[loco-gringo]

I've never seen a single group of people that are so swayed by opinion of others. They come in the shop and only want what someone suggests to them.

For instance...I don't stock Continental tires. I don't like them.

I do stock Vittoria and Vredstein, but man, they are not even inclined to think of a different tire.

The same goes for shorts, shoes, bikes, etc.

Ugh...I can't ever get on the same page with them.

 

[jacksonpt]

All you do is ride... How can you expect to understand a multi-sporter?

 

[James]

They are a wet dream for companies, the perfect consumers, always willing to spend thousands for the slightest perceived upgrade.

 

[MtnbikeMike]

When I was building my TT bike, I googled to see if people were having the same headaches with the brakes as I was. In doing so, I came across forum posts about the bike and let me tell you, you'll never come across as many armchair aerodynamics experts in one place.

If only Lance had found these people, he could have just posted pics of him on his TT bike and received feedback instead of all of those long, costly days in the wind tunnel.

 

[sanjuro]

Try-to-be-an-athlete? One mechanic suggested switching the events around so that the swim is last. I ask him why, and he said, "So more would drown".

Actually, they seem like nice people to me, but they don't know a lot about bikes.

 

[JRogers]

When I was building my TT bike, I googled to see if people were having the same headaches with the brakes as I was. In doing so, I came across forum posts about the bike and let me tell you, you'll never come across as many armchair aerodynamics experts in one place.

If only Lance had found these people, he could have just posted pics of him on his TT bike and received feedback instead of all of those long, costly days in the wind tunnel.

It's not just tri people. Ever look at the weightweenies forum? There's some good stuff in there, but if anyone posts a picture of a bike/rider without a slammed stem and flat back they get all "needs to lose the spacers" or "that position is really bad."

But, yeah, back to the topic, I found triathletes to be pretty anal about stuff when working in a shop. It's tough to deal with customers who think they know more than you and aren't willing to listen to your advice.

 

[Banshee Rider]

What bothers me the most is how eager they are to tell you they're triathletes. Good for you, if you hadn't told me, I would have guessed you were here for a fitness bike and were trying to lose weight? You're pretty spot on about picky, but you left out the sense of entitlement. Are there discounts for Triathletes? Right, because your 1/3rd of a cyclist as everyone else who spends money here you should pay 1/3rd of the price. Logical, but not likely. You should buff that Triathlete bumper sticker on your minivan though, it might get you out of a speeding ticket on your drive to your bike ride. [/rant]

 

[loco-gringo]

All you do is ride... How can you expect to understand a multi-sporter?

On the contrary...all I do is ride, work on, study and practice cycling specific activities, so I'm pretty sure I know exactly what works on bikes in my neck of the woods.

 

[ire]

They are a wet dream for companies, the perfect consumers, always willing to spend thousands for the slightest perceived upgrade.

Sounds like a lot of cyclists I know

 

[CBJ]

On the contrary...all I do is ride, work on, study and practice cycling specific activities, so I'm pretty sure I know exactly what works on bikes in my neck of the woods.

How can you be expected to understand irony

 

[Westy]

You make money by giving people what they want not what they need. Plenty of 'experts' try to sell me stuff I don't want and I take my business elsewhere.

 

[Rip]

On the contrary...all I do is ride, work on, study and practice cycling specific activities, so I'm pretty sure I know exactly what works on bikes in my neck of the woods.

Can't stand them either, once in awhile I get one that will listen but the rest of the time it makes more sense to explain rocket science to a brick wall.

 

[loco-gringo]

You make money by giving people what they want not what they need. Plenty of 'experts' try to sell me stuff I don't want and I take my business elsewhere.

I'm all for selling stuff. Trouble is, there are hundreds of tires, so I tend to keep the ones that I don't have trouble with in stock. This particular group just seems to think you are trying to screw them with your advice. People often learn by the advice they get to help them through.

