Popular Post ChrisL Posted February 3, 2019 Popular Post Share #1 Posted February 3, 2019 Since it’s raining all weekend I took my Anthem in for a free tune up. I got to the shop when it first opened and the wrench said give me an hour. No problem so I started drooling on bikes. So my usual guy Brad is there, he remembers me and we talk for a bit. Then new kid walks up, introduces himself and we get to chatting. Bright kid, personal & friendly but doesn’t know shit about bikes. So we get to to talking and I realize I’m now educating him on stuff, not the other way around. But since I got his attention I really start schooling him. Educate yourself on your products (what he was using me for). Don’t be a snob, we don’t like that. If you don’t know, that’s ok, Just say let me find out and get Brad. Old guys like me who have ridden forever know what we want & like, just help us find it and don’t push shit we don’t want. Ride, you can’t sell the stuff if you don’t use it. Doesn’t have to be high end, you don’t have to race, just ride. Become one of us. It went on like this for a good 30 minutes and new kid was eating it up. At one point Brad walks by, gives me a smile & wink and keeps walking. I liked the kid, I think he’s got a bright future and hope my pearls of wisdom helps him. 6 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bikeman564™ Posted February 3, 2019 Share #2 Posted February 3, 2019 12 minutes ago, ChrisL said: Old guys like me who have ridden forever know what we want & like, just help us find it and don’t push shit we don’t want. Very true. I'm like this w/ a lot of things on my bike. And nice thing you did there w/ the new kid. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donkpow Posted February 3, 2019 Share #3 Posted February 3, 2019 Why don't you leave the kid alone, for Pete's sake. 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrapr ★ Posted February 3, 2019 Share #4 Posted February 3, 2019 41 minutes ago, donkpow said: Why don't you leave the kid alone, for Pete's sake. you know he goes home & tells SO I was trying to work & be productive & this old guy kept bending my ear.... ? 1 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisL Posted February 3, 2019 Author Share #5 Posted February 3, 2019 31 minutes ago, Scrapr said: you know he goes home & tells SO I was trying to work & be productive & this old guy kept bending my ear.... ? It actually started with him asking ME questions about my Anthem, what I liked about it and why I chose it over the Trance. It then morphed into a discussion on flat vs clipped in pedals, types of shoes and why I liked them, bottle vs camelback etc. It was dead in the shop at opening time on a rainy day so he had time to BS with me while I waited. Oh and I doubt the kid had a SO, GF maybe. He was maybe 19... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donkpow Posted February 3, 2019 Share #6 Posted February 3, 2019 There are different areas of knowledge a bike shop employee should possess. I find a consistent lack of mechanic focused knowledge in a bike shop. Everybody is hopped up on gear and riding but nobody lives to be a bike mechanic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ralphie ★ Posted February 3, 2019 Share #7 Posted February 3, 2019 16 minutes ago, donkpow said: There are different areas of knowledge a bike shop employee should possess. I find a consistent lack of mechanic focused knowledge in a bike shop. Everybody is hopped up on gear and riding but nobody lives to be a bike mechanic. I'm still pi$$ed that my rims came apart shortly after I had the lbs true them. Yes, they were old, but they were tank-like and had managed to last for 15 years up until then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donkpow Posted February 3, 2019 Share #8 Posted February 3, 2019 16 minutes ago, RalphWaldoMooseworth said: I'm still pi$$ed that my rims came apart shortly after I had the lbs true them. Yes, they were old, but they were tank-like and had managed to last for 15 years up until then. I've got the new bicycle and I check 'er over pretty good. The wheels are factory built and it appears no lubricant was used when they built the wheels. This makes break away torque unusually high and not representative of anything about wheel or spoke tension. I damaged one of the nipples until I found a technique to adjust the spokes. One of these days, I'll go back and rebuild the wheel with existing parts and get everything nice and lubricated. I get a free 90 day check up on the bike from the store and the guy cautioned me about doing anything that would negate the warranty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smudge ★ Posted February 4, 2019 Share #9 Posted February 4, 2019 10 hours ago, ChrisL said: Old guys like me who have ridden forever know what we want & like, just help us find it and don’t push shit we don’t want. This. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisL Posted February 4, 2019 Author Share #10 Posted February 4, 2019 7 hours ago, donkpow said: I've got the new bicycle and I check 'er over pretty good. The wheels are factory built and it appears no lubricant was used when they built the wheels. This makes break away torque unusually high and not representative of anything about wheel or spoke tension. I damaged one of the nipples until I found a technique to adjust the spokes. One of these days, I'll go back and rebuild the wheel with existing parts and get everything nice and lubricated. I get a free 90 day check up on the bike from the store and the guy cautioned me about doing anything that would negate the warranty. The shop I got the Anthem at offers free “adjustments” for the life of the bike. If I sell it the new owner can still take it in. So far they have done the 90 day and then adjusted my rear derailleur. I think it’s pretty smart as it encourages the owner to take it in for the minor stuff and when brake pads go or something needs to be replaced then you’re inclined to have the work done as it’s already there. I really don’t like to wrench so it works for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donkpow Posted February 4, 2019 Share #11 Posted February 4, 2019 7 hours ago, ChrisL said: The shop I got the Anthem at offers free “adjustments” for the life of the bike. If I sell it the new owner can still take it in. So far they have done the 90 day and then adjusted my rear derailleur. I think it’s pretty smart as it encourages the owner to take it in for the minor stuff and when brake pads go or something needs to be replaced then you’re inclined to have the work done as it’s already there. I really don’t like to wrench so it works for me. Plus they hire a kid for old timers to punch around. That looks like smart business. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maddmaxx ★ Posted February 4, 2019 Share #12 Posted February 4, 2019 16 hours ago, donkpow said: There are different areas of knowledge a bike shop employee should possess. I find a consistent lack of mechanic focused knowledge in a bike shop. Everybody is hopped up on gear and riding but nobody lives to be a bike mechanic. You can always tell though which one is the real mechanic. He's the grumpy one. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donkpow Posted February 4, 2019 Share #13 Posted February 4, 2019 16 minutes ago, maddmaxx said: You can always tell though which one is the real mechanic. He's the grumpy one. Machines are so much nicer people than ... people. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ralphie ★ Posted February 4, 2019 Share #14 Posted February 4, 2019 22 minutes ago, maddmaxx said: You can always tell though which one is the real mechanic. He's the grumpy one. Biker Billy from the LF! I forget what his name was on that "other" forum. Beaudreau? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrentonMakes Posted February 4, 2019 Share #15 Posted February 4, 2019 22 hours ago, RalphWaldoMooseworth said: I'm still pi$$ed that my rims came apart shortly after I had the lbs true them. Yes, they were old, but they were tank-like and had managed to last for 15 years up until then. Where did you have this done? (if you told the story I think I missed it) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ralphie ★ Posted February 4, 2019 Share #16 Posted February 4, 2019 4 hours ago, TrentonMakes said: Where did you have this done? (if you told the story I think I missed it) I never really told the story I don't think. It was a well-established LBS near me which has been fine except for that, but now I go to a newer one. Of course I don;t buy shit anyhoo! The wheel-truing fiasco finally got me to give up the ancient 1988 bike and go to a newer 2006 bike. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrentonMakes Posted February 4, 2019 Share #17 Posted February 4, 2019 13 minutes ago, RalphWaldoMooseworth said: I never really told the story I don't think. It was a well-established LBS near me which has been fine except for that, but now I go to a newer one. Of course I don;t buy shit anyhoo! The wheel-truing fiasco finally got me to give up the ancient 1988 bike and go to a newer 2006 bike. OK. I was just curious. I bought my Rockhopper down your way-ish (I think), at A.W. on Route 45. This was either '99 or '00 when I still lived in Oaklyn.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ralphie ★ Posted February 4, 2019 Share #18 Posted February 4, 2019 8 minutes ago, TrentonMakes said: OK. I was just curious. I bought my Rockhopper down your way-ish (I think), at A.W. on Route 45. This was either '99 or '00 when I still lived in Oaklyn.. Bingo! A new one opened in Pitman that I like now. I bought my Burley kid trailer at Action Wheels. My 1988 bike in Drexel Hill, and the 1981 one at Dunbar in Wilmington. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrentonMakes Posted February 5, 2019 Share #19 Posted February 5, 2019 Funny - I was at a meeting in Pitman last Tuesday, and I think I saw the place i think you're referring to - Caffeinated? - on the map but i didn't have time to stop (and they probably weren't open anyway - wasn't even 10am.) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Further Posted February 5, 2019 Share #20 Posted February 5, 2019 12 hours ago, RalphWaldoMooseworth said: Biker Billy from the LF! I forget what his name was on that "other" forum. Beaudreau? That guy was great. He had some 'personality' but gave great advice. He is missed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ralphie ★ Posted February 5, 2019 Share #21 Posted February 5, 2019 8 hours ago, TrentonMakes said: Funny - I was at a meeting in Pitman last Tuesday, and I think I saw the place i think you're referring to - Caffeinated? - on the map but i didn't have time to stop (and they probably weren't open anyway - wasn't even 10am.) The location is very bike-friendly and it is near one of my favourite ride destinations, a nice park. I had them assemble my "new" bike and they helped me finger oot how modern shifters work. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Longjohn ★ Posted February 5, 2019 Share #22 Posted February 5, 2019 On 2/3/2019 at 2:47 PM, RalphWaldoMooseworth said: I'm still pi$$ed that my rims came apart shortly after I had the lbs true them. Yes, they were old, but they were tank-like and had managed to last for 15 years up until then. I would guess that you can only tighten the spokes so much and then something has got to give. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrentonMakes Posted February 5, 2019 Share #23 Posted February 5, 2019 11 hours ago, Further said: That guy was great. He had some 'personality' but gave great advice. He is missed He added the adjective "ham-fisted" to my vocabulary and I think of him every time I use it. I learned a lot from him, mostly how much I didn't know. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Further Posted February 5, 2019 Share #24 Posted February 5, 2019 8 hours ago, TrentonMakes said: He added the adjective "ham-fisted" to my vocabulary and I think of him every time I use it. I learned a lot from him, mostly how much I didn't know. For such a simple machine there is a lot of finesse to bicycle maintenance Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onbike1939 Posted February 7, 2019 Share #25 Posted February 7, 2019 On 2/5/2019 at 12:51 PM, TrentonMakes said: He added the adjective "ham-fisted" to my vocabulary and I think of him every time I use it. I learned a lot from him, mostly how much I didn't know. This is the acid test of any education. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now