Seeing many are in shops industry here. Would you give known unpaid trail builders a discount? Parts, tires etc.
Shop discounts
- Thread starter jrewing
- Start date
yes
When I was actively building trails and knew most people who were serious riders, basically active in the MTB community, I got a bro deal at most of the local shops.
Then I realized all those people were morons and these days I prefer to ride solo and avoid eye contact when I see someone on the trail.
Then I realized all those people were morons and these days I prefer to ride solo and avoid eye contact when I see someone on the trail.
Yes, please.
but you're missing out on all the amazing BRO culture, bro
I've been a trail builder for 2 decades and know the owners of the 3 LBS's. There are 4 lead builders in our area, and I'm one. They all know me and offer good discounts. As for the guys who show up on a work day and offer an hour worth of time. Nah. But I put in a good word for those that have helped all day and for those who've been there for years. IDK what they get. But a free tune or a 30% discount on one reasonable item (like a new bar or something) would be nice.
We had an issue locally with a local shop owner who didn't appreciate a group email that he was in. The email thanked the 40 people that showed up between 2 work days that opened 4 miles of trail. He replied to this mass email that "we don't know what trail work is" and him and his 3 buddy's built 4 miles in 7 years...
Over 400 people were on that email. Some local. Some not. I received more moral and physical support from that point on. His supporters stopped going to his shop. Needless to say, he sold the business within a year. Maybe he had a bad day. Or maybe he was burned out. But he still lost A LOT of money in that following year.
Over 400 people were on that email. Some local. Some not. I received more moral and physical support from that point on. His supporters stopped going to his shop. Needless to say, he sold the business within a year. Maybe he had a bad day. Or maybe he was burned out. But he still lost A LOT of money in that following year.
Ok my shop guy is a kook then. Rides my tracks , got shirty I suspect because i got a cost frame off of a distributor hookup and not full price from him. Also bum steered me on my Sons squelchy Fox x2 just needing a service…i declined and took Fox’s offer on a brand new 24 warranty.
Online it is! I only got 10% anyway and now seems to be full retail. Ill take it personal then!
Heck now i remember i even helped build a small trail at his place with a small crew.
Online it is! I only got 10% anyway and now seems to be full retail. Ill take it personal then!
Heck now i remember i even helped build a small trail at his place with a small crew.
I don’t let my local bike shop that is owned by a decent human being give me discounts, even though I build and maintain most of the off-the-map stuff that he rides after work!
In fact, I go out of my way to buy consumables from him, even though I have access to my own wholesale accounts!
Lately, I get the majority of my income from building trails out of town- and I am always excited to go home and support my buddies shop.
If someone is already building trails for free- DO ASK them if they want a discount, but if your shop has soul, and so does the builder- they probably are just as excited to support the shop as they are to dig!
Corporate bikeshops suck, even with a discount, i’m not going to patronize a shop that is owned by a large corporation or local rich douchenozzle!
In fact, I go out of my way to buy consumables from him, even though I have access to my own wholesale accounts!
Lately, I get the majority of my income from building trails out of town- and I am always excited to go home and support my buddies shop.
If someone is already building trails for free- DO ASK them if they want a discount, but if your shop has soul, and so does the builder- they probably are just as excited to support the shop as they are to dig!
Corporate bikeshops suck, even with a discount, i’m not going to patronize a shop that is owned by a large corporation or local rich douchenozzle!
I work with advocates on stuff and help them out, between same day next day turn around and local deals...usually include some extra work and always communicate after to make sure they are setting up their suspension properly or questions..
Text them a few days after to make sure all is good and any questions.
Text them a few days after to make sure all is good and any questions.
but what if they pay their employees a better wage than the lbs?
The Trail Mule will dig for snack discounts.
Trail work here in CO is like it was back in California. The "unsanctioned" builders do what they have done for 25+ years, build and maintain sick trails. They usually get discounts from the local shops simply because they are in the bro scene.
Sanctioned trail creation is done by legit businesses. A real 9-5 job with a paycheck and heavy equipment.
What started in Downieville as the Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship is now a large group that travels all over the country, and gets paid very well, to build trails. Same with the Mountain Bikers of Santa Cruz. The smart ones have figured out how to tap into the massive cash available from local municipalities and governments. Trail building is big business these days.
Trail work here in CO is like it was back in California. The "unsanctioned" builders do what they have done for 25+ years, build and maintain sick trails. They usually get discounts from the local shops simply because they are in the bro scene.
Sanctioned trail creation is done by legit businesses. A real 9-5 job with a paycheck and heavy equipment.
What started in Downieville as the Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship is now a large group that travels all over the country, and gets paid very well, to build trails. Same with the Mountain Bikers of Santa Cruz. The smart ones have figured out how to tap into the massive cash available from local municipalities and governments. Trail building is big business these days.
Its is big business building. But limited to legalities and the wants of Covid bikers. ‘Real Hand built trails’ are becoming few and far between.
My buddy’s shop is a one man show.
2 years in he is finally getting to ride bikes regularly again.
Old Ridemonkey heads would recognize his Username: @Castle
You gotta support your friends from the internetz!
also- no bikeshops in this market pay anywhere near close to livable wages. Who wants to deal with miserable people who hate their jobs but don’t have the gumption to quit?
Corporate stores are full of idiots, with very, very few exceptions.
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Feel like this needs differentiation between unpaid and sanctioned versus unpaid and unsanctioned.
