I have had several bad experiences in the bike shed, i went to buy a narrow wide chain ring i wanted a 36t but the guy in the shop basically refused to sell me one saying that i would regret my decision as i would be able to get up hills. instead i was talked into buying a 32t and as a result i was constantly spinnning out and a month later ordered the 36t i wanted from CRC.
On another occasion i went in looking for brake pads for my formula brakes, when i asked if they had the righ ones in stock i was pointed in the direction of the all the pads and was left to look myself, when it became clear that the brakes were not clearly labelled i asked for some help one guy spent all of 30 seconds helping me look before telling me that they had none in stock. I went home and looked up what pads i needed and it turns out there was a generic pad that fit a variety of formula brakes that they did have in stock (i hadnt bothered looking into this before as i had wrongly assumed that the 'experienced staff' would be able to point them straight out to me) how wrong i was. again i resorted to CRC,
I love the idea of supporting my local bike shop but each time i have gone into the shop i am made to feel like an idiot who doesnt know what i am talking about and to be quite frank just a bit of a grom, i may not be a Pro but i had my first propa MTB 16 years ago and have ridden my entire life. and for this reason i will not be going back to the bike shed! read more