Whats the problem with bike shops!

[brokeONE]

I have started building a new bike and I tried to use the local bike shops around asheville , but they was charging at least 25% over retail for parts .Carolina Fatz was the only shop that had fair prices and I did get some parts from them .I have never used mail order much , but I am now. I saved about 1,000 bucks so far building my bike by doing it.
All the magazines say you should support your local shops. I used to do that till Fred sold his shop . He was the only person I've ever trusted to work on my bikes or give advice. What advantages could possibly come from using your local shops when they bend you over and don't even lube. When they rip you off.
One last rant! If you work in a bikeshop. You should do only what the customer asks . If the customer asks you to put a 9 speed shifter on a 8 speed drive terrain you do it. You do not tune a customers fork if they don't ask you to. If a customer asks for full length cable housings ,you put full length cable housings on. Lastly If your putting a single ring set up on a bike for a customer put single ring chain bolts or spacers on it ,even if you have to get them from another shop. BUT DON'T PUT A OLD RING ON TO USE IT AS A SPACER!

[motomike]

feeling blue today?

[bizutch]

I have started building a new bike and I tried to use the local bike shops around asheville , but they was charging at least 25% over retail for parts .Carolina Fatz was the only shop that had fair prices and I did get some parts from them .I have never used mail order much , but I am now. I saved about 1,000 bucks so far building my bike by doing it.
All the magazines say you should support your local shops. I used to do that till Fred sold his shop . He was the only person I've ever trusted to work on my bikes or give advice. What advantages could possibly come from using your local shops when they bend you over and don't even lube. When they rip you off.
One last rant! If you work in a bikeshop. You should do only what the customer asks . If the customer asks you to put a 9 speed shifter on a 8 speed drive terrain you do it. You do not tune a customers fork if they don't ask you to. If a customer asks for full length cable housings ,you put full length cable housings on. Lastly If your putting a single ring set up on a bike for a customer put single ring chain bolts or spacers on it ,even if you have to get them from another shop. BUT DON'T PUT A OLD RING ON TO USE IT AS A SPACER!
PM me and let me know who worked on it for you....or if it was Marshall...I know what you mean.

I can sympathize with the ghetto rig thing you're talking about. I dropped my bike off to have the brake bled. A certain dipwad decided to take my brake caliper off...machine it down so it wouldn't rub (had never, ever rubbed), gut my whole brake system and cahrged me for 2 hours of labor to do something I didn't ask for. Then he proceeded to charge me for installing and "tuning" a new derailleur...a derailleur I'd left as a favor to one of the other buddies b/c he wanted to ride my bike so bad that he was gonna stick it on himself. Needless to say, I walked away with a $110.00 labor bill...and was told I got a deal.

[bizutch]

Lastly, there is a lot to be desired in terms of tuning at shops here in Asheville. I only know a few mechanics worth their salt...and a few of those guys have ADD so bad they do just what you said...forget what you asked and wing it...then expect you to pay retail for rigging up something you never asked for.

Fred was the best...I'm glad to see him leave the bike shop business though. He was too nice to ever make money off his friends...and his friends were never nice enough to him to pay retail!

I'm happy for him that he got the heck out and is doing something just as involved with cycling, but way more rewarding.

[motomike]

you need to have a sit-down with the owner of one of the shops you're talking about and just explain to him/her you're problems and be totally honest with how you feel you have been treated...open up their eyes to what is going on.

[profro]

Over the years I've had several problems like you have. So, I learned to do it all myself. Der. tuning, fork servicing, brake bleeding, and now wheel building. I'm no where as good as a real mechanic, but I can't wait around for them to fill a minimum order amount before they order a part and they never understand my time schedule.

[frznnomad]

well broken one you just need to make a stop in at epic cycles. also about the full length cable housing some mechanics dont entirly understand why people want something done that way so they ignore the supposed ignorant person and do it the way they want to do (means this is a ****y mechanic who could care less). i agree with the shifter as well but he might have thought this was the best thing to do so he might have been thinking he was doing you a favor.

if you do happen to go to epic they are really good with working with you on prices and wess and allan are deffinatly understanding mechanics who have a kid named ben working back behind the counter. all of them understand dh aspects of ridding and if you want it and it can be done then they will do what you ask them to do. no questions asked. tell them you were refered by eric and if you have a bad experiance come back to me and then i will tell you to go mail order, but just give epic a try and you wont be disapointed.:thumb:

[dhbuilder]

pro; i agree with you 100%(ok i'll give you time to pull your jaw off the floor.)
any one who runs a d.h.(or any bike.) needs to learn how to work on them. ask your friends or trial and error it.you can't rely on bike shops, and we can't expect them to drop everything and fix our bike a.s.a.p. the main problem i have with shops is that their mark-up and labor rates are based on customers who are all thumbs. so when all i want is a part or two(which is never in stock) and install them my self, idon't want to pay for services i don't need. i can call go-ride.com and they know just what i want and have it at my door in three days. i would like to support a local shop instead. but when they don't support us, it's hard to spend $$$ in them. i don't feel any of us has to justify where or how we spend our $$$. the shop in town that i do deal with makes their $$$ on x-c and road bikes. so i can't expect them to be hip to d.h. bikes. that's just the way it is. they are in buisness to make a profit. and there isn't a lot to be made from a self sufficiant bike owner. we have to remember that also.

