General Cycling Discussion - Report Suspect LBS's in your area.

We cyclists need to stick together, support one another and offer help when we can. Whatever we ride, we are all of the same fraternity: we're cyclists.

It always disturbs me when I hear of fellow-cyclists who have had terrible experiences at an LBS's after I have had similar situation. It could have been avoided. We need a place where we can advise of LBS's to avoid and ones to frequent. Hopefully, the poor stores will strive to improve or go out of business and those that offer value and service will thrive.

Here in Toronto, we have a vast array of bike stores. Unfortunately, I've run into more than few that leave alot to be desired when it comes to service. They seem to be unfamiliar with the concepts of customer service and encouraging repeat business. Cyclepath on Bloor (west of Dufferin) and The Cycle Shoppe on Queen (west of Bathurst) are two such places that are becoming notorious for over-charging, shoddy repair work (using used and reconditioned parts, etc.) and horrendous respect for their customers. Recently, a number of my fellow cyclists and I were discussing this and those two stores, in particular, were unanimously panned. They didn't fare well in a recent Now magazine survey of bike stores either where they were cited for lack of knowledge regarding their products and indifferent attitude toward customers.

If you know of qualified, conscientious and fair LBS's, recommend them here. If your experience wasn't so pleasant, do your fellow cyclists a favour and let them know here as well.

Cyclepath on Bloor (west of Dufferin) and The Cycle Shoppe on Queen (west of Bathurst)

Hrmm.. didn't know that and it's good to know.

On the flip side, I've found the following to be decent: Spinning Wheels (now closed -- *SOB*), Duke's (albeit a tad slow for tuneups but that's due to volume), Skiis'n'bikes on Don Mills (not bad but not great either).

Which LBSes, in downtown TO, would you consider decent?

And I throw caution out about Cyclesmith in Halifax (on Quinpool Road). I had to use them last summer for an emergency repair (required a replacement cassette and chain). They quoted me the wrong price and wrong parts (although did finish the job in time). The manager didn't give a break but said he would speak to the employee about the price confusion.

Which LBSes, in downtown TO, would you consider decent?


Well, I'm not sure of any that are reputable at the moment. I have been dealing with Broadway Cycle on Bloor (a block away from Cyclepath), but apparently the owner is related to the owner of The Cycle Shoppe, so there may be some question marks there. The owner had promised to 'look after me' after I had dropped almost $200.00 in locks a few weeks ago, but when I visited on Friday to get my trike modified, he was very reluctant to discount from retail and only after some arm-twisting he gave me a $40.00 reduction. I wasn't overly impressed with the interaction as I expected something a little friendlier and encouraging. The sales guy there seems good though and so does the mechanic, so if I ignore the owner, maybe it might be okay.

This is one of those things that seems like a good idea in theory, but really isn't in practice on a forum like this. Yeah, you'll get horror stories, but then someone will slam their local LBS, naming names, all because "they wuz lookin' at me funny," and that will result in a flame war. I have an LBS in town that I do not like at all, but I also know that it's hard to be a small businessman, and I'm not going to post the name of the LBS on the internet, drive away potential customers, potentially putting someone out of business, because it's got some crappy employees.At least it would take the owner him/herself doing me terrible wrong for me to do that. That's my take on it.

Bicycle Trip in Santa Cruz, CA - Best place in town. Great prices, great repairs, great people!

Amsterdam Bicycles in Santa Cruz, CA - Great resource for harder to find stuff, ie Velox bar plugs

Spokesman in Santa Cruz, CA - Nice people, great repair services, but their parts are waaaaay overpriced

I think Village Cycle in Chicago is just terrible- the people there push whatever they feel like on you when you come in looking for a bike, some of them don't know a lot about bikes, and they are just the meat markets for low grade bikes. On top of that, they take 2 weeks for a tune up, which is just tightening the brake cables and making sure the tires are filled with air.

Koffee

...are two such places that are becoming notorious for over-charging, shoddy repair work (using used and reconditioned parts, etc.) and horrendous respect for their customers.

Selling used or reconditioned merchandise as new is surely against the law in Canada. Your post implies that customers are not informed that used parts are being installed. If this is what you mean, then you are making a serious accusation and I hope you have first hand proof of this.

