Hi knowledgeable ones:

 

I need to clean up my bike and need to pick up a new chain and chain clamp thingamajig. I am interested in doing most work myself.  Where would you tell me to go for the best selection/price? My bike isn't high end, so am looking for reasonable prices.  Are there some favorite places out there?

 

Thanks for your input.

Cheers

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If you do choose to save the money by purchasing online instead of your local shop please do the shop a favor and NEVER ask them for any advice on how to use the tool or repair your bicycle.

The reason the tools from the bike shop cost more are because unlike the online store you are paying to support their overhead which includes not only the space and utilities they pay but also the salaries of the people manning the shop and handing out all of that free advice so many of us enjoy stopping into the bike ship to enjoy.

The extra cost of the tool is the cost of all the 'extras' you get when you deal with a local business who provides total service.

This sentiment also applies to purchasing bikes online as well, if you want to save money buying online don't go into a LBS and enjoy a test ride and then purchase the bike online because the profit the bike shop takes is what covers the perks you enjoy buying from a shop; things like test rides...
I usually ask my LBS (Uptown bikes) to show how that tool works and in return I will buy it from them. They get the sale and I get some good advice. Besides, tools below $30 aren't often *that* much cheaper on eBay once you factor in the shipping cost and the wait time.

I have found that some LBS aren't interested in this approach. They rather not tell you how to do it, but instead sell you the service. I avoid those shops.

Of course this is a different story if you are looking to buy an expensive tool like a truing stand. In that case the price difference is too big even, for me. I will shop around online for the best price. In those cases I've found Jenson and Performance to be great stores, with good selection and good prices


notoriousDUG said:
If you do choose to save the money by purchasing online instead of your local shop please do the shop a favor and NEVER ask them for any advice on how to use the tool or repair your bicycle.
The reason the tools from the bike shop cost more are because unlike the online store you are paying to support their overhead which includes not only the space and utilities they pay but also the salaries of the people manning the shop and handing out all of that free advice so many of us enjoy stopping into the bike ship to enjoy. The extra cost of the tool is the cost of all the 'extras' you get when you deal with a local business who provides total service.

This sentiment also applies to purchasing bikes online as well, if you want to save money buying online don't go into a LBS and enjoy a test ride and then purchase the bike online because the profit the bike shop takes is what covers the perks you enjoy buying from a shop; things like test rides...
I don't really think the big ticket items like a work stand or truing stand apply as much because if you are looking to purchase either one of those items you probably already have a pretty good knowledge base...

Duppie said:
I usually ask my LBS (Uptown bikes) to show how that tool works and in return I will buy it from them. They get the sale and I get some good advice. Besides, tools below $30 aren't often *that* much cheaper on eBay once you factor in the shipping cost and the wait time.

I have found that some LBS aren't interested in this approach. They rather not tell you how to do it, but instead sell you the service. I avoid those shops.

Of course this is a different story if you are looking to buy an expensive tool like a truing stand. In that case the price difference is too big even, for me. I will shop around online for the best price. In those cases I've found Jenson and Performance to be great stores, with good selection and good prices


notoriousDUG said:
If you do choose to save the money by purchasing online instead of your local shop please do the shop a favor and NEVER ask them for any advice on how to use the tool or repair your bicycle.
The reason the tools from the bike shop cost more are because unlike the online store you are paying to support their overhead which includes not only the space and utilities they pay but also the salaries of the people manning the shop and handing out all of that free advice so many of us enjoy stopping into the bike ship to enjoy. The extra cost of the tool is the cost of all the 'extras' you get when you deal with a local business who provides total service.

This sentiment also applies to purchasing bikes online as well, if you want to save money buying online don't go into a LBS and enjoy a test ride and then purchase the bike online because the profit the bike shop takes is what covers the perks you enjoy buying from a shop; things like test rides...
here is another note for you,a lot of bike shops have online eBay stores where they sell their product cheaper then what they go for in their physical stores. Bellsbikeshop,Wheels and Sprocket, Milwaukee Bicycle c/o, etc,etc all
have online eBay stores,and they provide
great communication via eBay email. I usually get a response within 10 mins

I have an iPhone, and i use the eBay app to
view and select bike components.The greatest invention in the world. If I need some cogs,I just enter the word cogs in the search area,and viola!, a list---with pictures and descriptions--off all the cogs on eBay shows up. I can even condense the list to
best price,size,best shipping cost,location
and color.

