Local Bike shop - use it or lose it!

meeeeh · 10-12-2019 11:55am

I'm very much less serious cyclist. So is OH, there is almost nothing we would buy locally. Only shopping I do regularly locally is groceries. Unless I'm in a hurry to get something I shop online. It's way more convenient.

Tenzor07 · 10-12-2019 1:26pm

meeeeh wrote: »

I'm very much less serious cyclist. So is OH, there is almost nothing we would buy locally. Only shopping I do regularly locally is groceries. Unless I'm in a hurry to get something I shop online. It's way more convenient.

Not just local bicycle shops that need peoples support, it's also the small retailer who sells clothes, electronics or other household goods...you're not just getting an item for a certain price, it's about the advice, the expertise and the piece of mind that if something goes wrong you can bring it back to the store, and most of us have transport to bring it back to that store.

I wonder how people would feel if the company they work for said they will outsource the tasks and work a locally employed person does onto a country where labor is cheaper and more readily available, just to save the bottom line financially...

A lot of online purchases can save you a lot of money, however it also encourages rampant consumerism, buying goods that aren't really going to be used and end up in some landfill a few weeks later...

So, by all means be proud that all your purchases are made online, however as people can see now in the local High street that the only retailers left are Charity shops and Bookies...

thelawman · 10-12-2019 1:29pm

I’ve got my bike back from one shop with someone else’s wheels on it.
I’ve had a paint chip down to the carbon on a top end frame.
Last year after a service the bike was left in 53/11 and would not budge!
Other bike had handlebars pointing so far left I couldn’t cycle it,

CramCycle · 10-12-2019 1:30pm

I have always supported at least one LBS, recently it had been Fitzcycles but then their rent jumped by an extortionate amount and they took the decision to close. Always out the door busy, friendly staff, decent mechanics and always engaged whenever I went in.

Joe Dalys was always good and David was/is an excellent mechanic. Funnily enough there is one between the two who all my clubmates swear by and I wouldn't be inclined to give them the time of day after the younger manager (possibly son) lied, repeatedly, to me about different things. Teir mechanic and the older lad seem good but I'd sooner walk the 20km home than give him my business to them because of the other lad. Their presumably related shop a little further west also left a sour taste in my mouth years ago.

Have to go looking for a new one now. Any recommendations between Donnybrook and Bray.

[Deleted User] · 10-12-2019 1:41pm

I used to use Joe Daly's when I was living around there. I remember the fist time I was in and it was just before they moved the older guy was flat out as the other lads were away at the Ras or Tour. Got handed a spanner to fix what ever the problem was myself possibly cranks I can't remember now

kirving · 10-12-2019 1:49pm

magicbastarder wrote: »

me the price they were being charged; at *wholesale* prices they were paying more than the online supplier was quoting at *retail*.

Unfortunately not surprising for the little guy.

The company I work for buy some machines from small automation companies, who in turn buy their components from large equipment manufacturers.

Due to the scale of the company I work for, we buy so many spare parts, that we have lots of negotiating power with the equipment manufacturers. So much so in fact, that we can buy robots directly for 40% of the cost in some cases that the small automation company can.

I try to go to the LBS when I can, but in many cases it just isn't practical as I work outside of a main city so can't make it during normal office hours.

godtabh · 10-12-2019 1:59pm

I got to my LBS at least once a month.

Went in this morning to get a di2 cable and came out with a new bike rack!

Always get my bike serviced at one particular bike shop and bought my last bike there as well

meeeeh · 10-12-2019 2:19pm

Tenzor07 wrote: »

Not just local bicycle shops that need peoples support, it's also the small retailer who sells clothes, electronics or other household goods...you're not just getting an item for a certain price, it's about the advice, the expertise and the piece of mind that if something goes wrong you can bring it back to the store, and most of us have transport to bring it back to that store.

I wonder how people would feel if the company they work for said they will outsource the tasks and work a locally employed person does onto a country where labor is cheaper and more readily available, just to save the bottom line financially...

A lot of online purchases can save you a lot of money, however it also encourages rampant consumerism, buying goods that aren't really going to be used and end up in some landfill a few weeks later...