Since virtually any business has some unhappy customers, I think it's better to concentrate on praising good LBSs, not griping about bad ones.

Here in Austin
Bicycle Sport Shop- Huge place, lots of people to help you, tons of stuff; but a little pushy and seem to have an elitist attitude.

Ozone bikes- I've had to experiences in here. One guy, Shane, was more than willing to take his time and really help me out and even invited me to a DH race. Another time the guy was just plan rude and acted like he even everything and I knew nothing.

Discovery Bike- Probably the best shop in Austin, a bit small and turn around is sometimes slow, especially on the weekedn; as to be expected. Small selection of clothes and other things but can order pretty much everything.

360 cycleworks- Great group of guys on the mountain bike end. One guy happens to be from Canada and knows quite a bit on the freeride scene and is very friendly. Only been in there once, but would go back in a heartbeat.

This is one of those things that seems like a good idea in theory, but really isn't in practice on a forum like this. Yeah, you'll get horror stories, but then someone will slam their local LBS, naming names, all because "they wuz lookin' at me funny," and that will result in a flame war. I have an LBS in town that I do not like at all, but I also know that it's hard to be a small businessman, and I'm not going to post the name of the LBS on the internet, drive away potential customers, potentially putting someone out of business, because it's got some crappy employees.At least it would take the owner him/herself doing me terrible wrong for me to do that. That's my take on it.

Then you could accept the invitation to name only the good places and perhaps improve their business. ;)

Selling used or reconditioned merchandise as new is surely against the law in Canada. Your post implies that customers are not informed that used parts are being installed. If this is what you mean, then you are making a serious accusation and I hope you have first hand proof of this.

Since virtually any business has some unhappy customers, I think it's better to concentrate on praising good LBSs, not griping about bad ones.

I make no accusations. These are claims I am hearing informally from those who have had dealings with them. I've not personally had any repair work done at either location, nor did I suggest I had. If using used parts is illegal (I'm not aware that it is), and it seems many are of the opinion that those stores and others regularly use reconditioned/used parts, a public forum suggestion is not a formal accusation. I CAN attest to their deplorable attitudes and the poor quality of their service and, for that alone, I'd recommend avoiding them. I have heard other unsubstantiated remarks about those two stores and others, but choose not to repeat them. I have no qualms in suggesting to my local fellow cyclists to refrain from running the risk with those shops, however: the choice is theirs and it is no less than I would say if we speaking face to face, relating experiences and expressing opinions.

But I will agree that it is equally as productive praising the stores that have proven trustworthy and ethical.

Don't judge too quickly, I thought my LBS (the one near Sunnyvale Station) was awful on the basis of one visit, then next couple they were average, and GREAT. So you need to see how the shop is over time and pick up consistant patterns.

(The one near sunnyvale station has been around since the 1920s or 1930s, that's kinda cool)

The illegal part is selling a used part as new.

If you can stand it give a shop a second chance. I am pretty sure at least one of the eight people in the shop this morning were unhappy with the service. But everyone was late and I was alone.
The guy banging on the door fourty minutes after we closed wanting to look at kids bikes while we stood around in jerseys and cleats was probably not to happy either.

We cyclists need to stick together, support one another and offer help when we can. Whatever we ride, we are all of the same fraternity: we're cyclists.

If you know of qualified, conscientious and fair LBS's, recommend them here. If your experience wasn't so pleasant, do your fellow cyclists a favour and let them know here as well.

Well, can that work both ways? Since the LBS guys are going to be put up for public scrutiny on this site, can we start posting the names of a-hole customers also? That way, other LBS can stay away from these "potential" pain-in-the...customers, and other cyclists can avoid riding with people with bad attitudes!

Welp I had a good experience this morning when my rear tire went flat just a few blocks from Sporting Life (Yonge Street, north of Eglinton). I figured since I needed a new tire anyways (and since I didn't have a repair kit with me -- given it's only the 2nd flat I've had in 7 years) I'd get them to change it. 15 minutes quick in and out. No fuss, no muss.

