Here's a suggested one-sentence excerpt in Singletracks style:
Group rides, proper bike fitting, quick repairs, and a welcoming atmosphere are among the key qualities that separate great local bike shops from mediocre ones.
Voting is open through April 20th for the Bell Built Grant's Western projects, including California's Stafford Lake Bike Park in Novato.
Here's a one-sentence excerpt in Singletracks style:
**"What makes a local bike shop worth supporting, and when should you just buy online instead?"**
(15 words)
Vote for your favorite Western trail project in the Bell Built Grant competition, including a 25-mile flow trail system in Medford, Oregon.
Vote for the Bell Built Grant's Western projects through April 20th, including Flagstaff's Fort Tuthill Bike Park, a free public skills park for all riders.
After a brutal winter, warm weather and dry trails finally arrived in Salida for days 7-11 of #30DaysofBiking challenge.
Shimano unveils the all-new XTR M9000 with 11-speed drivetrain, updated brakes, carbon wheels, and race and trail variants to match your riding style.
Here's a one-sentence excerpt in the Singletracks.com style:
The Nashbar Big Ol' Fat Bike offers bomber steel construction and year-round riding capability for around $1,000—making fat biking accessible to everyone.
The Zoic Coalition Schacket blends shirt and jacket features with recycled materials, making it perfect for unpredictable weather and post-ride hangouts.
The Zoic Hoodoo Shorts pack eight pockets, a 16" inseam, and removable chamois liner for comfortable, pack-free epic rides.
Our correspondent mudhunny is at Sea Otter this weekend sharing exclusive photos and updates across our social media channels—follow along for insider coverage!
Salsa announces the Bucksaw, the world's first production full-suspension fat bike, featuring 100mm travel and aggressive geometry starting at $4,000.
RockShox officially unveils the Bluto RL fat bike suspension fork with 80, 100, or 120mm travel options, tapered steerer, and 4.8-inch tire clearance.
Rocky Mountain's new Blizzard fat bike features the groundbreaking RockShox Bluto suspension fork, trail-oriented geometry, and aggressive spec at an attractive price point.
Here's a one-sentence excerpt in Singletracks.com style:
The 19th Annual Fruita Fat Tire Festival hits April 24-27th with demos, music, and access to hundreds of miles of world-class Colorado singletrack.
The WTB Breakout is a fast-rolling, high-volume 2.5" tire that excels in dry, loose conditions but packs up quickly in mud.
Despite warnings about crowds, the Fruita Fat Tire Festival offers uncrowded trails, epic demos, and world-class riding worth every penny of support.
Earn a new Georgia State Parks badge by riding at least six of twelve state parks offering mountain bike trails and paths.
Instead of fighting winter weather, embrace it: hit the slopes, pedal snowy passes on a fat bike, or ride wet pavement roads.
RockShox officially unveils the RS-1: an ultra-lightweight inverted carbon XC race fork for 29ers, weighing just 1,666g and priced at $1,865.
New Sedona topo trail map from Beartooth Publishing features 14 top mountain bike rides, plus fresh maps covering Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, and Arizona.
The Flow Factory Trail at North Spencer Mountain in Whitefish, Montana delivers slopestyle thrills with bermed corners, jumps, drops, and natural rock features.
A Colorado snowstorm disrupts 30 Days of Biking plans, but fat bike adventures through mud, slush, and fresh snow prove weather challenges make April riding memorable.
Ski bikes blend mountain biking and skiing into one adrenaline-pumping sport, but the learning curve is steeper than you'd expect.
The Manzanita Mountains near Albuquerque offer miles of challenging, technical trails with rocky climbs and rewarding descents—just don't get lost.
Four days into the #30daysofbiking challenge with zero singletrack due to weather, but commuting by bike still counts and offers surprising benefits.
Exploring uncatalogued trails near Buena Vista reveals intermediate singletrack with swooping turns, rocky terrain, and stunning Collegiate Peaks views worth discovering.
