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>What I see in the article is a bike shop I probably wouldn't patronize because it rationalizes treating some people badly. 100% agree. bike shops need to sto

>What I see in the article is a bike shop I probably wouldn't patronize because it rationalizes treating some people badly. 100% agree. bike shops need to stop trying to pick their customers, and just sell stuff to people who want to buy it. it's nice that some bike shops can function as community hubs, but there's way too many run by people like the author of this piece, who have the "i didn't get in this business to get rich" attitude and use that as a justification for treating "their crowd" well and being rude or dismissive of the others. I eagerly await the future where 90% of local bike shops have been killed off by online sales, because then i won't have to deal with the jerks who run bike shops. i actually get nervous going into a bike shop in a new town, because i never know if they're going to accept me as part of their crowd. when i just want to buy a bottle of chain lube, that's not something i should have to think about.

jmkd 6y ago
He wasn't being rude or dismissive to others. He cites repeated examples of being generous and welcoming to passing cyclists who repay his kindness with disrespect. I'd go out of my way for a shop like this.
- notatoad 6y ago
  yes, the author does not specifically cite examples where he was rude to roadies or mountain bikers. But he wrote a 1000-word essay about why bike shops shouldn't cater to us and celebrating the failure of shops who do. as both a roadie and a mountain biker who's gotten sneered at by plenty of bike shop employees, this doesn't lead me to believe i'd be welcomed with a smile when i walked into the author's shop.
  - mixmastamyk 6y ago
    I got the impression that if you were polite and realized that it is a shop that caters to regular folks you'd be fine.
  - PostPlummer 6y ago
    You just described my experiences with motorcycle shops. Man I wish there was less "MC culture" there and more customer service. Where I live it feels so bad that although I have a driving license since a month, I do not fancy the idea of buying one in a shop but rather steer clear from them and buy online. Which, I am certain, will bite me in the youknowwhat when it will be due for service.
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petre 6y ago
Good luck fixing your bike online then. Bike shops that want to survive should primarily stick to fixing bikes and keep inventory that sells regardless of fashion trends. Like a tube, a bottle or chain lube. Also parts needed to fix bikes. There's little point in stocking new bikes today, but one could order for the customer or build custom bikes on order. I mostly build my bikes by myself but I also go to a shop for things I can't do myself and also buy stuff from them even if it's more expensive because I don't have to wait for delivery.

jmkd 6y ago

He wasn't being rude or dismissive to others. He cites repeated examples of being generous and welcoming to passing cyclists who repay his kindness with disrespect. I'd go out of my way for a shop like this.

notatoad 6y ago
yes, the author does not specifically cite examples where he was rude to roadies or mountain bikers. But he wrote a 1000-word essay about why bike shops shouldn't cater to us and celebrating the failure of shops who do. as both a roadie and a mountain biker who's gotten sneered at by plenty of bike shop employees, this doesn't lead me to believe i'd be welcomed with a smile when i walked into the author's shop.
- mixmastamyk 6y ago
  I got the impression that if you were polite and realized that it is a shop that caters to regular folks you'd be fine.
- PostPlummer 6y ago
  You just described my experiences with motorcycle shops. Man I wish there was less "MC culture" there and more customer service. Where I live it feels so bad that although I have a driving license since a month, I do not fancy the idea of buying one in a shop but rather steer clear from them and buy online. Which, I am certain, will bite me in the youknowwhat when it will be due for service.

deleted 6y ago

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petre 6y ago

Good luck fixing your bike online then. Bike shops that want to survive should primarily stick to fixing bikes and keep inventory that sells regardless of fashion trends. Like a tube, a bottle or chain lube. Also parts needed to fix bikes. There's little point in stocking new bikes today, but one could order for the customer or build custom bikes on order. I mostly build my bikes by myself but I also go to a shop for things I can't do myself and also buy stuff from them even if it's more expensive because I don't have to wait for delivery.