Over the last few years I've noticed that many local bike shops don't care much about us bike re-builder's / restorers / customizers. This is especially true of my hometown on the Gulf Coast where most of the bike shops cater only to Spandex wearing / Carbon-fiber Roadies who look like..... um.... I can't say on this forum due to decorum reasons. If an old school Schwinn rebuilder walks into some of their shops, they are treated with a sort of distain.
"Hmmmmm" they say as they look up from working on a Scott 5 lb track bike. "We don't carry THOSE kind of parts. Maybe you should try Goodwill."
It can be rather discouraging, actually. In fact, the manager of the LBS around the corner from my house actually suggested that my 1960's Paramount frame might be best used as a fishing reef! "It's not worth bothering with" he said. Geeezzz... I wonder what they'd think of my 58 Tornado? I shudder to think about it.
BUT.... there is ONE shop in my town that LOVES old bikes, new bikes, fancy bikes, plain bikes and even old raggedy bikes! (they even like us old curmudgeonous Schwinn fixer-uppers!) They do sell carbon fibrousosities.... but they also sell cruisers, fixies, and just about anything else with two wheels and pedals..... AND they take the time to work with their customers to get just the right parts. The owner takes the time to learn the customer's names and needs, as does the entire staff. They are just good folks. (and they even have a friendly dog who greets their customers)
Just this last week I brought in a ragged 1978 Continental that I'd bought at the flea market for almost nothing.... and they spent an hour helping me fix up the rear hub, order the coolest right pedals, and ponder such aesthetics as the right paint color and handlebar tape. The hub was especially challenging since it was a first-generation cassette with a funky lock ring system that I'd never even seen before.... and I thought I'd seen just about everything hubbish!
Anyway, this shop is great! If I were to ever open a business, it's the kind of place I'd want to be. So.... if you are ever in LA (that's Lower Alabama to you who don't already know ) and need some Bicycle Happiness stop in at Spoke and Trail on Old Shell Road.
So...what about YOUR town? Is there that one GREAT shop that loves cool bikes?
"Hmmmmm" they say as they look up from working on a Scott 5 lb track bike. "We don't carry THOSE kind of parts. Maybe you should try Goodwill."
It can be rather discouraging, actually. In fact, the manager of the LBS around the corner from my house actually suggested that my 1960's Paramount frame might be best used as a fishing reef! "It's not worth bothering with" he said. Geeezzz... I wonder what they'd think of my 58 Tornado? I shudder to think about it.
BUT.... there is ONE shop in my town that LOVES old bikes, new bikes, fancy bikes, plain bikes and even old raggedy bikes! (they even like us old curmudgeonous Schwinn fixer-uppers!) They do sell carbon fibrousosities.... but they also sell cruisers, fixies, and just about anything else with two wheels and pedals..... AND they take the time to work with their customers to get just the right parts. The owner takes the time to learn the customer's names and needs, as does the entire staff. They are just good folks. (and they even have a friendly dog who greets their customers)
Just this last week I brought in a ragged 1978 Continental that I'd bought at the flea market for almost nothing.... and they spent an hour helping me fix up the rear hub, order the coolest right pedals, and ponder such aesthetics as the right paint color and handlebar tape. The hub was especially challenging since it was a first-generation cassette with a funky lock ring system that I'd never even seen before.... and I thought I'd seen just about everything hubbish!
Anyway, this shop is great! If I were to ever open a business, it's the kind of place I'd want to be. So.... if you are ever in LA (that's Lower Alabama to you who don't already know ) and need some Bicycle Happiness stop in at Spoke and Trail on Old Shell Road.
So...what about YOUR town? Is there that one GREAT shop that loves cool bikes?