What's more...I offered to order the tires and have them in house by Thursday. It was like I was offending her to not have them in stock, so how dare I offer to order them. Sheesh.

I'll add...I have tons of respect for the good ones and the dedication they have. It's just a generalization of many that come in. They can't fathom that I don't stock swim gear and running shoes in a town with a population of 60,000 people.

 

[KavuRider]

We had a triathlon event down in Tempe a few months ago - I rode down there on my singlespeed - I have NEVER seen that many carbon wheelsets...ever. Crazy stuff.

Most of the tri-riders I've encountered on the road are super fit and strong, but have terrible bike skills. They are sketchy in pacelines. But I guess that's not something they really have to worry about.

They sure do like to spend a LOT of money though. And they have some cool toys, like the $10K carbon Giant tri bike I got to check out in the shop.

 

[Secret Squirrel]

We had a triathlon event down in Tempe a few months ago - I rode down there on my singlespeed - I have NEVER seen that many carbon wheelsets...ever. Crazy stuff.

Most of the tri-riders I've encountered on the road are super fit and strong, but have terrible bike skills. They are sketchy in pacelines. But I guess that's not something they really have to worry about.

They sure do like to spend a LOT of money though. And they have some cool toys, like the $10K carbon Giant tri bike I got to check out in the shop.

During one of the Kona Ironman recaps (can't remember what year) there was an Army guy (or perhaps Marine) that had lost a leg and was doing the race. Guy was about 6'2" and 245...built like a brick wall. He was saying it was a weird experience training for the tri..."All of a sudden I'm surrounded by people wondering what fabric wicks better and how many times a week they shave their body. I drink beer and play rugby...it was a big adjustment."

There were a few tri guys on some aero rigs out on the roads/trails around here last Sunday morning. Yeaaaaahhhh...sketchy handling for sure. One group of guys was probably doing over 20 on a multi-use path weaving in and out of families and junk. But they looked awesome with their matching Giro aero helmets!!

 

[James]

There were a few tri guys on some aero rigs out on the roads/trails around here last Sunday morning. Yeaaaaahhhh...sketchy handling for sure. One group of guys was probably doing over 20 on a multi-use path weaving in and out of families and junk. But they looked awesome with their matching Giro aero helmets!!

I hate to say it, but most trigeeks can't ride in a straight line. I lived near San Diego/Encinitas, a bit Tri mecca, and I'd see them out every weekend. Most of them weaving around, and generally being rude, I wasn't a fan.
But hey, they paid my salary, so I couldn't be too mad for too long.

 

[KavuRider]

During one of the Kona Ironman recaps (can't remember what year) there was an Army guy (or perhaps Marine) that had lost a leg and was doing the race. Guy was about 6'2" and 245...built like a brick wall. He was saying it was a weird experience training for the tri..."All of a sudden I'm surrounded by people wondering what fabric wicks better and how many times a week they shave their body. I drink beer and play rugby...it was a big adjustment."

There were a few tri guys on some aero rigs out on the roads/trails around here last Sunday morning. Yeaaaaahhhh...sketchy handling for sure. One group of guys was probably doing over 20 on a multi-use path weaving in and out of families and junk. But they looked awesome with their matching Giro aero helmets!!

I hate to say it, but most trigeeks can't ride in a straight line. I lived near San Diego/Encinitas, a bit Tri mecca, and I'd see them out every weekend. Most of them weaving around, and generally being rude, I wasn't a fan.
But hey, they paid my salary, so I couldn't be too mad for too long.

Yes, they tend to do that on the MUP's around here as well. They don't like it when you pass them in cut off shorts and a skate helmet either
The rudeness is what puts me off though. A lot of them seem even more elitist than most roadies.

I think its definitely the right sport for those who like to geek out on new tech and have lots of disposable income.

 

[Westy]

The competitive cyclist uptightness scale works the following way

Dowhnill<XC<cross<Road<Triathlon

The knuckle-dragging wife beating neanderthal and handling skill scales work the same way but in reverse.

