Pacific Northwest - Great Bike Gallery experience

I know there are some people who don't like the Bike Gallery for various reasons. But I have always had good service whenever I have gone in. Yesterday was no different, but it was better. Yesterday was take you kid to work day so my 7 year old went to work with me. My wife was picking my daughter up at 1:30 so I brought my bike to work with me to ride home. After we were dropped off I was locking the bike up in the basement and my daughter looks at me and asks "Daddy, where is your helmet?" http://www.theragsdalefamily.com/smilies/stickbash.gif I left it on the couch. So I tossed the idea around of either looking for a cheap helmet or having my wife bring me mine. I opted to go to the Bike Gallery for a cheap helmet. Not relishing the thought of spending 50+ on a helmet yesterday I asked somebody about a cheap helmet. The guy asked me why I wanted a cheap helmet and I told him the story. He then told me to hang on. He went behind the counter and grabbed one of the test ride helmets and tossed it to me. Without asking for ID, deposit of any kind, he just said bring it back tomorrow. http://www.theragsdalefamily.com/smilies/dancenana.gif

Awesome! Exactly what we love about a good LBS. I've had nothing but good experiences and friendly encounters with Bike Gallery folks, even when working with demi-gods of cycling like Shannon. My only complaint is, especially this time of year, they're so dang busy it's hard to get someone's attention if you've just got a question or 5.

On a related note, my neighbor works at thedowntown BG. Recently a guy was driving down our narrow side street in his SUV way over the limit and my neighbor told hm to slow down. Guy braked in front and came after him. Bike Gallery guy took a punch but pinned him down 'til the cops showed up. Keepin' the neighborhood safe for kids and bikes!

Took the helmet back at lunch and he seemed shocked that I brought it back.

And FWIW, that was the downtown BG I was at.

+1 I've always had a great experience at Bike Gallery. I have a friend in Roseburg who travels to BG for bikes and service, that's like 170 miles one way, and there are lots of great shops along the way in Eugene and Salem.

This is my 1st post on this board and I really hate for it to be a negative one. The reason for this post is that service has really gone down hill. My recent experience at the Bike Gallery wasn't a good one. Not only that, but by me just going in there, I was giving them a 2nd chance. Yes, I've had two bad experiences at BG. The only one that I've been in is the Beaverton location (I have heard good things about the down town location though..). First time was about 5 years ago, the second, this year. Nobody really cared about helping me, when I asked if they would take less than the listed price, their only word was no. As far as I'm concerned, the only thing saving them is that they're just a little better than Performance. Maybe the Beaverton location is cursed. Once at BG, the salesman started preaching to me about having a vehicle with a V8 engine.

If you want excellent service, go to bike-n-hike in Beaverton. I've bought two bikes there. They put extra time into fitting you. I love the little personal touches that people are capable of giving.. know what I mean? They fit me for both my bikes - even got turned away once there because they didn't have a bike that fit me well. Hmmm.. I wonder if Performance would have done that - NOT.

Want exceptional expert service? Go to Bike and Hike.

It seems to be hit n miss at the Beaverton BG. I've had awesome service and other times they wouldn't give me the time of day. They do seem to jump on things very quickly if I stop by on my way home from work in all my gear.

2 of my friends dropped about $5k total in bikes and gear at the performance up the street because the guys at the downtown BG wouldn't work with them.

Where is Bike n' Hike?

http://bikenhike.com/

They have 6 locations listed on their site. Click on the link and they're in red - top right. The Hillsboro and Beaverton stores is the only ones I've been to. Bought a MT Bike at Hillsboro and Road Bike at Beaverton.

dv

Oh hell, I've been there. For some reason I always forget they are there. I bought my first helmet from them :)

I bought my latest bike from the Beav BG. I had an issue with some cables rubbing on the frame and they replaced the frame for me without any problems. I was really happy with their customer service. It was obvious that they really wanted me to be happy with the bike.

I also like the Beav BG because it is close to my house and they carry a lot of brands that Performance doesn't. Having 4 bike shops in Beaverton within a 5 miles radius gives you a pretty wide range of products to look at and compare.

Hey
I think its the people that make the difference not the location--but
having said that maybe the stores in questions have hired some knukle heads
I have been to the Lake O -BG several times for little things and they do alright
but my best experience ever was at the (now defunct) Northwest bikes, they were
great and they knew their stuff, I for one am sorry to see them gone.
I'd rather deal with a knowledgeable bike person than to get some snot nosed kid who knows it all and spins the light fantastic to impress someone

* downtown BG has really good staff. nice experiences getting misc gear there.
* woodstock: just okay, but helpful. haven't bought anything there.
* sandy store: where i bought my lemond. nice staff. sales heavy.
* beaverton store: for emergency only. boring staff that don't seem to know anything. was looking for a dvd on team csc and they're like, "what's that?" performance just up the street is a better alternative.

favorite wrenches: lakeside bikes in lake o. helpful, honest, accommodating. never bought a bike there, but nice selection indeed!

I agree Lake O , Lakeside seems very helpfull