I make no accusations. These are claims I am hearing informally from those who have had dealings with them. I've not personally had any repair work done at either location, nor did I suggest I had. If using used parts is illegal (I'm not aware that it is), and it seems many are of the opinion that those stores and others regularly use reconditioned/used parts, a public forum suggestion is not a formal accusation. I CAN attest to their deplorable attitudes and the poor quality of their service and, for that alone, I'd recommend avoiding them. I have heard other unsubstantiated remarks about those two stores and others, but choose not to repeat them. I have no qualms in suggesting to my local fellow cyclists to refrain from running the risk with those shops, however: the choice is theirs and it is no less than I would say if we speaking face to face, relating experiences and expressing opinions.

But I will agree that it is equally as productive praising the stores that have proven trustworthy and ethical.

Wow - you post on a public forum something you're hearing as RUMOR??? Informal claims? Not sure what the libel/slander laws in Canada are, but in the states, you could get in trouble for that. And so could Joe. I expect this thread to dissapear fairly quickly, actually.

As for ethics, the only thing you should post is PERSONAL, FIRST HAND experiences. Don't relay your friend's cousin's brother's buddy's experience you're hearing 4th hand and through numerous sympathetic filters. Don't even post second hand accounts you heard from your best friend. You're hearing his/her version and, of course, as their friend you give it credibility and perhaps even subtly change it yourself when you post it 3rd hand.

"I make no acccusations."


I've run into more than few that leave alot to be desired when it comes to service. They seem to be unfamiliar with the concepts of customer service and encouraging repeat business. Cyclepath on Bloor (west of Dufferin) and The Cycle Shoppe on Queen (west of Bathurst) are two such places that are becoming notorious for over-charging, shoddy repair work (using used and reconditioned parts, etc.)

I beg your pardon? "I've run into more than a few...." That is a bold, in your face accusation of the litany of charges (accusations) you subsequently make, including "(using used and reconditioned parts, etc.)". You don't say you've heard through friends, friends of friends etc, just that YOU'VE RUN INTO MORE THAN A FEW. You... personal experience.

Post your own bad experiences, by all means. That's capitolism at its best. But don't be a rumor monger.

Well, can that work both ways? Since the LBS guys are going to be put up for public scrutiny on this site, can we start posting the names of a-hole customers also? That way, other LBS can stay away from these "potential" pain-in-the...customers, and other cyclists can avoid riding with people with bad attitudes!

Then go start your own thread.

Seriously I have a couple places I would like to mention but don't think it is a fair thing to just say a place is blanketly bad. Granted there are some shops that just simply suck, and there is no hope for ever getting a good result in them.

However, more often than not it is the individual that you deal with in the shop that makes it a good or bad experience. You can walk into Mike's Bike World on Saturday at 5 PM and find two snot nosed kids with tatoos and piercings all over running the place. They might give you some very crappy advice and/or ignore you for the most part. Conclusion: Mike's Bike World SUCKS!!

But wait! On Monday morning, you might go in there and find Mike behind the counter. Mike is a highly decorated racing veteran, who organizes many rides in the community and is a great local friend to cycling. Mike proceeds to teach you all sorts of interesting things about bikes and helps you out a great deal. He assists you with fitting, talks to you at great lengths and you go home with the perfect bike. You are a happy camper.

Same shop, two completely different results. Mike's Bike World doesn't suck. At least not all of the time. Mike just has a few employee issues he needs to work out. Unfortunately most customers never tell Mike. They just tell their friends that the shop sucks. Mike thinks his shop is cool. Mike has a problem.

Then of course there is the worst case, where example #1 is the rule instead of the exception. There may never be anyone behind the counter that gives a crap about you or about bikes.

Well, can that work both ways? Since the LBS guys are going to be put up for public scrutiny on this site, can we start posting the names of a-hole customers also? That way, other LBS can stay away from these "potential" pain-in-the...customers, and other cyclists can avoid riding with people with bad attitudes!

Sounds like you need another line of work. A-hole customers exist. You can't avoid them. Not every person who walks in the door is going to be a cuddly, cozy, warm and fuzzy friend. The difference is they are CUSTOMERS and they are why and how stores exist. If you can't treat all customers with respect, dignity, honesty and fairness, you need to either not work with the public or find another profession. It's really quite simple.