 

[rider224]

I was on a triathlon team and road the weekly rides. If you were a weaver, you heard about it big time. No one likes to crash so the weavers are the lone rangers who never ride in a group.

 

[golgiaparatus]

Try-to-be-an-athlete? One mechanic suggested switching the events around so that the swim is last. I ask him why, and he said, "So more would drown".

Actually, they seem like nice people to me, but they don't know a lot about bikes.

Tri-guys seem that way because a lot of them are just rich hobbyists. I do about 1 a year and if you think the bike is funny you should see them in the pool. That sh!t is friggin hysterical. 90% of them have NO idea what they are doing. I'm convinced that if the swim was last you probably would have a lot of them getting in to trouble.

I'd love it that way personally. I'm always in the top 1-5 out of the water but usually have one of the slowest run times.

 

[loco-gringo]

Tri-guys seem that way because a lot of them are just rich hobbyists. I do about 1 a year and if you think the bike is funny you should see them in the pool. That sh!t is friggin hysterical. 90% of them have NO idea what they are doing. I'm convinced that if the swim was last you probably would have a lot of them getting in to trouble.

I'd love it that way personally. I'm always in the top 1-5 out of the water but usually have one of the slowest run times.

I'm shocked to hear you're a triathlete.

 

[-dustin]

I got my ass handed to me by a triathlete recently. He thought I was off the front, bit instead I had left the rest stop early. Buddy was coming up to say that the group was coming and next thing tri guy flies by. He was pulling 32mph, uphill, into the wind.

I was not. Hung on for a bit, but popped.

Granted, he is pro. But that ****er is fast.

 

[ire]

I got my ass handed to me by a triathlete recently. He thought I was off the front, bit instead I had left the rest stop early. Buddy was coming up to say that the group was coming and next thing tri guy flies by. He was pulling 32mph, uphill, into the wind.

I was not. Hung on for a bit, but popped.

Granted, he is pro. But that ****er is fast.

pvssy

 

[loco-gringo]

pvssy

exactly...we're ashamed for you, Dustin.

 

[golgiaparatus]

I'm shocked to hear you're a triathlete.

I'm not. I do about 1 a year. Only reason I do them is because I was a pretty accomplished swimmer in the mid to late 90s. It gives me a reason to get in the water and train during the winter months when I cant ride the trails.

I've only done 1 formal Triathalon with a road bike (and my roadie is pretty outdated, late 90s cannondale). All the tri people were flying past me with their TT bikes, I gassed tryng to hang and then totally died on the run. I can do pretty well in the Xterras... I just wish the swims were a larger portion of the race... I have a huge advantage there, even over some of the "pro" guys. I just cant run for sh!t and don't enjoy that part at all.

Edit: as for being a tri snob... I'm not even close. Don't have a TT bike or a wetsuit.

 

[HAB]

I love the tri geeks that come in insisting on buying Contis because "they're rated to 200psi". Fvcking awesome. You really want an expensive and mediocre tire that you can run at a pressure such that they'll ride like **** and possibly blow your rim up? Have fun with that.

The other thing they do that I FVCKING HATE is come in the day before they leave for ____ and insist I work on their bike NOW because they've got ______ in 2 days and making sure their bike is ready for ____ is clearly the only thing I could possibly have to do in the next 24 hours. Fvcktards. I've adopted a policy of adding $15 onto the repair tag for anyone who comes in with an unreasonably short deadline like that, unless

a. They call first to see if it's OK
b. It's a real emergency, i.e. something they couldn't have planned better for. Like they happen to break something right before they leave. And they're nice about it.

I also like it when one of them buys a bike, asks for a fitting, and then proceeds to second guess me because they read ____ on the internet. This is what I do motherfvcker. STFU and listen. I'll do the same, and if what I have to suggest doesn't work for you, I'll work with you on it. But I'm the expert here, and you asked for my help. Telling me something I'm suggesting fit wise is a bad idea because you've got some experience with what works for you is one thing. Telling me I don't know what I'm doing because some dip**** on your tri forum says differently is another.

