Northeast - Bicycle shops in the NE

I worked at a shop for almost 6 years (I now work in management of construction) so my experience of going to a shop is a bit different than others, I feel, since I always go back there to get parts, use some specialty tool, etc, and it's almost like dealing with family.

I would like to know what YOU all experience in shops, and shops dealing with a variety of cycles...cyclocross, track, road, MTB. What makes you go back to that ONE place...and what ,makes you run away. This can be anyhting from location to the knowledge the staff provides for you....Please do not mention names of the good/bad shops...let's keep it clean. :)

Brand Cyclery comes to mind. LI has more good LBS's per square mile than everywhere,save for LA. Click-on a Bike company site,the site shows dealers of thier products.You worked in the buss. there are dozens. My last experience,just last week,I used an LBS; two problems: here where I live(no longer in NY) I have a 30 to 40 minute dtive through traffic to a shop,just two.The shop I decided to perform services did a good job,the next time I want really custom work,i'll use a shop in particular an hour and a half away. The second local choice is of the kind that although they're pleasant is sales,the many techs. seem dedicated to intimidate,I don't scare easy,I don't like the look of disdain either.My new place will work WITH me.He's a one-man op.The others I've written of are huge,thousands and thousands of cruisers, Tri bikes too. I found two prospects through speaking on the phone,faster than driving for hours

Roys Bicycle Shop in Brooklyn New York.

I would like to know what YOU all experience in shops, and shops dealing with a variety of cycles...cyclocross, track, road, MTB. What makes you go back to that ONE place...and what ,makes you run away. I go back to places that remember who I am and can dig why I ride my bike. I also go to places that I know have a good selection of gear in stock, where I can grab it, hold it, turn it around and feel its weight in my hand. I also go back to shops who will willingly tell me when I don't need to buy stuff from them and put my satisfaction ahead of their profit.

I don't go back to places that try to squeeze me into a one-size fits all concept of what they want to sell. If I go in and say that I'm interested in commuting, I don't want a salesman to try and push a sleek little roadie that doesn't have rack eyelets. I don't go back to places that treat my bike like a piece of meat at a butcher shop.

Roys Bicycle Shop in Brooklyn New York.


I would like to know what YOU all experience in shops, and shops dealing with a variety of cycles...cyclocross, track, road, MTB. What makes you go back to that ONE place...and what ,makes you run away. This can be anyhting from location to the knowledge the staff provides for you....Please do not mention names of the good/bad shops...let's keep it clean. :)

...and do you like going there or not?

The city where I live has a couple of bike shops, a big one and a smaller one. When I first got my bike and needed to get a few accessories, I wasn't sure which shop to go to so I went with the smaller one, largely because this shop is the one that carries Giant bikes (the brand I have) and so I figured that when I need any work done on it they'll know what they're doing. Plus it's more conveniently located; I've even recently gotten up the nerve to ride over there even though it's on a rather busy street. I've been quite happy with the people there when I have gone in to get assorted odds and ends--they're very helpful, recognize me when I come in and seem to cater to the "regular" cyclist rather than just the people who ride competitively (in other words, they're not snobs). They also aren't too quick to try and sell someone a bunch of stuff when they come in for something simple--I made a few trips in there when trying to install a rear rack on my bike (I had picked up the rack for free and then found it wasn't really designed to fit the bike I have, so had to figure out a way to make it work). Instead of just trying to sell me a new rack, they helped me figure out how to rig it and sold me a couple of simple parts that were needed to do so. They also gave me a couple of the smaller bits (screws, connecting pieces) free. In contrast, I went to the larger shop once before this to pick up a tool for someone, and while I was there I asked them if they had anything to attach this rack to this particular bike, and the guy just basically said "no, it won't work". Not sure if that's how they usually are there or if it was just because it was a madhouse in there at the time (this was a Saturday afternoon, and there were several people looking at bikes for their kids), but in any case I didn't get as good of an impression of this shop as I had of the other one. However, this larger shop seems to have a greater selection of many items, so they both have their advantages. I, personally, will stick with the smaller shop since I've gotten good service there and it seems to be geared more toward the type of riding I do.

