Where do you shop?

[martin]

In lieu of recent forum posts - jist curious where you get your bike stuff...

[Dirt]

I shop at all of the above. I also buy from friends and and on ebay.

I always prefer to buy from a local shop. That is my first choice. It doesn't always work out so well though. I've got a buddy who owns a shop that does mail order and he hooks me up in a way that is pretty tempting... especially when funds are tight. I rest assured that his shop is SOMEONE's local shop. ;)

Sometimes Performance or REI have what I need when I need it.

Pete

[martin]

I'll usually buy online -jensonusa.com - Performance pissed me off long ago and I have not gone back in years. I tried once a couple of years ago (Rockville) but the sales people were "uninterested" and I walked out.

I also go to my LBS regularly for "immediate gratification". REI I go to cuz I'm a member and occasionally get something there knowing I'll get 10% back later on in the year. I usually sell on eBay but have only bought bike related shwag once from the auction house.

[Vecsus]

all of the above. depends on what I want, how fast I want it, and what sort of support I think I might need down the road. Although I stay away from REI...they usually have higher markups than even the most greedy LBS.

[pete]

Parts online usually--cuz the internet is never out of anything.
Stuff(clothes, food, tubes---things that can't be messed up) I err to convenience, which in my case is Performance. I did try A1 several times without much luck. Have a buddy do all my work

[hophead]

In lieu of recent forum posts - jist curious where you get your bike stuff...
I voted Performance because over the years I have spent more with them than any of the other choices. Performance is the nearest bike shop so they get most of my business. Their prices are reasonable and they have always treated me well.

I tend to spread my business around. I can't pass a bike shop without going in and once I'm inside, it's like my wife in a shoe store.

I would guesstimate the break down would be something like this:

50% Performance
25% various independent shops
25% on line purchases

[billbowers]

I mostly buy at an LBS, usually Bike Doctor of Linthicum or Race Pace in Ellicott City or Columbia. I find the guys there are friendly and knowledgable. I do buy some stuff online, but not much. I like to see thing before I purchase.

Bill

[drewdane]

In lieu of recent forum posts - jist curious where you get your bike stuff...
This poll needs an "All of the Above".

- When I want to upgrade a (major) component, I usually shop online.

- Basic supplies like tubes and Clif bars and all that, I go for convenience - Performance Tyson's is closest to me.

- For work done that I can't fumble through with my buddy Zinn, I've never dissatified by the wrenches at Revolution Clarendon (tho' I find it helps to call ahead and get an idea of their workload/backlog).

[drtnsnw]

If everyone whose answered, answered truthfully, how is Performance still in business? Hmmm... :D

[BadMammaJamis]

they are still in business from everyone that isnt a member of this site, by people who dont know how to buy off of the web or dont know what they want to buy off of the web. theres a whole lot of "moms and pops" (non MORE types) that go to performance. not to mention its convenience for piddly stuff (tubes, patch kit, etc). i am a big proponent of web purchases but for little piddly stuff i'll stop by the LBS unless i remember to order it while placing a bigger order online.

If everyone whose answered, answered truthfully, how is Performance still in business? Hmmm... :D

[dcufan]

:) being in retail, I must say that performance is best for pricing. they cater to the masses more than they do to the hardcore folks. its like the starbucks of bike shops. i don't like feeding the beast (huge companys), but money talks and that is what keeps me coming back. it also depends on what i'm buying. for parts they're great, frames and high end bikes i go else where due to the brands in witch they carry. its a great store for roadies. thanks to e-commerce local shops have become to pricey and they take too long with repairs and special orders, but carry better / higher end bikes and frames :)

[BadMammaJamis]

once again, maybe its me (and it probably is) but performance or most LBS in the area never have what i want when i go in. do they have saddles, yeah but not the brand and model that i want, do they have cables and housings, yeah but not the ones i want, do they have bar ends, handlebars, headsets, shoes, etc.. yeah but not the ones i want. of course, if i wanted to buy XT shifters and pay alot more at a LBS than online, i guess i could do that. but you can try on clothes, shoes and helmets there (IF they have the ones i want).

and i wonder how many of those $5000 Independent Fabrication bikes are really sold. the one in The Bike Lane seems to be collecting dust ;) but then again, perhaps alot... just not to me.

:) being in retail, I must say that performance is best for pricing. they cater to the masses more than they do to the hardcore folks. its like the starbucks of bike shops. i don't like feeding the beast (huge companys), but money talks and that is what keeps me coming back. it also depends on what i'm buying. for parts they're great, frames and high end bikes i go else where due to the brands in witch they carry. its a great store for roadies. thanks to e-commerce local shops have become to pricey and they take too long with repairs and special orders, but carry better / higher end bikes and frames :)

[Squirrel Girl]

If everyone whose answered, answered truthfully, how is Performance still in business? Hmmm... :DI have only had great interactions with the folks at Performance Manassas. I've also been there when they've had to deal with mean customers.

I remember the story about the customer in Manassas who totally flipped out because the staff couldn't answer why there was a few gram difference between the weight of a water bottle cage as listed on the package, versus listed in the catalog.

It takes all kinds.

[kltbo]

I shop all of them.