[ztlh13]

I feel for all of you! Yes I do most of the work myself, but Hampton Trails Bicycle Shop in Hampton, TN (between Elizabethton, TN and Boone, NC) rules on prices and service. I get a friend discount, but everyone (and I mean everyone) gets a kick deal from them. If you are ever in east tn or around Beech or Sugar mountain take the drive, it is worth it!

[dhbuilder]

T;could you talk to them about opening up a branch in knoxville?

[jmtf40]

Yeah I've had some problems in the past that drove me away from dealing with bike shops. It definately sucks that there are some shops out there that are greedy. Fortunately the shops around Knoxvegas who were shady were exposed. Unfortunately one of them changed there name and moved to the west side of town and somehow is still in business(this certain shop quit paying GT money owed, so they were dropped). But they lost my business before that with completely ruining a brand new dh bike I bought from them, by doing things like bleeding my hopedh4's with the wrong brake fluid basicly making them worthless, ruining the brake lines. And they did other s@#t that just pisses me off.

BUt on the flip side Harpers treats customers well and I haven't heard any complaints. They give fair prices from what I have seen, and are knowledgable in dh, road, xc, trials etc. And they support local racing. So if it wasn't for them I probably would be strictly mail order. THey can't compete with mailorder, but you figure, you don't have to pay shipping; and they have to pay taxes, utilities, and can't order in as large a quantity as say Supergo or whatever, so it makes sense they are a little higher priced.

I'm all for supporting small business so long as it is fair and honest. From now on once a shop is dishonest and f@#ks me over once, that the last time no second chances. I feel like I'm doing them a favor by not going to mail order, they should thank me.

[dhbuilder]

there is so much you don't know. and i hope you don't ever find out. while they are the only shop that knows what to do on a d.h. bike, there's a major difference of opinion on the meaning of the word support. true financial,legal,moral support for d.h. riding the knoxville area comes from only one place. the windrock a.t.v. club and coal creek mining co. two groups that don't have anything to do with cycling. how wierd is that? we can't ever thank them enough for all they've done for us.

[manimal]

one of my goals in life is to open a bike shop so i'm always paying close attention to how shops run. my favorite to observe and shop at is pauls cycling and fitness in winston salem. uber proficient mech's that all ride, albeit one and the repair area is completely separate from the retail side....which is nice so you don't have to feel like an inconvenience when you're hanging out w/ the mechs. (unlike other shops in the area *cough...de oro**)
anyhoo....it's a professionaly run store that values repeat customers and will do what it can to retain loyalty.

that's how a shop should run.

[bizutch]

....

if you do happen to go to epic ......:thumb:
make sure that they use the right spoke lengths.......dude there built my rear wheel up with spokes that are 1/4 inch too long...Hah hah!
:thumb: :thumb:

[jmtf40]

there is so much you don't know. and i hope you don't ever find out. while they are the only shop that knows what to do on a d.h. bike, there's a major difference of opinion on the meaning of the word support. true financial,legal,moral support for d.h. riding the knoxville area comes from only one place. the windrock a.t.v. club and coal creek mining co. two groups that don't have anything to do with cycling. how wierd is that? we can't ever thank them enough for all they've done for us.

I think that Windrock and the Coal Creek Mining company are definately unmatched by a huge amount when looking at the support they have given to dh riding. As is the hard work and effort you have put into that dh mecca, and I know everyone is extremely grateful.
I have been in Harpers and seen those guys on the phone getting prizes and trying to organize the races in the past. I think it is still very commendable that 2 guys take time out of their livelihood and give back to the sport, even if it is not a huge financial boost.

[MoodDude]

Yeah I've had some problems in the past that drove me away from dealing with bike shops. It definately sucks that there are some shops out there that are greedy. Fortunately the shops around Knoxvegas who were shady were exposed. Unfortunately one of them changed there name and moved to the west side of town and somehow is still in business(this certain shop quit paying GT money owed, so they were dropped). But they lost my business before that with completely ruining a brand new dh bike I bought from them, by doing things like bleeding my hopedh4's with the wrong brake fluid basicly making them worthless, ruining the brake lines. And they did other s@#t that just pisses me off.

BUt on the flip side Harpers treats customers well and I haven't heard any complaints. They give fair prices from what I have seen, and are knowledgable in dh, road, xc, trials etc. And they support local racing. So if it wasn't for them I probably would be strictly mail order. THey can't compete with mailorder, but you figure, you don't have to pay shipping; and they have to pay taxes, utilities, and can't order in as large a quantity as say Supergo or whatever, so it makes sense they are a little higher priced.

I'm all for supporting small business so long as it is fair and honest. From now on once a shop is dishonest and f@#ks me over once, that the last time no second chances. I feel like I'm doing them a favor by not going to mail order, they should thank me.
I agree with you on Harper's. They actually got me a better deal on my new bike than mail order. I have tried 5 different bike shops in the south and Harper's is the only ones that know what they are doing. I also believe in supporting bike shops to help keep a mechanic handy when I really need them.

The only thing I disagree with you on is your choice in tires. You need to move over to Maxxis.

