training session.

We need to give them all the business we can while still being practical about our own costs, it's that simple.

Tenzor07

Online bike retailers are great for saving money and time if you know exactly what you are looking for..

But you can't beat the good old local bike shop for advice and help..

Nmccd

I must agree with you, the big little bike shop in Killarney offer good value, great advice and excellent service. Was there recently, great place. Supporting Small local Businesses is important

ROK ON wrote: »

I wanted a tread where folks can praise the LBS. In the current era it is so easy to shop online.
In my view the LBS still is relevant.

My track pump broke at the weekend. I needed a new one so I popped into Cyclebike off Capel Street in Dublin.
Got a pump and 3 inner tubes - the guys grew in the tubes free gratis.
Every time I go in there the staff are very nice and professional.

There are three LBS that I shop in.

Cyclebike
Cycleways in Parnell Stree, Dublin
The Biglittlebikeshop in Killarney

In many cases these shops are as cheap as the online stores.
The customer service is great and very often there are discounts or freebies to say thank you.

LBS are often the backbone of many clubs, leagues, races and sportifs in this country.

Some of them are worth shopping in for the excellent job that thy do.

omri

True but if you could save €200 on say set of wheels when you go online - would you still go local ???

Wishbone Ash

ROK ON wrote: »

...Cyclebike off Capel Street in Dublin...

lennymc wrote: »

another plus 1 for cyclebike. Customer service is very good...

Paddigol wrote: »

Got my bike in Cyclebike. Can't say a bad word about them...

Nice lads alright but does anyone else find their workshop repair times ridiculously long. For example my local LBS (Richie's, Swords) will often do a job within the hour whereas for similar work Cyclebike will take a week or more. Must be a bummer for those with one bike.

(PS - anyone know where their ex-mechanic Tony is now (was in Cycylogical and then Cyclebike)? Sound lad.

brayblue24

I like that if I'm out for a spin and something goes awry I can drop in to my LBS (Everest Cycles, Bray) on the way home for a quick pit stop-and it's never a problem no matter how busy they are. No online shop offers that.

rollingscone

I always namedrop an LBS on here whenever they help me out. Most recently stagg cycles for helping me out in a bind.

There's nothing quite like the magic of being able to have a chat about bike stuff in the local shop...sadly the drive to compete with online retailers with their often sub wholesale pricing seems to be draining some of the personality out of a lot of LBSs but I continue to try and buy in my local (ThinkBike in Rathmines whenever I can afford to)

triggermortis

I use my LBS all the time now and have been into shops in towns on my spin routes as well when needed, and found them all helpful. I'm on first name terms with my local shop now and I'm happy with the service I've had

Colonel Panic

I've had overall good experiences with Thinkbike, Cycleways and Wheelworx for assorted bike repairs and purchases.

I find that Thinkbike's workshop turnaround is the quickest and the closest to me, Cycleways is busy - they do the work quickly but getting an appointment sometimes requires a wait.

I've only bought accessories in Wheelworx but the sales guy was helpful.

I'll be checking out Cyclebike.

Tenzor07

For me I recommend Expert Cycles in Rathfarnham village, the two guys working there are national cycling champions, so offer great advice, and a quick turnaround on repairs, and they are very competitive on prices. They can usually source any part you need too.

While the likes of CRC offer amazing prices, it's usually only on some items, end of line stuff, or stock they haven't managed to shift or odd size frames or forks. For most normal stuff like tyres, clothing, accessories they are no cheaper than Cyclesuperstore or other LBS. I was very unimpressed with the CRC store up in Belfast also.

Although having said all that, you can't beat the Germans for Shimano prices and for some brands like Schwalbe or Continental which are made in Germany.

RainyDay

rollingscone wrote: »

I continue to try and buy in my local (ThinkBike in Rathmines whenever I can afford to)

Colonel Panic wrote: »

I've had overall good experiences with Thinkbike, Cycleways and Wheelworx for assorted bike repairs and purchases.

I find that Thinkbike's workshop turnaround is the quickest and the closest to me, Cycleways is busy - they do the work quickly but getting an appointment sometimes requires a wait.

Yeah, ThinkBike workshop is great, particularly the early opening and late closing - makes it much easier to drop and collect the bike. It's just such a pleasure to cycle off and find that things work - brakes brake, gears gear smoothly and cleanly, like having a whole new bike again.