I'm cool as hell with most of the LBS in the Chicago area,but I only go to them when I need something that I can't fix myself,like counter reaming(soon I won't even need this) or removing a seized component.However, I am a loyal customer when it comes to certain parts like pedals,straps.Smart Bike Parts will always
get my money because they keep mks and christophe in stock,and the price differential of the same items online are not that much cheaper.

a breakdown where most of my spending goes:

online:75 percent
lbs:15 percent
craigslist:10 percent.

It's about what makes sense when it comes to cost and reliability,and to me,the online route is more cost effective and reliable....and can be more informative as well.
mfa cycle factory said:
online:75 percent
lbs:15 percent
craigslist:10 percent.


No crying when local bike shops close then...
I here what you are saying. However, I am not a regular consumer.I fit in the
basement mechanic category, and that category is not large in population,so it does not
have a huge effect on the revenue that lbs generate yearly.

Your avg consumers do not know anything about bikes,so they are going to be the ones pumping money and providing revenue for LBS,which is the way it is suppose to be. LBS exist for the purpose of providing services to people that don't know how to fix their bikes. That market will always be there for
LBS to exploit (just saying).

The more a person learns about building and working on bikes,the less visits that person will make to the lbs.....which is why some lbs like to keep people ignorant when it comes to bikes...

it's a catch 22

notoriousDUG said:
mfa cycle factory said:
online:75 percent
lbs:15 percent
craigslist:10 percent.


No crying when local bike shops close then...
This is nothing but bullshit rationalization of your behavior...

How can you tell me that as a basement builder who uses a ton of parts your decision to purchase online is not a massive blow to your local bike shop? While it is possible that you might never spend much on service with a shop compared to the average cyclist I would be willing to bet that your parts purchases in a year far exceed those of the average cyclist.

Of course when I consider the fact that you feel bike shops 'exploit' the customers who seek service from them I am pretty sure that any argument I have for supporting your local shop is going to fall upon deaf, and ignorant, ears.

Any of you who feel that bike shops are exploiting their customers sit down and figure out their monthly costs vs. their labor rate, mark up and cash flow numbers for the year and then come back and tell me if you feel exploited. As a person who owns a shop (non-bike related) I can not even start to tell you how offensive it is to have people who are obviously ignorant to the cost of doing business complain about pricing on stuff.

mfa cycle factory said:
I here what you are saying. However, I am not a regular consumer.I fit in the
basement mechanic category, and that category is not large in population,so it does not
have a huge effect on the revenue that lbs generate yearly.

Your avg consumers do not know anything about bikes,so they are going to be the ones pumping money and providing revenue for LBS,which is the way it is suppose to be. LBS exist for the purpose of providing services to people that don't know how to fix their bikes. That market will always be there for
LBS to exploit (just saying).

The more a person learns about building and working on bikes,the less visits that person will make to the lbs.....which is why some lbs like to keep people ignorant when it comes to bikes...

it's a catch 22

notoriousDUG said:
mfa cycle factory said:
online:75 percent
lbs:15 percent
craigslist:10 percent.


No crying when local bike shops close then...
Exploit in the sense that they take advantage of that opportunity,because that's
what is, a good opportunity to do business.period.

What do bikeshops do?

They purchase wholesale from places like qbp and sell at a highe price. Now,I don't have any qualms with that.It's business (key word).However, you mean to tell me I can't do the same? I can't search for the best price?

gtfoh.

How many people go to their local grocery stores or produce places to buy their goods?...,.Most people are willing travel miles and miles to places like trader joes or Aldis to get the best deals...are they wrong?

no.it's business(key word).

As a basement mechanic,I've moved over to the other side. The same side that my lbs is own. I search for the best deals and prices...again,I'm not part of the consumer market or field.