[JeffD]

I agree with you on Harper's. They actually got me a better deal on my new bike than mail order. I have tried 5 different bike shops in the south and Harper's is the only ones that know what they are doing. I also believe in supporting bike shops to help keep a mechanic handy when I really need them.

The only thing I disagree with you on is your choice in tires. You need to move over to Maxxis.

Mike - if you're ever passing through Macon, check out Bike Tech (www.biketechmacon.com). The guys there all ride and the owner has a DH bike and shuttles with us once in a blue moon. Very fair prices and they understand WTF you are talking about.

[dhbuilder]

i'm glad that they are treating you guys ok. like i said they do know what to do with a d.h. bike. and loyal customers like ya'll are great word of mouth advertising. i am in no way trying to discourage anyone from spending $$$ in their shop. i am just saying we have differing opinions when it comes to the meaning of the word support and it has nothing to do with finances. i have my reasons for taking my buisness elsewhere. (they owe me nothing and visce-versa.) i will say though, that they won't "rip you off" or perform unwanted or half-assed repairs.

[ZachTheMech]

I have started building a new bike and I tried to use the local bike shops around asheville , but they was charging at least 25% over retail for parts .Carolina Fatz was the only shop that had fair prices and I did get some parts from them .I have never used mail order much , but I am now. I saved about 1,000 bucks so far building my bike by doing it.
All the magazines say you should support your local shops. I used to do that till Fred sold his shop . He was the only person I've ever trusted to work on my bikes or give advice. What advantages could possibly come from using your local shops when they bend you over and don't even lube. When they rip you off.
One last rant! If you work in a bikeshop. You should do only what the customer asks . If the customer asks you to put a 9 speed shifter on a 8 speed drive terrain you do it. You do not tune a customers fork if they don't ask you to. If a customer asks for full length cable housings ,you put full length cable housings on. Lastly If your putting a single ring set up on a bike for a customer put single ring chain bolts or spacers on it ,even if you have to get them from another shop. BUT DON'T PUT A OLD RING ON TO USE IT AS A SPACER!

Before you generalize all bike shops you might want to check them all out. Find a shop that has a clue. I take offense to your whole post, we all dont bend you over , hell the shop im at beleive it or not gives people awsome deals considering what we do. I dont know any shop that will rip a fork apart change oil and seal for less then 20 bucks. Or labor rates arent as high either in general for anything else.

I may put a 9 spd shifter on a 8 spd if you told me to but you will be damn skippy im gonna tell you why it wont work so well, so when you bitch about it later i already told ya.

Ya its crappy your local shops treat you like ****, but dont tell me in a post how im going to treat you or how im suppose to treat you. If you want something done right then listen to the people who might have a clue how **** works. as much as you may think anything is compatible, its not, and if you still want it done then ill tell you why it wont work, and how to make it work so you can ride like you want to.

Or on the other hand go buy some tools, buy some bike mechanics books, Park tools makes a great one and learn how to do the stuff yourself. You would probably save yourself and me alot of headaches.


If you think im a asshole for this post then hey your entitled to your own opinion, but you can ask anyone who i have worked on there bikes im probably one of the most laid back and coolest wrenches in NC.

[frznnomad]

yeh butch im sure they were sorry about the mix up they just dont ever build wheels there so there not the greatest at it. yeh so broken one if you want someone to build your wheels i would say look somewhere else or just order them from epic. they are awsome at ordering wheels just not awsome at building them its there only weakness.

[motomike]

Before you generalize all bike shops you might want to check them all out. Find a shop that has a clue. I take offense to your whole post, we all dont bend you over , hell the shop im at beleive it or not gives people awsome deals considering what we do. I dont know any shop that will rip a fork apart change oil and seal for less then 20 bucks. Or labor rates arent as high either in general for anything else.

I may put a 9 spd shifter on a 8 spd if you told me to but you will be damn skippy im gonna tell you why it wont work so well, so when you bitch about it later i already told ya.

Ya its crappy your local shops treat you like ****, but dont tell me in a post how im going to treat you or how im suppose to treat you. If you want something done right then listen to the people who might have a clue how **** works. as much as you may think anything is compatible, its not, and if you still want it done then ill tell you why it wont work, and how to make it work so you can ride like you want to.

Or on the other hand go buy some tools, buy some bike mechanics books, Park tools makes a great one and learn how to do the stuff yourself. You would probably save yourself and me alot of headaches.


If you think im a asshole for this post then hey your entitled to your own opinion, but you can ask anyone who i have worked on there bikes im probably one of the most laid back and coolest wrenches in NC.

I agree with you 110% Zach. It feels like a kick in the gut when they say all this stuff and have never been into the shop you work at or talked to you in person...:mumble:

[stubby]

I better delete my poste before eric starts whining.:D

[motomike]

BIOTCH dumb crackcer, you dont know sheet brokeone thats like having a 6 gear shift gate and having a 5 speed gearbox.
GO AWAY!!!! This is big-boy talk... :evil:

[stubby]

hey i can play, i can qualify to get a big kids meal at burgerking. can uuuuuuuuuuuuu i worked at a bike shop and i no how it goes down. motodike i mean mike AHAHAHAHAH o gosh here comes the fat joeks

[bigdrop05]

I have always,always done my own work & really don't like anyone working on my bike.I learned a great deal at Extreme sports in Halls,TN before they closed from "Doc".
I enjoy wrenching myself for sure !
Just invest in some tools...

