Supergoing, going, gone - - - -

[Old Proflexer]

http://www.supergo.com/stores/

This was a suprise to me when I walked into the local store today.  I kind of have mixed feelings about it as it had a lot of high end parts that places like Performance didn't carry.  Proflex and K2 frames come to mind as well.

Oh well, I guess it's up to Rock 'n Road for me - probably the only LBS that didn't go out of business when a Supergo opened locally.
(kind of a Wal Mart effect - 5 to 6 small bike shops closed within a year after it opened a few years ago)

OP

[rapiddescent]

it's a real shame when a store comes into a local area and 'buys' the market place - to then themselves go out of business or be bought over and then stick the prices back up in a near monopoly situation... doesn't really help anyone in the long term...

callum

[Old Proflexer]

i like to walk in and talk to some one who knows what they're doing not an off the street salesman.  many/most of the guys in a small LBS ride what they sell and can answer semi tech questions.  big stores, most mail order etc. can offer good pricing and such, but can't offer the service and tech advice that many need to keep going.  usually one would have to wander into the shop and start asking questions to get to what one would need.

case in point, my step son is rebuilding his BMX bike and bought a new fork.  going to supergo/performance, the talking heads on the floor didn't have a clue and it seemed like it was going to be a while b4 i could get to someone in tech that had some 1" headset spacers made from aluminum (they're usually about a buck a piece).  i gave up -

drove cross town to the LBS and the first guy that said hello knew what i was looking for, we walked back into the shop, opened up a tool box and 'voila!' - just what we needed.  30 seconds later and 4 dollars lighter, we left with smiles and the right parts.

OP

[Carbon_Angus]

Don't have supergo's up here, but Performance Biike, yes.

The LBS that survives will be wise to be repair/service and family oriented.

It's a tough road to hoe for them.

[smiley=beer.gif]

[Matno]

In my experience, VERY few bike shops compete well in the service/knowledge department. I may be jaded, but I've NEVER gone into a bike shop and come out feeling like I learned something. I consider myself a "well informed consumer" not an "expert," but I have yet to find a bike shop employee/manager/etc who knows the "basics" that I know. I usually just ask a lot of questions that I already know the answers to, just to make them feel good. I've NEVER asked a question that I didn't know the answer to and gotten a satisfactory answer. Even the relatively simple ones.  Even my buddy who has managed two shops for at least 10 years doesn't seem to know a lot of the basics (although to his credit, he does usually know what "latest and greatest" bikes are going to be coming out next year, usually before the magazines announce them).

[Old Proflexer]

those that can, do

those that can't, manage it or teach

OP

[Mr.Ed]

very well put O.P.
cound'nt of said it better myself, makes me think of my boss!!!

[Dennis]

those that can, do

those that can't, manage it or teach

OP

OP,

you know I think you are a great guy, but I have to vehemently disagree with you. those of us that teach, know that we have to be able to do, first, and then, be able to teach it. not as easy as people think.

I was an engineer for 17 years before becoming a physics teacher 9 years ago, and I know I am an effective teacher only because I did it (very successfully, I might add) before I started teaching it.

anyway, I had to reply.

[smiley=groucho.gif]

[Matno]

Dennis,

There are two types of teacher. Those like OP mentioned, and those who do it because they truly love it. I'm sure you fall into the latter category (based on your background), but I'm afraid that due to the pay scale of teachers in the U.S., the former category is much larger. I have to say though, that the most intelligent, well-rounded person I have ever had the privilege of knowing (one of my college roommates), never wanted to do anything but teach high school students. Now he does, and by sheer coincidence one of my young cousins was a student of his. She says he was the best teacher she ever had. As for me, many of my best teachers in college were ones who made their money elsewhere first, then turned their attention to teaching when they were better able to afford it...

Same principle applies to management. Unfortunately, anybody who could be a good bike shop manager could assuredly make a LOT more money managing something on a larger scale. For those few who are successful, it's a niche market that takes a lot of guts to try...

[shovelon]

very well put O.P.

cound'nt of said it better myself, makes me think of my boss!!!

Confusious say, "He who is his own teacher has a fool for a student".



And confused say, "He who works for himself has a fool for an employee".

Terry(pretty random, I know)

[Old Proflexer]

oh  [smiley=diaper.gif] - did I say the wrong thing or what?

not wishing to offend any teachers, instructors, managers etc.

(I have a California teaching credential, did my post graduate work in education, produce, manage and instruct in my current profession),

but I also produce and take an active interest production and have learned from the ground up, what I do.  

Dennis, my apologies and never mean't any disrespect - I've just always had a minor irritation for those many that oversee and instruct, but haven't much of a clue as to the fundamentals of the product, service or learned skill usage or behavior modification.  My area manager fashions herself as a great leader and teacher, but has never done what I do.  Many owners and managers of bike shops are far removed from the basics and have never worked on a bike, ever or even ride.  

I have the utmost respect for anyone who has made it to the top from the ground up - and you have.  

My apologies - should have been 100 times more specific

OP