further proof the little bike shops will die...

Creamy Goodness

Went out for a spin yesterday, but before i done that I was cleaning down my bike as we are getting some work done on the house which is leading to dust everywhere and i took off my saddle bag which had my spare tubes and Co2 cannisters in it.

went off on the spin and ended up near stephen's green when i hit a pretty big pot hole which caused a blowout. Thought to myself - after realising i had no tubes with me - that it'll be fine i'll hit up the nearest bike shop and get them to replace the tube for me and cycle back home no problem.

arrived at the store at 3:00pm and enquired about getting a new tube fitted into my back wheel. only to be greeted by... sorry no more repairs today (sign on the door said they were open until 7) and there was only one other person in the shop with me yet there was three staff so it wasn't like they were short staffed for the amount of people in the store. then asked if i left the wheel there how long would it take (was just being curious at this stage) and was told it would be friday. friday? as in it takes 6 days including a bank holiday to change a tube? even 2 days is pushing it. then i was rudely asked was i going to buy the tube or not, suffice to say i didn't and i took the bike home on the dart as i was in a rush to get back home.

it's not a wonder that these shops are dying out and quite frankly i'll never spend a penny in that shop.

Diarmuid

How many LBS did you try?

storm2811

I always go to the little shops,usually I find they're far more experienced and more friendly.
Obviously wouldn't be the same in ALL small bike shops though.

IM0

I see whats happened here, your seem to have somehow got it into your head that the earth orbits you, its actually the other way round. Not saying that its ok to wait 6 days to get a tube fixed, but they have other customers and people collecting bikes to be built [not an excuse an explanation] Its ****, but most fix their own tyres and those who dont pay lots to get it a week later :pac:

Golfanatic

just a question, why didnt you buy it and fix it yourself. any ways that was fairly bent i know bike shops that let me borrow there tools but im well known there. the shop i work in does it in 20 mins regardless sometimes not on sundays and am sure thats the same wuth every other bike shop

feck sake lads

the op was correct not buying the new tube from them if there going to treat customers like that it's time there were out of business.IMHO

CramCycle

Most LBS take ages for this sort of thng if they are busy and usually charge for their time (only fair). Most, as was said, though will let you use their tools if you buy it from them, several bike shops I have found myself in their workshop changing tubes, it's quicker and simpler, I remember the bike shop in UCD when I was there had a wait time of over 2 weeks for a tube change simply due to the volume of bikes they had but would happily lend you the tools FOC if you would do it yourself.

This doesn't sound like the case for you but I'm just saying it is not always as simple.

chakattack

Why do you have a saddle bag with tubes and CO2 if you don't know how to use them?

If the shop was genuinely busy then I can see where they're coming from.

I'm sure if the mechanics were quiet they would have done it there and then as it's a 5-10 min job.

-Chris-

Creamy Goodness wrote: »

i took off my saddle bag which had my spare tubes and Co2 cannisters in it.

chakattack wrote: »

Why do you have a saddle bag with tubes and CO2 if you don't know how to use them?

---

Creamy Goodness wrote: »

there was only one other person in the shop with me yet there was three staff so it wasn't like they were short staffed for the amount of people in the store.

chakattack wrote: »

If the shop was genuinely busy then I can see where they're coming from.

---

Creamy Goodness wrote: »

asked if i left the wheel there how long would it take (was just being curious at this stage) and was told it would be friday.

chakattack wrote: »

I'm sure if the mechanics were quiet they would have done it there and then as it's a 5-10 min job.

---

Did you even read the post???

chakattack

-Chris- wrote: »

---

---

---

Did you even read the post???

Yes I did.

My point was that if the OP (usually) has tubes and CO2 with him he should know how to use them and not have to pay someone in a shop to change a tube. If I was caught short I'd buy a tube and possibly levers and then borrow a pump to fix it myself rather than getting the train home.

