#16
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just be careful when you get the Campy clamps. regardless what diameter it is they all have numbers 35 on the inside of the band. I ordered the wrong diameter (31.8), needed a 35mm but I saw the numbers inside the band so I installed it on my carbon frame. Didn't notice it cracked the frame until after almost 2 years because i didn't ride that bike at all.
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#17
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Funny — I happen to need a Shimano clamp right now.
My local is reasonable for some of the consumables I buy (speedplay cleats) but vastly overpriced for others (tires). Strangely, I think they undercharge for things like wheel truing and bike builds. I’m sure the economics of a shop in Brooklyn is weird. |
#18
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If you aren't hiring them to work on your bike, you're not really supporting them. The margins on selling parts is bupkis for the bike shop. |
#19
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2018
In 2018 (almost 2019)- A Campagnolo front derailleur clamp in a specific size does qualify as a "random part".
Many shops will not have it, even good shops. The part is size specific and almost group specific- A shop probably gets asked for this once every 3 years- And by then the one they order may not be the correct one for the newer style derailleur. Shimano has taken that a step further- They now have clams that are specific to the DI2 front derailluers- They allow for engagement of the support bolt that strengthens and fine tunes the front deraileur. So to satisfy everyone the shop would need 6-8 front derailleur clamps. Just to sell one here and there. The shop can order to from QBP and have it in 1-2 days. |
#20
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Not a great argument/comparison. One cannot purchase a Rolex "online" (and expect a real one with a warranty), dealerships are very limited, and nobody I know can service their own watch. All those grey market ones are actually selling above retail and have been "officially sold" before you get it even though you think it is new...so buyer beware. As for the LBS, I gave up on them long time ago. I get tubes, tires, chains, and other consumables online, delivered to my house, and I can install them myself. I use the LBS for stuff I cannot do myself and only go during the off-season. To make a real comparison, why does one get lesser service when purchasing a $9,000 carbon bike versus a $9,000 Rolex? Both come from retail locations (the jewelers are usually in more expensive rental areas), the profit margins on the items are about the same (please correct me if I am wrong), the jeweler probably carries more $9,000 Rolexes than the LBS does $9,000 carbon bikes, overall the jeweler has a more costly inventory to support, the salesperson at a jeweler makes more which takes more out of the profit margin for the jewelry store, and so many other reasons. So why does one who purchases a $9,000 carbon bike get the same crappy service as someone who buys a $700 hybrid? I know I get a level of service at a Rolex jeweler that is exponentially better than what I can get at a place selling $500-700 Seiko watches. Maybe this is why "studio concept" bike shops selling custom bikes that start at $6,000 are thriving as well as private builders but the good-old-LBS is dying. Just my random thoughts. Last edited by NYCfixie; 12-09-2018 at 05:17 PM. |
#21
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#22
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Your example of Speedplay cleats and tires is a good one. Speedplay controls prices VERY closely. If an online seller discounts any Speedplay product, they w8ll be quickly put back in line by the only place they can buy Speedplay. On the other hand, I see online sales for tires that are cheaper than wholesale. There are too many places suppliers can buy tires to control prices. Therefore bike shops get undercut on prices. Sad for the little bike shops.
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Forgive me for posting dumb stuff. Chris Little Rock, AR |
#23
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Also QBP typically sets the prices for retailers and even prelabels the product with the retail price. This is to prevent retails having to race to the bottom and from bigger buyers from pricing out smaller ones. And to follow up on the above, SP is the perfect example of a company that defends the LBS, while huge companies like Simano and Continental will let anyone willing to buy by the container load undercut even wholesalers online. |
#24
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How many 31.8 Campy do you have in stock? No cheating. If you have one great....that doesn't mean every damn bike shop should have that part. |
#25
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The moment the shop says they can order it, they've already lost.
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#26
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Wrong. Sorry. Just wrong
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#27
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Twenty years ago, my LBS was a specialized expert on racing bikes who had a variety of nice brands on display, which were hand-picked by the owner for certain reasons, these may be quality, reliability of supply, most of which were beneficial to me as a customer. Today, it's a Specialized dealership with very limited, if at all, choice of other brands. No reason whatsoever to go there any more. I hear if you apply to be a Specialized (or Trek, or Bianchi..) "flagship store" or whatever they call it, it isn't unheard of that they send out inspectors to check if you go rogue and have a (one) bike of a different brand on display, they don't like that at all and threaten to take away your dealer status. I understand it may be a good deal for the shop owner, at least on the short term, but for me as a customer (as opposed to a fan boi) that shop has just vanished from the landscape. The strong global brands are very actively pushing the niche suppliers out of the market, with the active help of us, the happy customers, of course. I think there should be room between Trek/Speci and the few boutique brands (the sort you fly in to have a coffee with the framebuilder and discuss paintjobs) who were lucky enough to gain popularity a while ago, for the small suppliers who often make interesting stuff. I see them vanishing..
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Jeremy Clarksons bike-riding cousin Last edited by martl; 12-10-2018 at 02:17 AM. |
#28
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(I was born, grew up, and lived most of my adult life in Manhattan save the last few years in NJ and Boston so I know the LBS all too well) Last edited by NYCfixie; 12-10-2018 at 06:30 AM. |
#29
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#30
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If your frame was indeed 34.9mm, there is NO way a 31.8mm band would have fit. Your frame cracked for some other reason..
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