If i need help on something,i go only to HARPERS bike shop in Knoxville & work things out..

[profro]

As for prices on LBS vs. mailorder... the shop can't offer me much. I expect more than they are willing to give and thats okay. I go through lots of stuff in a race season and I need to get parts as cheap as I can when I'm shelling out cash to travel and pay entry fees. Plus when I break something and I need it replaced much sooner than shops order. Even my best friend in San Antonio who ran a shop ordered stuff much slower than I needed it. With mail order you get it as fast as your're willing to pay for the expidited shipping.

I suppose in a pefect world I'd love to race for a local shop. I'd blab from high atop Windrock and Bigfoot to everyone where to shop and get service. But shop teams and proper support just aren't happening right now, so I make do however I can.

[GravityFreakTJ]

I suppose in a pefect world I'd love to race for a local shop. I'd blab from high atop Windrock and Bigfoot to everyone where to shop and get service. But shop teams and proper support just aren't happening right now, so I make do however I can.


I understand exactly what you are saying.I am lucky enough to race (road and xc)for a local shop.I have to say having the support is really nice,and the shop [B]really[B] goes all out for the team.Downhill 'round these parts will more than likely never get the kinda shop support road and xc gets.Sad but true

[frznnomad]

dude stubby you should know better by now man. dont go yelling at someone for having an opinion that you dont like. man not all of us have our mom and dad to buy us new **** like you do man. some of us actually have to weigh the costs at hand and see what we got. i work at a shop man and truthfully there only human and can only do so much man. so lay off the guy for wanting to shop over the internet for some stuff man weve all done it. sometimes dealing with a shop just isnt worth it cause most of the time when you walk into a shop they start acting like you dont know **** (guilty as charged) and assume since your comming in there you cant do anything with your own bike. so we bitch and moan about you bringing your bike in that we can fix in no time just because were lazy and dont want to do so we do it as quickly as we can and dont care what the charge is. its mechanics and owners acting like knowitall's who keep buisness away. so broken one dont listen to the short fat man with a mom as a sponser. do what you gotta do and go see allan and wess at epic. if they work with ya and do what they can for ya great. if not plz go somewhere else and get the service that you demand and deserver man. mad respect for wanting to do your own **** and learning and acctually wanting to go through a shop to get what you need man :thumb:

[jmtf40]

I understand exactly what you are saying.I am lucky enough to race (road and xc)for a local shop.I have to say having the support is really nice,and the shop [B]really[B] goes all out for the team.Downhill 'round these parts will more than likely never get the kinda shop support road and xc gets.Sad but true

No doubt; I talked to the guys at MOAB in Murfreesboro, and it is unreal how they support road racing. It makes sense to me that shops around here don't support dh racing to the same level as those guys.T here is alot of bad a@# road talent in tennessee. But a handful of dh racers and guys like Travis Bond who probably don't need much if any shop support.

[stubby]

eh nomad, you yell at people on here about everything, and you are reallya anal on here too sometimes. and i have a job too, i dont work at a bike shop nemore, i take care of gardens for the elderly, and that sucks to do, but it pays well, my parents dont pay for much of my stuff, but they did get my p2 at my employee cost for xmas.

[stubby]

oh and nomad, i only said that a nine speed shifter wouldnt bee good with a 8 speed. I DIDNT SAY ANYTHIng about what you just said, think before you preach a sermon about something someone didnt say before you take all your anger out of me and talk through your butt.

[seabass]

so when all i want is a part or two(which is never in stock) and install them my self, idon't want to pay for services i don't need.

No flame intended here, but that statement really got my attention. I notice you have no problem using their stand and tools on a regular basis.

[manimal]

I agree with you 110% Zach. It feels like a kick in the gut when they say all this stuff and have never been into the shop you work at or talked to you in person...:mumble:

mike....you and some of the other wrenches are the only people that will talk to customers at your shop :nuts: :D

i bet i could get some service if i wore spandex shorts and nothing else....or maybe a bib, i'd be the man! ;) :thumb:

tubby: "hello....i have $4,000 to spend at your store"

sale guy: ...."yawn"

tubby: "i'm lance armstrong's personal bodygaurd!"

sales guy: "how may i help you sir!"

;) ;)

all joking aside, i think Re-Cycles is a great idea for a bike ship. fix and sell used bikes along with some choice new stuff with a killer atmosphere. any bike shop that has a couch with video games is cool in my book :thumb: i wish i was closer so i could hang out more often.

[dhbuilder]

seabass; this will not turn into an e-battle. but what you're saying isn't quite true. i used to work on my bike there with my own tools long ago in another "era". you and jimbo are in seriuos need of a history lesson. their salesmanship and mechanical abilities are on par with other shops in the area, and that's the subject of this thread. but when i hear spewing about "support", i won't sit quietly by while tainted info. is broadcasted on a public forum by people who are "minions"(and i'm not talking about the tires) of the shop. like i said they have their version of support some others see it differently. let's just leave it at that.

[profro]

Hey, Julian. Guys like Travis Bond have factory support. Its the top level expert and semi-pro guys who don't have factory support that can really benefit from local shop support. I think I know a few in this area that are good enough racers and are deserving of support in my eyes. But it is the shops that need to see it that way, not me.