Also, in some shops there are floor staff who perform one job (selling) and mechanics who perform another (fixing).

ballyharpat

I don't think you read his post, he took the saddle bag off and left it at home-that means he did not have his repair kit with him-that means he was not at home when he got the puncture.

chakattack

ballyharpat wrote: »

I don't think you read his post, he took the saddle bag off and left it at home-that means he did not have his repair kit with him-that means he was not at home when he got the puncture.

:eek:

I read the post!

What good is a saddle bag (even on the bike - on the road - at the time of puncturing) if you can't change a tube on your own?

Before anyone goes promoting the demise of small local shops please remember that Chain Reaction or Wiggle will never fix punctures or carry out repairs.

-Chris-

What tube, with what tools, inflating it with what device?

Why do you think he went to the bloody bikeshop?

Thomas_S_Hunterson

Square Wheel Cycleworks, folks (I assume it's still open). It's a proper repair shop, not a box-merchant.

chakattack

-Chris- wrote: »

What tube, with what tools, inflating it with what device?

Why do you think he went to the bloody bikeshop?

There was a range of options

(a) buy a tube and borrow a pump and levers to change the tube yourself...cycle home

(b) buy a tube and pay to have it changed for you (if the mechanics are not busy with repairs and builds)

(c) if (a) and (b) fail try another more reasonable or quieter bike shop

(d) get angry - get the train - post on the internet calling for bike shops to be shut down

CathleenN

If all other little bike shops die I hope that my nearest one will be spared It charges very reasonable prices, the service is quick enough, and the people employed are angels. Had my bike checked up with them, next week it developed a minor problem (not their fault at all, no way they could see it happening at the time of check up). They fixed it straightaway and refused to take any money since "you had your bike serviced with us only last week!" No way I go to any larger bike shop (or indeed any other bike shop ) for service.

Lumen

They obviously didn't want to change your tube for you, which is fair enough - they're under no obligation, but the six day estimate was just taking the piss.

Which shop was it? Just in case I need to merge the threads...

racso1975

I have had the similar problem in newbridge. 6 day wait. In naas i was told the shop would not repair service or fix a puncture on a bike it did not sell! In carlow though i got new tube done, like the op no saddle bag with me, and it only cost a tenner and fix'd on the spot! Will always try to go back to him

Cabaal

feck sake lads wrote: »

the op was correct not buying the new tube from them if there going to treat customers like that it's time there were out of business.IMHO

Why should the OP get preference over other customers though?

Qualitymark

me@ucd wrote: »

I see whats happened here, your seem to have somehow got it into your head that the earth orbits you, its actually the other way round.

Puzzled. I never studied science, but this sounds wrong.

For future ref, go to Think Bike (ThinkBike?) in Rathmines. Superb bike techs, go the extra kilo without being asked - I left a bike in to have a back carrier fitted and they did a complete service without extra charge. (Good move: I brought another bike in and got €€€ worth of work done on it - new back wheel, gears, chain, cable, etc.)

Quigs Snr

The one good thing about being down in the South East is that I can look at all these threads giving out about local bike shops and scratch my head in incomprehension.

Every bike shop within a 30 mile radius of here ranges from good to great in terms of service. I initially thought it might be because due to the smaller populations they might not be as busy, but given how much time I hang around these places I can say thats not true. If anything most of them are expanding to cover the demand, one of them has even opened a second store a few doors down from itself just for its clothing and tri gear. All the shops are owned by former cyclists though.... maybe that helps ?

anoble66

No complaints down my way either, bike shop here even spent 30mins with my bike on the stand working on it - wouldnt take a cent from me. He even had bikes waiting to be worked on so it wasnt like he had loads of free time. I only called in looking for his advice not for him to actually fix the problem - top guy and top lbs - Moyhans of Nenagh.

Quigs Snr wrote: »

The one good thing about being down in the South East is that I can look at all these threads giving out about local bike shops and scratch my head in incomprehension.

Every bike shop within a 30 mile radius of here ranges from good to great in terms of service. I initially thought it might be because due to the smaller populations they might not be as busy, but given how much time I hang around these places I can say thats not true. If anything most of them are expanding to cover the demand, one of them has even opened a second store a few doors down from itself just for its clothing and tri gear. All the shops are owned by former cyclists though.... maybe that helps ?

