Internet claims another LBS

[djg21]

Originally Posted by carpediemracing

I never worked at Bethel. When you got the shop Velodyne I was working at Better Bicycle Center in Stamford. The Better Bicycle Center team started the Series.



Actually did you get it? I think you did. Bob and I delivered it, then I almost died in Central Park and you had to get your car out of long term parking just to try and find me.

I did buy the Velodyne and used it until 2005.



I recall Bob and I going out on our bikes and riding around the park looking for you pretty late in the evening from my apartment after the "pack" ride wound down and you didn't make your way back to my place. That was when I first moved into the city in 1991-92. I really miss those rides. They were one of the best things about living in the city.



I though it was Bethel Bicycles that sponsored your old Carpe Diem team. That was a very long time ago!

[nicrump]

Originally Posted by oldpotatoe

Shops like Vecchio's, that starts with a frame(like Moots) and builds it is common in Boulder and elsewhere. I think it depends on shop location and the frame. None of the big boy frame makers, Crumpton, Seven, Moots, etc, sell complete bikes. Economy of scale, knowing your market, etc. what I think is disappearing is $10,000 treks and spec-Eds.

75% of my sales are complete bikes. i also am a much smaller one man entity doing less than 40 total units per year. not even close to a Moots or Seven.

[summilux]

Originally Posted by nicrump

75% of my sales are complete bikes. i also am a much smaller one man entity doing less than 40 total units per year. not even close to a Moots or Seven.

I am really surprised at this. I had always assumed that if your were in the custom frame market you had been around bikes long enough to know how to wrench and like doing it. I guess that's just me and once again I'm in the minority opinion.

[feta99]

Regarding the dying LBS, are bike stores that sell Specialized feeling the pinch from online sales? I think Specialized equipment(shoes, saddles, tires) are the only things I absolutely need to buy from a bike store.

[jlwdm]

Originally Posted by summilux

I am really surprised at this. I had always assumed that if your were in the custom frame market you had been around bikes long enough to know how to wrench and like doing it. I guess that's just me and once again I'm in the minority opinion.

Cycling takes a lot of time. Buyers of expensive bike are often working a lot. The value of a buyer's time can lead to the purchase of a complete bike. This is especially true if you are working with a builder like Crumpton who I would think would provide excellent advice on the build.

Sounds like I am talking myself into a new bike.

Jeff

[SPOKE]

Originally Posted by jlwdm

Cycling takes a lot of time. Buyers of expensive bike are often working a lot. The value of a buyer's time can lead to the purchase of a complete bike. This is especially true if you are working with a builder like Crumpton who I would think would provide excellent advice on the build.

Sounds like I am talking myself into a new bike.

Jeff

There are also rogue wrenches like myself that do the assembly and repairs for the folks that fit this demographic. Doctors & lawyers pay me good money to keep their stuff working well.....all work done by me in my garage😜

[carpediemracing]

Originally Posted by djg21

I did buy the Velodyne and used it until 2005.

I recall Bob and I going out on our bikes and riding around the park looking for you pretty late in the evening from my apartment after the "pack" ride wound down and you didn't make your way back to my place. That was when I first moved into the city in 1991-92. I really miss those rides. They were one of the best things about living in the city.

I though it was Bethel Bicycles that sponsored your old Carpe Diem team. That was a very long time ago!

Getting lost in the City was historic for me.

http://sprinterdellacasa.blogspot.co...t-in-city.html

[Joachim]

Originally Posted by SPOKE

There are also rogue wrenches like myself that do the assembly and repairs for the folks that fit this demographic. Doctors & lawyers pay me good money to keep their stuff working well.....all work done by me in my garage😜

Do poor doctors get a discount if they bring snacks?

[SPOKE]

Originally Posted by Joachim

Do poor doctors get a discount if they bring snacks?

Yes! Apple cheesecake or home made mac&cheese👍

[djg21]

Originally Posted by carpediemracing

Getting lost in the City was historic for me.



http://sprinterdellacasa.blogspot.co...t-in-city.html

I want to play myself in the movie!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[gasman]

Originally Posted by carpediemracing

Getting lost in the City was historic for me.

http://sprinterdellacasa.blogspot.co...t-in-city.html

That blog made my day ! And I'm glad you made it home.

[velomonkey]

Just saw my sister in law who is opening a vietnamese restaurant in Bethal - she knew of the shop, said the location was pristine and knew the owner was blaming the internet. This woman immigrated from Vietnam and has 2 kids and knows nothing of bikes - she also said the locals think the owner is terse and rude.

I'm inclined to think the internet - in this case - is a covenant excuse.

[Mr. Pink]

This discussion has quickly turned to LBS vs internet, but, since I live down the road from this shop, I think it failed simply due to competition from a new shop in Ridgefield that grabbed a lot of his business. Simple. Bethel has less money than Ridgefield, harder to get to.

And, yes, not the warmest and cuddliest owner and employees.

[Steelman]

Originally Posted by Mr. Pink

This discussion has quickly turned to LBS vs internet, but, since I live down the road from this shop, I think it failed simply due to competition from a new shop in Ridgefield that grabbed a lot of his business. Simple. Bethel has less money than Ridgefield, harder to get to.

And, yes, not the warmest and cuddliest owner and employees.

Perhaps the mixed reviews are evidence of this:

https://www.google.ca/?gws_rd=ssl#q=...8685571443d6,1

[oldpotatoe]

Originally Posted by SPOKE

There are also rogue wrenches like myself that do the assembly and repairs for the folks that fit this demographic. Doctors & lawyers pay me good money to keep their stuff working well.....all work done by me in my garage😜

Samo..