Patron comes to me and says,"hey,I want you to convert bike using a 700c vuelta wheelset".Right then and there I have factor in cost. How can i can I get him the wheelset he wants without killing my piggy bank,because I'm building the patron a bike at a set cost?....I research...

first I call around by calling all the lbs in the city,because the quicker I get the wheelset,the better. all the shops I call want 150 for the wheelset, but they have to order it. I make note of that and move on. ....

I go on eBay and do a search. Some guy in
Jersey has the wheelset for 100.00 ,plus free shipping...sold!.....why?....business(key word)....that's why......Not only am I getting a good deal on the wheels,but I'm not being charged for shipping,and it's going to be delivered to my house in the same amount of time it would take the lbs to receive it...

Dollar and cents(sense)= good business(key word)

notoriousDUG said:
This is nothing but bullshit rationalization of your behavior... How can you tell me that as a basement builder who uses a ton of parts your decision to purchase online is not a massive blow to your local bike shop? While it is possible that you might never spend much on service with a shop compared to the average cyclist I would be willing to bet that your parts purchases in a year far exceed those of the average cyclist.

Of course when I consider the fact that you feel bike shops 'exploit' the customers who seek service from them I am pretty sure that any argument I have for supporting your local shop is going to fall upon deaf, and ignorant, ears.

Any of you who feel that bike shops are exploiting their customers sit down and figure out their monthly costs vs. their labor rate, mark up and cash flow numbers for the year and then come back and tell me if you feel exploited. As a person who owns a shop (non-bike related) I can not even start to tell you how offensive it is to have people who are obviously ignorant to the cost of doing business complain about pricing on stuff.

mfa cycle factory said:
I here what you are saying. However, I am not a regular consumer.I fit in the
basement mechanic category, and that category is not large in population,so it does not
have a huge effect on the revenue that lbs generate yearly.

Your avg consumers do not know anything about bikes,so they are going to be the ones pumping money and providing revenue for LBS,which is the way it is suppose to be. LBS exist for the purpose of providing services to people that don't know how to fix their bikes. That market will always be there for
LBS to exploit (just saying).

The more a person learns about building and working on bikes,the less visits that person will make to the lbs.....which is why some lbs like to keep people ignorant when it comes to bikes...

it's a catch 22

notoriousDUG said:
mfa cycle factory said:
online:75 percent
lbs:15 percent
craigslist:10 percent.


No crying when local bike shops close then...
First thing:

You are what is one of the most annoying of all people out there when it comes to people who own shops or provide a legitimate service; you are the jerk who is running a pretend business out of your basement and taking money from the hands of people who have a legit business. Rather then spend money on insurance, making sure sales tax is paid, carrying insurance and doing all of the other stuff a bike ship has to do you are simply acting as a uninsured, taxless bike shop operating out of a no overhead location. Somebody gets hurt because of a bike you built or a part you sold what are you going to do? Are you prepared to fight the legal battle? Do you have to follow all the laws and carry all the costs a real bike shop does? Are you, as an individual, be held to the standard that a real shop is when a customer is dissatisfied?

People doing business like you do are the reason people who own shops tear their hair out because it's hard for them to charge enough to cover costs when they have to compete with somebody who doesn't have to play by the rules. You want to criticize the shops for their prices and practices because you can do it cheaper, try doing it RIGHT and cheaper and see where that gets you.

Second thing:


So when you save the 50 bucks on that wheel set what are you going to do if they come damaged and the seller tells you to pack sand? How about when you sell them to your 'patron' and they end up having a chronic issue with going out of true, are you going to stand behind them for your 'patron' out of your cost because chance are the e-bay guy isn't.

Third thing

your grocery store analogy is just ignorant. Store to store with a brick and mortar is shopping around; people do the same thing with bike parts. Now if it was buying them in the store vs. online then you would be apples to apples. The issue here is buying online vs. buying local, not shopping for the best price. When you shop local you are putting money back into your local economy and doing good for your community. When was the last time E-bay guy or Amazon did something for the local bike community? Last week I gave out prizes at a fund raiser donated by Ciclo Urbano, I have won prizes donated by Boulevard Bikes and other shops I can not think of off hand, Smart Bike Parts has put a beer in my hand more then once; do your e-bay savings do anything to help the community or promote cycling in yout city, because my purchases at the LBS sure as hell do. I shop, mostly, at Boulevard and Ciclo and every time I drop coin there the little extra I pay makes me happy because I know it is going to help the community, pay the salaries of those who help me all the time and generally make this area a better place to live.