Boy, I'm glad I don't run a bike shop......

Wow - you post on a public forum something you're hearing as RUMOR??? Informal claims? Not sure what the libel/slander laws in Canada are, but in the states, you could get in trouble for that. And so could Joe. I expect this thread to dissapear fairly quickly, actually.

As for ethics, the only thing you should post is PERSONAL, FIRST HAND experiences. Don't relay your friend's cousin's brother's buddy's experience you're hearing 4th hand and through numerous sympathetic filters. Don't even post second hand accounts you heard from your best friend. You're hearing his/her version and, of course, as their friend you give it credibility and perhaps even subtly change it yourself when you post it 3rd hand.

"I make no acccusations."



I beg your pardon? "I've run into more than a few...." That is a bold, in your face accusation of the litany of charges (accusations) you subsequently make, including "(using used and reconditioned parts, etc.)". You don't say you've heard through friends, friends of friends etc, just that YOU'VE RUN INTO MORE THAN A FEW. You... personal experience.

Post your own bad experiences, by all means. That's capitolism at its best. But don't be a rumor monger.

What are you, a lawyer? Public forums, including these ones, are rife with OPINION, impressions and everything in between. Is Bush going to sue over the millions of slams he's taken in the Politics and Religion section? I don't think so. How about the bike manufacturers who've been soundly criticized? Nope. I have read more damning remarks, valid and otherwise, about everyone from the Pope to the guy down the street. That's what public forums are for. I'm not PUBLISHING false statements. Public forums are not the same thing as broadcast media and everyone knows it. I certainly don't believe everything I read nor accept everyones advice or opinions that I read in forums, but there they are for anyone who wants to read them. Others are free to post counter opinions if they have them. That's why I suggested the post. We aren't under heavy-handed republican oppression here.

'I've run into more than a few' is hardly a bold, in-your-face accusation. Exactly, what does it accuse? I clearly qualify that these two locations were roundly thrashed by a group of friends (cyclists all) who have had the misfortune of dealing with them. Others whom I know and trust have related the same experiences, so, yes; I'll gladly suggest that fellow cyclists consider another shop. The decision is up to them. I know I appreciate it when they warn me about a place I'm considering spending my money at.

"Everybody else does it" is a pretty juvenile excuse.

"Everybody else does it" is a pretty juvenile excuse.

Is that your opinion, that it was an excuse? Or do you have legal precedent for rendering such a claim? Should I consider calling someone 'juvenile' slander and, therefore, perhaps explore legal avenues of recourse?

The intention of forums is to exchnage ideas, opinions, impressions and everything else freely. That's not an excuse. That's what forums are for.

I use Cycle Solutions in east end of Toronto they are really great and yes every bike shop will have a person on staff that rubs you the wrong way but this shop is awesome they really care and give great service and are working on my 1959 3Speed and will get parts for my single speed too that I want to build ,,,,,Mcbryde cycle and Dukes are places that I would never go tooo , way to many bad stories about peeps being taken

Boy, I'm glad I don't run a bike shop......

Boy am I glad I don't have to deal with shop rats much ;) :)...

Seriously. There are dicks on both ends. If a shop has one stray employee you can't judge the whole shop. There seems to be a lot of "memememememe" in all of these threads , and thats from both ends. If shops don't provide the service, the deserve to get slammed and if the buyer is being a knob he deserves nothing at all.

I use Cycle Solutions in east end of Toronto they are really great

Is this the one on Parliament Street?

Is this the one on Parliament Street?

I have heard these guys are good (Cycle Solutions on Parliament), but haven't been there myself. I know one of the mechanics there and I personally trust him.

I could recommend a good shop in Guelph...thats only a little out of your way. :) ;)

I could recommend a good shop in Guelph...thats only a little out of your way

Actually, I could use their listing since I might be touring out in that neck of the woods this summer. :) Always good to know those in your own city as well as others, particularly for those of us that do tours.

Seriously I have a couple places I would like to mention but don't think it is a fair thing to just say a place is blanketly bad.
I find this highly amusing. You apparently feel it is much more fair to start a thread titled "why do bike shops have to suck so bad?" generalizing bike shops as a whole based on your isolated experience.