 

[Silver]

Triathletes on the bike are like suicide bombers:

Sketchy, nervous, and you never know when one is going to go off and take out a bunch of innocent people.

 

[sanjuro]

I love the tri geeks that come in insisting on buying Contis because "they're rated to 200psi". Fvcking awesome. You really want an expensive and mediocre tire that you can run at a pressure such that they'll ride like **** and possibly blow your rim up? Have fun with that.

The other thing they do that I FVCKING HATE is come in the day before they leave for ____ and insist I work on their bike NOW because they've got ______ in 2 days and making sure their bike is ready for ____ is clearly the only thing I could possibly have to do in the next 24 hours. Fvcktards. I've adopted a policy of adding $15 onto the repair tag for anyone who comes in with an unreasonably short deadline like that, unless

a. They call first to see if it's OK
b. It's a real emergency, i.e. something they couldn't have planned better for. Like they happen to break something right before they leave. And they're nice about it.

I also like it when one of them buys a bike, asks for a fitting, and then proceeds to second guess me because they read ____ on the internet. This is what I do motherfvcker. STFU and listen. I'll do the same, and if what I have to suggest doesn't work for you, I'll work with you on it. But I'm the expert here, and you asked for my help. Telling me something I'm suggesting fit wise is a bad idea because you've got some experience with what works for you is one thing. Telling me I don't know what I'm doing because some dip**** on your tri forum says differently is another.

My shop started a $40 overnight service, which we offer to all customers.

Most are willing to wait, some get it even though they don't need their bikes right away.

 

[HAB]

My shop started a $40 overnight service, which we offer to all customers.

Most are willing to wait, some get it even though they don't need their bikes right away.

We do probably 90-95% of our repairs overnight (meaning the next day we're open) just because, but I've started charging extra for people that demand it so people don't come to expect it quite so much.

 

[sanjuro]

We do probably 90-95% of our repairs overnight (meaning the next day we're open) just because, but I've started charging extra for people that demand it so people don't come to expect it quite so much.

This isn't some sort of rip-off charge. To push a repair to the front of the queue is inconveniencing both the staff and the other customers.

Also, the fee has to sizable or everyone will ask for it.

For example, in Freakonomics, it mentions a day-care center which charged parents $5 if they show up late to pick up their kid. Instead of influencing people to be on time, a lot more people showed up late, glad to pay the $5.

Even after they got rid of the charge, since there was no guilt involved with the inconvenience.

 

[HAB]

This isn't some sort of rip-off charge. To push a repair to the front of the queue is inconveniencing both the staff and the other customers.

Also, the fee has to sizable or everyone will ask for it.

For example, in Freakonomics, it mentions a day-care center which charged parents $5 if they show up late to pick up their kid. Instead of influencing people to be on time, a lot more people showed up late, glad to pay the $5.

Even after they got rid of the charge, since there was no guilt involved with the inconvenience.

I wasn't suggesting it was. Our deal is that we're a pretty small shop that does a lot of business for what we are. I do almost all the wrenching, and just like to turn stuff around fast so I don't have it hanging over my head. But it pisses me off when people come up and demand next day service. They know we're small, they know I do almost all the wrenching, so really what they're telling me is "fvck whatever you wanted to do tomorrow, fixing my bike is more important." They can blow me.

 

[sanjuro]

I wasn't suggesting it was. Our deal is that we're a pretty small shop that does a lot of business for what we are. I do almost all the wrenching, and just like to turn stuff around fast so I don't have it hanging over my head. But it pisses me off when people come up and demand next day service. They know we're small, they know I do almost all the wrenching, so really what they're telling me is "fvck whatever you wanted to do tomorrow, fixing my bike is more important." They can blow me.