Lumen

Quigs Snr wrote: »

All the shops are owned by former cyclists though.... maybe that helps ?

No it doesn't.

I think it's just a Dublin thing. In an anonymous city reputation means less so there is no penalty for being a dick.

I know people who live in a village where pubs have gone out of business because one person got the hump with another person and it got out of hand. Anyone who sucessfully runs a village pub should therefore be sent straight to the middle east.

short circuit

Its not just the shops which have a bad customer service reputation that are slammed with work .... Joe Daly ... one of the nicest shops around and the guys always willing to help you out. Took a friends bike to just put a bottom bracket in .... minimum time was 7 days. In theory, its a 10min job ... Tried to do it at home and failed ... it seems the BB or the bike threads are too fresh and need some reaming.

Something tells me 7 days to put in a BB in a bit much ... I can see why though ... selling a new bike with 30mins prep work probably nets them much more than putting a BB in.

IMHO ... the bad shops are just bad ... the good ones like JD, just struggle to get good mechanics to do quick turnarounds ... especially during summer. And the B2W seems to have done a bit less for the good shops .. It has helped, but it has also led to 2 many people with no experience either setting up shops or getting hired into shops and then don't really care about bikes or customer service as the next person with a voucher is just walking in.

Traumadoc

There seems to be more interest in cycling than ever - it may be a reflection of how busy small bike shops are that you cannot get immediate service- I certainly do not think that small bike shops will die out - from what I see it looks like a very good business to be in at the moment.

Joxer_S

@racso1975

In carlow though i got new tube done, like the op no saddle bag with me, and it only cost a tenner and fix'd on the spot! Will always try to go back to him

Which shop was this?

kona

Just like cyclists think motorists should spend a little time cycling the Roads and see things from the cyclists perspective.......I think Cyclists should work in a bike shop and see things from a retail perspective.

OP, you have to understand that while a bike shop may not have any customers in it, you can bet your ass there is something to do, repairs, builds, customer equiries, chasing orders etc etc.

Whilst I would have no problem taking the 2mins off a build to charge your silly money to change a tube, some bikeshops may be just so short staffed and short on mechanics that they cant do it.

Cycling has seriously taken off in the last year, its fecking scarey!!


3pm on the saturday of a Bank Holiday weekend isnt the day to be expecting stuff done on the spot. Cycling is seasonal so Since the sun was out on saturday people pull their BSO from the sheds and find suprisingly:rolleyes: that something needs fixing, so they rush to the bike shop along with all the other sheep, then argue for 30mins that its warranty etc etc. You have to see the crap to believe it.

So maybe chillax on the anger meter.:)

-Chris-

kona wrote: »

Just like cyclists think motorists should spend a little time cycling the Roads and see things from the cyclists perspective.......I think Cyclists should work in a bike shop and see things from a retail perspective.

This isn't aimed in any way at the OP, but I think everyone should be forced to work in retail for a while - kind of like an economic conscription.

kona wrote: »

So maybe chillax on the anger meter.:)

Pot, kettle? :P:D

DirkVoodoo

I had to return my Mavics to cyclesurgery in Dundrum. I asked for a 44 but the guy ordered a "10", which is a 44 and 2/3. It doesn't sound like much but they are huge. Anyway, brought them back and even tried on the 43 and 1/3 which seemed ok but a bit snug and I was wearing a pair of thin adidas socks.

Anyway, the guy was quite friendly, but there was an awful lot of conversation about how much work he had to do, how busy he was and he wouldn't be able to put an order in at the weekend (he initially didn't seem to believe me when I said Mavic do half sizes in UK sizing - stick to euro!). So, I left the shop without the shoes, not sure when or if I would be getting the new ones (3 weeks was quoted at one point) and being told I might have to pay for shipping as it's a special order. To me, this all defeats the convenience of a local bike shop, I could go through the same hassle online and cut out the disinterested middleman.

kona

-Chris- wrote: »

Pot, kettle? :P:D

:pac::D

kona

DirkVoodoo wrote: »

I had to return my Mavics to cyclesurgery in Dundrum. I asked for a 44 but the guy ordered a "10", which is a 44 and 2/3. It doesn't sound like much but they are huge. Anyway, brought them back and even tried on the 43 and 1/3 which seemed ok but a bit snug and I was wearing a pair of thin adidas socks.

