About ACME Closing The Doors

Just a few days ago we received the sad news.  Our local Tri Shop is closing its doors!

I was in total shock and disbelief.

My very first contact with the world of triathlons was at ACME Multisports just a few days into 2008.  I remember walking in the doors this particular Saturday afternoon and having one of the owners, Mark Evans, spend more than a couple of hours with me.  He answered, very patiently I may add, every question I had.  I know some of them seemed a bit elementary and maybe bizarre, but nonetheless he answered them all.  I returned a couple of days later and purchased my first bike.  Thanks to Mark, I entered the world of triathlons.

I cannot remember a time during the past four years when I didn't have a question or two or twenty that Alan Curtis (another one of the owners) or his staff did not take the time to answer for me.  If I were to calculate the amount of money, and time, I spent inside their store, I'm sure I would surprise myself.  A quick summary shows that we bought three bikes and at least 10 pair of shoes (mine, wife's and daughter's combined).

But I guess that was not enough to help keep them open.

I am not sure that the triathlon community in Middle Tennessee is aware of the void that will be left when ACME closes their doors.

I cannot remember a local event where ACME was not involved in one way or another.  It seems like whenever anyone planned a race, a ride, whatever, their first contact for support was ACME, and they were  always there.  I look at my race bibs and so many of them have their logo in the background.

And how about sponsorships?  Just about every tri team or club within a hundred mile radius was supported by ACME.  Not just with sponsorship fees but with great discounts to members. 

And lets talk race support.  ACME was always there with their bike repair trailer, pumping tires, replacing parts, getting everyone ready to race.

I understand the business side of the decision, but it doesn't make it any easier to accept.  I understand that no matter how hard they tried, sales were not there.  In an era of Internet competition, independently owned and operated business like Allen's and Mark's have a tough go at it.  They cannot compete in price with the faceless business promising a cut price and two day delivery.

I am an avid supporter of locally owned and operated business.  I fight on their behalf on a daily basis.  I see posts on facebook of someone asking for recommendations of where to buy this, that or the other thing, and it annoys me to no end when most recommendations are directed towards Internet sites.

We need to take a step back and ponder a bit.  Where are we going to go get our tri questions (equipment or otherwise) answered in a manner that only ACME could?  Where are we going to go to get our races and events supported and sponsored in a way that only ACME did?  I'm just not sure.

I hope that we have learned some sort of a lesson here.  Sure, ACME may not have been able to compete (in prices) with those faceless Internet sites, and ultimately they fell victim to this but it goes deeper than just the few bucks we saved. How many of those Internet companies where there when you crossed the finish line?  When you finished your first race?  When you struggled with your Ironman training?

When you spend your money in the Internet, remember that NO taxes are contributed to your local economy and specifically your schools and that NO Internet supplier provides employment to your next door neighbor.

To Allen, Mark and the rest of the ACME staff... We will miss you!  And Thank YOU!

Quintana Roo Seduza Vs. Cervelo P2

As I have made the decision to embark in the quest to complete the Louisville Iromnan 2011, I also realized that it was time to shop and acquire a new tri bike.  I have been riding on a road bike for the past three seasons.  I have enjoyed my Felt Z80 for it has taking me where I've wanted to go.  But now it's time to upgrade.

I've researched brands, models, components and more important pricing.  Yes, pricing is a big issue.  I do not want to overspend, I do not want to underspend.  Once I learned that for my goals I should be prepared to spend between $2,000 and $3,000 I set out to find options.

I visited with my  local tri store, ACME Multisports in Goodlettsville, TN. several times.  I asked 1,436 questions and they answered them all, every last one of them.  Thanks guys!  The options were narrowed to two:  The Quintana Roo Seduza and the Cervelo P2.

I have also done my homework and read several reviews online, both bikes fared pretty much the same.

There are three "major" differences between the QR and the P2.  As explained to me these are:  The handle bars, the front derailleur and the seat.  Apparently the P2 version of these is what justifies the price difference.  Everything else is pretty much identical.

On Thursday, July 1st I took the QR out for a 15 mile ride.  On Saturday, July 3rd I took the P2 for the identical 15 mile ride.  I also did a 15 minute brick (run) immediately after each ride.

This was the first time I would be on a tri bike for any distance.  It took me about a mile or so to get comfortable with the machine.  After that it was just a matter of getting the feel for it.  How would it shift, how would it pedal, how it handle, how would it turn, how would I feel on the aero position?.  The QR was delivering up to my expectations.  The pedaling and the shifting were smooth as silk. The effort to turn the wheels was dramatically easier than on my road bike.  I guess this is what a tri bike is supposed to do.

The aero position took some getting used to.  It felt like I was going to fly off the bike.  I sat back on the saddle but the pedaling was not as smooth, so I moved forward (as instructed) and it became better.  After a couple of miles, I became one with the bike and I continued with my test drive.

Somewhere along the ride I thought it would be smart to do a brick following my ride.  How would I feel after the ride?  Would the bike make a difference?  The answer to this was a surprising one.  The first half mile or so, my lower back was bothering me.  It had never done that before.  After the adjustment, the run became easier than it had ever been following a bike ride.  So yes, the bike did make a difference.

Then it was the turn to test the P2.

I set out to do the same, identical ride.  I wanted the conditions to be as equal as possible to make a smart, informed decision.  I rode the same route, I ran the same brick.

Everything I found on the QR I found on the P2.  No difference in the pedaling, no difference in the shifting, no difference in the handling.  So, at this point I set out to do the only thing I could.  I wanted to find $800 worth of difference.  I couldn't.

The decision was made.  I went with Quintana Roo.  One minor add-on.  I bought the Cervelo saddle!  This was more comfortable.  For the money, I feel I got the best bike.