Fourth thing:
You want to justify the way you do things by calling them good business then you need to actually be a business, not just some guy faking it out of his basement.

mfa cycle factory said:
Exploit in the sense that they take advantage of that opportunity,because that's
what is, a good opportunity to do business.period.

What do bikeshops do?

They purchase wholesale from places like qbp and sell at a highe price. Now,I don't have any qualms with that.It's business (key word).However, you mean to tell me I can't do the same? I can't search for the best price?

gtfoh.

How many people go to their local grocery stores or produce places to buy their goods?...,.Most people are willing travel miles and miles to places like trader joes or Aldis to get the best deals...are they wrong?

no.it's business(key word).

As a basement mechanic,I've moved over to the other side. The same side that my lbs is own. I search for the best deals and prices...again,I'm not part of the consumer market or field.

Patron comes to me and says,"hey,I want you to convert bike using a 700c vuelta wheelset".Right then and there I have factor in cost. How can i can I get him the wheelset he wants without killing my piggy bank,because I'm building the patron a bike at a set cost?....I research...

first I call around by calling all the lbs in the city,because the quicker I get the wheelset,the better. all the shops I call want 150 for the wheelset, but they have to order it. I make note of that and move on. ....

I go on eBay and do a search. Some guy in
Jersey has the wheelset for 100.00 ,plus free shipping...sold!.....why?....business(key word)....that's why......Not only am I getting a good deal on the wheels,but I'm not being charged for shipping,and it's going to be delivered to my house in the same amount of time it would take the lbs to receive it...

Dollar and cents(sense)= good business(key word)

notoriousDUG said:
This is nothing but bullshit rationalization of your behavior... How can you tell me that as a basement builder who uses a ton of parts your decision to purchase online is not a massive blow to your local bike shop? While it is possible that you might never spend much on service with a shop compared to the average cyclist I would be willing to bet that your parts purchases in a year far exceed those of the average cyclist.

Of course when I consider the fact that you feel bike shops 'exploit' the customers who seek service from them I am pretty sure that any argument I have for supporting your local shop is going to fall upon deaf, and ignorant, ears.

Any of you who feel that bike shops are exploiting their customers sit down and figure out their monthly costs vs. their labor rate, mark up and cash flow numbers for the year and then come back and tell me if you feel exploited. As a person who owns a shop (non-bike related) I can not even start to tell you how offensive it is to have people who are obviously ignorant to the cost of doing business complain about pricing on stuff.

mfa cycle factory said:
I here what you are saying. However, I am not a regular consumer.I fit in the
basement mechanic category, and that category is not large in population,so it does not
have a huge effect on the revenue that lbs generate yearly.

Your avg consumers do not know anything about bikes,so they are going to be the ones pumping money and providing revenue for LBS,which is the way it is suppose to be. LBS exist for the purpose of providing services to people that don't know how to fix their bikes. That market will always be there for
LBS to exploit (just saying).

The more a person learns about building and working on bikes,the less visits that person will make to the lbs.....which is why some lbs like to keep people ignorant when it comes to bikes...

it's a catch 22

notoriousDUG said:
mfa cycle factory said:
online:75 percent
lbs:15 percent
craigslist:10 percent.


No crying when local bike shops close then...
lol

Most bike shops or guys that work in them started off as basement mechanics...as well as old school bike mechanics and builders....

I mean I don't get it.

excuse me for trying to make the world greener and building and converting cycles for the masses.

I can fix and repair anything I sell. If I can't fix or repair it,I don't sell it.

I think you're aiming missles at flys on this one: putting too much energy into something that is impossible to defeat.

First,you start riding,then you start wondering,then you start tinkering,then you start fixing,then start converting,and then you start building ....and that's when you open up a business....
Like I said, I'm not the avg consumer , and I love my LBS, but it does not start and end with them.....You do what is best for your situation.

We agree to disagree.

