slefain wrote: I went into the bicycle shop in Tucker once. Nothing but a bunch of elitist cycle pricks. I asked about upgrading my mountain bike. The counter guys actually laughed. All I wanted was some better brake pads and maybe a shocked front fork that would fit my frame tube diameter. Nope, wouldn't even look it up. I asked about one of the used bikes and the guys suggested maybe I try Walmart instead. I'll never step foot in a bicycle shop again. After that I proudly rode my plain, chain store bought mountain bike like a fiend and absolutely whipped the crap out of many guys on "real" mountain bikes. The best part was taking my "toy" mountain bike out of the trunk of my car and flipping down the kick stand while I put on my helmet. After that it was balls out trail riding. I had thought about buying a "real" bike but I don't think it would make me a better rider or happier. I got the parts I wanted (thank you Craigslist) and I'm going to keep riding my "toy" bike. I'm glad you got the job and I'm 99% sure you're not like the guys in Tucker, but I still haven't gone back into another cycle shop since.
I've had that exact same experience, and elitist pricks is the exact same term that came to my mind. There are nice bike shops out there, but there are hard to find and usualy realy far from where I am.
If I ever became independently wealthy I think I would like to open a "friendly" bike shop. If all it could do is break even that would be ok as long as the customers like coming in and spending thier money, even if only a few$, at my store. And no black arts of bicycle repair allowed, I would be willing to share all my repair and tuning knoledge to any one with at least a tree minet attion span
