I have started building a new bike and I tried to use the local bike shops around asheville , but they was charging at least 25% over retail for parts .Carolina Fatz was the only shop that had fair prices and I did get some parts from them .I have never used mail order much , but I am now. I saved about 1,000 bucks so far building my bike by doing it.
All the magazines say you should support your local shops. I used to do that till Fred sold his shop . He was the only person I've ever trusted to work on my bikes or give advice. What advantages could possibly come from using your local shops when they bend you over and don't even lube. When they rip you off.
One last rant! If you work in a bikeshop. You should do only what the customer asks . If the customer asks you to put a 9 speed shifter on a 8 speed drive terrain you do it. You do not tune a customers fork if they don't ask you to. If a customer asks for full length cable housings ,you put full length cable housings on. Lastly If your putting a single ring set up on a bike for a customer put single ring chain bolts or spacers on it ,even if you have to get them from another shop. BUT DON'T PUT A OLD RING ON TO USE IT AS A SPACER!
All the magazines say you should support your local shops. I used to do that till Fred sold his shop . He was the only person I've ever trusted to work on my bikes or give advice. What advantages could possibly come from using your local shops when they bend you over and don't even lube. When they rip you off.
One last rant! If you work in a bikeshop. You should do only what the customer asks . If the customer asks you to put a 9 speed shifter on a 8 speed drive terrain you do it. You do not tune a customers fork if they don't ask you to. If a customer asks for full length cable housings ,you put full length cable housings on. Lastly If your putting a single ring set up on a bike for a customer put single ring chain bolts or spacers on it ,even if you have to get them from another shop. BUT DON'T PUT A OLD RING ON TO USE IT AS A SPACER!