Nothing more is needed here.



notoriousDUG said:
First thing: You are what is one of the most annoying of all people out there when it comes to people who own shops or provide a legitimate service; you are the jerk who is running a pretend business out of your basement and taking money from the hands of people who have a legit business. Rather then spend money on insurance, making sure sales tax is paid, carrying insurance and doing all of the other stuff a bike ship has to do you are simply acting as a uninsured, taxless bike shop operating out of a no overhead location. Somebody gets hurt because of a bike you built or a part you sold what are you going to do? Are you prepared to fight the legal battle? Do you have to follow all the laws and carry all the costs a real bike shop does? Are you, as an individual, be held to the standard that a real shop is when a customer is dissatisfied?

People doing business like you do are the reason people who own shops tear their hair out because it's hard for them to charge enough to cover costs when they have to compete with somebody who doesn't have to play by the rules. You want to criticize the shops for their prices and practices because you can do it cheaper, try doing it RIGHT and cheaper and see where that gets you.

Second thing:


So when you save the 50 bucks on that wheel set what are you going to do if they come damaged and the seller tells you to pack sand? How about when you sell them to your 'patron' and they end up having a chronic issue with going out of true, are you going to stand behind them for your 'patron' out of your cost because chance are the e-bay guy isn't.

Third thing

your grocery store analogy is just ignorant. Store to store with a brick and mortar is shopping around; people do the same thing with bike parts. Now if it was buying them in the store vs. online then you would be apples to apples. The issue here is buying online vs. buying local, not shopping for the best price. When you shop local you are putting money back into your local economy and doing good for your community. When was the last time E-bay guy or Amazon did something for the local bike community? Last week I gave out prizes at a fund raiser donated by Ciclo Urbano, I have won prizes donated by Boulevard Bikes and other shops I can not think of off hand, Smart Bike Parts has put a beer in my hand more then once; do your e-bay savings do anything to help the community or promote cycling in yout city, because my purchases at the LBS sure as hell do. I shop, mostly, at Boulevard and Ciclo and every time I drop coin there the little extra I pay makes me happy because I know it is going to help the community, pay the salaries of those who help me all the time and generally make this area a better place to live.

Fourth thing:
You want to justify the way you do things by calling them good business then you need to actually be a business, not just some guy faking it out of his basement.

mfa cycle factory said:
Exploit in the sense that they take advantage of that opportunity,because that's
what is, a good opportunity to do business.period.

What do bikeshops do?

They purchase wholesale from places like qbp and sell at a highe price. Now,I don't have any qualms with that.It's business (key word).However, you mean to tell me I can't do the same? I can't search for the best price?

gtfoh.

How many people go to their local grocery stores or produce places to buy their goods?...,.Most people are willing travel miles and miles to places like trader joes or Aldis to get the best deals...are they wrong?

no.it's business(key word).

As a basement mechanic,I've moved over to the other side. The same side that my lbs is own. I search for the best deals and prices...again,I'm not part of the consumer market or field.

Patron comes to me and says,"hey,I want you to convert bike using a 700c vuelta wheelset".Right then and there I have factor in cost. How can i can I get him the wheelset he wants without killing my piggy bank,because I'm building the patron a bike at a set cost?....I research...

first I call around by calling all the lbs in the city,because the quicker I get the wheelset,the better. all the shops I call want 150 for the wheelset, but they have to order it. I make note of that and move on. ....

I go on eBay and do a search. Some guy in
Jersey has the wheelset for 100.00 ,plus free shipping...sold!.....why?....business(key word)....that's why......Not only am I getting a good deal on the wheels,but I'm not being charged for shipping,and it's going to be delivered to my house in the same amount of time it would take the lbs to receive it...

Dollar and cents(sense)= good business(key word)

notoriousDUG said:
This is nothing but bullshit rationalization of your behavior... How can you tell me that as a basement builder who uses a ton of parts your decision to purchase online is not a massive blow to your local bike shop? While it is possible that you might never spend much on service with a shop compared to the average cyclist I would be willing to bet that your parts purchases in a year far exceed those of the average cyclist.