I find this highly amusing. You apparently feel it is much more fair to start a thread titled "why do bike shops have to suck so bad?" generalizing bike shops as a whole based on your isolated experience.

Happy to provide you with the amusement Waldo. Seriously, i consider myself a pretty fair minded person. I started that thread at 10:30 PM one night after 10 hours, 175 miles, and a ton of frustration, that concluded in me not having a bike.

Obviously all bike shops don't suck. I had a bad experience at the shop i was relating to, but I am willing to concede that not everyone has a bad experience there.

I am going to take this opportunity to only say positive things about the LBSs I've dealt with; I agree with one of the other posters who said this is a bad place for this idea of reporting "suspect" LBSs. Plus, it being Mother's Day and remembering that my mother told me, "if you can't say anything nice . . . ":

1) Cupertino Bike Shop (Cupertino, CA; DeAnza & McLellan): small, independently-owned shop; they rock. Quick, extremely knowledgeable, high-end but they don't look down their noses when I bring my Sora-equipped, dirt-encrusted hunk in there for repairs and upgrades, and they take time to answer my stupid questions, even when I tell them, "I'm probably not going to buy anything today".

2) Wheel-away Center (Campbell, CA; Winchester & Central): a Specialized shop (from what I gather; could be indy for all I know) . . . VERY helpful, cheap, efficient. They fit me in during a very busy week for an 11th-hour repair with parts I bought from another shop who did not have time, and still only charged me a tiny amount. I gave 'em a tip for more than the cost of the repair :) Plus they have pretty good hours . . . open 'til 9pm some evenings.

Remind me to avoid Toronto :)

Happy to provide you with the amusement Waldo.

Obviously all bike shops don't suck. I had a bad experience at the shop i was relating to, but I am willing to concede that not everyone has a bad experience there.
You're too much. :D

Is this the one on Parliament Street?
No I use the one at Main and Kingston Road and THEY are amazing they just finished my 1959 3speed here's a pic of it :)

No I use the one at Main and Kingston Road and THEY are amazing they just finished my 1959 3speed here's a pic of it :)


Nice bike, man!

Koffee

Well, I'm not sure of any that are reputable at the moment. I have been dealing with Broadway Cycle on Bloor (a block away from Cyclepath), but apparently the owner is related to the owner of The Cycle Shoppe, so there may be some question marks there. The owner had promised to 'look after me' after I had dropped almost $200.00 in locks a few weeks ago, but when I visited on Friday to get my trike modified, he was very reluctant to discount from retail and only after some arm-twisting he gave me a $40.00 reduction. I wasn't overly impressed with the interaction as I expected something a little friendlier and encouraging. The sales guy there seems good though and so does the mechanic, so if I ignore the owner, maybe it might be okay.


I'm a buiss owner, not of a bike shop but customers like you suck. why do you feal you need your ass kissed. take a hint, if they treat you like **** they DON'T want your buiss because you are a PAIN in the ASS! and 40 off is a hell of a lot sqeaky.

Nice bike, man!

Koffee
Super sweet ride it is Lady , very fast , nibble too , the guy's did great work :beer:

I'm a buiss owner, not of a bike shop but customers like you suck. why do you feal you need your ass kissed. take a hint, if they treat you like **** they DON'T want your buiss because you are a PAIN in the ASS! and 40 off is a hell of a lot sqeaky.

You sure make a lot of assumptions. The stores I have mentioned have received almost a thousand dollars in business from me each over the past six months or so: from actual bikes to accessories. I have been friendly, understanding and patient when sales staff were busy, items needed to be ordered or they didn't have the time to answer the questions I had. My derision of them wasn't based on a single visit, but on several and when they have staff who are repeatedly rude, unprofessional and even insulting, I have every right to say something. I wasn't asking to have my ass kissed, but when an owner of a store or a manager promises me 'deals' the next time I visit and then doesn't offer even a dollar off the retail, what am I supposed to think? I go out of my way to return to that store and for what? I'm a very loyal customer and a very steady customer. Those are the kind of customers successful owners cultivate. It must be nice for, you, Mr. Arrogance to have every customer kissing YOUR ass and meeting your high standards for the privelege of being your customer, but that's not the way it works in the real world and regardless of how you reply to this post, I'll guarantee that with an attitude like yours you either leave the customer service in your business to someone else or you will soon be another company filing for bankruptcy. You've got a lot to learn, sparky.

