2024 Bicycle Buying Guide from Bike Shop Insider and Expert - Mr. Nice Guy! (fka, Bike Shop Asshole)

I'M OFFICIALLY DONE BEING THE BIKE SHOP A$$h0Le! Nothing but Mr. Nice Guy from now on! I don't really have a choice given the total collapse of the bicycle industry in 2023! I have a feeling 2024 is gonna be just as bad for the Bike Shop A$$h0Les, so I'm giving you the INSIDER SECRETS you'll need to BEAT THE BIKE SHOPS AT THIER OWN GAME and take advantage of rampant DISCOUNTING and TOTAL DESPERATION at the BICYCLE RETAIL level WORLDWIDE!
00:00 Intro
00:35 The Back Story
01:22 Bicycle Industry Analysis
02:42 #1 Kick 'Em When They're Down
03:17 #2 Never Forget
04:00 #3 Gum Up The Works
04:47 #4 Don't Tip Your Hand
05:39 #5 Deflect, Confuse, Rattle & Annoy
06:35 #6 Don't Settle For Less
07:18 #7 Do Your Homework
08:04 #8 Don't Talk To Your Spouse
08:49 #9 Lie Through Your Teeth
09:23 #10 Don't Be Discouraged
10:12 In Conclusion
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[@DanSIlvernail]

I love these videos, especially the one on cyclists. But I need to make my own video on why I fear and loathe bike shops. First, why do bike shop employees always assume every customer knows absolutely nothing about bikes and has the IQ of a kindergartner? Second, why is it that I could buy a brand new bike from shop A, carry it (not ride it) to shop B and have shop B tell me that it needs $100.00 worth of repairs? That's just two of the big ones. Yes, I know shops deal with morons but not everybody is one.

[@bkefrmr]

This right here is pretty much exactly what the Assholes video is all about. How are we supposed to know what your bike IQ is? Even if we ask, we risk offending you - assuming you're as sensitive as "fear and loathing" would suggest. If I dumb it down, I risk looking like a moron. If I present too much technical information, I'm a snob. The same applies tangentially to your second question. The simple answer is, I can find $100 worth of work to do on just about any bike if you ask me to. I can't tell you how many people bring me their bikes asking for a tuneup and I tell them they really don't need it, but for $100, I'll do what I do to every bike and most of them take it, just for piece of mind. On the other hand, there's just as many folks that don't care if things are out of tune, they just want it rideable. So my risk there is being seen as a lying, cheating, greedy crook when I point out all of the mechanical improvements I can make to the machine, when all they wanted was the brakes tightened (whatever that means). The problem is, that guys like you insist that you're a victim when things didn't go as expected. That's totally normal. For folks like me, on this side of the service counter (assuming you know not to go back there), it's absolutely impossible. We're really just trying to be as honest as possible when the average person wants to be told exactly what they want to hear, but they'll never say what that is until we get it wrong. Yeah...you triggered me. Thanks for watching...rewatch them all, please.

[@MHH3180]

​@@bkefrmrsadly, this reads harsh, but it is absolutely true. TODAY, a supposed friend that was down on his luck a few weeks ago (so I threw him a bone installing some stuff in the shop 2:49 I could have done myself), gave my money to another shop to do his work. He was upset that a year ago he brought to me his, "cool looking" gold chain, new deraileur and gold cassette. They weren't matched, I could not make it work. He took it to and told them I got it for him.

[@robertmcfadyen9156]

Engadine Cycles in Australia have known me for many years and are very respectful of my knowledge and reputation . They help me with hard to find parts .

[@papalegba6796]

I've taken a brand new, expensive, bike into the shop I bought it from to have a defective adjustable stem repaired/replaced under warranty, & when I went to collect it they said they'd fixed it but hadn't. They straight up lied to my face, I nearly threw hands over it because that is criminal behaviour: both illegal & dangerous. There are some superb bike mechanics & shops in the city I live, but the place I bought that bike is not one. If I'd done more due diligence before buying I'd have known it is renowned for scamming customers, so more fool me I guess. Still, pretending such shops do not exist, or saying people who have fallen prey to their scams, are "playing victim" (when they literally are the definition of "victims") is extremely unhelpful.

[@robertmcfadyen9156]

@@papalegba6796 Sorry to learn of this .

[@hrdcpy]

A man dedicated to his sarcasm is a man you can trust.

[@riclevine5983]

Could not agree with you more!!!