[BurlyShirley]

Aaaaaahahaha!

I love to see the bike shop guys get all up in arms about someone bashing bike shops. First off, unless you're a suspension tech, working on bicycles is probably one of the most simple jobs out there. Thats why people at bike shops BARELY make over minimum wage. Its non-skilled labor. Anyone can be proficient at working on bicycles in about a month, with the right amount of practice. Give me a freaking break.
As for money. I as a consumer, owe it to myself to find the best deal possible. I work hard for my money. Im no more inclined to give it away to some goon who thinks of himself as a high tech mechanic in a shop than I am some bum on the street. Jenson and Pricepoint are the best bikeshops I know of. You get your stuff as fast as you are willing to pay for, and they carry the stuff in stock. AND its not marked up 150 percent. Bike shops should just go away.

[d.e.f.]

Half this thread seems to be about Knoxville and half about western NC. I'll throw in my .02 about knox, it might be a little long winded.

I've been both a customer and shop employee here for about 4 years now and I've picked up on a lot. This town is extremely polarized when it comes to shops. People love shop x and utterly despise shop y, and vice versa. That I can understand. But I've seen that transfer over to the ride. Story: I was having a converstaion this time last year w/ a guy wearing shop x jersey at a race. He was nice and talking about bikes and got onto the topic of shops. I mentioned I wrenched at shop y during college. It was then he looked down, turned around and walked away....just like that. I was shocked!

The service in shops tends to be hit or miss too. I've seen great mechanics and utterly sh_ty ones who all talk like they were former pro wrenches. Some can pull the most technical, mind blowing stuff off like nothing and I've also seen a guy try to cut brake housing w/ a pair of scissors. I've seen people bend over backwards to get obscure parts in and I've seen customers get lied to for months about 'backordered' and 'its on the way' when the parts were never ordered to begin with. Some shop employees will help you w/ every need and give you honest advice and others just can't be bothered to talk to you unless you drive up in a fancy car or your bike costs more than $1500. There are asshat customers who demand the moon and stars as well as the ones who will throw you $10 or a six pack just for helping them get back on the trail. And no one shop will ever be perfect. Mailorder is a very viable option...esp for reasons like profro mentioned.

I liked helping people and fixing bikes and seeing riders excited to ride....but I had to move on.

My advice to the original poster: Learn the basics yourself. Then find a shop w/ good wrenches and have them do the difficult or specaliity stuff - who actually ownes a headset press? Treat the guys well and they will treat you well. And if a shop sucks, then leave. There are many others who would be glad for your business!

[MoodDude]

d.e.f. - Well said. Have you ever considered running for political office?

[d.e.f.]

d.e.f. - Well said. Have you ever considered running for political office?

HELL NO! :D

I dated a 'political' chick for a while and got to meet some of those 'insider' cats. I don't want to associate with people like that!

[motomike]

[QUOTE=BurlyShirley]Aaaaaahahaha!

I love to see the bike shop guys get all up in arms about someone bashing bike shops. First off, unless you're a suspension tech, working on bicycles is probably one of the most simple jobs out there. Thats why people at bike shops BARELY make over minimum wage. Its non-skilled labor. Anyone can be proficient at working on bicycles in about a month, with the right amount of practice. Give me a freaking break.
[QUOTE]
You have no idea.

[BurlyShirley]

[QUOTE=BurlyShirley]Aaaaaahahaha!

I love to see the bike shop guys get all up in arms about someone bashing bike shops. First off, unless you're a suspension tech, working on bicycles is probably one of the most simple jobs out there. Thats why people at bike shops BARELY make over minimum wage. Its non-skilled labor. Anyone can be proficient at working on bicycles in about a month, with the right amount of practice. Give me a freaking break.
[QUOTE]
You have no idea.

How hard is it to do any job to a bike? Tell me ONE complicated procedure short of rebuilding a shock or fork?

[motomike]

How hard is it to do any job to a bike? Tell me ONE complicated procedure short of rebuilding a shock or fork?
It's the diagnosing of problems with them that is the hardest. Did you know that there are 2 types of Shimano Dura-Ace 10 Speed chains that are not compatible? How do you know one from the other? Not many people do. You'd be surprised. This has been a big discussion between the mechanics in our shop lately. I had a customer come in yesterday that rebuilds Porche race cars and couldn't figure out how to adjust his rear derailleur. This is going to be a no-win argument for either side anyways...

[frznnomad]

:thumb: mike way to stick up for the shop goonies. im with ya 110% its not as easy as it looks.

[jmtf40]

Sponsorhouse!!!

[profro]

F' Sponsorhouse. Why should I pay someone else to do what I can do?

[seabass]

seabass; this will not turn into an e-battle. but what you're saying isn't quite true.

Not trying to have an "e-battle", flame war or anything close. I have a great deal of respect for you and what you have contributed to our local cycling scene.

i used to work on my bike there with my own tools long ago in another "era

I guess by different era you mean last Wednesday, because that's the last time I saw you using their equipment.

i won't sit quietly by while tainted info. is broadcasted on a public forum

I guess I feel the same way.

[jmtf40]

F' Sponsorhouse. Why should I pay someone else to do what I can do?

