Sunday, March 7, 2010

Does your bike shop know who you are?

This is a post about loyalty...shop loyalty.

Back in CT where I started cycling, there was pretty much only one shop I went to, until they moved and changed owners, which coincidentally was the same time I moved up to school. Now when I go back I go to another shop, which feels a bit friendlier, but still not as awesome as my shop now. Plus, they're never open when I'm at my parents.

When I went to school I lived behind and a street over from a bike shop, which means convenience was the key. I kept going to that shop, and that shop only until I realized they would never change. Neither of the owners seemed to ride, and they never hosted rides. This turned into a big deal since I was forever looking for someone to ride with.

A couple years later (last October) I started looking for a place to bring the bike to for a tuneup. There are four bike shops in Beverly (Google says five, but one went out of business a couple years ago). The first is the one I wasn't happy with, the second is right down the street, and though I've never gone in, I never will. They reek of elitism and trendy, with all those heavy 'beach cruisers' hanging in the window. No thanks. The third I went in to check out, and though it was new, it was way too clean (seriously, bikes are dirty things!), the prices were high and I got a strange vibe. The fourth is my shop of choice, Beverly Cycles.

I went in there on my way back from shop #3 on a whim, and have been back there at least once a week (lately almost everyday). First thing that happened when I walked in was Bill, the owner, asking if I wanted to make myself a sandwich. Then we bullshitted about everything except bikes. Then we actually talked about bikes, and found out his rates, and I had found my new shop. By the third trip I felt like part of the family.

Oh yeah, and they host rides, so far inside, but outside rides are forthcoming. I've met a lot of great friends, and I can't imagine making another shop the place to be Mon/Weds and Fri nights. I even have a nickname.

So, do you have shop loyalty? Does your shop know who you are?

8 comments:

  1. I bought my bike from what is probably the biggest bike shop in town. I still make frequent purchases there. But because of their size, they don't know me, and I can't name any of their clerks or mechanics, although the woman with all the tattoos is unforgettable. (To be fair, I'm in there less than once a month.) I've found another mechanic, who charges less and seems to do better work than I've gotten from these guys, so I guess whatever loyalty I once had for the shop is waning. Oh, and these guys are also big enough that I don't feel guilty if I buy something by mail order. I expect to get a complete fitting for my current bike at a different shop in town, where the owner is renowned for his fitting ability. We'll see if that leads to a more personal relationship.

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  2. Yeah I feel ok buying parts elsewhere because, well, parts are expensive, and the same part can usually be found cheapest online. I don't skimp on the install though, having someone who know what they're doing is worth spending a bit extra per hour, but then again, my shop has the best prices.

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  3. I've only been into one LBS so far since I started riding on the open road, only because it's close to where I live. I haven't completely introduced myself, but they recognize me as a regular when I shop there.

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  4. "They reek of elitism and trendy"
    Funny seeing as how many of your posts detail the expensive clothing and accessories that you have. However, I have to agree whole-heartedly with your recommendation of Beverly Cycles. They have been there forever and I have never heard a bad word about them. I have only been in once myself but they were very friendly and helpful.

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  5. Elitism as in...they walk their bikes around more than ride, and seriously who buys one of those beach cruisers to actually ride? They weigh a ton.

    I think you have the shop mixed up...Bill has only had Beverly Cycles there for a year or so.

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  6. And trendy as in single-speeds, expresso drinking, non-helmet-wearing...at least that's a lot of what I got around my school.

    I don't deny I buy expensive gear for riding...but at least I use and abuse it. Bill's shop has such a down-to-earth, hey we work here feel.

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  7. Hey Redd, AH! THAT kind of trendy and elite! I might have them mixed up but I don't think so. In any even I was referring to the shop on Cabot St. right near the Theater. Ha-ha! A little Googling shows me that it's Browns that I was thinking of. I suck at The Real World.

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  8. Hey no worries :) I've been to Brown's plenty of times, but they're the one I used to live behind...just not enough passion from these guys sometimes.

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