I think it’d be interesting to find out from everyone here on ST to describe their dream Tri shop or LBS. From everything bike related (brands sold, etc.) to anything else that would make it the ultimate LBS (i.e. cafe with pre & post workout specific meals/drins… etc). I know some of you out there already drive hours to get to your favorite shop as it is, however there’s almost always something that could make it even better! so what is it?
It’s cool too if shops like Bikesport, R&A, Cadence are your dream shops too (but what about them makes them better than the others you’ve been?). With eBay, online shopping, ST Classifieds, etc. it makes it so easy to get stuff for cheap and quick, but isn’t there something about an LBS that you can’t get any of those places (not counting a mechanic and fitter)?
Cadence is good it reminds me of a Ducati dealership…they have great training programs but they don’t have much product at least on the floor.
What does an LBS have? Instant gratification.
My dream LBS is open early and late, has what I need when I need it and has knowledgeable staff. What I really like to find is a good creative mechanic. One who knows the range of product and compatibility such that he can find a solution to a problem even if the engineers designing the systems are clueless. Note that sales guys generally have some issue with guys like this as he can usually find a cheaper (if not better) solution to a problem that would often hep a sales guy sell a new bike or at least several components. I gess what i am really saying is that I value the tribal knowledge. The guy who can tell you if SRAM part X will work with Campy part Y when the company line is that they are completely incompatible.
Ultimate tri/bike shop:
- Low prices
- Free shipping
- “buy now” button.
Nothing else mentioned is of any value to me.
My LBS (which I rarely use because…) is closed on Sunday’s & Monday’s. A bit ridonkulous. Beyond all the other complaints I have about the place, that would be the first thing about it that I would change.
My LBS (which I rarely use because…) is closed on Sunday’s & Monday’s. A bit ridonkulous. Beyond all the other complaints I have about the place, that would be the first thing about it that I would change.
+1. I rode to Manayunk last week. I thought I would stop in at Cadence to see if they had anything new. They are closed on Sundays. I always thought that if I owned a store like that, I would be closed on a Tues or Wed…and not so much a Sunday. I did ride “the wall”, so that was kinda cool.
-Smarty
Somewhere with helpful/friendly service. I have been to so many bike shops where customer service seems to be an afterthought.
Isn’t friendly and knowledgeable customer service sort of a given for any good retail shop? I’d love the equivalent of that “Beer Heaven” commercial but for a Tri Shop…
It seems to me that a lot of people sometimes look their LBS as a “Cheers” kind of place… where everybody knows your name, etc… and sometimes go there just to hang out and look at stuff but not really buy anything.
I’m surprised nobody has mentioned anything outrageous like a wind tunnel or something along those lines! I think for me the ultimate LBS would be a 2 floor shop with the retail part to it on one, and a fitness/personalized training/coaching/trainers for spinning area on the other floor. Obviously a wide selection of products with price matching policy and friendly, knowledgeable customer service.