So, by all means be proud that all your purchases are made online, however as people can see now in the local High street that the only retailers left are Charity shops and Bookies...

Thanks for the lecture but what you are saying is basically that I should continue to use type writer instead of computer so that people in type writer factory won't lose jobs.

I don't like shopping, it's a chore and if I can avoid it I will. As for rampant consumerism, I tend to be more thoughtful and less impulsive online.

Tenzor07 · 10-12-2019 2:39pm

meeeeh wrote: »

Thanks for the lecture but what you are saying is basically that I should continue to use type writer instead of computer so that people in type writer factory won't lose jobs.

I don't like shopping, it's a chore and if I can avoid it I will. As for rampant consumerism, I tend to be more thoughtful and less impulsive online.

Sorry you took it personal wasn't directed at you specifically, just quoted your post, it's more general, and a statement on how people if they continue to shop online as opposed to locally then this is what could happen...

Oberkon · 10-12-2019 2:50pm

One thing I’ve started to notice lately with a very well known shop is a phone call from a Mechanic trying to up sell other bits and pieces as part of the repair process . 2nd time in a row I had this experience.
I honestly didn’t need the other bits as they were not worn etc and I’m ocd about the bikes
So a simple request to fit or repair suddenly went sky high
Haven’t gone back

meeeeh · 10-12-2019 2:52pm

Tenzor07 wrote: »

Sorry you took it personal, however my post was more general, and a statement on how people if they continue to shop online as opposed to locally then this is what could happen...

You quoted my post and addressed most of what you wrote with 'you'. It wasn't me taking it personally it was me replying to post that was addressed to me.

I understand what you are saying but frankly I think that's exactly what will happen. Unless small sellers have some unique appeal they won't be able to compete with big retailers. I was reminded in another thread that local service I do use regularly is optician because nothing beats trying lots of frames and deciding on the right one. As for bike shops, in my case there is not much they can offer us. OH does bike repairs and similar stuff to relax from work and everything else is just handier to order online.

07Lapierre · 10-12-2019 3:29pm

Oberkon wrote: »

One thing I’ve started to notice lately with a very well known shop is a phone call from a Mechanic trying to up sell other bits and pieces as part of the repair process . 2nd time in a row I had this experience.
I honestly didn’t need the other bits as they were not worn etc and I’m ocd about the bikes
So a simple request to fit or repair suddenly went sky high
Haven’t gone back

But did you not simply refuse? I see nothing wrong with a business trying to sell to their customers? What were they trying to sell to you?

CramCycle · 10-12-2019 3:30pm

07Lapierre wrote: »

But did you not simply refuse? I see nothing wrong with a business trying to sell to their customers? What were they trying to sell to you?

I've had it once or twice as well, claims of chain or cassette being worn, would make sense to replace. They would call me though and ask did I want to get that done, sometimes I did, sometimes I didn't. If they do it without asking though, well to hell with that.

Macy0161 · 10-12-2019 3:53pm

CramCycle wrote: »

Have to go looking for a new one now. Any recommendations between Donnybrook and Bray.

Harry's, if it's not far out of the way. I was happy enough with the old bunch, but finding the new team even better tbh.

AndrewJRenko · 10-12-2019 4:06pm

Enfilade wrote: »

I used to use Joe Daly's when I was living around there. I remember the fist time I was in and it was just before they moved the older guy was flat out as the other lads were away at the Ras or Tour. Got handed a spanner to fix what ever the problem was myself possibly cranks I can't remember now

Joe wasn't reknowned for his charm or ettiquette! I'm still always a little moved when I see his bike hanging in the shop with a simple sign; "Joe's Bike". I used to see him cycling around Dundrum when he was well into his 80s.

CramCycle wrote: »

I have always supported at least one LBS, recently it had been Fitzcycles but then their rent jumped by an extortionate amount and they took the decision to close. Always out the door busy, friendly staff, decent mechanics and always engaged whenever I went in.

Joe Dalys was always good and David was/is an excellent mechanic.

He generally seems to focus on the sales these days, but he'll certainly take in a bike for service if he's around when you arrive in. Dave the service guy is very straight and direct.