Anyway, the guy was quite friendly, but there was an awful lot of conversation about how much work he had to do, how busy he was and he wouldn't be able to put an order in at the weekend (he initially didn't seem to believe me when I said Mavic do half sizes in UK sizing - stick to euro!). So, I left the shop without the shoes, not sure when or if I would be getting the new ones (3 weeks was quoted at one point) and being told I might have to pay for shipping as it's a special order. To me, this all defeats the convenience of a local bike shop, I could go through the same hassle online and cut out the disinterested middleman.

I can see LBS going more service orientated. Ordering in one off stuff is a pain in the hole, some suppliers are just jokes, you could wait 3 weeks to get a order, all the time having a irate customer on your back. Most the time I just steer the customer to online shops, tell them I can fit the part for a price. Win win.

yop

In fairness i would be a dog for buying on line first as in a lot of cases its cheaper but credit to the lads in the bike shop they have beat online prices and the service is top.

Broke the break cable on my bike there 2 weeks back, I emailed them on the Wed night, asked me to drop it up on Friday and they had it done and the bike serviced in an hour. 15 quid for the lot!! Can't argue with that.

Also I got a set of pedal (look i think), cleats and specialist shoes for 130 euro. Online I couldn't find them all for less that 145. They put on the pedals and cleats while I was there.

So i do hope that most of them survive. OP I just hope you were the unlucky one!

niceonetom

kona wrote: »

I can see LBS going more service orientated. Ordering in one off stuff is a pain in the hole, some suppliers are just jokes, you could wait 3 weeks to get a order, all the time having a irate customer on your back. Most the time I just steer the customer to online shops, tell them I can fit the part for a price. Win win.

Unless they can fit it themselves that is. I think a lot of LBSs will be very grateful with for things like new BB30 standards and other stuff that requires pro tools and know how.

I was in Wheelworx a few days ago and was just looking around at the sheer quantity of stock they have out on the floor. It's not the slow accumulation of old stock that you see hanging from the ceiling of places like cycleogical, it's all new and mostly high spec stuff. Thinking about it they seem to be taking on the online retailers by maximising their chances of being able to help the costumer out on-the-spot. I haven't done a comparison, but I'm sure there's a premium for getting your bianchi/eddy merckx/zipps/felt instantly rather than waiting for delivery, but if you're specifically catering for the high end consumer that's not a big deal - I do wonder if it's not a bit high-risk though - they may find themselves in danger of having to get rid of a lot of slightly old stock at less than profitable margins.

They were selling BTW bikes as fast as they could box them though, so that may be underpinning the whole enterprise.

I do think it's a more viable strategy (i.e. keep investing) than what most LBSs are doing though, which seems to be keeping inventory small and hoping that loyal customers will both wait for whatever they want to be delivered and pay a premium over what they would pay if they'd simply bought online in the first place.

Service is a way a creating those loyal customers though. If I were running a shop I'd be trying to turn everyone coming in looking for a tube into someone looking for a bike six months down the line. If anything, 10 minutes invested in changing a tube is much less risky than €1000 invested in a frame hanging from the rafters.

DirkVoodoo

The guy in cyclesurgery did say there was a team of them that spent a ridiculous amount of time unboxing and assembling 130 (I think) BTW bikes. That's a huge amount of business.

Still, I want my damn shoes.

Creamy Goodness

Ok I'll try my best to redeem myself here, was a little angry last night so...

Diarmuid wrote: »

How many LBS did you try?

