I may have found a bike shop that I like. It hasn't been easy. The first shop I went into a few years ago (as chronicled in an earlier rant) felt a bit like the headquarters of a cult that I was invading, unknowingly. There was just a creepy vibe and I really don't want to have to go back there. The second shop was good until they did some work on my bike, overcharged me, and didn't tighten my rear bolts so that within a minute of riding, my wheel had slipped and the tire was rubbing against the frame. I tried to talk to them about some things I'd like to do to my bike, but they didn't seem really interested. The third strike was the fact that they closed about 10 minutes before the posted closing time when I had rushed to make it before then, but couldn't get my bike because they felt like going home. There was absolutely no response to this when I mentioned it the following day.
Full disclosure here, I have a bike that is at least 20 years old. It's a steel alloy frame and cost me $60 used. I used to work in a bike shop where the owner stressed the importance of the commuters and to treat their bikes and them just as well as the higher end bikes and their users. I've been having a tough time lately dealing with bike shops that don't pay much attention to me or my bikes (or kids' bikes) and I've been getting tired of it.
Moving on, I wanted a shop close by, but I found one within about 30 minutes that I got some positive feedback about. I went there today and returned with my bike, but it was actually a good thing. The mechanic was upfront with me that it would be a while before he could get to checking out my bottom bracket, but things would slow down in a week or so. I talked to him about the things that the other shop wouldn't consider and he gave me a couple of options and actually seemed interested in helping me. Marty's Bicycle Shop has earned a new customer and I have a feeling it will keep me.
