Hanging Out at the Bicycle Shop
I have had a love affair with bikes for most of my life. I like bicycles of every shape, color, type and size. They attract me like a bear to a honey pot. So it might surprise you to learn that it took me a while to figure out that there is a real difference in bicycle shops. And I’ve developed a preference for a certain kind of shop.
On one end of the scale, you have the trendy, high volume bike shop. They sell the expensive models that people who want to be up-to-date buy. These are great bikes if you can afford them. These shops usually do offer some type of repair service, but the price will often reflect the prices of the bikes.
On the other end of the scale, you have the small, one owner type of shop. It’s been my experience that this is usually a family business and they might have started by running it out of their garage and then when it got popular enough, they move into a little retail shop where they could offer bicycles for sale as well as the repair service.
One thing cannot be denied: if you use a bike at all, sooner or later it will need to be repaired. Now you can try to do it yourself, but since bikes are becoming more and more sophisticated, it’s probably a good idea to take the bike to a professional. You’ll be happier in the long run and I know the bike will be happier.
There are, of course, simple repairs that most people can handle. If you ride very long, you will pick up repair skills. Breaking down on a lonely country road will teach you skills you never knew you had. (Like changing a tire or making a small adjustment.) However, when the time comes to take it into the shop, there are some recommendations I’d like to make.
Try to find a shop that charges reasonable prices (I like the family shops), and look for a shop that handles second-hand bikes. A shop that offers second-hand bikes is usually good at repair, also.
Check around before you need the repairs so you’ll be ready when you do. Ask if the shop refurbishes used bicycles. When it comes time to buy a new bike, consider buying a used one. You will be doing the shop a favor, you’ll be doing yourself a favor and you will be doing the earth a favor. With everybody being interested in being “green” these days, buying used can be a big help at keeping the land fills empty.
Of course, it doesn’t hurt to save a little money. A refurbished bike is much cheaper than a new bike. By supporting the shops that sell used bikes, you keep them in business. And more people can afford to own bicycles. If we can get more people riding, there will be less car exhaust and people will by default exercise more and the world will be a healthier place all around.
Whenever I’m in a shop that doesn’t like to work with used bicycles, I like to remind them that they could be doing a great service to their customers. Little things can sometimes change the world. Take part in bicycle recycling and do your part to help your little corner of the world.
James Hoag