It was just the one, I know i over generalised, I know not all shops are like this I've had good experiences - in my short time cylcing (2 months) - in Joe Daly's, Wheelworx, Cyclesuperstore and others.

me@ucd wrote: »

I see whats happened here, your seem to have somehow got it into your head that the earth orbits you, its actually the other way round. Not saying that its ok to wait 6 days to get a tube fixed, but they have other customers and people collecting bikes to be built [not an excuse an explanation] Its ****, but most fix their own tyres and those who dont pay lots to get it a week later :pac:

Most do fix their own tyres, myself included, I wouldn't dream going near a shop to replace a tube unless I was completely desperate.

Golfanatic wrote: »

just a question, why didnt you buy it and fix it yourself. any ways that was fairly bent i know bike shops that let me borrow there tools but im well known there. the shop i work in does it in 20 mins regardless sometimes not on sundays and am sure thats the same wuth every other bike shop

I thought about buying the tube and levers and doing it there and then but when i went in the guy had a look at the wheel and went off to get a tube, he came back for a tube for a mountain bike don't know what size it was but it was at least three times the diameter of my wheel . What annoyed me the most about the transaction was when i pointed out that the tube he picked was the wrong one, he tutted, and when he did return with the correct tube he threw it down on the counter as if I was in the wrong looking for the right tube. At this stage would any of you honestly say you would ask to borrow some air off this guy? I was just annoyed at him and his attitude so I just left.

I know I should have gone to another shop but as I said in my OP I didn't realise the time and needed to be back home within the hour (consider the dart takes 45 minutes to get home).

chakattack wrote: »

Why do you have a saddle bag with tubes and CO2 if you don't know how to use them?

If the shop was genuinely busy then I can see where they're coming from.

I'm sure if the mechanics were quiet they would have done it there and then as it's a 5-10 min job.

chakattack wrote: »

Yes I did.

My point was that if the OP (usually) has tubes and CO2 with him he should know how to use them and not have to pay someone in a shop to change a tube. If I was caught short I'd buy a tube and possibly levers and then borrow a pump to fix it myself rather than getting the train home.

Also, in some shops there are floor staff who perform one job (selling) and mechanics who perform another (fixing).

I know how to change a tube and use cannisters it would be foolish of me not to would be the same as a motorist not knowing how to put oil in their engine, pump their tyres up etc. it's was just my eagerness to get out on the road that i had forgotten my saddle bag with my cycling first aid kit.

Lumen wrote: »

They obviously didn't want to change your tube for you, which is fair enough - they're under no obligation, but the six day estimate was just taking the piss.

Which shop was it? Just in case I need to merge the threads...

Yeh I guess they aren't under any obligation, which is fair enough, maybe what grinds my gears about shops in ireland - this goes for any kind of store - is they all complain about no one going to them and maybe forced to shut up shop, but when you're met with an attitude who is really to blame? the owner or the person who will vote with their feet?

I won't mention the shop unless a mod says it's ok as i know on other forums on boards it's against charters and what not.

kona wrote: »

3pm on the saturday of a Bank Holiday weekend isnt the day to be expecting stuff done on the spot. Cycling is seasonal so Since the sun was out on saturday people pull their BSO from the sheds and find suprisingly:rolleyes: that something needs fixing, so they rush to the bike shop along with all the other sheep, then argue for 30mins that its warranty etc etc. You have to see the crap to believe it.

So maybe chillax on the anger meter.:)

Maybe i will grab a part time job in a shop just to see :pac: but it did look like there was nothing happening here at all the shops repair section is right beside the till and was empty apart from a couple of new bikes (had price tags on them).

kona

Creamy Goodness wrote: »

Yeh I guess they aren't under any obligation, which is fair enough, maybe what grinds my gears about shops in ireland - this goes for any kind of store - is they all complain about no one going to them and maybe forced to shut up shop, but when you're met with an attitude who is really to blame? the owner or the person who will vote with their feet?

But the chances are they have a **** load of work. You wouldnt believe the amount of money bike shops are taking in these days!

Although as you said they seemed empty and nothing going on in the workshop! Maybe their mechanic was away, either way it seems they were pretty poor. Tube is a 2min job, it takes as long to refuse to do it than to do it.

racso1975

Joxer_S wrote: »

@racso1975



Which shop was this?

