Bike Shop: Part Deux
Today at the Bike Shop:
CycleChick: (carrying bike wheel) Hi there. My wheel has been making an awful noise lately. I think it might have something to do with the bearings? (insert higher tone at end of sentence to imply question)
Bike Shop Asshole: It’s probably not the wheel.
CC: Um, ok… the noise continues even when I stop pedaling.
BSA: Could be anything. (grabbing wheel, spinning hub). Nothing wrong with this wheel. The hub is perfect.
CC: Really? That’s strange… could it be…
BSA: (bouncing wheel roughly on the ground) This wheel is fine. Probably something else. You should bring the whole bike in so we can look at it, ride it around, do some brake stands.
CC: Erm, ok. Are you sure? When I put a different wheel on, the noise stopped.
BSA: Are you sure it was a different wheel, and not, say, a new shade of lipstick?
CC: Yes, pretty sure it was a different wheel.
BSA: Right. Then I think you should definitely take the basket and bell off the bike and bring it down here so I can pretend to look it over while I chat with some real cyclists then tell you you need a whole new set of wheels that you could get at Canadian Tire for half the price.
CC: But it’s my only bike, and can’t really be without it for…
BSA: We’ll need three weeks at least. If we forget, it will be more. Surely you can do something else in the meantime, like maybe scrapbooking?
CC: Ok, thanks. I’ll be sure to bring it in. And while I’m here maybe I’ll pick up one of those cute pink jerseys with the butterflies on them.
LOL… I'm totally howelling (and I can't spell)
I was in the bike shop today and the BSA I talked to was not a BSA at all. You just have to hit the right BS dude and learn his schedule. There is only one guy I'll deal with really. They've got to the point now that when I walk in and he's not there, everyone else working says, "Dave's not here"….
So today I walked in with a total Chick problem — I even said those exact words when I walked in the door. "I have a Chick Problem" (i.e. I didn't know how to get the back tire off my non quick release wheel single speed with no derailer. I had to move the chain….. AAAHHHHH) And we joked around. I stood in the back with him and as a bonus he even changed my tire for me. (I bought a tube as appeasment.)
I didn't even have to bat my eyes or wear tight pants and show my ass-ets.
You're just not having any luck in the good bike shop dude department. They should ride with you one day and when you drop their asses on the road, maybe they'll change their tune.
Way too funny. I would love to know where that was if you would be so kind.
Hey I just talked to the BSA as well. He tried to sell me a cruiser bike with a seat built for an 80 year old 200 pound man. Let's all say it together "I HATE BIKE SHOPS!!!!!!!". What you need to do "cycle sis" is offer to race the BSA in exchange for new wheels…and make him ride on the not so broken ones : )
Hey I just talked to the BSA as well. He tried to sell me a cruiser bike with a seat built for an 80 year old 200 pound man. Let's all say it together "I HATE BIKE SHOPS!!!!!!!". What you need to do "cycle sis" is offer to race the BSA in exchange for new wheels…and make him ride on the not so broken ones : )
Amen to that. It has also been suggested that I need to drop a load of cash on a new bike in order to get their attention and descent service.
In the meantime, I'll pretend it's like going to France – you just know everyone is going to be rude, and you roll with it. It has it's own "special" charm.
Dropping a load of cash, definately helps. At the other bike shop, not owned by a former Olympian, everytime they type in your phone number it tells them how much you've spent there. I was told my total once (and that was before the Madone). It frightened me. I could have run away to Aruba.
BTW Dave knows who you are and he called up your last name from total recall without even a hint when I mentioned you Yesterday.
I will add that the same "name not to be metioned" bike shop offers a kids bike club that seems to have no problem with kids riding thier bikes down busy roads with adults who encourage them to cross in the middle of traffic…..when asked about this by two concerned parents the "big cheese" BSA basically said "so what" followed by a PFO (I will add both parents spent 150.00 to register thier 8 year olds in the club). Did I already say "I hate bikeshops"
I will add that the same "name not to be metioned" bike shop offers a kids bike club that seems to have no problem with kids riding thier bikes down busy roads with adults who encourage them to cross in the middle of traffic…..when asked about this by two concerned parents the "big cheese" BSA basically said "so what" followed by a PFO (I will add both parents spent 150.00 to register thier 8 year olds in the club). Did I already say "I hate bikeshops"
I love Dave. Always pleasant and helpful. Next time I will go see Dave, even though AE is way out of my way. It's worth it to get the service.
Hey KP, What's a PFO? Unfortunately I LOVE bike shops. Just hate the attitude sometimes.
Andrea, I even warned them that you'd blog about them… Some guys don't get it. EVERY shop has them.
Dave (DJ) is actually a really good friend of mine. He is a really good guy, and yes, very helpful (specially with the ladies). He is probably the best shop guy around for being consistently helpful and nice.
The WORST BSA by a LONG shot though is not at Olympia, not even close. This guy has taken the BSA to an entirely different level. World Class actually. If you have ever met him, you know who I am talking about. Can't say where, but they do have 2 locations.
OH, I know EXACTLY who you are talking about Kevin!!! He makes all the other BSAs look like the waitresses at Earls'.
Yup. Just brutal.
I am going to need a bigger helmet…
I know I`m way back in the archives… but there`s one surefire way to avoid the Bike Shop Asshole. Make friends with (or become) the Bike Shop Bitch instead…
😀