Women mountain bikers debunk stereotypes: we're not all "shredders" or "girly girls," we just want good gear and great rides.
Due to snow at Buffalo Creek, this Saturday's group ride is postponed one week and relocated to South Shore Lake Pueblo Reservoir instead.
After four years, Greg tackles the 30 Days of Biking Challenge with an impromptu fat bike exploration through snow-covered Colorado trails.
The 2015 Cannondale Jekyll gets a complete redesign with SuperMax Lefty fork, dual-travel Fox DYAD shock, 27.5" wheels, and Ballistec carbon.
Cannondale's new Trigger 27.5 and 29 bring Jekyll-inspired tech to the trail bike category with switchable Fox DYAD shocks and carbon frames.
Santa Cruz adds 27.5" wheels to the Nomad all-mountain rig, featuring 165mm VPP travel, a slack 65-degree head angle, and aggressive geometry.
Fat bikes are dead—say hello to the latest trend making them obsolete: skinny bikes with rigid frames, 23c tires, and maximum trail feedback.
Here's a 24-word excerpt in the Singletracks style:
Utah officials plan mandatory drug testing at trailheads this summer, potentially barring Colorado riders from accessing iconic trails like Moab and Park City.
Bell Built Grant finalists have been announced, and voting begins April 7th to determine which trail projects receive funding.
The Yakima Highlite 3 is a solid hanging-style hitch rack, but platform racks offer easier loading and better frame compatibility for most riders.
SRAM's new GUIDE brake line features innovative Swinglink cam technology, improved modulation, and a redesigned four-piston caliper at competitive XC weights.
Easton's EC70 Trail carbon wheels deliver XC weight at just 1,345 grams with trail-tough durability, featuring hand-built construction and acoustically-tuned spoke tension.
Jeff Reeds' new ebook "The Sanctity of Dirt" explores how mountain biking connects us to nature and something larger than ourselves.
Eagle, Colorado offers the perfect May riding conditions—not too hot, not too cold—with diverse trail networks for every skill level.
Pro mountain bikers and industry insiders share their favorite trails from around the world, from Sedona's Hangover to Germany's Flow Country Trail.
Mountain bike legends and pros from around the world share their favorite trails, from Colorado's Captain Jacks to Whistler's technical descents.
Cannondale's OverMountain team will race the new SuperMax Lefty fork, featuring improved bump sensitivity and a lighter, stiffer dual-crown design.
Chris Akrigg shreds on a Mongoose cyclocross bike in this must-watch edit that proves 'cross bikes can handle way more than gravel roads.
The Tifosi Duros deliver performance-grade optics with three interchangeable lenses, durable construction, and exceptional value at just $69.95.
Spring weather eliminates excuses for not riding, but as a new mom, I've learned you never regret a ride—even solo, cold, and sleep-deprived.
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A new 9-mile trail called Little Scraggy is coming to world-class Buffalo Creek, featuring more technical rock lines than the area's typically smooth singletrack.
9
![<a href="http://www.singletracks.com/blog/uncategorized/good-shop-bad-shop-what-makes-or-breaks-an-lbs-part-1/">In the previous installment</a>, I addressed a few quality characteristics that I recommend looking for in a local bike shop, based on several personal experiences. Here are several more things that riders may consider important when searching for a trustworthy LBS:
<strong>Group rides</strong>
Also high on my personal list for selecting a good bike shop, group rides serve as a place to get fit, learn new lines, make new friends, and have some healthy competition. It is nice to find a shop that offers regular rides during peak season, and will push you and build your confidence. You may also inadvertently learn a thing or two about bike maintenance if your trusty steed has an issue on your favorite ribbon of dirt.