No I use the one at Main and Kingston Road and THEY are amazing they just finished my 1959 3speed here's a pic of it :)

Yea WE'RE pretty good down at the beaches shop, as for parliament I cant say the same, hahahaa:p just kidding. Best shops in Toronto without a doubt :D and I'm not just saying that 'cause I work there

I thought this might be an interesting thread at first. But then I decided it was just another beat up the LBS thread. I am sure that a few people have had a negative experience in my shop. I don't always get it right. People often enter asking or looking for a bad experience. As someone or several people have stated, one bad experience is hardly the barameter that someone should use to judge anything. IMO, telling the LBS of the negative experience would go further to ensure a better experience next time. But it seems that disgruntled customers very rarely bring their complaints before the people who can rectify them. They would rather complain to others. A kind of payback? Maybe. But it is not fair to anyone.

When a customer brings up something I have done or not done, I bend over backwards to make their next visit better. I want to know when I screw up. That is often the only way I can improve on aspects of my shop I am missing.

Did you notice the guy that started the thread was bashing shops just on rumor. It is amazing the internet BS that is created from people with no first hand experience. We need a Snopes section on the forum. I heard that ALL Cannondales break in two first time you ride them.:rolleyes:

I've had great experiences with All Star Bikes in Raleigh, NC. They have always been knowledgeable and helpful. A couple of times they have even let me put my bike up on their spare stand, use their tools to do a quick repair when they were all too busy to help at the moment. Always really helpful, even though I usually only buy parts and do the work myself. These guys were indispensable when I was building my bike last year and were very patient with me.

I have also had good experience with KDH Cycles in Kill Devil Hills, NC. You have to catch the owner, it’s hit-and-miss with the employees. Can’t remember the owner’s name, but he obviously cares about the cycling community, is very knowledgeable and helpful, and is willing to spend the time to just sit there and chat about bikes. He even stayed open late one time when I called ahead to see if he had a particular part.

I haven’t been there much, but the people at The Spin Cycle in Cary, NC are very friendly and inviting, and they seem to know their stuff, too.

Bad experiences – I’ve had a few at different places, but I am pretty sure it was just the particular employee I was dealing with, no need to trash the place. Go for the small, locally owned places, you’re more likely to get people who care than if you go to large chain stores.

This is just a spattering of my impressions and opinions of the Dallas area bike shops.

Don Johle's Bicycle World (Garland):
Props -- Down to earth guys. Great bargain bin, (right next to the "Free Stuff" box!). Great selection of items for vintage bikes.
Dis -- Small selection of new bikes, (mostly Raleigh). Closed on Sundays.

Bicycles Plus (Highland Park):
Props -- Large selection of bikes, (performance & cruisers). No high-pressure sales.
Dis -- Prices are a bit higher than at other shops. Usually have to order vintage parts.

Richardson Bike Mart (three locations):
Props -- Has most everything, in stock at a fairly decent price. Wrenches are helpful and knowledgeable.
Dis -- Some snobby, elitist employees. Sales reps can be tenacious. Is becoming the Wal-Mart of bike shops, (i.e. - opens new stores near other shops; other shops go under).

Plano Cycling and Fitness:
Props -- Largest selection of components, in stock that I've seen, (seatposts, seats, handlebars, pedals, etc).
Dis -- Prices are high.

Wheels in Motion (Dallas):
Props -- Lots of kids bikes, trailers and cruisers.
Dis -- More of a showroom; tools and parts usually have to be ordered.

XL Cycle (Plano):
Props -- Helpful staff. Has some obscure items not found in other stores.
Dis -- A little pricey. Small selection of tools.

Bicycle Exchange (Carrollton):
Props -- Scads of used and vintage bikes and accessories. Also has some obscure items not found in other stores.
Dis -- Limited number of newer bikes and accessories. Staff not especially friendly, if you don't have your checkbook handy.