[@lucafwn]

There's a historic bike builder near my home. They also do ordinary maintenance. Once, I brought my budget bike (Decathlon) there for a maintenance. They repaired it no question asked as if it were one of their best productions. Six months later, I had a custom bike built by them, and I go there whenever I have any problem less trivial than a flat on my other bikes - just to help them stay afloat, because I love having someone competent nearby, and quality has a price. If you were closer to me, I'd bring you my €50 Bianchi Cougar for a $100 full tuneup, just to say "thank you". Keep up the good job.

[@sklegg]

“Bicycles are toys and fixing them is a hobby.” 😂 What a hypothesis. I can’t wait to see where this goes.

[@cal5566]

They're not toys (although they can be) but working on bikes certainly can be a hobby, not everyone's mechanically inept. Where is the issue?

[@brianmurray8943]

That's like saying a weight bench or a treadmill is a toy. There is a world where bikes are toys, but those customers aren't watching bike KZbin channels.

[@cal5566]

That's a dodge, I'll ask again, where's the issue in someone who may well be able to repair a bike to a high level of competency doing so as a hobby?

[@fatrobdouble]

@@cal5566 the issue is that, for bicycle mechanics/shop owners, fixing bikes is a profession, not a hobby.... and it's the dismissive attitude that it is more an idle pastime than a legit job that has bike customers feeling justified in being stingy, eg, balking at the cost of bike repairs without considering that a paid employee (or the owner his/herself with all the overhead of running a shop) just spent a fair amount of time using specialized knowledge and tools to fix a customer's bike. That is going to cost....

[@cal5566]

What a hypothesis, can't wait to see where this goes" (your original quip). Well it seems the answer you're giving me is no real problem for the person who wrote the original post (given they can actually repair their toy bikes as proficiently as they imply). I agree whole heartedly with the support local sentiment and would encourage anyone wanting a bike to go to one before a big box store, but it goes both ways, people should be encouraged to get the best value for money if they can't afford high end bikes and all the extra labour costs associated with them. I don't think people should be put down for having to DIY. But I will agree the guy you quoted was dismissing the skill set of bike mechanics, but making comments like yours are senseless as well since there are many people who like to work on bikes as a hobby and shouldn't be discouraged for doing that either.

[@thebiglimey]

I've been in the bike industry since the 80's with more than half of that working as a shop wrench/shop owner and I fully support the underlying sarcasm in this video. A long-time industry friend told me that we'll all weather this storm, I reminded him that my boat's sail was made of the last flappy piece of toilet paper from our customer bathroom. Keep up spreading the good Bike Farmer word, and as the shop mechanic's job is never done, I'm going to go and clean that bathroom.

[@user-jg1sb1rv1r]

Hey Andy. Comedy is no less jarring than tragedy. Irrespective of the causes of the industry implosion, people will always need someone caring and thoughtful, like you, to provide them service. Stay strong. Things will eventually get better. I can tell that you’re a high character person.

[@wagonmaster6997]

Funny that right after your comment about Fat Tires and E-Bikes, KZbin cut away to an ad for a fat tire E-bike. I spent 18 years working in the bike industry before breaking away after waking up that I was still making minimum wage and in my late 30's. Now I'm retired and work part time at a real niche shop, all we sell are recumbent trikes. Yes, I'm that kind of geek.

[@sixdogbob543]

As a semi-decent amateur bike mechanic who wrenches on his on relatively simple bikes I found this video hilarious. I absolutely love your tongue in cheek humor and how you exude a love of bikes while also questioning the ultra technical direction of the industry as a whole. It's so right to say that only a tiny percentage of riders benefit from uber high tech since they don't have the power or fitness. Yet the industry has, for the most part, abandoned them. So sad. I'll be watching, and enjoying, future content- keep 'em coming!!!

[@bkefrmr]

You get it!

[@texastoastchris]

Awesome! I think you forgot one, however. Beat the Sh!t out of Mr Nice Guy for a deal on a bike, then return it a week later. Then come back week after week and never buy anything else ever again. And be sure to walk around for at least an hour and look at everything with disgust. Mr. Nice Guy loves that. Former Mr. Nice Guy here. I sold a little bit of my soul every time.

[@bkefrmr]

😂🤣Genius bonus tip!

[@texastoastchris]

I have lots more. Really like your channel!@@bkefrmr

[@flawless7019]

#7 is so true it hurts. I’ve pretty bluntly told people that they’re directly talking to a sales person and if they wish to online shop they can do so from the comfort of their home. I’ve not always had this attitude but being asked 2 times a day if we can price match a completely different brand/model/spec to what we offer in store is simply just draining and not sustainable to entertain. No we can’t match a $950 bike to a $200 department store bike. Go there if you cannot afford what we sell.

[@juanfo7307]

dept. store bikes break a lot but are heavy af too

[@godfellas483]

Anybody else know that "Lifetime Service" was even a thing??? lol! 😎 Priceless comedy! Thanks BF!

[@davidmurphy9151]

Seven years is when the retail life really starts to burn - just wait for twenty. You will be riding a unicycle speaking in tounges.

[@rug212]

I for one, actually love the sarcasm. I’m a bike shop customer and I get it. But I can relate, with my 20 years of bartending I could make a very similar style video with the customers I’ve dealt with. And I also take that knowledge to help me be sensitive to any shop owner that I’m a customer with. Keep the videos coming man! 👍🏻

[@bkefrmr]

Yeah, I always think of servers when I do this. It's gotta be way worse. I really don't know why people feel like they need to shit on retail and service workers all the time. It's like they think if they pay money they can be awful. There's plenty of good ones too.

[@MHH3180]

Please make that video. It would probably be therapy for the bartenders in the craft brew taproom where my shop is located.

[@rug212]

@@MHH3180 I would but I lack the video editing skills. 😭 Probably just go for a long bike ride instead👍🏻

[@MHH3180]

@@rug212 I am in The same boat. Would live to document the idiocy I see in traffic (you notice more on a bike), but I too lack editing skills.

[@garyfleischman7555]

You forgot the 16 year old BMX kids that buy a tire online and bring their bike into the shop and want to borrow tools so they can change the tire themselves on your showroom floor, get the carpeting full of grease, and then steal the tools that you loaned them!

[@bikesandbeyond618]

I've been putting off getting bar tape installed on my Jones H-Bars... Thinking about driving up to Wisconsin and having you do it... I get your sarcasm and humor...good video.

[@DaveCM]

If you do, ask for something really stupid when you walk in.

[@williamscarbrough7384]

Thanks for being the Bob Ross of bike maintenance. I’m a retired auto mechanic and shop owner. 42 years of fixing other people’s vehicles. Cut my teeth on bikes when shifters were all friction and headsets were threaded with ball bearings with no cages. Looking at your videos, bikes have really improved since then and I have picked up a lot. My favorite lube is also tri-flow, great stuff. As a shop owner I figured out that treating a customer fair and not up selling unnecessary repairs pays off in the long run. Paying for advertising may bring in customers but a fair shake and a friendly demeanor will bring them back and their friends and family also. You’re doing it right and I wish you luck. If I was in your area I would send you everyone I know to you. Word of mouth is the best advertisement. I enjoyed this crazy video, made me laugh.

[@juanfo7307]

After a lifetime fixing cars for fun it's now my only income after getting sacked from a cushy paper pusher job for refusing to stick shlt in my body against my will. Busting out the bays some days. I ride bikes for fun now.

[@bryanbell3492]

It sounds like you have what it takes to apply as an entry level mechanic for our shop. We will start you at minimum wage, but there is room for some growth.

[@mastermetalshredder]

That "bike shop a-hole" picture is pure gold haha

[@ksgriffiths1]

I came here hoping to find out this was the sarcasm I expected it was. Boy was I glad to see it was. We're in a tough spot to be sure, but I think we can survive it. I just wish they had pushed the benefits of being in good condition during the pandemic and named bicycling as one of the best ways to get there. A huge lost opportunity.

[@juanfo7307]

Don't look up

[@jayanderson6016]

I had to "illegally" use my local trail because it had been closed by the city. They posted a security guard at the trailhead.....I found a way around him!

[@kelmuna]

Another stellar and entertaining vid! I personally enjoy your use of sarcasm and deep cut knowledge in your vids. Good on you! Keep ‘em coming Bike Farmer!

[@ByronAllis]

You just described basically ever customer I've served in the past couple months 😂

[@bkefrmr]

They are brutal right now!

[@ByronAllis]

@@bkefrmr free life time service on the cheapest bike in the shop? I thought he was joking at first I laughed and he just stared at me... 😂

[@ByronAllis]

Or today; "can you fix my brakes please I don't have any money" bike left in the rain for years, everything is rusted and seized, the pads that were never aligned properly in the first place completely warn out except the L shaped edge round the inside of the rim... "you need to buy new pads" and that was because I knew he had no money. "oh do I have to buy those?" 👀 What kind of shop does he expect to do it all for free and supply the parts... Ours of course

[@stevenaaus]

@bkefrmr Online shopping really hurting bike shops :( and taking consumers to a new level of cluelessness/entitlement at the same time.

[@ByronAllis]

Final point - try asking such people if they will roll out the red carpet and give you celebrity level service for free or near free within their trade and they will unequivocally say you're nuts. Why should cycle trade be any different? A high quality service making your bike as good as, or frequently even better than it was new depending on where you bought it and to what standard it was built is already massively undervalued.

[@boblewis7145]

This was the best video I’ve seen in a long time. Excellent points, humerus but true.

[@pascalbruyere7108]

Very funny. For the record the people at my local bike shop are very nice and helpful, even though they probably know I am not going to spend much money there as I keep maintaining myself our four 1990s era mountain bikes. They sell me small parts like bearings, basic 26” tires, inner tubes, cables, and give advices. But I always recommend them to other people and I hope that brings them some business!

[@sirpuddings8019]

Ah, the joys and adventures of bicycle retail. As an owner for an ebike service / repair business, this video reaffirmed my reasoning for not selling units.

[@frankgertz]

This made my week. Thank you.

[@michaeldanks5975]

As an aging light vehicle mechanic who likes riding my bicycle, I considered bicycle mechanic as a late life career change, that being a bit physically lighter. Being a tradesman already I thought there would be some cross over skills but also understand what people think they know and what they need to know are often faaaar apart. So, the correct thing to do (in my mind) is to get some formal training and recognition of prior knowledge through TAFE NSW (State government trade trainer here). I was told there wasn't any course as "Bicycles are just a hobby and so bicycle mechanic isn't a real job" and so didn't offer anything because they only deliver vocational education, but I could enroll in the motorcycle trade course. I was stunned to hear this from, of all institutions, TAFE NSW. I didn't take up any more of their time, I'm sure they had more serious enquires regarding Pastry Chef, Animal Care or the "Complete Lash and Brow Mastery Certificate".

[@hungrybraineater2]

There used to be something called the Schwinn certified Mechanic. At least in the US when Schwinn was still what it was it was a profession. You could make a decent middle class living running a schwinn bikeshop. Almost everyone who cameup in the 70s and 80s in the industry had some connection to Schwinn if you were in the US. It was like GM but for bikes.

[@Smooth_Bandit0]

I've definitely played the part of an annoying customer when getting started. Fixing bikes became a passion of mine after getting the Big Blue Book so I just started hanging around the shop picking the mechanics' brains, picking up small pro tips. It's really awkward at first, but I'd start showing up with coffee or beer too make up for lurking. I'd think that type of customer would be fairly common too

[@rollinrat4850]

I love to enable my DIY customers. My goal is to keep people (who rely on bikes everyday) rolling along to get where they actually need to go. These sort of customers are my bread and butter. I teach a free maintenance class every Tuesday. Except for right after the holidays, we have enough work to turn less desireable jobs away almost every week. We just started our annual service sale last week and it will begin getting busy again really soon. In the service department, we NEED to make up for slow sales every winter and ever since the industry has slowed down. The service department keeps the lights on.

[@juanfo7307]

When a customer shows up with beer no work gets done

[@rollinrat4850]

@@juanfo7307 I tell my customers that beer, cash, snacks and party supplies are great motivation.

[@StephanieDaugherty]

My LBS is also the local community bike project, so I've been fortunate enough to be able to spend the last 6 months getting an education in bike maintenance by refurbishing donated bikes every Thursday night. Thus far, I've learned a lot. Though, I'm pretty sure if I bring my own bike for service at this point, I'm just going to be reminded where the stands are.

[@BrettG64]

And this is why I soooo look forward to the next episode!

[@redkeyspoke]

Nice list, some good takeaways to apply next time I visit the local shop. I think you forgot the most important of all though, after learning/test-riding take your business online or to the chain that offers the best price!

[@hrdcpy]

Make sure you bring in that same online order for assembly to remind them of the deal you scored.

[@juanfo7307]

​@@hrdcpybe ready for spongy brake feel

[@carlosrivera-sanchez7959]

I’ve worked in shops my whole life…the accuracy of every second of this video is shocking.

[@littlesnarf]

Sir, I'm looking for an electric gravel bike that doesn't get flats. Can I get one for $300?

[@bkefrmr]

Yeah, it’s right over there with the go fuck yourself bikes 😂🤣

[@jescowan26]

he forgot to tell mr nice guy about all the cool retro bikes you have been seeing on reddit and ask how much would it be to build an old frame up from scratch?

[@normandb.1704]

That was so very good. Thank you.

[@brockjennings]

I'm no longer on speaking terms with my local bike shop owner/ DoorDash delivery guy since he's been habitually bringing me my food order cold 😖

[@thecinimod]

Just start ordering icecream?

[@77gmcnut]

I enjoyed this video very much. I like the biting sarcasm. We met some of your fellow Wisconsinites from around Madison this week. I told them to check out your KZbin channel.

[@davemeise2192]

OMG this was soooo funny. Excellent video and a great sense of humour. You had me laughing out loud, thank you. BTW, I have met virtually all of the types of personalities mentioned but with motorcycles, not bicycles.

[@bkefrmr]

Specialty retail…

[@tilleylepew5944]

Prayers go out to those who thought they would put their kids through law school with this. There are a few who retain their place as lynch pins for us pedalheads in this community -Pittsburgh. Thanks Aaron and Jerry !

[@TurnipGreen]

You should make videos like this aimed at the bike execs. They're the real enemy here. Customers shouldn't be expected to know anything

[@bkefrmr]

My “Cyclists” video targets the industry by blaming the cyclists. You may, or may not understand the irony. Up to you!

[@LaurentiusTriarius]

​@@bkefrmr I understand but I second the suggestion, sadly I have no anecdotal evidence but I think bike execs are lizard people. Shush

[@Gregponder-bp2ix]

Love it 😍 please don’t stop

[@KillingTimewithStyle]

Thanks Mr. Nice Guy! That video was spiffy 🎉

[@emilycs8823]

Makes me think of forum discussions where people are griping, and totally insulted that some bike mechanic didn't want t work for free because they don't want to get their hands dirty changing their own tube and cant seem to grasp that the mechanic doing it, and taking the time to do it properly (takes longer than people think so you don't ride off and get another flat down the road) needs to be paid. And some landlord is raking in the big bucks for the square footage the stand takes up. The insurance broker needs their cut. Utilities, list goes on.... Walk into a restaurant and try asking for free dinner because you might have your wedding reception there, and see what they tell you. People seem to think its ok to bad mouth a shop because they wouldn't do something for free as a favor because they might buy a bike later.

[@davidcrowson4745]

Thank Mr Nice Guy.... We love you.

[@StebrasNotHorses]

Can i have lifetime service for watching this? 😏

[@bkefrmr]

Yes. At any Trek store. Tell them I said it’s good.

[@StebrasNotHorses]

Lol. Trek store made my wheels square!

[@bkefrmr]

@@StebrasNotHorses they need to keep innovating or they’ll DIE!

[@jim4859]

I don't get to decline to put training wheels on rusted up Walmart bikes since they're family. I've been suggesting that they let me take the pedals off and make them balance bikes. The last time I went to my LBS they wanted my first born in addition to money, but when I pointed out she was a lawyer, they just took all the money I had with me So I got off easy. At least I have some new mirrors now and don't have to worry about buying anything else. Hope you have a successful 2024

[@joshuamoody2941]

I bought an older aluminum/carbon road bike (probably mid-tier) for 120 dollars the other day (In So-Cal). It was a bitter sweet feeling knowing it was a sign of the times.

[@bkefrmr]

Those old road bikes are nice, but so obsolete. Very hard to sell. $120 is a great deal!

[@gillbertwerner1790]

This was really GREAT! ! Best ever ! You ARE RIGHT ON THE MARK..Thanks for this video. It really made my DAY-WEEK-MONTH-YEAR.. I am retired and worked with the Public for way too long...before my career in the Navy - Also started my working life in retail sales behind a counter as a manager in a Radio Type Store - Moved on to a Lumber Yard retail sales counter and then a "Sports Car" Auto Mechanic in a Ivy League College Town working on Rich College Kids Sports Cars - (Jags-MGs-Bens-Volvo P1800s-etc)..WHAT A REAL TREAT...Finally joined the Navy SEABEES and got real life. Again Thank You So Very Very much for this video. I enjoy all of your videos but this one IS GREAT!

[@bkefrmr]

It’s my best one and nobody has seen it! Stupid algorithm!

[@madtownangler]

The bike shop that I go to will order most bikes for you. It takes a few weeks for the stuff to come into the shop but they hardly have any bikes in the shop for sale usually. They make most of their money from repairs and are busy as crap. I just drop my bike off and take the bus back home and tell them to call me when it's done They also have parties with bands there, go on a ride someplace once a week, go camping with another bike shop, and they have a homemade beer machine for the employees for after work. The guy across the street supplies that machine. This guy started out fixing bikes out of his truck over twenty years ago.

[@dammitdan106]

Feeding this dude beer on the job is like supplying meth and crack to a chimera of Mike Tyson and Christopher Hitchens.

[@evanswinford7165]

Hey Farmer! I tried the Dawn spray detergent I saw you use. Works pretty good. I had a minor problem that turned into a three day exploration of the wheel and repair. I noticed how grungy my drive train was so I go out the steam cleaner I got for my birthday and blasted away as much I could. The next day everything had dried but still looked dull. Black brake dust is a particularly stubborn opponent. I sprayed it with the Dawn after letting it sit, scrubbed the hell out everything. That stuff took off the residue the steam cleaner could not. I'm going to keep using it.

[@christophersimser9500]

I was three minutes in when I started laughing out loud. I paused the video and subscribed. While watching further I was magically transported 30 years into the past to relive the 5-6 years I spent working in 3 bike shops after earning a worthless BA and Masters Degree. I can still recall certain customers that were incredible pains in the ass. Eventually I went to law school because even that was better. In sum, this video is just brilliant! Thanks for your humor and insight.

[@raymonddaviau4502]

Thanks

[@jack002tuber]

Sarcasm. 11 minutes of it. So I watched you have fun so you feel better. The bike industry needs a serious reality check and I think the bike shops are caught in the middle. Bike industry has ignored the largest consumer segment to the point it will cost them everything, time to wake up and smell the actual demand. Bike shops are specialty retail where 95% of everyone coming in knows nothing about bicycles and mechanics, tech, or what they need. Mr shop owner has to somehow lead them to what they need. Hard work. Any retail is hard working for the public, but being a bike shop is worse.

[@spencer3423]

"i dislike dealing with annoying people, let me open a small specialty store over passion for my hobby as opposed to passion for service, that'll be great for my mental health and surely won't cause me to make a pretentious sarcastic video shit talking my clients for being dumb sometimes while complaining about the folies of every small business duriong the colapsing economy and blame it on the customers of the business i opened. :)" i mean a lot of your points are correct i guesss so cool.

[@bkefrmr]

I like fixing bikes so fucking much

[@spencer3423]

@@bkefrmr i dont know you man but why not just have someone else run the business if all you want to do is fix and ride bikes. i also love riding and working on bikes but i get that running a business must be lot, surely you get great joy out of doing good work for regular folk but why burden yourself with the business if you dont like dealing with the morons that it inhenrintly comes with. respectfully, of course, your store is awesome.

[@mattgies]

@@spencer3423 Seems like making these videos is making lemonade out of the lemons that are terrible customers.

[@davidmurphy9151]

And by collapse you mean exactly where the industry was pre pandemic - funny how they think the inability to raise prices 20% every six months is a disaster.

[@spencer3423]

i agree but this one seems like a cry for help haha @@mattgies

[@tl2913]

This video is pure gold - just the best - keep up the good work!

[@jasonwilley8258]

Loved the video! "Winning bigly" was like the cherry on top! 😂

[@dondonner1095]

So I purchased your Wife's book and I must say I love it so far. On page 78 but her style of writing is so natural feeling and her attention to detail so easy to read. Thanks for mentioning it as I would have hated to have not ever read it. Can't wait to read more.

[@bkefrmr]

I’ll let her know! I just listened to the audiobook. So impressive. My eyes kept welling up!

[@MrsBikeFarmer]

Thank you! 😊

[@dondonner1095]

Thank you, headed out to read in the sun in a few minutes, Addicted.@@MrsBikeFarmer

[@vinceabarca]

Love it!

[@mountainbikemike]

So good!

[@markpeterson8978]

This is legitimately the funniest s%*# ever! I work in a bike shop and he isn't lying. This will work and is brutal, but reality hurts and I have my own underground shop picking up the stragglers along the way, so. . . Win Win and fun A F along the way! Well played Bike Guy! Well played & instant Viral! - M

[@FuchsHorst]

We stop serving breakfast at 11:30.

[@randallino3364]

Thanks!

[@bkefrmr]

Thank you!!!

[@aletheia3]

Great video. I think any cyclist should recognize that we all do these kinds of things (to some extent) to bike shops/mechanics more than we would like to admit. They have to put up with our BS than the cyclist has to put up with theirs. I think I'll get my mechanic a six-pack as a new years present and try to be nicer.. Keep up the great videos!

[@hrdcpy]

A person with a bike isn't necessarily a cyclist, they're consumers. Your point is clear though that we can always be more considerate.

[@581937]

I loved that!

[@MHH3180]

I never, ever listen to folks who come in complaining about our competitors. Yes, shops do make mistakes, but there is no money, long term, in ripping people off. Very, very nearly 100% of the time, as soon as I do some digging it turns out the customer was at fault. I had a customer bring two 'bent trikes to me for conversion. He not only complained to me that I switched his booms so they no longer fit, but told tales of it to two friendly competitors. He ended up buying a new boom. Turned out swapping them still did not make one large enough. When asked why he didn't justbswap thrm, he didn't even apologize. Another customer, thst rides 5-7k miles per year had me order his pretty gold chain and cluster off Amazon. I assumed he knew what he wanted. Of course, I could not make it work because they were n ot correct for his bike. He took the story to two friendly competitors claiming I did not even know what parts to order (he paid NOTHING for all this when I could not make it work).

[@Commander_ZiN]

I feel like I've done half of these annoying things except for negotiating price, but I've recently switched from a grumpy shop to a friendly one and they seem to geek as much as me anyway. Still I don't get lifetime service, learning to fix your bike yourself is half the fun isn't it? Just being friendly and offering tips would make me shop there more and be more likely to buy. Unfortunately the shop I switched to still has the original owner but it's now a Giant store. Still the parts and tools on the shelves are way better value and the tools are pretty much the same thing. I would like a bigger brand range, but I'll still go there for a bunch of stuff and may even get a Giant bike just because they're friendly, I'll at least consider it if I ever decide to get a new bike. I started with an old bike, I didn't wanna spend a lot of money if I stopped riding, but the rusty bike is so nice now and getting better all the time.

[@lordalfa600]

The problem about North America is that bicycles are toys. In Europe and parts of Asia and Africa, it is a means of transport. One is a want, the other is a need. Need to get to places to make money. Want to just move. That is the difference.

[@bkefrmr]

Not entirely true though

[@Alex-mt6fe]

Bikes, you gotta love them. If you dont, get out of the industry and do something you do love.

[@bkefrmr]

I absolutely love bikes more that just about anything on earth. It's a deep connection.

[@stevenleith7237]

OMFG can't stop laughing ............................ Well maybe I'll start crying when the next customer walks in.

[@paulc8801]

The ultimate masterclass…hysterical

[@tomskid27]

The bike industry is it’s own toxic enemy. When the industry let Specialized charge people over $10k for a bike, prices skyrocketed. Bike cost as much as a motorcycle nowadays, claiming R&D and manufacturing cost. Totally BS. The $ value in bikes is poop. After 30yrs of riding, I’ve switched over to motorized E & gas dirt bikes (motorcycles) for the same cost as bicycles.

[@bigb7422]

Super Thanks!!

[@hrdcpy]

All great advice for first-timers, but I was expecting a random pivot that discusses the nuances of modern lubricants for 45 minutes.

[@transduser]

I’m not sure but I think I’m picking up on a little sarcasm As someone in the customer service industry loving your videos, keep em coming

[@kenlang6672]

It's true, they got more bikes that Dr Carter has farter starters. The biggest problem seems to be parts. " Wanna rebuild a freewheel? Freehub? You mean there's a difference? Maybe try the co-op across town. We're out. The co-op's out too. We bought the last they had but go check...Get's you outta here". Bicycles are not toys. They're two wheeled black holes we shovel money into. Great vid!

[@wattsdronewilltravel3881]

This really kinda puts the whole retail business/industry in perspective.

[@bkefrmr]

how so?

[@winky619]

Good shit fam

[@bikeyclown4669]

When I worked in a bicycle shop in the 80's, I wish I would have had this guy's videos to watch. I remember the games some customers would play. Like one customer trying to convince me that the mountain bike trend had hit its peak in 1986, and, because that was true, I should sell him the mountain bike he wants at half price before they become valueless and the shop forced to throw them away. The bike shop owners would appreciate what I did later after realizing that I had cut their losses. He was a funny little ding-dong who left without a bike. Or people who wanted their money back after bending a, "defective," frame and fork, and putting a massive dent in the front rim when they lost control and ran their bike into a stationary object at high speed. Yep - the bike was defective.

[@danovee9580]

Unfortunately most will not see or understand your sarcasm, but it does keep me highly entertained...

[@bkefrmr]

Most do

[@Just_ride_it]

love the humor.. I don't buy brand new. Better deals out there buying used if you know what your looking for. But then someone needs to deal and buy a new bike from the nice guys so i can buy it used a year or two later. I work on my own bikes . some are over 25 years old and look brand new. (yes i ride them.)

[@marthaisiordia4104]

😂😂😂😂!!!! The sarcasm is killing me.