[caption id="attachment_41185" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/furtado-primeiro-3Q-e1393562048619.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-41185" alt="" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/furtado-primeiro-3Q-e1393562048619.jpg" width="300" height="225" /></a> Juliana manufactures excellent quality rigs, but they are not a perfect fit for everyone. Photo: julianabikes.com[/caption]
<strong>Gender Considerations</strong>
Some of us are XX. Some of us are XY. Some of us are still trying to figure that out. Finding a shop that is sensitive to the different bikes, riding styles, and abilities of men/women is crucial, especially if they can<em> look you in the ey</em>e and give you expert advice. That doesn't mean that you need to find a shop who will point all women to a line of shiny new <a href="http://www.julianabicycles.com/">Juliana's</a>. On the contrary, an astute shop employee will take the time to fit all riders and recognize, for example, that not all women belong on women's-specific bikes. But men, a word of advice: don't let them talk you into riding away on a women's bike, even if this <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/blog/singletracks/take-the-quiz-which-mountain-bike-should-you-buy-next/">Singletracks bike quiz</a> says you belong on one...
<strong>Bike Fitting Services</strong>
Proper bike fit is crucial for both road and mountain bikes. Improper alignment of your lower back, hips, knees, or ankles can cause both temporarily and lifelong health issues. You'd be surprised by how just a few millimeters can make or break your positioning and comfort. Furthermore, everyone has a different riding style, which changes over time as we improve, and as we age.
Some guy eye-balling you in the parking lot is not the correct way to fit you on a bicycle, as "Dick" used to do. Singletracks has published several excellent articles in the past about <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/blog/mtb-training/how-to-fit-yourself-on-a-mountain-bike-like-a-pro/">how to fit yourself</a> on a bicycle, and <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/blog/mtb-training/5-reasons-to-get-a-professional-bike-fit/">several reasons why you should get a professional bike fit</a>, particularly if you have chronic pain during or between rides. I whole-heartedly agree. Get a fit. A strong LBS can offer pro-level bike adjustments, such as the <a href="http://ridewrc.com/articles/bike-fit-video-pg850.htm">studio at Wheat Ridge Cyclery</a> in Denver, who will even add shims to your pedals to move your stance outboard.
<strong>Reasonable/Timely Repairs</strong>
[caption id="attachment_41190" align="alignright" width="250"]<a href="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/LR-good-shop2-2-e1393563511996.jpg"><img class=" wp-image-41190 " alt="" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/LR-good-shop2-2-e1393563511996.jpg" width="250" height="185" /></a> A little fuzzy, but any bike nerd can appreciate that the pawls and springs were stripped out and the freehub trashed. OTES had me up and running in a jiffy... with a smile.[/caption]
Last spring, I was one of the first mass consumers to ride, and inadvertently test, the <a href="http://www.sram.com/sram/mountain/family/xx1">SRAM XX1 </a>drivetrain, so naturally I paid a price for adopting early: the technology just wasn't quite dialed in yet. I obliterated my freehub body climbing <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/bike-trails/palisade-rim.html">Palisade Rim</a> one morning, and I took my mangled drivetrain to <a href="http://otesports.com/locations/fruita/">Over The Edge Sports</a> (OTES) in Fruita immediately. It was the first ride of a planned epic weekend trip, and I was nervous because not many shops were familiar with the XX1 line. The OTES shop wizards, however, creatively fixed my issues in time for me to join my group at 18 Road that afternoon, and I am eternally grateful.
<em>Lesson</em>: an LBS with top-notch mechanics that can mitigate catastrophic failures quickly and get you back on the trail is worth its weight in, well, carbon fiber. In fact, locating a shop that can crank out your repairs in hours-to-days is a non-negotiable item when looking around for an LBS. A good LBS should stand behind their work too, and offer to repair/replace items if their craftsmanship does not hold up. They should also not be charging you (much) for warrantied item failures, though I have discovered more than a few shops that try to get away with this.