When it comes to repair management, a shop should always give a reasonable finish date. If you can get it all done in 24 hours, that's great too.

But I personally would never promise any repair to be done by shop opening. At best, end of day.

Maybe the overnight service charge is a guarantee to be ready by the AM. That's reasonable.

 

[HAB]

When it comes to repair management, a shop should always give a reasonable finish date. If you can get it all done in 24 hours, that's great too.

But I personally would never promise any repair to be done by shop opening. At best, end of day.

Maybe the overnight service charge is a guarantee to be ready by the AM. That's reasonable.

We're actually only open evenings, Mon - Thurs. We could be open way more hours if we felt like it, but fvck working weekends, and this way I can ride in the morning, come in around noon, do all the wrenching before we open, and then brace for the insanity that is our open hours. Since we're only open 14 hours a week, and are pretty much universally regarded as the best shop in town, we're mobbed when we are open. It's stressful but efficient. It's typical for people to wait 20 minutes or so to get helped. Unusual business model? Yes. Does it work? Yep.

 

[sanjuro]

We're actually only open evenings, Mon - Thurs. We could be open way more hours if we felt like it, but fvck working weekends, and this way I can ride in the morning, come in around noon, do all the wrenching before we open, and then brace for the insanity that is our open hours. Since we're only open 14 hours a week, and are pretty much universally regarded as the best shop in town, we're mobbed when we are open. It's stressful but efficient. It's typical for people to wait 20 minutes or so to get helped. Unusual business model? Yes. Does it work? Yep.

It is all based on the area.

Did that in San Francisco, forget it.

In a small town with only a few choices, it is probably a great deal.

I assume your shop is in Ithaca, and that is a big biking town. So you probably have great customers who are clamoring for a great shop.

 

[HAB]

It is all based on the area.

Did that in San Francisco, forget it.

In a small town with only a few choices, it is probably a great deal.

I assume your shop is in Ithaca, and that is a big biking town. So you probably have great customers who are clamoring for a great shop.

Yeah, it wouldn't work in a big city, but it does here.

There are pretty much 3 shops in town. We specialize in high end road stuff, but stock a couple hundred bikes from $500 hybrids to half a dozen Orbea Orcas, couple Ordus, mayby 8 Fuji SL1s, and a Titus Exogrid just because.

One shop sucks balls. They're in Collegetown, and make a living ripping off Cornell kids on ****ty hybrids and overpriced crap before they figure out that we exist. Most of their stuff is 20-30% over MSRP. We don't advertise at all, and are a little ways outside of town on about 100 acres with trails and stuff all over the property, so it takes people a while to find us if they're not connected to the local scene.

The 3rd isn't bad, they're also a big ski shop, and do more mountain bikes. The owner's kind of a douche, and pushes everyone onto XC 29ers whether or not that makes sense, and a couple of their sales guys are morons, but their prices are semi decent and they've got a couple competent wrenches.

 

[HAB]

Our customers are mostly pretty good, yeah. We get all the local racers who are almost universally really cool and a pleasure to deal with. The people that suck are the less experienced cyclists who get referred by a friend. The biggest problem I have with them is this: the owner of the shop is somewhat of a legend in the area. He's well into his 50's, and has been racing at a high level since he was in his teens. Former world hill climb champion, etc. People know about him, and come to the shop for him. I'm a younger guy, early 20's, and when people who don't know me/ the shop see me they occasionally react really negatively to being helped out by a young guy when they expected the owner. Never mind that I've been at the shop 5 years, have been the head mechanic and "manager" (for what that's worth somewhere small) for 3, and have proven myself time and time again to be more than competent. It's always the inexperienced cyclists who are the worst too. The guys who know what they're doing can figure out pretty fast that I do too. It's the 40 year old ladies who don't know much who end up being miserable cunts.

