I decided to take my Raleigh R300 (basically a hybrid with drop handle
bars) on my ride across NY State,
http://ptny.logical.net/canaltour/index.shtml, as opposed to my TREK
5200 since there is a large part of the trip on hard packed granite
dust. Since I was having problems with spoke breakage on my rear
wheel, I decided to replace it. So I stopped at Performance on my way
home, went to the service counter, which was not busy, and asked for a
replacement wheel. The mechanic behind the counter pulled down a
wheel. I asked how many spokes. We counted and found there were only
32. Since I wanted a strong wheel, I asked if he had a 36 spoke
wheel. Unfortunately the did not.
Then I decided to go a bit out of my way to the LBS that sold me my
TREK, Revolution Cycles in Arlington VA. As usual the service counter
was crowded with two mechanics and people waiting for repairs. This
shop seems to try to do minor repairs while people wait. I am waited
on and ask for a wheel. The guy goes downstairs to fetch one. A
couple of minutes later, Pinky comes up with a new wheel. (Pinky is
not only one of the co owners, but has a reputation of being one of
the best wheel builders in the Washington DC area.) He says he has
this wheel for $70.00 or a better one for $80.00. I tell him I want
one that is bullet proof, and he goes down for the more expensive
wheel. He brings it back, and I ask him to put on the truing stand to
make sure it is OK before I leave. He explains that he always does
that because even the high end wheels often need tweaking. He then
spends the next 15 minutes truing the wheel, manhandling it to relieve
the strain, putting it back on the truing stand, installing rim tape
and getting me extra spokes.
Needless to say, I will go out of my way to give this shop my
business.