Bike shops

In the old days, a housewife had relationships with local retailers.  It wasn't uncommon for them to know their butcher, the milkman, and grocer by name.  Her husband was no different; he would see the guy at the hardware store as well as the local tailor and perhaps even his mechanic too.  They would buy from each other often and over time, would get to know a merchants specialty, the stock each carried and what it took to work together effectively. At the same time, the merchant would understand their clients' needs and wants.

With a simple phone call, a household would have dinner planned for the week or enough milk to cover breakfast and lunch for the same amount of time.

Merchants sold goods and services, yes, but what they towards was establishing a relationship - one that benefitted both.

Finding a reliable shop today is based on the same principles and has the same benefits. A good shop will provide reliable service backed by a complete knowledge of the products they sell. At the same time, they will understand how you ride and will offer products to suit your riding style.

When looking for a good shop, keep a few goals in mind.  Remember too you'll need to work with a shop until they understand how you like to ride and maintain your equipment, and most importantly, advance your abilities without overselling you.  Ask questions, test their knowledge and need to be helpful.

Check the links below.

What to look for in a good shop  - -  Active

Getting excellent service from your shop  - -  Bicycling

Repair Shops

Great online resource for owning and maintaining a bike  - -  Bikewebsite

Finding a good shop  - -  Google

Browse shops by region  - -  PinkBike

50 Best shops in America  - -  ActiveTimes