Whistlestop Bike Shop in New Freedom Pa. is a good shop, that is beside the NCR Trail, they are closed on Mondays, as that is the day the ouners have set asside to do their cycling. They are a full service shop, and sell Cannondale bikes, clothing snacks and drinks (they normally have a large 5 gal thermos of cold water with paper cups set on their front steps in the summer for passing cyclists who need a break. I have never had a bad experiance with them, they do get a bit backlogged in the spring with people who want maintenance done on their bikes, but that is the fault of their customers not getting work done during the off season.

Jolt -
I was wondering where in Central Ma you're located. I THINK I know the 2 bike shops you're talking about, if you're around the Fitchburg/ Leominster area, the smaller shop would probably be Gamache's and I agree they are excellent people to deal with. When I was looking for a new bike this past year I had my mind settled on a Giant TCRC1, they were closing out their 2006 Giants but closest they has was a C3. But instead of trying to sell me the C3 which would have probably suited me just fine, the owner told me to check a couple of Giant dealers in NH where he thought i could get the bike I wanted at a great price (I did!) - Also, when I was a newbie they took the time to show me how to change my first rear flat for the cost of a $3 tire tool and a tube. They showed me how to maintain my chain which was invaluable for someone without a clue to bike maintainance.

And if I'm right, the other shop is Gear Works, I can understand how you might get the impression they are snobs over there, and I have heard some stories about their group rides that has me intimidated to go out with them (some people ride at a very high level and are very competitive - but I also heard the intermediate and beginer rides are great!). IMO they are good guys over there who pride themselves in the products they sell and the services they offer (Gene guarentees the perfect fit for everything he sells (from a $100 pair of riding shoes to a $500 Specialized, to a $3000 Cannondale). I may even go back there just to get a better fit on my current bike.

Both shops definately have a very different "vibe", but I wouldn't necessarily say one is better than the other, just different is all.

And then again, you're probably not even talking about these 2 shops, are you?
JB

Nope, not those two shops. These are in Worcester.

Jolt -
I was wondering where in Central Ma you're located. I THINK I know the 2 bike shops you're talking about, if you're around the Fitchburg/ Leominster area, the smaller shop would probably be Gamache's and I agree they are excellent people to deal with. When I was looking for a new bike this past year I had my mind settled on a Giant TCRC1, they were closing out their 2006 Giants but closest they has was a C3. But instead of trying to sell me the C3 which would have probably suited me just fine, the owner told me to check a couple of Giant dealers in NH where he thought i could get the bike I wanted at a great price (I did!) - Also, when I was a newbie they took the time to show me how to change my first rear flat for the cost of a $3 tire tool and a tube. They showed me how to maintain my chain which was invaluable for someone without a clue to bike maintainance.

And if I'm right, the other shop is Gear Works, I can understand how you might get the impression they are snobs over there, and I have heard some stories about their group rides that has me intimidated to go out with them (some people ride at a very high level and are very competitive - but I also heard the intermediate and beginer rides are great!). IMO they are good guys over there who pride themselves in the products they sell and the services they offer (Gene guarentees the perfect fit for everything he sells (from a $100 pair of riding shoes to a $500 Specialized, to a $3000 Cannondale). I may even go back there just to get a better fit on my current bike.

Both shops definately have a very different "vibe", but I wouldn't necessarily say one is better than the other, just different is all.

And then again, you're probably not even talking about these 2 shops, are you?
JB

I live in central mass and frequent Gamaches. They have always hooked me up and never try to over sell products to me. Very knowledgable and the turn around time on work they have done for me is great. I do 90% of my business there. Their customer service is second to none.

For the most part the customer service at Gearworks has been mixed depending on who you get, but overall just poor. I feel that some of the mechanics (one in particular is just a miserable SOB) don't respond as favorably to you if you are not on a $4,000 bike. I too have had to wait there and I am not the type of person who likes to wait too long. As a result of this, they lost a sale when I finally upgraded my roadbike a couple of years ago. Which resulted in lost repeat business as I also have three kids and don't even think about buying their bikes from them. We go to Gamaches

Jolt -
IBoth shops definately have a very different "vibe", but I wouldn't necessarily say one is better than the other, just different is all.

And then again, you're probably not even talking about these 2 shops, are you?
JB

I know GearWorks (my wife got her bike there), and I know of Gamache's. I usually go to Goodale's (Nashua), which also has good points. I agree - they are all different in orientation, etc., but I would say that they all have good people at their core.