07Lapierre wrote: »

But did you not simply refuse? I see nothing wrong with a business trying to sell to their customers?

There is something wrong if they're trying to sell you something you don't need under false pretences, by telling you that something needs replacement. And lots of customers wouldn't be in a position to know either way - they have to trust what the shop is telling them.

Plastik · 10-12-2019 4:08pm

Macy0161 wrote: »

Harry's, if it's not far out of the way. I was happy enough with the old bunch, but finding the new team even better tbh.

Lucasz, owner of Apex Cycles in Newbridge. He was previously listed as Ashford Cycles and based in Ashford, Wicklow. He travels the length of the N11 and beyond once a week dropping, collecting and doing out of hours home repairs. He is the only man I, and many others, let work on our bikes. You'll find his details on FB.

Other than that, everything bought online, every repair I can do or *dont need an expensive proprietary tool for at home. Too many bad experiences with bike shops to bother with any of them anymore other than the man above.

nilhg · 10-12-2019 5:04pm

Plastik wrote: »

Lucasz, owner of Apex Cycles in Newbridge. He was previously listed as Ashford Cycles and based in Ashford, Wicklow. He travels the length of the N11 and beyond once a week dropping, collecting and doing out of hours home repairs. He is the only man I, and many others, let work on our bikes. You'll find his details on FB.

Other than that, everything bought online, every repair I can do or need an expensive proprietary tool for at home. Too many bad experiences with bike shops to bother with any of them anymore other than the man above.

Absolutely agree with all the above, Lucasz is a top man but much more focused on the servicing and wheelbuilding side of the business rather than sales, and very reasonable as well.

https://www.facebook.com/APEXCYCLESKILDARE/

H.E. Pennypacker · 10-12-2019 5:57pm

nilhg wrote: »

Absolutely agree with all the above, Lucasz is a top man but much more focused on the servicing and wheelbuilding side of the business rather than sales, and very reasonable as well.

https://www.facebook.com/APEXCYCLESKILDARE/

Another vote for Lucasz - top notch work at very reasonable prices. His parts prices are very reasonable too.

@Plastik - He’s based in Kildare town now

Macy0161 · 10-12-2019 6:30pm

Whilst I'll definitely take note of the name, it still doesn't beat the convenience I get dropping a bike into Harry's before work, and collecting at home time (if not lunch depending on job/ how busy they are). I think they have courtesy bikes for those not just a short walk away.

Plastik · 10-12-2019 9:40pm

H.E. Pennypacker wrote: »

Another vote for Lucasz - top notch work at very reasonable prices. His parts prices are very reasonable too.

@Plastik - He’s based in Kildare town now

True enough, getting my Newbridge and Kildare confused!

Plenty of good lads out there I'm sure and who's convenient for one person isn't going to be convenient for someone else. I'm not saying Apex Cycles is any better or worse than Harrys (I haven't used) - and in many ways Harrys will be more convenient because if you have to give Apex a bike to do a big job and want to avail of the out of hours service then it's gone for a week until he's doing the run again to drop the bike back to you.

But the out of hours service, the pricing, the ability to conveniently contact by WhatsApp, plus the experience & knowledge, the willingness to properly troubleshoot, and being able get odd jobs done like pulling Campag Powertorque cranks, or pressing Ultratorque crank bearings while drinking a cuppa at home make Apex top of the pile for me. When you find a good reliable outfit where the mechanic is the front of house, that is the guy to use. That's the guy that understands that if the work isn't done right then it's his name, and his bottom line that suffers. Dara in Bee Cycles was (is?) the same, his shop, his name, his reputation, his bottom line.

54and56 · 10-12-2019 10:00pm

Tenzor07 wrote: »

Not just local bicycle shops that need peoples support, it's also the small retailer who sells clothes, electronics or other household goods...you're not just getting an item for a certain price, it's about the advice, the expertise and the piece of mind that if something goes wrong you can bring it back to the store, and most of us have transport to bring it back to that store.

I wonder how people would feel if the company they work for said they will outsource the tasks and work a locally employed person does onto a country where labor is cheaper and more readily available, just to save the bottom line financially...