Of course when I consider the fact that you feel bike shops 'exploit' the customers who seek service from them I am pretty sure that any argument I have for supporting your local shop is going to fall upon deaf, and ignorant, ears.

Any of you who feel that bike shops are exploiting their customers sit down and figure out their monthly costs vs. their labor rate, mark up and cash flow numbers for the year and then come back and tell me if you feel exploited. As a person who owns a shop (non-bike related) I can not even start to tell you how offensive it is to have people who are obviously ignorant to the cost of doing business complain about pricing on stuff.

mfa cycle factory said:
I here what you are saying. However, I am not a regular consumer.I fit in the
basement mechanic category, and that category is not large in population,so it does not
have a huge effect on the revenue that lbs generate yearly.

Your avg consumers do not know anything about bikes,so they are going to be the ones pumping money and providing revenue for LBS,which is the way it is suppose to be. LBS exist for the purpose of providing services to people that don't know how to fix their bikes. That market will always be there for
LBS to exploit (just saying).

The more a person learns about building and working on bikes,the less visits that person will make to the lbs.....which is why some lbs like to keep people ignorant when it comes to bikes...

it's a catch 22

notoriousDUG said:
mfa cycle factory said:
online:75 percent
lbs:15 percent
craigslist:10 percent.


No crying when local bike shops close then...
mfa cycle factory said:
Dollar and cents(sense)= good business(key word)

Following this logic is why everything is out sourced to China, why meat packing plants have all moved to states that don't care about unsafe conditions for workers and why companies continue to pollute because the fines are cheaper than doing anything about it. Your business decisions have repercussions for your community and the world and ignoring that is morally irresponsible. I own my a small fabrication company and I face these decisions everyday. It effects my profit but I won't go to Home Depot, I buy hardware from a local firm and use lumber that is recycled or harvested sustainably by a farmer in SE Wisconson

mfa cycle factory said:
Your avg consumers do not know anything about bikes.

Lbs are a resource for all cyclists, not just the ignorant. I've been building bikes and wheelsets for twenty some years and I still appreciate the help I get occasionally. Even full time mechanics benefit for one anothers knowledge. At good shops professionals have access to training most of us don't. Sram classes on rebuilding suspension forks, Serotta fit certification or an old timer showing them how to rebuild a Campy shifter. I love my fixed gear but the cycling world is a lot bigger than fixed conversions. If we let the bike shops wither we'll have a cycling monoculture of only superficial bicycle knowledge.
I'm not arguing against that,but it is not limited to that.LBS is a great place to learn from and be a part of,the good ones that is.

I don't depend on any single source completely...If I can't get it online, I can get it from my LBS,and vice versa...

Two books and an online site taught me everything I know:
The Bicycle Manual by Eugene Sloan,The Bicycle Wheel by Jobst Brandt, and mister
Sheldon Brown.....I live and die by their words and practices,and they chanted the same things that I'm chanting .,,,Learn how to do things yourself and not be so dependent on your LBS..

options

options

options

research

research

research

never settle for less,settle for best.....


JKH said:
mfa cycle factory said: Dollar and cents(sense)= good business(key word)
Following this logic is why everything is out sourced to China, why meat packing plants have all moved to states that don't care about unsafe conditions for workers and why companies continue to pollute because the fines are cheaper than doing anything about it. Your business decisions have repercussions for your community and the world and ignoring that is morally irresponsible. I own my a small fabrication company and I face these decisions everyday. It effects my profit but I won't go to Home Depot, I buy hardware from a local firm and use lumber that is recycled or harvested sustainably by a farmer in SE Wisconson

mfa cycle factory said:
Your avg consumers do not know anything about bikes.

Lbs are a resource for all cyclists, not just the ignorant. I've been building bikes and wheelsets for twenty some years and I still appreciate the help I get occasionally. Even full time mechanics benefit for one anothers knowledge. At good shops professionals have access to training most of us don't. Sram classes on rebuilding suspension forks, Serotta fit certification or an old timer showing them how to rebuild a Campy shifter. I love my fixed gear but the cycling world is a lot bigger than fixed conversions. If we let the bike shops wither we'll have a cycling monoculture of only superficial bicycle knowledge.

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