It's 50 bucks year.
Point 1.Sending out resumes costs like 10 to 20 bucks, so you end up really paying like 30 more then usual.
Point 2. A ton of sponsors use it, and some use it exclusively.
3. No sending back and forth contracts, they use digital signature.
4. It makes ordering and getting in contact with people so easy. They have a list of your sponsor; each listing has all contact info, contract info, etc. But the best feature is how easy it is to order stuff, just log in, order what you want and wait for it to be shipped.

For lazy people like me its great!

[profro]

It's 50 bucks year.
so you end up really paying like 30 more then usual.


Thats a tire.


Plus for me, who already has sponsors who don't use Sponsorhouse, its sucks to sign up for the service for only some of my sponsors. If all of them were on there then maybe.... but to spend an EXTRA $50 for 1 or 2 sponsors when I already have to spend money for paper sponsorship packets for the rest of my sponsors, its pretty lame. :mumble:

Some of last years sponsors which didn't use Sponosorhouse now are and its putting a lot of us in a bind.

[dhbuilder]

seabass you are now making a complete joke out of yourself and every thing that you've opined in this thread. i haven't done buisness with the harpers shop in a couple of years now. i don't know who you saw in there last wed. but it damn sure wasn't me. this has the potential to get rather ugly, there is a lot of dirty laundry here that was buried long ago, and it is all of our best interest that it stays just that,BURIED. i know their take on this and they know mine. it's a bed that we've both made for ourselves. it's a shame that things evolved the way they did, but that's just the way it goes. like i said a few posts back, there's sooooo much you don't know.

[seabass]

seabass you are now making a complete joke out of yourself and every thing that you've opined in this thread. i haven't done buisness with the harpers shop in a couple of years now. i don't know who you saw in there last wed. but it damn sure wasn't me. this has the potential to get rather ugly, there is a lot of dirty laundry here that was buried long ago, and it is all of our best interest that it stays just that,BURIED. i know their take on this and they know mine. it's a bed that we've both made for ourselves. it's a shame that things evolved the way they did, but that's just the way it goes. like i said a few posts back, there's sooooo much you don't know.

Whoa, big guy. Please go back and reread this thread. I didn't mention Harpers anywhere. You said you don't want to pay for services and I responded that I thought that was funny, as you use the bike shops tools FOR FREE. If you weren't in the Bike Zoo Wednesday before last with your Yeti in their stand using their tools, then my apologies.

[SD_TMTB]

Aaaaaahahaha!

I love to see the bike shop guys get all up in arms about someone bashing bike shops. First off, unless you're a suspension tech, working on bicycles is probably one of the most simple jobs out there. Thats why people at bike shops BARELY make over minimum wage. Its non-skilled labor. Anyone can be proficient at working on bicycles in about a month, with the right amount of practice. Give me a freaking break.
I have to disagree with you on that. I know some people that are "mechanically chalenged", and could never work on bikes well. I also know some mechs that can do work on forks.

I have also heard/been on both sides of the mech and coustomer problems, and most coustomers usually are ignorant, like wanting to buy a whole new bike because of something rubbing or wanting wider tires/rims. So there is some stuff like that and that is what is annoying to mechs.
Personally I wouldn't really trust dropping my DH bike off at a bike shop, and luckily for me I know how do do my own work and my best freind has been working at a bike shop for 2 or 3 years. And supporting bike shops is all about pricce, if I can get a deal online or from a frend I go to the lowest price since I am poor anyway.

[dhbuilder]

my bad. but the bike zoo is not the shop in question here. i bought a head set from them and was using the only tool i don't have. a head set press. steve bacon is also my wheelbuilder. he does an outstanding job. but i pay full retail in there as do you and just about eveyone else who walks through the door. they have never made false claims of support nor have they ridden to glory on the backs of others hard work. and they are the best bike wrenches in town. they are just not geared toward d.h.riding and i understand why. the original spew came from a minion of another shop. i owe you an apology(something i don't do very often. but you deserve it). any one who knows me knows i can be the biggest @$$hole you'd ever want to meet, and i'm not afraid to dive into a headbutting contest. maybe not personality traits to be proud of , but hey we are what we are.

[seabass]

my bad. but the bike zoo is not the shop in question here. i bought a head set from them and was using the only tool i don't have. a head set press. steve bacon is also my wheelbuilder. he does an outstanding job. but i pay full retail in there as do you and just about eveyone else who walks through the door. they have never made false claims of support nor have they ridden to glory on the backs of others hard work. and they are the best bike wrenches in town. they are just not geared toward d.h.riding and i understand why. the original spew came from a minion of another shop. i owe you an apology(something i don't do very often. but you deserve it). any one who knows me knows i can be the biggest @$$hole you'd ever want to meet, and i'm not afraid to dive into a headbutting contest. maybe not personality traits to be proud of , but hey we are what we are.

Apology accepted. I didn't realize Harpers was the subject matter, so, I supose I owe you an apology as well. Regardless, thanks for giving something to do at work today.

Also keep me in your prayers as I attempt the 12 hour race Saturday. 12 hours of singlespeed pain.

[JeffD]

this has the potential to get rather ugly, there is a lot of dirty laundry here that was buried long ago, and it is all of our best interest that it stays just that,BURIED.