A lot of online purchases can save you a lot of money, however it also encourages rampant consumerism, buying goods that aren't really going to be used and end up in some landfill a few weeks later...

So, by all means be proud that all your purchases are made online, however as people can see now in the local High street that the only retailers left are Charity shops and Bookies...

Bit dramatic in all fairness. Business's have to adapt to new often disruptive technology and/or new often disruptive customer demands. I buy a load of stuff online but it's almost always products where a local retailer wouldn't add any value such as pre sale advice, after sales service etc. There's no point paying a local retailer for doing not much more than adding cost to the end product.

Also, high streets (or main streets as we used to call them in Ireland) are replacing inefficient retail stores with coffee shops, restaurants, gyms etc. I can't recall which town it is but I recall seeing a documentary about a town in the UK which embraced this change and now the centre of the town is a vibrant space where people primarily live, eat and socialise with some quirky independent craft shops, barbers, bike shops, artisan bakeries and farm shops etc alongside the civic library and council offices. Almost like the town centre turned the clock back 80 years with your "big" shops like Tesco, Halfords, Boots etc all located on the edge of the town.

54and56 · 10-12-2019 10:06pm

CramCycle wrote: »

I have always supported at least one LBS, recently it had been Fitzcycles but then their rent jumped by an extortionate amount and they took the decision to close. Always out the door busy, friendly staff, decent mechanics and always engaged whenever I went in.

Joe Dalys was always good and David was/is an excellent mechanic. Funnily enough there is one between the two who all my clubmates swear by and I wouldn't be inclined to give them the time of day after the younger manager (possibly son) lied, repeatedly, to me about different things. Teir mechanic and the older lad seem good but I'd sooner walk the 20km home than give him my business to them because of the other lad. Their presumably related shop a little further west also left a sour taste in my mouth years ago.

Have to go looking for a new one now. Any recommendations between Donnybrook and Bray.

Fitz Cycles were my LBS also, really miss them particularly Karl the head mechanic who I thought was excellent.

I've kind of ended up with two LBS's now. I use Hollingsworth in Kilmacud https://www.mycycle.ie/Default.asp for all the family kit (3 X MTB's + 1 Hybrid) and servicing and I have recently started using https://www.belfieldbikeshop.com in UCD (turn left as you enter from the N11 side) for my road bike and have been very impressed with their knowledge, integrity and quality of servicing.

07Lapierre · 10-12-2019 10:15pm

CramCycle wrote: »

I've had it once or twice as well, claims of chain or cassette being worn, would make sense to replace. They would call me though and ask did I want to get that done, sometimes I did, sometimes I didn't. If they do it without asking though, well to hell with that.

I think there is a fine line between doing what the customer wants and doing what needs to be done.

Example. Customer brings in a bike and asks for new brake /gear cables. The customer expects that once the new cables are fitted, the gears will shift as good as the day they bought the bike!

The mechanic on the other hand is damned if he does, of damned if he doesn't! Replace the cables only and the gears may be ok for a while but they will stretch and go out of adjustment after a while. (Customer then gets on boards and bad mouths the shop?)
If the mechanic replaces the cables, calls the customer and recommends new chain and cassette...it may be seen as upselling? Mechanic/shop can't win?

Weepsie · 10-12-2019 11:37pm

Ive ways gone to the lbs and the mobile mechanic I sometimes use and asked them to do specific things, but said to them if they think something needs to be done just do it.

They generally have given it a more thorough look over and tweaked things before they got any worse.

Costs more on the day, but saved me money and time in long run

Tenzor07 · 11-12-2019 11:14am

54and56 wrote: »

Bit dramatic in all fairness. Business's have to adapt to new often disruptive technology and/or new often disruptive customer demands. I buy a load of stuff online but it's almost always products where a local retailer wouldn't add any value such as pre sale advice, after sales service etc. There's no point paying a local retailer for doing not much more than adding cost to the end product.

