Bike shops have their part to play too.
I have been into MANY bike shops, and been treated like crap by the elitest scum bags who work their.
i could name names, but they do tend to frequent these parts and i might get in trouble :$
When asking for a part, ive been told “No no, you mean X” when i KNOW what i mean, and the pleb isnt keeping up.
Ive been told ive set my bike up wrong, and had it “adjusted” for me without asking
and ive had shops refuse to sell me parts because “its not right for you”
I HATE bike shops who automatically look down on their customers, just because the customer isn’t paid to play bikes, despite the customer potentially having a much clearer and more experienced grasp of the game.
C*ck Knockers.
On the flip side: Hello to ALL THREE of Exeters city centre bike shops, in no order of preference (west to east actually), The Bike Shed, Sidwells and Richard’s.*
Have shopped in all three and always actively make an effort to go and spend my money with them, as ive had nothing but excellent service, advice, and general chit chattery from all of them.
[Edit]* make that 4, even Halfords down here is pretty good if you get the right guys