tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12831567.post8857052576575929610..comments2024-03-28T08:40:23.164-05:00Comments on Guitar Ted Productions: Why Bike Shops Should Embrace The "BSO's"Guitar Tedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10960580677548417562noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12831567.post-23985780454740962092020-07-01T13:35:40.871-05:002020-07-01T13:35:40.871-05:00Well said, Brother. We have a great opportunity RI...Well said, Brother. We have a great opportunity RIGHT NOW to bring a lot of new people into the sport, but it will be squandered if we don't welcome them, regardless of the bikes/gear they have today. <br /><br />The shops that turn down these customers are doing so at their own peril. They're probably the same ones complaining about how mail order is ruining their business, while completely forgetting that 'service' is the one thing mail order can't provide. But I digress…<br /><br /><br /><br />MGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14301752250721808758noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12831567.post-70999126573390413792020-07-01T01:17:13.747-05:002020-07-01T01:17:13.747-05:00Yup, I quit bothering with the LBSs in my old town...Yup, I quit bothering with the LBSs in my old town because the staff were mostly snobs(the nicest word I would use). I've spent a lot of money on bikes and parts over the years but their crappy attitude meant they got none of it.<br /><br />What is it about being a bike mech that makes many people turn into d-bags?Erinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10963459691076849080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12831567.post-32614021656035503572020-06-30T23:51:47.609-05:002020-06-30T23:51:47.609-05:00Love this post. I only wish that more people knew ...Love this post. I only wish that more people knew how much BSO riders actually depend on their bikes. Ever notice the most crowded restaurants and watering holes always have a few employee bikes out back? That's the employee parking lot!Gravelohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07943092128524841084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12831567.post-17340988986312906612020-06-30T18:41:38.474-05:002020-06-30T18:41:38.474-05:00Ive seen it everywhere: A low quality , poor handl...Ive seen it everywhere: A low quality , poor handling sailboat: a cheap lump of a fly rod and reel: a plank of a water ski: etc etc and the locals peering down their noses and smirking. BUT the owners of these less than efficient items are NEW to the activity and will learn as they go! AND the most important thing, THEYRE out there DOING THEIR SPORT, enjoying the fresh air , getting exercise and LEARNING!!youcancallmeAlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02578252140097961816noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12831567.post-10748831608358595082020-06-30T16:42:41.121-05:002020-06-30T16:42:41.121-05:00Amen, Brother!Amen, Brother!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11587001371372254868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12831567.post-51415959176009390272020-06-30T10:15:17.969-05:002020-06-30T10:15:17.969-05:00I find this amusing that bike shops and bike peopl...I find this amusing that bike shops and bike people turn down repairs on these bikes. Then those same groups take a valued bike.... let's say a Surly, Rivendell, or recently I saw a Ti Motobecane and install the same low quality components a box store bike would come with. Then I think often the consumer forgets trickle down marketing exist. There are a few box frames out there that are more than meets the eye.teamdarbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10730985048207207697noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12831567.post-81404964580032903362020-06-30T09:34:50.779-05:002020-06-30T09:34:50.779-05:00100% agree!!!!!!!! Even 20 years ago in the shop I...100% agree!!!!!!!! Even 20 years ago in the shop I calculated the average repair cost of a Huffy was $75 on a bike that retailed 100-150 bucks. If you knew how to wrench you could actually make them function for the folks. Plus, the profit on tires, cable and chains helped the bottom line. You could also use the repair estimates as a selling tool for a used or new entry level bike. I turned quite a few folks into cyclists by HELPING and BEING NICE, not by being a bike snob.Tmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05932060954855795047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12831567.post-83288253572815240342020-06-30T09:12:28.627-05:002020-06-30T09:12:28.627-05:00My first ride was on my mother's Montgomery Wa...My first ride was on my mother's Montgomery Ward (girl's frame) bike. My first bike was a Firestone branded single speed, coaster brake. My brother had money so he bought a banana seat. It was our freedom on the farm! Pavement (about 6 miles away) was a treat.<br />Bicycles, no matter of price or condition can be freedom machines to explore the world. In a time when we focus on inequity I hope we can fix ways for all people to gain freedom and experience positive adventure.Timhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05433420901997880377noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12831567.post-79399648551540146302020-06-30T06:48:40.883-05:002020-06-30T06:48:40.883-05:00Well said, Sir. Many of us who collect and ride ...Well said, Sir. Many of us who collect and ride bikes may have accumulated components from changing things on older bikes. After doing so myself, I realized I was stashing these away in my garage and they were just taking up space and not being used. I decided to start donating this stuff to my local bike shop which used them to help people repair their bikes so they could get under way and use their bikes to commute to work or for recreation. I guess this is somewhat like what they call Bike Coops in larger cities. This is just something cyclists can do to be advocates for our sport or hobby. graveldochttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07735646900935591880noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12831567.post-76760029802851144542020-06-30T03:20:25.706-05:002020-06-30T03:20:25.706-05:00Well said GT. I've worked at some shops where ...Well said GT. I've worked at some shops where other staff have been unnecessarily negative about such bikes, and it gets to be a bit draining. Even the term BSO bothers me some. Yes, they're very low quality bikes, but they're out there and we should make them work as well as they're going to.Will on the toolshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15520837748345962452noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12831567.post-2620214739251324472020-06-30T02:52:01.805-05:002020-06-30T02:52:01.805-05:00Mark, I totally agree with this. I've seen it ...Mark, I totally agree with this. I've seen it often and have experienced the 'why the hell would you want that?' conversation enough times to know exactly how it feels.<br /><br />It drives me nuts. Bike shops are a service industry and their service just happens to be bikes. We don't all have bottomless pockets; sometimes a better quality tyre, a new cable run or brake blocks that work are all it takes to make something 100 times better.<br /><br />If an owner decides their bike is past it that's one thing. If a bike shop employee tells them, that's quite another...MuddyMatthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06774731534552286917noreply@blogger.com