Also, high streets (or main streets as we used to call them in Ireland) are replacing inefficient retail stores with coffee shops, restaurants, gyms etc. I can't recall which town it is but I recall seeing a documentary about a town in the UK which embraced this change and now the centre of the town is a vibrant space where people primarily live, eat and socialise with some quirky independent craft shops, barbers, bike shops, artisan bakeries and farm shops etc alongside the civic library and council offices. Almost like the town centre turned the clock back 80 years with your "big" shops like Tesco, Halfords, Boots etc all located on the edge of the town.

Hardly, just look at say Rathfarnham village, full of charity stores and bookies as an example....

Getting back to bicycles, and a point I've made already.... With bicycles becoming more complex I would hate to see Online pack and stack retailers putting more and more LBS out of Business... Bicycles these days aren't what they were 20 years ago, we now have hydraulic brakes, suspension systems i.e. coil and air shocks, electric/wireless drivetrains, and of course electric bicycles, how many people feel comfortable removing a motor to service it?

Tenzor07 · 11-12-2019 11:18am

07Lapierre wrote: »

If the mechanic replaces the cables, calls the customer and recommends new chain and cassette...it may be seen as upselling? Mechanic/shop can't win?

If I was a bike mechanic I wouldn't feel comfortable sending a bike out with a failing drivetrain that could potentially cause a safety issue, however i'm sure the customer would receive a call and be made aware of the issues...

Just like leaving your car in for an oil change and being told the braking system is worn to the limits, would the driver of the car feel comfortable driving around in a potentially unsafe vehicle?

CramCycle · 11-12-2019 11:40am

07Lapierre wrote: »

I think there is a fine line between doing what the customer wants and doing what needs to be done.

Example. Customer brings in a bike and asks for new brake /gear cables. The customer expects that once the new cables are fitted, the gears will shift as good as the day they bought the bike!

The mechanic on the other hand is damned if he does, of damned if he doesn't! Replace the cables only and the gears may be ok for a while but they will stretch and go out of adjustment after a while. (Customer then gets on boards and bad mouths the shop?)
If the mechanic replaces the cables, calls the customer and recommends new chain and cassette...it may be seen as upselling? Mechanic/shop can't win?

And thats not what I am on about, some shops will do it but I have had mechanics ring me and say, your chain is fairly worn, or cassette is fairly worn, you'll get a bit out of it or the work your getting done won't be great without it, I can then say fire away or, leave it for now.

Bad mouth a shop if they do it without asking by all means as some people might not have the cash for it but I wouldn't bad mouth a shop who ring me and say, this is also an issue, we can fix it or leave it, your choice.

magicbastarder · 11-12-2019 11:59am

Tenzor07 wrote: »

With bicycles becoming more complex I would hate to see Online pack and stack retailers putting more and more LBS out of Business... Bicycles these days aren't what they were 20 years ago, we now have hydraulic brakes, suspension systems i.e. coil and air shocks, electric/wireless drivetrains, and of course electric bicycles, how many people feel comfortable removing a motor to service it?

this was something i was wondering about recently, how this will change what sort of volume the mechanics will be dealing with.
i recently saw - more accurately heard - an e-bike, which sounded like a bag of spanners in a washing machine. so the issue sounded mechanical., but i guess electric motors will do a faster job of wearing down drivetrains than legs alone?

Tenzor07 · 11-12-2019 12:07pm

magicbastarder wrote: »

this was something i was wondering about recently, how this will change what sort of volume the mechanics will be dealing with.
i recently saw - more accurately heard - an e-bike, which sounded like a bag of spanners in a washing machine. so the issue sounded mechanical., but i guess electric motors will do a faster job of wearing down drivetrains than legs alone?

Sales of eBikes in Europe are only going up, whereas analog bike sales are flat, so i'd say the need to have trained mechanics servicing these bikes will increase.

Some eBikes require the removal of the motor to change the battery, servicing the motor, and also the fact that drive trains and brakes are under more pressure from the additional torque put on the drive train, and wear on brakes from the heavy bikes...

07Lapierre · 11-12-2019 3:06pm

5 reasons to support your LBS:

https://www.redbull.com/gb-en/why-you-should-support-local-bike-shop

Local Bike shop - use it or lose it!

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