<strong>Demo/Rental Programs</strong>
[caption id="attachment_41189" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/LR-good-shop2-e1393563448775.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-41189" alt="" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/LR-good-shop2-e1393563448775.jpg" width="300" height="194" /></a> Reputable LBS's are often associated with bike demos or events, like the Fruita Fat Tire Festival[/caption]
Try before your buy. We hear that phrase all too often with so many products, but it goes double for riding a mountain bike. High on your list should be a shop that carries, and rents/demos, bikes for a reasonable fee, which can be applied to the purchase of your bike once you've nailed down your preference. It is easy to get swept up as an armchair engineer reading articles online about what type of bicycle is best for you, but the truth is, you never know what a bike or part really feels like until you try one.
If you are considering changing a wheel size, you should <strong>definitely</strong> demo one first. Despite what you read, there are subtle nuances with wheel size, frame material, geometry, and amount of suspension that cannot be translated to the written word. Your body has to feel them. Don't waste your money and buy a bike based on someone else's review. Demo as many bikes as you can, and try them on the same trail, so you can compare them equally. Many shops will have a small dirt track area out back for you to whittle down your selection, but don't rely solely on that experience for your ultimate purchase. Some shops, such as <a href="http://santosbikeshop.com/">Santos Bike Shop</a>, are built right at the trailhead for you to get some good laps in.
<strong>Road and/or Mountain Bikes?</strong>
[caption id="attachment_41197" align="alignright" width="313"]<a href="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/interior02.jpg"><img class=" wp-image-41197 " alt="" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/interior02.jpg" width="313" height="208" /></a> Wheat Ridge Cyclery in Denver has a gargantuan sales floor and offers road, mountain, cyclocross, and fat bikes. Photo: interbike.com[/caption]
Consider my dilemma in Florida. In some areas, there are shops that specialize primarily in only one type of cycling discipline. It is nice to find an LBS that can sell and service all of your biking needs, but you may have to find more than one shop if you have a lot of cycling hobbies. Some larger bike shops also carry other equipment, such as skis, like <a href="http://www.nmsportsystems.com/">Sport Systems in Albuquerque</a>, a well respected store that I use when I visit there.
For most smaller shops, however, don't assume that the mechanic who setup your road bike understands how to dial in the compression and damping settings on your full-suspension rig. Mine didn't. Not all shops understand the reason behind using a 170mm or 190mm hub-spacing on a fat-bike either, or how to adjust the chain line, or how to correctly tension a sliding dropout. Make sure you ask detailed questions before handing your bike over for service. You will have a bad day if you break your bike on the trail after paying to have it worked on.
<strong>Atmosphere</strong>
All things being equal, this may be the factor that truly makes or breaks which local bike shop you elect to patronize. Jeff recently published a story about the excellent <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/blog/mtb-trails/behind-the-scenes-of-a-destination-trail-bear-creek-with-the-cartecay-crew/">Cartecay</a> bike shop in GA, which catalyzed me into thinking about what qualities a good bike should have. When I
[caption id="attachment_41201" align="alignright" width="250"]<a href="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/LR-good-shop2a-e1393567132758.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-41201" alt="" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/LR-good-shop2a-e1393567132758.jpg" width="250" height="329" /></a> On the smaller side, but a fun place to hang out, Cartecay bike shop in Ellijay serves up plenty of helpin's of southern hospitality.[/caption]
lived in Florida, I took several trips to <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/Georgia-bike-trails_10.html?filterBy=|loc:34.532500~-83.985000~25~Dahlonega%2C+GA">Dahlonega </a>and <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/Georgia-bike-trails_10.html?filterBy=|loc:34.694722~-84.482222~25~Ellijay%2C+GA">Ellijay </a>to ride the famed mountains of north Georgia, and fondly remember my experience at this particular shop. Unlike my former LBS in the Sunshine State, this place was inviting. It was friendly. I wanted to just sit down and hang out there. So I did. The fact that it cut away from the ride time I planned never crossed my mind. Despite his relatively <a href="http://www.google.com/imgres?safe=active&sa=X&espv=210&es_sm=122&biw=1280&bih=911&tbm=isch&tbnid=obS5k_TYToyjcM%3A&imgrefurl=http%3A%2F%2Fbikegypsies.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F12%2Fnew-cartecay-bike-shop-ellijay-georgia.html&docid=MfwvwQfPgBmY6M&imgurl=http%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F_Na-xQXPb4zA%2FTQzZICx5LOI%2FAAAAAAAAARo%2Frwsr_9twd7Q%2Fs1600%2FIMGP2565.JPG&w=1200&h=1600&ei=6SkOU9vYFIT1qAGD6ICoCw&zoom=1&ved=0CH4QhBwwDg&iact=rc&dur=2136&page=1&start=0&ndsp=22">cozy workspace</a>, Mike Palmeri has several stools to just sit down and chat. As a local rider/hunter started talking about throwing a buck on the back of his bike trailer, I decided that it was a story I didn't want to miss, and I'm glad I didn't.