So what are you saying, Joey? You have bodies buried at WR? I've used stuff as big as refrigerators for filler before but never gone that far! (mental note: never cross a man with a moustache and power tools. mental note II: don't look closely at filler in dubs after the Bulkhead). :evil:

[profro]

the only tool i don't have. a head set press.

5/8" all thread rod, two blocks of wood, some big washers, two nuts, and patience. Works like a champ!

[Str8Dwn]

I agree with the fact that many bike shops are clueless to why business is slow or why they have a weak local customer base. I managed a shop in Gainesville, FL for 3 years and know a good bit about how tough it is to run a shop.

I recently moved to a small town in North Atlanta and ran into a similar situation. I was so surprised that this small shop (Outspokin Bikes) charged me $70 to straighten my hanger, replace the SS cable, and housing for the rear der. cable (yeah, ouch!). I gave the owner a chance to adjust his price by politely asking if a hanger straightening included read der adjustment (an additional $14 charge). He said no the price listed is what I needed to pay, and that's the last they'll ever see of my business.

It's sad that they charge such exorbitant prices. I am lazy enough to pay someone to fix my bike even though I can easily do it myself, but overcharging like that is just a quick way to alienate customers.

[Guard]

I can defintely relate to encountering bad shops but it usually only takes one encounter & most of the time you can tell once you walk in & talk a little whether they have a clue or not. That's why I drive hour to Paul's in Winston to have my junk tuned. Mike & Zack actually ride bikes other than xc or road. Given shops with XC mech's maybe ok but thats not the type of mech I want tuning on my stuff because odds are your bike maybe the first big bike they have worked on. What I'm trying to say is check out the shop which is as simple as going in, looking around & talking with the guys. Find one that has your same interest & then you can feel assured that your stuff will be taken care of.

Regarding price, once you have id a shop with similar interest start building that relationship, heck tell them your looking for a shop to do continued business with & give them some information about yourself & your riding. I'm sure they'll work with you & cut you some deals. Think about it a shop is in business to make money so you should expect most things to be marked at retail but that doesn't mean there not open to working with you...hell you can cut a deal at Wal-mart if you are serious about it! And yeah the mail order do have killer prices but don't forget to factor in shipping & if you need a mech to put it on for you then factor in that cost...so the killer price might not be that killer.

Your easy solution is to just move close to Winston & go to Paul's & see Mike or Zack...problem solved...good deals & killer mech's!:blah:

[dhbuilder]

some of you guys sound like you've found some good shops. but windrock is my backyard. and there's not a truck big enough to drag me from here. so i'll take the advice on the homemade headset press and ride(rip)hapilly ever after.

[jmtf40]

Thats a tire.


Plus for me, who already has sponsors who don't use Sponsorhouse, its sucks to sign up for the service for only some of my sponsors. If all of them were on there then maybe.... but to spend an EXTRA $50 for 1 or 2 sponsors when I already have to spend money for paper sponsorship packets for the rest of my sponsors, its pretty lame. :mumble:

Some of last years sponsors which didn't use Sponosorhouse now are and its putting a lot of us in a bind.

Sponsorhouse has their act together. I see your point, and I'm not trying to say 50 or 30 bucks is nothing. For those getting into the sport or were like me, and just starting to apply for sponsorship, sponsorhouse is appealing, and definately saves time. One more plus is that sponsors look through the sponsorhouse system to send out offers(basicly a database for them to scout out). I would re-new for next year, but I am probably not racing for a little while.

[MoodDude]

HELL NO! :D

I dated a 'political' chick for a while and got to meet some of those 'insider' cats. I don't want to associate with people like that!
Yea, I did even worse than you, I dated a politician (chick) for awhile. Got tired of trying to hide everything from everyone.

[bizutch]

wow...worthless thread....lots of windblowing.
To the guy who said Jenson and Pricepoint are honest and handy and local shops charging retail are ripping people off...wow, you are pretty dumb for making that statement.

[biggins]

here is a word of advice from your friendly local shop patron.

if you get work done on your bike, inspect the work before paying for it. if there is a ghetto spacer or old ring or something and you would like it done a different way then let them do it again until it is right. It is difficult here in the asheville area now that we dont have the Fred/Joe mo team around. Those 2 and one other are the only people i would let touch my bikes. As far as parts go well, go mail order if thats what ya need to do but dont bitch when your local shop wont install it for free.

[brokeONE]

I did inspect most of it. They told me I could have the teeth ground down on the outer ring and use it for a bash guard. It was not Marshall that worked on it , I think it was Alex or something like that.
Epic cycles Is a good bike shop for complete bikes., I don't know how there mechanics are ,but I haven't heard anything bad about them.

[bigdrop05]

Biggins still has the best avatars !

[punkassean]

...One last rant! If you work in a bikeshop. You should do only what the customer asks . If the customer asks you to put a 9 speed shifter on a 8 speed drive terrain you do it....

The part about the 8speed/9speed is silly, you lost me there. I would never do something like that just like I wouldn't put a supermonster on road bike. I understand your frustration but you're not handling it very well. Sounds like you went to a bad shop, try another and see how it pans out for ya.

