Best Bike Shop Near Me
Below, I discuss what makes a bike shop the best but first let me tell you a short story of why I love Velocity Bike Shop in Lubbock. The story will give you an idea of why you should always trade at a bike shop and not a big discount store like Walmart.
I bought a Specialized AWOL in 2014. I rode that bicycle a lot. It was my favorite bike of all time and it was my trusty touring bike. Starting in 2014, I rode at least one long distance tour every year through 2019. I took the bike to Velocity on a regular schedule and kept it it tip-top condition.
I had decided around December of 2019 to ride it across Texas during the summer of 2020. I was out on a training ride in late December and felt something was not right with the bike. I stopped and checked it out when I found that my chainstay had snapped right in half.
I called my wife and had her bring my truck to where I was because I knew that was the last time I would ride that bike. The next day I took it in to Velocity and told the shop manager, who I have known since I started trading there in 2006, what had happened.
I had over 30,000 miles on the bike. I figured before it broke that I was going to buy a new bike for the tour across Texas anyway and just figured that I might as well go ahead and get the bike I wanted. Derrick, the manager, told me to leave the bike with him and to come back in a day or two and we could talk about a new bike. This was a Saturday and they are closed on Sunday so I figured I would just go in on Monday afternoon.
Monday morning Derrick called me and said he had some good news and some bad news. The good news was that the AWOL had a lifetime warranty on it and that Specialized would give me another AWOL frame for free. He said that normally he would just move the components from the old bike to the new frame.
The bad news was that Specialized didn't have that frame anymore so they decided to just give me a brand new bike altogether at no cost. I didn't exactly see that as bad news. I ended up with a Specialized Diverge. I still think my AWOL is the best bike I ever owned but I really happy with the Diverge too. It made the 962 mie from the Oklahoma border down to South Padre Island with absolutely no issues and has been a reliable bike since then.
The reason I am telling you this story is that buying a bicycle anywhere else wouldn't have been replaced like my AWOL was. I didn't even expect to get a free bike out of it either. I figured that they might prorate it but a brand new bike was unbelievable. The guys at Velocity went way above and beyond the call of duty on this bike. That is why you need to trade at a local bike shop.
Now that I have told you that story, let me tell you more about what to look for in a local bike shop.
When you're in the market for a new bike, or need repairs or maintenance done on your old one, it's important to choose the right bike shop. Not all bike shops are created equal, and some will provide you with a better experience than others.
Here are some qualities to look for in a bike shop:
Expertise: The staff at the bike shop should be knowledgeable about bikes and be able to help you choose the right bike for your needs. They should also be able to answer any questions you have about bike maintenance and repair.
Selection: The bike shop should have a wide variety of bikes to choose from, including different types, brands, and price points. They should also have a good selection of bike accessories and parts.
Service: The bike shop should offer a variety of services, such as bike sales, repairs, and maintenance. They should also be able to do custom work, such as building a bike to your specifications.
Customer service: The staff at the bike shop should be friendly and helpful, and they should be willing to take the time to answer your questions and help you find what you need.
Warranty: The bike shop should offer a warranty on their products and services. This will give you peace of mind knowing that you're covered if something goes wrong.
If you can find a bike shop that has all of these qualities, then you've found the best choice for your biking needs.
Here are some additional tips for choosing a bike shop:
Ask around for recommendations from friends, family, or other cyclists.
Read online reviews of bike shops in your area.
Visit the bike shop in person and see if you like the atmosphere and the staff.
Get a quote from several different bike shops before making a decision.
By following these tips, you can be sure to find the best bike shop for your needs.
Here are some additional things to consider when choosing a bike shop:
Location: Make sure the bike shop is convenient for you to get to.
Hours: Find out what hours the bike shop is open.
Payment options: Make sure the bike shop accepts the payment method you prefer.
Return policy: Find out the bike shop's return policy in case you're not happy with your purchase.
By considering all of these factors, you can be sure to find the best bike shop for your needs and budget.
Here is my next blog post: Top-Rated Bicycle Companies for Touring Bicycles: A Guide to Choosing the Right Bike for Your Long-Distance Adventures