By comparison, my roadie-oriented LBS back home felt very sterile and rigid. At Cartecay, I felt at home, and wondered why more bike shops didn't have more of a "coffee shop" atmosphere that invites you to hang out there and palaver. Chances are you'll spend more, and learn more, the longer you stay. Not every shop has room for a sofa and free coffee (like <a href="http://hgbco.com/">this one</a>), but your bike shop <em>should</em> be friendly, and the staff should be easy to approach. If you come in often, they should be glad to see you, ask about your bike, and seem interested in you as a person rather than another dollar sign. If you feel like just another customer, or that your LBS thinks your are made of money, it may be time to shop somewhere else.
<strong>Good Shop(s)</strong>
Now residing in central Colorado, I am now blessed with a plethora of bike shops, and many of them have a unique vibe and cater to specific types of riders. Competition keeps pricing down, but more importantly, it promotes a different species of LBS because of the
[caption id="attachment_41206" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/1073753_10201736576839162_1504213646_o-e1393568539521.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-41206 " alt="" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/1073753_10201736576839162_1504213646_o-e1393568539521.jpg" width="300" height="400" /></a> A good LBS should also have a sense of humor...[/caption]
thriving local bike culture here. The guys in my new LBS seem genuinely happy to see me when I come in. I bring them beer, and we sit and chat about everything from politics to frame geometry to weather. I hang out there almost every week for an hour or so, even if I don't need anything, just to shoot the breeze and get to know the guys better. I try to stay out of their way, and they don't seem to mind teaching me things. I often bring friends, who usually buy parts or even bikes, and in turn my LBS gives us good deals when we really need something. They do great custom work, and I have fun just admiring the weird and interesting things that some lucky customer will walk away with one day. They are an amazingly small shop with a huge inventory, and they have everything I need. There is no riding group, per se, which I do miss, but I <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/blog/mtb-trails/ride-report-buffalo-creek-blackjack-trail-colorado-fat-bike-style/">ride informally with the shop guys</a>, and that more than makes up for it. I ride with groups from other shops too, which builds unique friendships and promotes networking.
So, after a little searching, I now have most things on <em>my list</em> without putting up with a bunch of tomfoolery, and I truly prefer giving my LBS my patronage rather than shopping on the internet. As someone who is passionate about riding, I think picking an LBS is as important as picking your next bike. I feel lucky that I found a <a href="http://goldenbikeshop.com/">good one</a>.
<em>Writer's note: although I have had the pleasure of visiting many different shops and demoing bikes in different places, I do not endorse a particular shop or brand per se... although some of the better ones deserve a little recognition for all of their hard work, and I'd happily point you toward the better ones.</em>
<em><strong>Your turn:</strong> Do you have a good local bike shop that meets your needs? Do you have any interesting stories about a bike shop you have been to? We would love to hear them...</em>](https://images.singletracks.com/graphics/no_photo_750x500.png)