Colemans in Carlow town

ROK ON

niceonetom wrote: »

If I were running a shop I'd be trying to turn everyone coming in looking for a tube into someone looking for a bike six months down the line. If anything, 10 minutes invested in changing a tube is much less risky than €1000 invested in a frame hanging from the rafters.

. . . and that is the very essence IMHO of running a successful business in any walk of life. Get the folks coming back for more. Sounds surprisingly easy, yet so many shops fail in this simple low cost effort.

ROK ON

The more I think about all of this the more I would like to open a bike shop. I reckon I have a hand for business, but know next to nothing about bikes.

Given that many poor bike shops know something about bikes and nothing about business I wonder what would my chances of success be.

mockler007

listen, its a bike shop, just fix the fuc*ing wheel,
i go to halfords and they do it no probs, and i use to use cycleogical,
they even lube me shoxs and chain,
all for a tenner, so fuc* the local shops, fook em in the saddle. they have got cocky with the bike to work scheme, and have lost touch with the small things.
if you charged a tenner a tube to fit and replace, one a day would make you over 5 grand a year, just on tubes. that covers you phase 3 esb bill, it takes a minute, stop turning money away.
name and shame the shop
:rolleyes:

mockler007

kona wrote: »

I can see LBS going more service orientated. Ordering in one off stuff is a pain in the hole, some suppliers are just jokes, you could wait 3 weeks to get a order, all the time having a irate customer on your back. Most the time I just steer the customer to online shops, tell them I can fit the part for a price. Win win.

fact the lads in Halford's lif val will fit all your bits you order online,
the service i get there overpasses what i got in cyclogical.
i know they get stupid reviews, but when you buy a bike for 90 euro what you expect. the lads that work there are legends on bikes, fact.
they love what they do, and they get more ****?? but for what, you wouldn't get that attitude in the uk towards hals workers

-Chris-

Creamy Goodness wrote: »

I won't mention the shop unless a mod says it's ok as i know on other forums on boards it's against charters and what not.

Lumen is the mod !

SurferDude41

Now, I have worked as a mechanic, in lots of LBS.
Expecting a mechanic to repair a puncture, after just walking in off the street, is just plain bad manners.

Most bike shops work on a 3 day turnaround of repairs.
Perhaps if you were a good customer, they might have repaired it on the spot as a courtesy.

I think your perception is scewed, by your experience.
Local Bike Shops are thriving at the moment, especially since the inception of the governments bike to work initiaves.

If you are incapable of repairing a simple puncture yourself, then perhaps you should not venture too far from home:)

As a former cycle mechanic and regular, cyclist on group rides. I see people riding bicycles, that are in an un-roadworthy and dangerous condition.

There are quite a few bicycle shops, selling bicycles that haven't had a pre- purchase inspection done.

Loose chainsets, saddles not tightened correctly, brake pads in-correctly aligned to the rim. And sometimes even, loose brake pads.
And most of these bikes are, expensive lightweight jobs costing thousands of euro.

kona

SurferDude41 wrote: »

Now, I have worked as a mechanic, in lots of LBS.
Expecting a mechanic to repair a puncture, after just walking in off the street, is just plain bad manners.

Most bike shops work on a 3 day turnaround of repairs.
Perhaps if you were a good customer, they might have repaired it on the spot as a courtesy.

I think your perception is scewed, by your experience.
Local Bike Shops are thriving at the moment, especially since the inception of the governments bike to work initiaves.

If you are incapable of repairing a simple puncture yourself, then perhaps you should not venture too far from home:)

As a former cycle mechanic and regular, cyclist on group rides. I see people riding bicycles, that are in an un-roadworthy and dangerous condition.

There are quite a few bicycle shops, selling bicycles that haven't had a pre- purchase inspection done.

Loose chainsets, saddles not tightened correctly, brake pads in-correctly aligned to the rim. And sometimes even, loose brake pads.
And most of these bikes are, expensive lightweight jobs costing thousands of euro.

Id be embarrassed if it took me 3 days to turn around a puncture repair. The rest I agree with