LBS appreciation thread - say something good about your LBS

[DCT]

my shop is daves cycle in cos cob greenwich. i bring them lots of business and they give me lots of beer. all the guys are cool and ride a bunch. u feel totally at ease hanging out there. i'm usually there every day either on a ride, or drinking a beer

what these guys don't have, i'll go to svelte or international bike. i've also got a bro who runs the bicycle depot in new paltz, ny who is pretty awesome.

ps- this is a "no complaining thread". lets be positive

[krthornton]

I go to Edge Cyclesports in Laguna Woods, CA. I first found them because they were the closes IF dealer to my place when I moved back West, and I knew I wanted an IF. Been going back ever since, and they did the build kit for my Strong for me, and numerous repair work when needed.

Good people, great service. It has been good to see them doing well in the recession--they recently expanded and moved into a larger space, and are taking on some new brands (Moots).

If I can't get it from there (or if they tell me they can't get it for a reasonable price, which they're up-front about when it matters), I usually go to Brendan or Flux.

[moran]

I like the Bike Hub in GB Wisconsin a lot. Good people, good service, good bikes. What more can you ask for?

Now that I am in Arkansas, I go to Phat Tire. Great guys....but it's more about mountain biking down here, so assortment on road stuff is understandably limited. In which case...when I get in a pinch I call Svelte or CC, and both have been fantastic. Justin got me cross tires, new bars, stem, etc...on very short notice this year and I am still grateful!

[962]

the shop at Bicycle Outfitters in Los Altos, CA

Ryan (mechanic) put my bike together, expediently replaced a Record chain that didn't go on right, quoted me $225 labor and charged me $175 because the build went faster due to prep that was done ahead of time. Great job with the details—cable housing length and routing perfect, handlebar tape, etc. Took it back to have the steerer cut and they swapped out the very nice (straight-edged, proper diameter) spacers for different sizes, no charge, etc. I would definitely take back my bike to their shop for just regular service—new chain, new cables, new tape, not because I can't do it but because I know it was done right the first time...

I hope that all doesn't sound just like basic stuff you would expect for any build but I did feel like I (and my bike/build) were treated professionally and with care...

[dbrk]

the mendon cyclesmith. mendon, new york. (that's greater rochester)
one man shop. there's nothing i wouldn't trust with craig smith. and i've got the sort of stuff that very few shops have ever seen, let alone really understand. does your shop know how a cyclo 4 speed works or a campagnolo paris-roubaix? every possible mtn bike bit, ever. it doesn't matter what you're looking at, this guy gets it. but even better than his pro skills that cover everything from waaay before super record to new super record is his love of all bikes: craig wants people simply to enjoy riding, no matter what kind of bike or how they ride. hudson and jack, his two dogs, offer large love too. i just never go in shops that look like stores anymore. this one looks like a really busy, really competent guy works there. like i said, pretty much by himself.

wheelfine. lambertville, new jersey. michael. this man you have to meet. old school totally contemporary. again, one man who really knows.

bicycle specialties. toronto. closed. no living human knows more than mike barry about bicycles, repairing, restoring, and how they work. nobody.

[ty-ro]

Mitch always helps me when I am having trouble wrenching my bike and he orders stuff for me next day with no shipping charges. He's a really nice guy, treats me right, and it's nice to talk face to face with someone about things.

[bironi]

Well this is a little recycled material from four years back and across the hall. It's still relevant to the subject.

"I feel very fortunate. I am fairly new to the Olympia, WA region, about 3 years, but I think Seattle has nothing over the cycling scene here. I am especially impressed with the best bike shop in town. The Bike Stand is managed by Bill Stevenson, a custom steel frame builder, who is a great asset to the cycling community in Olympia. He builds a quality ride, leads local rides, leads spin classes in the winter, builds wheels, keeps our bikes in good running order. Anyone may walk back to his workstand to chat while he goes about his business. He seems to know everyone in the industry, and many from his racing past. I swap cycling books and videos with him regularly, and suck his wheel on many a local ride.

He told me today that business is up 91 percent from last year. His attitude and reputation and commitment keep us all coming back for more service. I hope all of you are as lucky as we are here in my community. I would like to hear how things are in your area. What do you think of your best local bike shop?"

I doubt that business is up 91 percent from last year, but I don't know the numbers. Bill Stevenson still runs a very good bike shop, and is still a great asset to this cycling community. I could add more about the shop's contributions, but I still stand by my opinion from four years back.

I know that I'm lucky to live where I do, and that not every community has a great shop. I was just in Port Townsend, Wa. this weekend, and I did not find a shop that enticed me through the front door.

Byron

[anomaly]

Citizen Chain is the bees knees

[The Bridge Guy]

I go to Edge Cyclesports in Laguna Woods, CA. I first found them because they were the closes IF dealer to my place when I moved back West, and I knew I wanted an IF. Been going back ever since, and they did the build kit for my Strong for me, and numerous repair work when needed.