[biggins]

I did inspect most of it. They told me I could have the teeth ground down on the outer ring and use it for a bash guard. It was not Marshall that worked on it , I think it was Alex or something like that.
Epic cycles Is a good bike shop for complete bikes., I don't know how there mechanics are ,but I haven't heard anything bad about them.

i have never had an issue with marshall working on my bike. he is a good mechanic and has been turning wrenches for a long time. you should discuss the issue with marty. as far as alex goes, i dont know him and therefore would not let him touch my bike.
The guys at epic are good guys. I have had some minor emergency work done there and they got right to it while i waited and the job was done right.

[brokeONE]

The reason I wanted a 9speed shifter was, because I'm planning on switching the bike over to a 9 spped at a later time. The only cassette I had laying around was a 8 speed. A 9 speed shifter will work just fine on a 8 speed drive terrain. I've used the setup before.

[punkassean]

The spacing between gears on an 8 and 9 speed driveTRAIN are different and therefore the shifting will NEVER work right. You can get one gear to work and a few other gears to ALMOST hit but you will never get it to actually work as intended or even close. That was my point, if you are uneducated (as far as bike mechainics go) enough to ask a mechanic to do something like that then your opinion of a mechanic's abilities and technical knowledge means very little to me.

[dhbuilder]

broken one; aside from what someone recently posted about this thread being worthless. it obviously struck a nerve with a lot of people on both sides of the workbench. just the number of posts shows that. shops that do responsible work have been given recognition, and the others have been outed for future customers to be wary of. (and i learned how to rig a headset press.) hopefully those who aren't so mechanically inclined will do a little asking around before just dropping off their bike at any shop. and shop that are less than professional will get their act together. we're lucky here in knoxville the two main shops in our area aren't "rip offs". but in other regions it sound like the old saying "let the buyer beware" still holds true.

[d.e.f.]

we're lucky here in knoxville the two main shops in our area aren't "rip offs".

I got out of one of the 'rip off shops'. Its hard being an honest mechanic/salesman and having to deal w/ the guilt by association, both in the shop as well as on the trail. It is kind of funny to have everyone I run into now say they are glad I got out of there. Although not having parts at cost is starting to suck.

Joey, I've also heard of building a homemade headset press like the other doug recommends, but I was always skeptical, espically with a nice frame. I've installed one w/ a hardbound book and a hammer.....but that was an entry level bike when I was in highschool. I guess I'll have to try it when/if I get a new frame.

[seabass]

Joey, I've also heard of building a homemade headset press like the other doug recommends, but I was always skeptical, espically with a nice frame. I've installed one w/ a hardbound book and a hammer.....but that was an entry level bike when I was in highschool. I guess I'll have to try it when/if I get a new frame.

There is nothing wrong with the homemade headset press. Works just like the "real" thing just not as slick. To make the whole job easier put the cups in the freezer for a couple hours before installation and they will fall right in.

[dhbuilder]

i'm sure that as long as you don't "tilt" the cups as they enter the frame ,it should be ok. the freezer tip MATT talked about works like a charm for all kinds of applications. thanks guys. (d.e.f. make that new frame a d.h. bike.)

[motomike]

be very careful when "rigging" a headset press. Make sure that you press both of the cups in at the SAME TIME. They aren't really designed to have high loads on the outer lip of the cups, just the bearings inside which they house. That is one of the reasons why they make headset presses and the fittings which they use. It really isn't that hard to deform a headset cup(like a Chris King, etc.). If it works, awesome, but damm it would suck if it didn't...

[d.e.f.]

(d.e.f. make that new frame a d.h. bike.)

Joey, believe me....I'm itchin'!

I started w/ cross country and thats still as fun as ever and my fitness is getting back to where it was a few years ago. But I really do miss testing my skills and progressing as much as I did on a big bike. Its been a blast taking the skills and riding style I developed over those 3 years up there and transfering it to the xc world. Taking a 4" travel bike to and past its limits has been pretty damn fun. I do miss riding a dh bike, and hopefully soon I can afford one again. But I'm still enjoying myself riding what I've got...just got back from a nice little slippery night ride w/a big sh_t eating grin on my face.

[GravityFreakTJ]

Joey, believe me....I'm itchin'!



to many jokes in that quote regarding std's:D .anyway i know what you mean Doug,i have been thinking i would like to get back on a big bike but just don't see it happening

[profro]

be very careful when "rigging" a headset press. Make sure that you press both of the cups in at the SAME TIME. They aren't really designed to have high loads on the outer lip of the cups, just the bearings inside which they house. That is one of the reasons why they make headset presses and the fittings which they use. It really isn't that hard to deform a headset cup(like a Chris King, etc.). If it works, awesome, but damm it would suck if it didn't...

I've installed Kings and Woodman headsets with my home made press in high dollar frames. Using wood as the pressing surface helps to even the load across the bearings and as long as you take your time and even with an extra set of hands it works like a champ. But take your time and don't hesitate to start over and over until the cups seat straight.

[dhbuilder]

doug; the next time i'm killin time in my shop, i'm going to make some oaK "inserts" that can be bonded to the washers that will spread the loading force down into the bearing area of the headset. i have an old cane creek h.s. race to fit it to. if i can make it fit i'll make some extras for you.

[profro]

doug; the next time i'm killin time in my shop, i'm going to make some oaK "inserts" that can be bonded to the washers that will spread the loading force down into the bearing area of the headset. i have an old cane creek h.s. race to fit it to. if i can make it fit i'll make some extras for you.

:thumb: