The Case for Bike Shops

[@pixellab377]

I live in Toronto, don't have a favourite shop because I shop used parts and bikes online. However, I love another kind of "shops" (actually they are non-profit, live off of donation) in my city that has tools, parts and volunteer experts help people build and fix bikes. It's a really awesome locoal cycling community. For more information: those organizations are Bikesauce and Bike Pirates.

[@alejandropena1189]

the best thing a bike shop ever did for me was give me a job :)

[@cannonfodder_is_an_idiot]

This video makes me feel like he is staring into my soul... his gaze is kinda intense

[@dans.adventures]

Hey Zach, Just wanted to say I enjoy the videos you've produced! Good job my friend! Keep up the good work. I'm a new subscriber for sure. - Dan

[@Numantino312]

Zach, you left out the most important part: MECHANICS. you did mention that bike shops show you how to take care of the bike and so on, though that misses the point. like myself, there are a lot of people who are simply not mechanically inclined. i could safely install panier bags, tho that's about as far as my skill level -or inclination goes. whereas the bike shop that does the simple stuff like that, as well as fix brake cables, replace derailleurs, etc: that's irreplaceable. can't be done online. "but you can learn..." first off: if one barely has time to ride their bike, they likely don't have time to learn how become their own mechanic. second: the bike function is life-and-death. a in-store mechanic has the experience to fix my brakes or chain the first time around cos they have done the same thing with half a dozen other bikes that same day before i rolled in the door. for that fact alone: SUPPORT YOUR LOCALE BIKE SHOP!

[@TheSmartCat1]

Hi Zach, great video as usual. Well, there are lots of LBS near to me (including mine) and yes, as Wesley Hidalgo posted before, some of 'em are pretentious and sometimes that could be end in "one less client" ... But even when are "rivals", we still friends and supporting each other at the end of the day. As you said, the face to face contact, the community and the "subculture of bike weirdos" are things that no online site can provide. Keep the good job. Big fan!!!

[@johnbaca8692]

My LBS is Alpha Bicycle Co. in Vista, CA. They taught me how to work on bikes. I shopped there mainly, but discovered the good deals that use to be all over ebay. I did feel a little bit guilty buying online, but now I'm okay with ebay and Craig's List. After awhile the Alpha guys started to give me a nice discount - wow! They hooked me up with stuff, and I gave them parts and accessories that I would not use. They are friends, and I enjoy hanging out there. I can now tear down and build a bike from a frame and fork with a box of parts, and diagnose most problems. They are still needed to help with the weird problems, and for that educated touch on tough adjustments.

[@ingrainedcyclist3311]

As a bike mechanic at a LBS the number one mistake I see people make when trying to cut out us when ordering parts online is the fact they almost always order the wrong items. People often are not aware of what is and is not compatible. We help lower that chance. Also doing some tasks requires very specific and sometimes expensive tools. Folks are often upset we don't stock very specific bikes for them, but truth is if we don't then that item is probably difficult if not near impossible to sell to our regular customer base. Also we make almost all our money on sales. No matter how much I repair and work mechanically on bikes I will barely make more money for my shop than what my boss pays me. If you're a wiz mechanically, know more than me, and have a home shop then awesome. I applaud you. I know what it was like to be a home mechanic who learned from videos first. And I gotta say with training I am several times more knowledgeable than I ever could be self taught and I do the same tasks at over 5 times the speed and proficiency. I'm lucky to work at a bike shop that tries to always help our customers. I know that others with different attitudes exist. I was just a dork that commuted everyday and rode past the shop and stopped in occasionally to grab parts or get my bike worked on. I was riding some cheap nishiki hybrid at first then eventually I saved up to get a crossrip from them. All the shop employees came up to me one at a time while I was waiting for it to get finished to congratulate me on my upgrade. One day I was riding by to go to work, and the bosses sun ran out to ask me if I wanted a job. One of the best decisions I ever made.

[@bb3866]

I visit Dave and Angie at Retrogression on a regular basis. Killer prices, killer selection of parts and two super cool people.

[@666freak999]

Can you not have background music? Id much rather just hear what you have to say

[@icyknight619]

After a recommendation from my boss on a bike I may be interested in. A local bike shop ordered what I wanted and got me everything I needed to get started as well as gave me tips on how to maintain it and several other things. Everyone was extremely nice and excited about me getting into biking!

[@scafx08]

love my local bikeshop! bought my neat fixed monster in the specialised store in the next big city though, but for the everyday struggle i head to my local buddy! most of the problems i can fix myself there and he provides me with all the everyday parts, like tubes, bartapes etc

[@saltylancegames3346]

Honestly I just moved to a new area and the first thing I did. Was go check out all the local bike shops in the area. Second day here I bought another bike (massive going out of buisness sale). I love local bike shops they know all about rides and races. I come from a small area with almost no races or anything and I am used to riding alone. its exciting for me, and is helping learn a new area. Love those bike shops.

[@latuman]

There are many kinds of shops. I've tried some, but their knowledge isn't that great (I've corrected shops on mistakes) and selection minimal. It's just too bad. Some kind of bicycles just don't exist in our shops, like my full rigid 29er mtb, because that's what I want for reasons I've made clear.

[@andreusgordon1404]

free food, great people, events, beer, and just plain fun everytime I drop by

[@camprose]

Zach I just watched my first vlog from you and can't say enough about getting out and supporting your local bike shop! great post man look forward to binge watching your channel!

[@MattSezer]

For components bike shops are normally overpriced, but as far as buying a complete bike, they can actually have some pretty good deals, especially if they're trying to clear out their inventory at the end of the season. Also, a lot of them include free tune ups for the first year and stuff like that.

[@andrewbrown6462]

My favorite local shop is the one i used to work for, pedal pushers in Harrisburg. I've never had a problem and find they are looking out for my best interest

[@stevegorkowski3246]

My local shop is very small and is very limited but he is above average in repairing bicycles. I make a point to buy odds and ends when I can. He rides bikes local in the summer and winter and I hope to ride with him this year. One thing to remember about bike shops take in trades and you can get a good deal on a used bike. If you tell them what your looking for used many shops will take your name and call you if something comes in used.

[@dansallsadventurersinlife4311]

shop local when I can, I've purchased eight bikes from the same shop with no regrets. I have only bought one online and that experience was a huge mistake, ie: shipping, emails to find out where it was, driving an hour to pickup the bike because I wasn't home when delivered, and unexpected expenses to get it released at the Canadian border. good video buddy

[@lukehayden5492]

Here in Bloomington, IN I've had really good experiences with a bike shop. I was switching my wheels over to road tires and being a tubeless set up it was near impossible to get the 25 mm wheels onto the rims. They spent a good amount of time trying to make it work and they changed the tire to a 28 mm and they charged me for the tire but none of the labor. I thought this was pretty classy.

[@CobraKyle]

When it came to shopping for panniers I realized they were a bit pricey (more expensive than my bike in most cases). I just zip tied a milk crate with a cardboard box inside it to my rack. Works quite well. Not winning any style points, but it could hold several baguettes.

[@matthewdezii]

As a shop mechanic, going to a shop is the best. As a customer, going to a shop is the best. This was well argued. It can take awhile to find the right shop for you, but once you find a shop you can work with, the relationship can only grow from there.

[@Shhhring]

bike shops can be great but some bike shops will just push msrp prices (i tried to buy a formula hub and they were pushing it was 60$) and then tell you it'll be $40 to built the wheel, all of which in an unfriendly manner.

[@OMazoo22]

Coolest thing my shop has done for me is employ me! I agree with all your arguments for the case. But the problem a lot of people have with a lot of shops, from my experience, is the shops that pay their workers commission. From my experience and customers remarks about other shops in town which i know pay commission, they are not friendly or willing to help unless the pay is right. It's those shops that do not deserve your business for they are trying to screw you.

[@allardfreichmann3733]

That's why shops will never disappear.

[@thisisthewolf9521]

well, my bike shop has only one person, an old man who used to be a pro rider. he gave me lota of components over the years, plus he teached me almost everything i know about bikes. plus he's really cheap, and still does me discounts even on cheap items.

[@DasMouse117]

My local bike shop, hmmm, they're ok. I buy from them when I can but as a bike mechanic, I can always just do my own work on my bike. They're also a little anti-social so being in the shop is always awkward. I did get to meet some people who ride regularly but the guy who leads it is a jerk. So I ride solo

[@jeancarlovilla9866]

This video was nice but also everyone has their own experience with shopping online or at a shop. Me for example, I can say that I've been to many bike shops here in LA and for the most part I always walk out empty handed only to find what I was looking for online for half the price, I am still connected to other bike groups and have many friends that ride and I also meet other people on those rides with whom I connect with as well. You do not have to go to a bike shop and spend tons of money only to connect with other people, riders and groups. You can still shop on a budget online and still ride and meet many new people Bike shops have great bundle deals but for the most part are very pricey and there are many online websites as well as Facebook bike groups where people sale and trade parts or even new parts for cheap. FINDING BIKE COMPONENTS ONLINE is great. That's just my experience though but I enjoy your videos Zach thanks for making them. :)

[@skippygirl959]

I try to support local businesses as much as I can.

[@marcuspotter3794]

i run a bike shop here in England Leicester and this is exactly what I do. but I want to start a fixed gear club for my shop how can I do this?

[@Numantino312]

ask everybody who walks into the store their thoughts about it. the fixed-gear people who come in are obvious enough, though you can ask any of the other customers if they know someone who does fixed-gear. fixed-gear people are usually pretty dedicated, so once you know of three or four people, you already have a club.

[@JimexJimex]

But here is the thing. I know what I am doing. In fact, I often find myself more knowledgeable then the local bike shop staff about bikes.

[@Felix93C]

Totally agreed! I trust my local bike shop. I always let them fix my bike without request anything. Problem solved. Done! As beginner rider, it is very troublesome make purchase online and very risky when the item not fit your needs. Btw, thanks for cycling cap video, saved my life during a heavy rain ride. I not riding in blind with glasses on anymore. Love you... Haha

[@jalilwhite542]

Kayuh Bicycle café are the best I got my wheels custom built lace with dt Swiss bladed spokes cxp 30 mavic rims, Shimano dura ace 7400 hubs threaded for a free wheel with dura ace 9000 quick release front and back levers I also have dura ace 7710 octalink crankset with a 46 chainring on it but in short they didn't charge me for the labor

[@techdoge9650]

Hey man do you know if there are any cheap fixed gear wheel sets that fit on a 26" 7-speed mountain bike rear fork? I want to try fixed gear riding but don´t want to spend a lot of money or buy a shitty fixed gear bike, so I want to install a fixed gear wheel set to my old mountain bike and maybe change the handle bar. And if there aren´t any that have axles wide anough is it possible to extend/ replace the axle? I know I´m a bike noob but I can fix bikes and want to try fixed gear riding. Thanks!

[@techdoge9650]

***** thanks alot, I had a hard time finding any 26" wheels, definetly will read the article!

[@slipinn]

You'll pay a hefty price at the bike shop. I looked at a seat pack at the bike shop, it was 24.95. The very same seat pack on ebay was 7.00. # times the price is too steep for me.

[@Paganiproductions84]

i have brought 2 bikes from lbs both mountainbikes and online a Canyon Mtb

[@richardcarr6493]

l m 50 /50 about bike shops both are good but l ve seen stuff l think are out to lunch .l have gotten old parts from both for nothing rear coaster brake hub for my chopper bike and two old seats for my MTBs yes l have two .and now l m on the fence getting a road bike ,the shops are charging $700+ for one and store outlet 300$ oych .l m a single dad on a budget so l made my ridged MYB into a hybrid with skinny road tires but still not as lte as road bike but l m sure it rides better ... any suggestions??

[@TheZ317]

bikesdirect (website) has really good quality bikes for low cost. You could get a geared roadbike for as low as $200. Got my Kilo TT bike there

[@brendachao4890]

I buy my bikes from REI ( aka rental equipment incorporated haha ) every year since they have a return policy that is so great you can and should abuse it. I am so glad I am member if REI as I can buy the latest and greatest bike , use it to commute for a year and then return it. Repeat buy another new shinny bike and then return it a year later .... u get the point .... you can thank me anytime .... 😊 Best thing is I don't need to service my bike anymore as it never break within one year and of any parts break just return the bike and buy another one U all get my point I love REI ❤️ 😍 💖 ❣️

[@bler43]

for accessories and maintenance yeah i would say bike shops are good. But buying a new bike i would prefer not to deal with dealers and buy the thing for myself and have it deliver at my doorstep. hopefully canyon bikes will open soon here in the US

[@marcinswidzinski]

My bike shop is an awesome place. They service bikes in their own place and, in addition, they have an actual ambulance turned into a bicycle service truck, which is great. And the nicest thing they did - apart from being genuinely nice and fun people, they built this beast for me: drive.google.com/open?id=0B5EPo_zgIVaCcEFHbVl4M1BGV1E They put up with my bitching, with my moaning, are extremely patient, for which I am grateful :) Thanks for all the videos, they are really fun to watch!

[@Numantino312]

that's GREAT! there are two bike shops on a bus line where i live but that's an exceptional arrangement. because i'm not mechanically inclined, nor do i keep a car; so without those buses+bike racks, i'd be in serious trouble if i needed anything more than an adjustment. you should note that store + location here; am going to repeat the ambulance idea to both the shops here, so thank you for mentioning!

[@pwnedbyfishies]

Love my lbs, hang out there all the time, chat with the owners and interns, get a drink on a hot day, free and discounted stuff.

[@iluvDDR]

Zach, you're basically speaking for the type of bike shop YOU would own. I would 10/10 spend money on bike stuff if you opened up a shop. But let's be real, most LBS are as mentioned below, the pretentious kind that may mean well, but they're really just trying to sell you a bike. Once you tell them you're not interested or even hint at it, they become uninterested in you. It's hard when you're a women too, they pay little attention to what I'm saying. I know what I'm looking for but they try to up-sell me hard like I don't know what I'm doing!!

[@JogieGlenMait16]

my bike mechanic just know what parts my bike needs. pretty awesome. worth the extra bucks for the "expertise"

[@MrPunkassfuck]

Shouldn't be hard since the part says the brand and model and all other info right on it.

[@0bliviousboy]

I prefer to learn how to fix a bike on my own and all the 'troublesome' things that people dun really learn, in the end i always end up helping my friend repair their bikes because i have bought the tools for it and i start to want people to enjoy riding without having the need to pay for the maintenance and i oso end up teaching them too so it is quite a good way to make friends and i oso know how to fix my bike when a problem arises so its like studying first before playing xD

[@0bliviousboy]

And btw thanks for your videos, i learnt new things about fixed gear xD

[@0bliviousboy]

+Unknown Face and hello from singapore xD our best bike shops to me is cycle project store and fishtail cycles xD

[@kidShibuya]

Local bike shops are cool and generally not trying to screw you but sometimes distributors are genuinely out to get you. I went to a local bike shop in Japan to build my minivelo, it was using rotor cranks. To get them via official channels though the store would have been about $250 more expensive than buying them from Germany and getting them shipped to Japan. I ended up splitting up the parts list and getting some myself off the internet and some the bike shop got. The bike shop built it all and I just paid labor on the parts I sourced. What I dont get is why cant the local bike shop also order off the internet? Pretty sure the distributors must forbid it in their contract ;(

[@arnauddelvoye]

All the bikeshops around my town (I live in Belgium) are pretty bad. The parts they sell are WAY overpriced and most of the time I know more about bikes than the mechanics that work there... There's one shop that's pretty good but they only sell MTB stuff. Not the most usefull thing when you only have a fixed gear bike!

[@4026-J]

Im waiting for dat how to skid vid

[@bikemaurice1953]

Excellent information, Zach o_o

[@sprae2480]

My local bike shops (rich city rides ) is a rip off

[@jeffski360]

I went to a bike shop to look for guidonnet brake levers and bar tapes. I ended up listening to the shop owner mistaking dropbars for bullhorns. Heck the owner scuffed at me when i mentioned my Guidonnet brake levers that I put on refund on ebay because I thought I bought the wrong size and that I'm not giving my money to his business. He even slightly insulted me for looking for a generic bar tapes that is cheaper than his $20 Shimano black 'Cork' bar tapes. Fucking $20 cork bar tapes. Might as well buy a brooks leather bar tapes + lunch with that money.

[@jeffski360]

Plus all his bikes are over 50% more expensive. I used to live in the Philippines, currently in Australia. I love local bike shops, but with my experience with bike shops here in Australia makes me want to buy a plane ticket back to my country just to buy bike parts. I'm guessing it's going to be waaaaaaaaaaay cheaper.

[@keeee38]

is dat 360p

[@novedekne]

I have a lot of resentment for my local bike shops. They really are out to rip their customers off because they know the customers in this area can afford it and don't know any better. Most of the bike shops here are fairly elitist and condescending. I really hate to say that I'm mostly reliant on REI and the internet, but bike shops here really are bad and they get the reviews to reflect that. I've had good experiences at the shops a few towns over, but the shops in my town are just awful.

[@GreyFawkes0]

When you have elitist bike shops that look down on people for riding fixed, it can deter one from interacting with them.

[@GreyFawkes0]

If I lived in a bigger city area, I'm positive my experience would be different

[@veteransview4u665]

wise words

[@Evil_Morty2000]

But don't you go to the bike-shop first,to look at things,before buying online?You said it yourself in the beginning of the video?Why are you going on the internet for 12 hours after?Am I missing something here?

[@zac_in_ak]

I'm spoiled I have multiple good shops

[@treffle17]

Love your videos , they're very educational. It's a little late for the correction and I don't mean to be a ∆!€K , but it's pronounced like Kanye with a P , "Pa-Nye" , with the "a" sounding with an "Ah" and not "an" sound "Pah-ni-é". Love the video

[@vankind8547]

Good video👍

[@zwergstein2152]

music a bit too loud otherwise great videos

[@donaldglovr1011]

Free beadon and cage

[@brendachao4890]

Hey dude Zach... we r in the 21st century and no one shop in brick and mortar bike shop ... also bike shop will sell u the most expensive bike not the bike you need ... most bike shop idiots r not honest and they r all scum bags ... hahaha

[@mikuramsay]

Racks and pantyhose ay?