Example from the last couple days:

Yesterday this woman comes in looking for derailleur help. Apparently the owner'd met her on Sunday to work on things and hadn't gotten them quite right. He's out riding, so it's just me and a grom shop rat. I tell her, sure, let's see the bike. She says no, I don't want you doing it. I want Glenn (the owner). I say he's not here, but I'd be glad to help. She flat out refuses to let me work on it, and leaves the bike for Glenn to work on. As soon as she leaves I put the bike in the stand. It works fine there, but the FD's a little low, so it turns out it doesn't work great under load. I fix it and leave a note on the bike, making sure to sign it myself. I then find a message on the answering machine from her to Glenn, demanding he call if he wouldn't be there so "one of his little helpers" didn't have to be the one to look at the bike. She comes and gets the bike today, sees the note, and refuses to leave until Glenn looks at the bike. He tells her to get the fvck over herself, and go ride it, knowing that I can adjust a fvcking derailleur. She comes back, sheepishly admits that it's great, and leaves.

Sorry for the rant, I'm a few beers deep and pissed off about this ****, which has been happening a lot lately. It's been way worse since we hired the other young guy, since people talk to him, realize he's not too competent, and assume I'll be the same.

 

[sanjuro]

Our customers are mostly pretty good, yeah. We get all the local racers who are almost universally really cool and a pleasure to deal with. The people that suck are the less experienced cyclists who get referred by a friend. The biggest problem I have with them is this: the owner of the shop is somewhat of a legend in the area. He's well into his 50's, and has been racing at a high level since he was in his teens. Former world hill climb champion, etc. People know about him, and come to the shop for him. I'm a younger guy, early 20's, and when people who don't know me/ the shop see me they occasionally react really negatively to being helped out by a young guy when they expected the owner. Never mind that I've been at the shop 5 years, have been the head mechanic and "manager" (for what that's worth somewhere small) for 3, and have proven myself time and time again to be more than competent. It's always the inexperienced cyclists who are the worst too. The guys who know what they're doing can figure out pretty fast that I do too. It's the 40 year old ladies who don't know much who end up being miserable cunts.

Example from the last couple days:

Yesterday this woman comes in looking for derailleur help. Apparently the owner'd met her on Sunday to work on things and hadn't gotten them quite right. He's out riding, so it's just me and a grom shop rat. I tell her, sure, let's see the bike. She says no, I don't want you doing it. I want Glenn (the owner). I say he's not here, but I'd be glad to help. She flat out refuses to let me work on it, and leaves the bike for Glenn to work on. As soon as she leaves I put the bike in the stand. It works fine there, but the FD's a little low, so it turns out it doesn't work great under load. I fix it and leave a note on the bike, making sure to sign it myself. I then find a message on the answering machine from her to Glenn, demanding he call if he wouldn't be there so "one of his little helpers" didn't have to be the one to look at the bike. She comes and gets the bike today, sees the note, and refuses to leave until Glenn looks at the bike. He tells her to get the fvck over herself, and go ride it, knowing that I can adjust a fvcking derailleur. She comes back, sheepishly admits that it's great, and leaves.

Sorry for the rant, I'm a few beers deep and pissed off about this ****, which has been happening a lot lately. It's been way worse since we hired the other young guy, since people talk to him, realize he's not too competent, and assume I'll be the same.

Well, bike mechanics are a mystery to some like what goes on under the hood.

For example, I take my car 40 miles out of SF because I know I can trust the owner. I assume he isn't the one working on my car.

Obviously, when you are dealing with an Ivy League customer base, you are going to get some annoying people.

I think you need to continue displaying confidence and be particularly charming.

For example, my shop the owner is a master mechanic. While I am not as good as he is, no one ever questioned my abilities because of my smart and assured attitude.

Frankly, I did lean on the owner for the very difficult jobs, but we worked well together.

 

[HAB]

Follow up:

I get in to work yesterday to find a thank you note and a box of cookies from the woman I was complaining about.

Oh, and she is a triathlete.