[@jonnoble1551]

An American who gets sarcasm, now that's progress! I'm in the market for a new bike so I might show the salesman your video so he knows what he's up against! Great video, I hope you get lots of lovely customers, hang in there.

[@WheelcraftBicycles]

"What's up with those fat bikes? Have any of those around here?" I lost it 😅

[@bkefrmr]

No no. Fat TIRE bikes. If they call them fatbikes, they already know

[@WheelcraftBicycles]

@bkefrmr my mistake...I swear someone says this everyday! That and the line that I could buy a dirt bike for the price of that ebike! Love your channel (Shop owner in WV)

[@user-sb9rb4tc8d]

"Show your kids how the bells work."

[@bkefrmr]

They had it comin’

[@maxring837]

I like to insist it's a seat not a saddle and watch the internal struggle as they weigh up winning an argument to losing a sale.

[@jayanderson6016]

The really sad part of this is that many people are indeed as ignorant about bikes as they seem and that it's not a deliberate act. That character trait would be excusable if it weren't mixed extreme entitlement and zero modesty.

[@bkefrmr]

And by “this” you are referring to your own comment, right? 🙃

[@jayanderson6016]

​@@bkefrmr It's difficult to admit to you that I sometimes bring beer and food to my LBS because they're a great bunch of humans. Of course, I also make them work on my Cannondale Lefty Supermax, so they need all the emotional support they can get!

[@jbratt]

You nailed it with "and fixing them is a hobby". This is not just true in the bike industry, it's true in any industry where the product in a hobby for the customer.

[@trishaleaver3581]

You are the best. Sooo funny!

[@kingedwin]

OOH, I really don't want my local bike shops to close, because I am that guy looking for weird parts for some old bike. OTOH, I may finally be able to afford a gravel bike.

[@drulifson]

Hey Brian, I’m not sure if I laughed more at this or a Charlie Behrens video? Take care buddy and Happy New Year!

[@4epatterson]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 Thanks for the laughs😊

[@David_a_journeyman_curmudgeon]

So... Are you throwing in lifetime service or not?

[@ThemusMaximus]

I loved the "Very Difficult" & "Winning Biggly" reference. Could be problematic for some people though. The whole video was worth a watch, thanks. Read all the comments as well, Soup Nazi comment and reply was the best.

[@matthewhall8790]

Hi there! Part time, mediocre, slow, fat bike racer and mountain biker here. Enjoyed the sarcasm.

[@bkefrmr]

Part time ✅ mediocre ✅ slow ✅ fatbike 🤢 racer 🤮 mountain biker 🙃

[@aleksandrbmelnikov]

I think i know who said bicycles are just toys. It's the same person who said going to school is stupid. Same type who has never been outside of USA, but knows everything about life in other countries, and likes to call them by very colourful names.

[@escgoogle3865]

I've only grumped once to the owner about repair cost. The $860 repair dropped to $750 when one used DA barcon from the parts bin replaced the pair that was spec'ed. Remember this was 10 years ago. Heh, my repair was more than lots of bikes bike then. Now.... you might be able to get something from walmart.

[@mathewrose2951]

Plans for the summer: bring my mechanic two sets of tubulars and very apologetically tell him I'll pay whatever their going rate is along with getting him a pizza just because I know what a beeeatch gluing up tubs can be.

[@ericarachel55]

I just got back into biking after over 40 years, and I can tell you the technology has left me in the dust. I did convert a 5 speed into a 10 speed once but the stuff on my new bike is way past me and I am just starting to catch up with it

[@gepiphany8904]

I wrench, and I don't want to hurt anyone. I am older than the internet. Knowledge is not wisdom. It helps to learn by experience. If you touch a bike, it becomes your responsibility... I am extremely sensitive to other people. Dead serious, here.... don't shame anyone or cut a corner you know would endanger anyone, especially a child. I stopped being a team player in the bike world, so I only wrench for me or my friends. If you become my friend, I will tell you the truth about something--- a part, a product, a design, an opinion, a repair. I don't care about the industry any more, because I care ... it's a liability to be honest. .. I cannot fudge on safety or lie. A good technician must get to a bottom line, in his knowledge and worth, far away from the salesman and manager. If they are all on the same page and with honor, it's a good shop worth your honest money.

[@guycampbell5285]

I was waiting for "I was just riding along. . ." Thanks for putting it at the end.

[@bkefrmr]

No problem!

[@theperpetualadolescent5359]

Hahaha this is all spot on!

[@michaelwoods1924]

Keep your chin up. Thanks for your videos.