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

[C.Dyer]

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.

I want to back this up completely. Craig runs a pretty special little shop out there. I grew up in Mendon, and my folks still live there. I discovered Craig's shop maybe five or six years ago when I was back visiting. Now, I drop in whenever I'm in town, just for conversation and always to make some small purchase just for the sake of supporting him.

Great guy, great shop.

[Johny]

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.

The only LBS I trust and use. There is no nicer preson than Craig. He undercharges for his great skills and service.

[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.