What does LBS stand for?

Liam 2010
Liam 2010 Posts: 101
edited October 2010 in MTB beginners
This might seem like a dumb question, but I'm new to mountain biking and aren't familar with all the terms.

Could someone tell me what this stands for please. What does LBS stand for?

Thanks,

Liam

Comments

  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,673
    Local Bike Shop
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • Liam 2010
    Liam 2010 Posts: 101
    Thanks Nick. :)
  • benpinnick
    benpinnick Posts: 4,148
    Local by name but maybe not by nature. Your LBS is your shop of choice, that you can physically get too, even if it's not that 'local'. Every mtber needs an LBS on which they can rely. Luckily for me, my local-est shop is also the best, so my LBS choice is easy. For you maybe not so much.
    A Flock of Birds
    + some other bikes.
  • shm_uk
    shm_uk Posts: 683
    benpinnick wrote:
    Local by name but maybe not by nature. Your LBS is your shop of choice, that you can physically get too, even if it's not that 'local'. Every mtber needs an LBS on which they can rely. Luckily for me, my local-est shop is also the best, so my LBS choice is easy. For you maybe not so much.


    +1

    When most cyclists refer to their LBS, they are talking about their preferred reliable shop with friendly knowledgeable staff ... not necessarily the nearest to them, or the one that looks the 'best' etc etc
  • shm_uk
    shm_uk Posts: 683
    If you're new to MTBing, let us know whereabouts in the UK you are and I'm sure somebody will be able to recommend you a good LBS (or suggest where to avoid) ...
  • Liam 2010
    Liam 2010 Posts: 101
    Hi Shm_uk, thanks for the advice.

    I'm from Leicester, which is in the East Midlands, for those who aren't too familiar with Leicester.

    So if anyone knows any good LBS's in leicester or leicestershire that would be most helpful.

    Thanks in advance,

    Liam
  • Paul 8v
    Paul 8v Posts: 5,458
    The guy at the LBS in Maldon is a right miserable bastard so I go about 10 miles further out to get a better service in Danbury
    Road
    MTB
    NEW Cross
    Track/Grass Track/Winter bike
  • Jason3000
    Jason3000 Posts: 8
    Can anyone recommend a good/reliable LBS in Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands?

    Cheers
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,665
    Paul 8v wrote:
    The guy at the LBS in Maldon is a right miserable bastard so I go about 10 miles further out to get a better service in Danbury

    pop down to kent and i'll service you.
  • Paul 8v
    Paul 8v Posts: 5,458
    No ta, I've heard about your services, you always forget the lube...
    Road
    MTB
    NEW Cross
    Track/Grass Track/Winter bike
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,665
    :lol:
  • JC987654321
    JC987654321 Posts: 14
    I live in north manchester - any LBS recommendations please?
  • absv
    absv Posts: 149
    JC987654321 wrote:
    I live in north manchester - any LBS recommendations please?

    Theres one in Cheadle called North West MTB Centre. Haven't used them for servicing but they've been friendly and good with advice the couple of times I've been in there. Shop doesn't look great from the outside but it's like aladins cave.

    I don't know a huge amount though so they may be blagging me :)
  • JC987654321
    JC987654321 Posts: 14
    cheers absv - i will look into them....

    are the 'bigger' guys like L/Lakes and Evans worth going to?

    L/Lakes Bury is always mega busy so have never felt like they have time for anyone there.

    Someone else said Harry Halls in Manchester?
  • shm_uk
    shm_uk Posts: 683
    absv wrote:
    JC987654321 wrote:
    I live in north manchester - any LBS recommendations please?

    Theres one in Cheadle called North West MTB Centre. Haven't used them for servicing but they've been friendly and good with advice the couple of times I've been in there. Shop doesn't look great from the outside but it's like aladins cave.

    I don't know a huge amount though so they may be blagging me :)


    +1 for NWMTB in Cheadle - this is my LBS

    For technical advice and servicing I have found them excellent. They are always mega-busy which I think confirms the quality or service etc

    Sure, you can buy your own parts cheaper online, but if you aren't confident doing your own wrenching, or need honest & reliable advice or help, these guys are great.

    FWIW, the shop is owned/run by one Andy Kyffin - used to be Steve Peats mechanic on the world cup circuit ...
  • shm_uk
    shm_uk Posts: 683
    JC987654321 wrote:
    cheers absv - i will look into them....

    are the 'bigger' guys like L/Lakes and Evans worth going to?

    L/Lakes Bury is always mega busy so have never felt like they have time for anyone there.

    Someone else said Harry Halls in Manchester?


    Harry Halls has a very good rep, although I've never used them myself.


    Personally, I wouldn't use Evans as they can be a bit hit and miss with things, unless you know exactly what you want/need. I'm happy ordering stuff from them online, but have never been particularly impressed in-store. I get the impression they are very good at the leisure cyclist market, but for the more serious biker you need a more specialist shop.

    I've found Leisure Lakes ok, although not as helpful as they could be, maybe because they're usually so busy it can be hard to get any time with a member of staff as they always seem to be juggling several customers and phone calls all at once.


    I'd also suggest looking at Royles cycles in Knutsford - used them a few times, pretty impressed, and they seem to have a generally good reputation.
  • gupta-patel
    gupta-patel Posts: 81
    Jason3000 wrote:
    Can anyone recommend a good/reliable LBS in Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands?

    Cheers

    I hear Dave's Cycles in Aldridge is very good.
  • jklash1987
    jklash1987 Posts: 136
    My LBS is halfords :(

    The only deacent bike shop is about 10 Miles away... In another town... Not realy local.
  • Catfish
    Catfish Posts: 141
    I have a few bike shops within 20 miles of me, all have good web sites but when you call at the shop they have naff all in stock. Then they wander why we use CRC or WIGGLE. LBS
  • Reddwarf1972
    Reddwarf1972 Posts: 49
    Not been riding long myself and wish sometimes some one would do a dictionary of terms and abbervations used.
    00 carrea kraken SE(still going)
    09 M-trax 2.0ht
    11 Cube AMS 100 comp. 2011
    12 Canyon Nerve XC 8.0
  • slowslowslow
    slowslowslow Posts: 488
    Can anyone recommend a good/reliable LBS in Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands?

    Cheers

    Daves Cycles is ok, been there a few times. not a massive ammount in Sutton but there is an Evans in the city centre that i have often been to and they seem to know there stuff.

    I use a little shop in coleshill that is close to Sutton called Gascoignes. He is not majorly quick but he is cheap and being an engineer in his past life he really knows his stuff. Whenever I take my bike in we inevitably end up chatting for ages while he goes over the bike with a set of allen keys tinkering with it all over the place in a random manner. He is a true LBS.

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