Good people, great service. It has been good to see them doing well in the recession--they recently expanded and moved into a larger space, and are taking on some new brands (Moots).

If I can't get it from there (or if they tell me they can't get it for a reasonable price, which they're up-front about when it matters), I usually go to Brendan or Flux.

+1, I have known Hank for over twenty years from the Bicycles Etc. days, you chose well.

[Moke]

I have three LBSes. Bikefactory in Honolulu supports the cycling community and sponsors our team. Great shop and great folks. When in Portland Cyclepath is where I go. Never fails, when on the road something bad happens to bikes on planes. Joshua and the boys take great care of out of towners and local folks as well. I have never been in a bikeshop that was more friendly to every costumer that walks thru the door than those guys, and I have been to hundreds of shops. Does not hurt to have a pizza and beer joint next door either.
In Missoula my LBS is Hellgate Cycles. Service and used bike sales oriented. Those guys are great wrenches and take care of my out of town living bikes. No matter how messed up my loaner bikes get when I am not there to tend to them, the Hellgate boys patch them up and keep them rolling for the next Knucklehead friend of mine to break.

[SteveP]

a great lbs has always been the heart of the cycling community.
pretty much everyone started there.

support these guys. they make it happen.

[jb1883us]

Terry's Cycle in Alma, Michigan. Mike Naperalski used to wrench for the Volvo Cannondale mountain bike team. I trust anything bicycle-related with him and have the ultimate confidence it'll get done fast and right. Couldn't ask for a better set-up.

[Tandem Rider]

I appreciate Matthews Bicycles in Indianapolis. Honest, fair and knowledgeable. I wish that all businesses that I deal with were as good.

[ron l edmiston]

jonathan greene and/or the bike shop in winter haven fl ---- keep this ole man a ridin ...

ronnie

[Sparky]

I'm with Darren , I go to the Bicycle Depot in New Paltz NY. They are the best imo

[El Chaba]

Since I do all of my own work ( and a good bit for old teammates and other riding friends) I am not dependant on the really close shops for much of anything. Whenever I need that funky part, though, my favorite shop is ERA Pro Bicycles in Lancaster, PA....From Nalini shorts (the world's best) to PMP hubs it is all in stock...They have set up a number of people from my area (120 miles away) and perfectly set them up with a nice Olmo, Moser or Carrera (as opposed to a generic trek or Spethialized) and created extremely loyal customers in the process...great people running this shop with great products.

[mainemike]

i love my local shop: bath cycle and ski. i've been going there for years and years. i'm allowed to use the back door (oh its a privelege) and have spent way too much time drinking beer w/the wrenches. the owner's name is davis, and i have f.o.d status, friend of davis-automatic discount. creaky floors, way too much stuff, old stuff too, coffee, cookies and a willingness to go way of the way for their customers. 5 stars! ps: i have never once heard the word colorway or curate there, not once, and that pleases me.

[acotts]

Contes is close. The host a good hill ride on Tuesdays. They carry some pretty cool stuff. They were open during the last huge snow storm. I thought that was pretty cool.

[Saab2000]

My LBS, Ada Bike Shop, in Ada, MI has Phil Wood bottom bracket tools.

Another, Speed Merchants, in Rockford, MI actually stocks Campagnolo cables.

Seriously, I did grab a few cool things at the LBS and they recently helped me out by giving me a tiny pack of carbon paste for free. They got it for free too, but at least they didn't try to charge for it. Just a, "Here, take it. Have fun!". I liked that. Little thing like that might get me to go back more often.

[DOOFUS]

Outspokin in Columbia SC. Owner Brian Curran is a longtime racer and multiple State Champ medalist who knows what gear works and what doesn't. He's one of the few shop owners I've run across who will be straight with customers regarding what the best choice for their needs is, without upselling or patronizing, leaves teh customer satisfied with their purchase, backs the product all the way, and makes great relationships with his customers that last for years. He's a sharp businessman who's kept his shop thriving for 16 years in Columbia (before that he was manager for 5-6 years; the shop opened in the early 80s). He also knows how to run a weekend warrior race team. Nobody gets free stuff, nobody gets the bullshit USCF "star treatment" just because they're a Cat 2. Super great guy and great shop.

College Cycles in Rock Hill SC. The roof is falling in because the landlord is a sleeze, the back room has as many guns in it as bikes, amateur porn "actresses," along with goth and bondage scene folks from Charlotte have been known to hang out in the shop area, and the owner is a beauty of a nutcase. I love Robert Baker. He fixes my bike on a moment's notice, is always in a good mood, and has gone the extra mile more than once in chasing down a closeout frame or needed part. He's my underground sponsor, and a pal for 10 years now.