Cycle Spectrum (Plano):
Props -- I got nothin'.
Dis -- Staff seems unknowledgeable and unwilling to look up stuff that I have been interested in purchasing. Selection of some accessories matches what I can find at the local sporting goods store.

we need a bad bike shop map and a good bike shop map. it would be nice to have something where you can look up bike shops in your area and see reviews on the service..

for the bad list i would like to add "the bike shop" in nacogdoches tx for: stipping my left crank and installing a different arm without telling me about it untill i noticed it, putting in the wrong bottom bracket the first time, and putting in a USED bottom bracket the second time.

we need a bad bike shop map and a good bike shop map. it would be nice to have something where you can look up bike shops in your area and see reviews on the service..

for the bad list i would like to add "the bike shop" in nacogdoches tx for: stipping my left crank and installing a different arm without telling me about it untill i noticed it, putting in the wrong bottom bracket the first time, and putting in a USED bottom bracket the second time.

we need a bad bike shop map and a good bike shop map. it would be nice to have something where you can look up bike shops in your area and see reviews on the service..

for the bad list i would like to add "the bike shop" in nacogdoches tx for: stipping my left crank and installing a different arm without telling me about it untill i noticed it, putting in the wrong bottom bracket the first time, and putting in a USED bottom bracket the second time.

we need a bad bike shop map and a good bike shop map. it would be nice to have something where you can look up bike shops in your area and see reviews on the service..

for the bad list i would like to add "the bike shop" in nacogdoches tx for: stipping my left crank and installing a different arm without telling me about it untill i noticed it, putting in the wrong bottom bracket the first time, and putting in a USED bottom bracket the second time.


and why, when i hit submit reply, does the page just sit there, act like it's doing what it's supposed to do when i hit submit reply, then does nothing and says "done"?

we need a bad bike shop map and a good bike shop map. it would be nice to have something where you can look up bike shops in your area and see reviews on the service..

for the bad list i would like to add "the bike shop" in nacogdoches tx for: stipping my left crank and installing a different arm without telling me about it untill i noticed it, putting in the wrong bottom bracket the first time, and putting in a USED bottom bracket the second time.


and why, when i hit submit reply, does the page just sit there, act like it's doing what it's supposed to do when i hit submit reply, then does nothing and says "done"?

and why, when i hit submit reply, does the page just sit there, act like it's doing what it's supposed to do when i hit submit reply, then does nothing and says "done"?

Technology. You gotta love it.

"What's wrong with the server?"

"I don't know. It worked fine when we beta-tested it."

Yea WE'RE pretty good down at the beaches shop, as for parliament I cant say the same, hahahaa:p just kidding. Best shops in Toronto without a doubt :D and I'm not just saying that 'cause I work there
Well truth to be told Kaibot youself and Vetern- youth have to be known to work on bikes naked for a small fee:p ( remember when I told ya to watch the spokes) another great guy to go and see is the Bike Joint out in the West end ,Address: 290-1/2 Harbord St, Toronto .

If you wan't to know the names of the shops you'll have to PM me.
One shop I get a discount at and is well stocked has just about nobody worthwhile staffing it. Except one location (that I've been to). Another shop, manager with money in hand, flat lied to my wife about her $xxxx purchase--repeatedly. She eventually got the product under the table from the distributor at a significant discount with apologies--delivered. A third shop I like to buy from but will not--ever again--have one of their wrenches touch one of my bikes. The tales of patently incompetent wrenching are mind boggling (I'll share if need be--all firsthand). And they sponsor a large local race team. Gotta wonder about that.

Still, though, I won't indulge in public bashing.

I've been extremely lucky with the bike shops I've frequented over the years. My main LBS is Spoke-O-Motion in Newmarket, really good guys with a good selection of bikes. Over the past year, I've also become familiar with Racer Sportif in London, also a really good crew there as well. When I went through Cambridge on my way home from school to Mount Albert, I stopped into The Hub Bicycle Shop, where the owner provided me with a helpful map. Oh, and whenever I'm in Toronto I stop into Urbane Cyclist for accessories; they have excellent prices and offer messenger/student discounts.

I generally stay away from the Cycle Path franchise stores as I've heard many bad things about them over the years, and their prices are a bit much.