Wishbone Ash

Tenzor07 wrote: »

...While the likes of CRC offer amazing prices....

A lot of people shop online for the selection available as opposed to price. Many LBS's carry limited stock or specialise in one brand of accessories/components. If you wish, for example, to buy a specific brand of chain, they are usually unwilling to order it in.

Tenzor07

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

A lot of people shop online for the selection available as opposed to price. Many LBS's carry limited stock or specialise in one brand of accessories/components. If you wish, for example, to buy a specific brand of chain, they are usually unwilling to order it in.

True in many cases I am sure, hard to source some of the more specialist items.

buffalo

An added dimension to the LBS is the money they put back into Irish cycling - I've seen more than a few logos on race advertising around the country, but the National League starting this weekend reminded me of one more reason why I love Joe Daly Cycles: http://womenscycling.ie/2014-joe-daly-cycles-womens-national-league-launched/

As an Orwell member, I'm probably biased though.

markens2

Couldn't agree more about LBS. Bikeworx in Celbridge are class. Very helpful, easy to deal with and open to a haggle.
Highly recommend them.

AdMMM

I went into Joe Daly's yesterday on the stroke of closing time to see about buying a new bike.

Dave in there let me take out two bikes for a spin to see how I felt on them. When I chose one, he then set me up on the turbo to try get the seat height bang on.

I may have spent a bit more than I initially planned for, and if I was cheeky I could have asked for some extras thrown in for free, but by this stage it was well past his closing time and I was extremely happy with the bike and how accommodating he was.

t'bear

I landed a bargain in euro cycles recently and the manager went a bunch of extra kilometers to help me. He allowed me back for a couple of test rides. He responded to email and offered two solutions which would have prevented a purchase. Very knowledgeable chap too.

buffalo

AdMMM wrote: »

Dave in there let me take out two bikes for a spin to see how I felt on them. When I chose one, he then set me up on the turbo to try get the seat height bang on.

I was in there once fitting some mudguards* I'd just bought with tools borrowed from them, and there was a lad on a turbo by the door. I asked Dave about it, and he said the guy had just bought clipless pedals for the first time, so Dave stuck him on the turbo for a while to get used to clipping in and out and reduce the chance of an accident on the way home.

*the lads did point out they would've done it afterwards (and they would've done it right first time too!), but I didn't want to waste any time.

Jocry

Myself and my wife use The Bike Hub in Howth and the guys in the shop are so hopeful, have never been let down.
It's difficult to turn away from the online shopping but I value service and guarantee and know when I have an issue the guys are there to help out with whatever I need.

Bloggsie

Mikes bikes, holy jebus, are they still trading. thats a name from the past!

Bloggsie

Cant say enough good things about the lads in Cyclebike, Terry & his crew are top class. They are equally as good with cycling virgins & the more experienced cyclist. On a recent visit while i stood asking newbie questions I could hear a staff member a what can only assume is a regular discuss the merits of cog sizes and ratios.

Harrybelafonte

Dude to serious constraints last week and then again this week, I was reluctantly forced to use LBS. Reluctant as I felt I would surely lose cap or whatever the saying is. So here's to Fitzcycles.ie where I found the item I needed for cheaper than online and Duffs in Santry who replaced all my cables, including having to drill stuff out and billed me a really good price for all their effort in the end. I'd never have got everything in fron online in time, nor would I have been able to drill the item needed. Just spreading the love.

Puggy

Bought my first road bike from a LBS 18 months ago. Some work mates had suggested buying from a shop, and to be honest, I was reluctant, as I figured I'd get a better price on-line. Anyway one of the work mates knew the shop well and introduced me. Spent €1,300 on the bike and got a pair of road shoes and Keo pedals thrown in as a "welcome to cycling" gift. Part of the deal was "free" servicing for life, which to be honest I took with a pinch of salt.

Anyway 18,000km's later, I've replaced and paid for a new cassette, chain, two sets brake pads and two sets of Gator skin tires. All the servicing and fitting has been free, the parts have been slightly more than I would have paid for on-line. I've had the wheels re trued maybe four times, at no cost.

I have bought lights etc on-line, as the shop did not have what I was looking for. Recently got a Garmin 510 bundle, and the shop matched the on-line price for me!

I now know my local bike shop and they know me, and that's maybe the most important thing, I'd happily buy or recommended them to other people.