Why Do You Shop At A Real Store?

A friend posted an interesting article about Online & In Person Bike Shopping Statistics so I figured I would twist it a little and ask the readers of this blog (and our Faceboook page) why do you shop at a store instead of online?

Here are some of the details from the article:

Some details from the study:

• The number of consumers who visited a bike shop, but purchased a bicycle from a discount/mass merchant increased by 117 percent (compared to the 2012 study).
• At the same time the number of adults who visited a bike shop, and went on to purchase a bicycle from a bike shop fell by 20 percent.
• And adults who visited a bike shop and went on to purchase from an online retailer such as Amazon also declined by 36 percent.

The person who posted the article originally made the comment that because shops don't stock the exact part you are looking for and have to order it anyways.  I can attest that at Tom's there are a lot of parts available and I know Tom takes pride in that fact.

As I said recently you don't ever see an Amazon.Com bike club.  You also won't find a capable repair shop or a place to rent a bike while traveling on the web.

What makes you desire personalized service over a discount for shopping online and dealing with a computer?  Let us know because we appreciate our great customers.  Stop by today from 10-8 to check out our inventory.

Want a great way to test out your bike?  Purchase the bike and sign up for a slot of our Indoor Training Series.

Indoor Training Series is on right now.  Information HERE!

WE RENT FAT BIKES NOW!  Interested in trying out a Fat Bike without having to purchase one?  We now rent the Specialized Fatboy at Tom's Pro Bike!

WNY Cross has a new Facebook Page with all the Buffalo/Rochester Race Information posted.  5 races left this year!

Tom's Pro Bike

http://www.tomsprobike.com/

3687 Walden Avenue
Lancaster, NY 14086

Upcoming Events @ Tom's Pro Bike

We are heading into August and we have some cool events coming up in the next week or so. 

Wednesday August 5th at 6:30 we are having a New Bike Clinic (Register at Link just for head count because the food is great and it the class is free!)

The clinic is designed to make new riders more confident on their bike, we cover basic bicycle maintenance and repair.  This class is great for both new and experienced riders.

Topics Covered Include:

• Basic Maintenance
• Tire Changing Demo
• Proper Co2 Use
• Efficient Riding Techniques

Food and Refreshments will be served

Sunday August 9th is our annual Lake Ontario ride:

This 62 mile ride takes you on a scenic route from Ellicott Creek Island Park to Lake Ontario and back.

Ride Details:

• 62 Miles
• Stop at the halfway point
• Starts from Ellicott Creek Island Park in Tonawanda
• Lunch provided afterwards at the park

For more information stop by the shop this weekend from 10-6 Friday and Saturday or check out the newly redesigned website.

Win a FREE Fuji Gran Fondo from Tom's Pro Bike.  REGISTRATION LINK HERE!

Video Promotion on Free Fuji Gran Fondo HERE!

We are back from California and the 2015 Specialized Retailer Release and learned a lot about the 2016 Model Year line from Specialized so keep an eye out on the blog for more information on our favorite bikes and apparel and accessories in the coming weeks!

Tom's Pro Bike

http://www.tomsprobike.com/

3687 Walden Avenue
Lancaster, NY 14086

(716) 651-9995

Bike Preparedness - TOM'S SERVICE CLINIC WEDNESDAY NIGHT

Well it seems like the appropriate time to do another blog post on bike preparedness and proper maintenance after last nights bike ride downtown.  A friend of mine met me at the waterfront and we cruised around the downtown area after work.  We were wrapping the ride up and he has a running race Wednesday night so he wanted to do the 4 mile loop real quick so we headed north on the bike paths out of the small boat harbor.

Up ahead of us I saw three people huddled around a bike and looking at us as we drew closer.  The first question was did we have a chain tool.  A lady had broken her chain and they were trying to repair it good enough to get her home.  Unfortunately in the bike bag I was riding with last night there was no chain tool and the only way home for her was walking or calling for a ride.

While inspecting the bike and seeing what we could do to get it to work I noticed the overall condition of her drive train as being very poor.  There was what seemed to me a lifetime of chain grease on the drivetrain components and also her frame.  I didn't say anything other than you should really get this bike looked at by a professional and get it cleaned up somewhat for proper use.  I also mentioned that Tom's was having a Bike Maintenance/Repair Clinic Wednesday night and if she could make it out that would be a good thing to do so she could avoid.

I understand we are not all mechanics and not really capable of high end bike repairs but everyone that rides a bike should understand how to change a flat, clean a drive train, the appropriate amount of lubrication necessary to make drivetrain work properly, and also how to do on the move adjustments to brakes/derailleurs to get yourself home or to Tom's for a thorough tune-up.  Bikes are not as complicated as cars which makes the maintenance of them that much easier and also that much more necessary.  This is a good way to avoid a 5-6 mile walk home or call to the SAG wagon halfway through your ride.

Check out our Events Page - Service Clinic 7/23/2014 @ 6:30pm. You can register online at the above link.

Tom's Pro Bike
3687 Walden Avenue
Lancaster, NY 14086
(716) 651-9995
email: tom@tomsprobike.com