Pacific Northwest - Beware of Revolution Cycles - Eugene, Oregon

Last month, I ordered a bike from Revolution Cycles in Eugene, Oregon. I was told the bike would arrive in 3-4 days. 3 and half weeks later, I had to dispute the payment on my credit card, because the bike had not arrived and they would not return my phone calls. I have my money back now, but I missed out on a month of riding and other bike purchase opportunities.

Once before I took my bike in to have the bearings in my headset replaced. They told me it would be ready in less than a day, it took them a week and a half to get my bike back to me. The owner told me it was because they had just lost their staff, so I gave them the benefit of a doubt. I will not make this mistake again.

If you want something in the shop, go for it. If you want service or a special order, go somewhere else! They do not worry about time quoted to you!

Revolution built up my LHT for me, and I've had it serviced there several times with no complaints. Obviously, YMMV.

I've always had great service and support from Hutch's Bike Shop, downtown, and Paul's on 6th Avenue.

They have owed me money for services not rendered for several months now. I just haven't been able to get back to Eugene to get it back in person, as the bookkeeper, who has evidently left, and the owner, who doesn't take my calls, haven't been able to get a check in the mail for me. I ordered a Surly Pugsley from them, as they were listed on the Surly site as Surly specialists. I have my Pugsley, and I love it, but it was not delivered on time, or with components ordered.

This is a bad first post for me to make, but my relationship with Revolution has been a one year long disappointment.

I now have a Surly Big Dummy being built by Clever Cycles in Portland, and they have been very communicative and helpful so far. It's been a much better experience, and I don't even have my new bike yet!

-Rog.

When I was first biking, I had my girlfriend take my bike there for a tuneup, while I was out of town. They called me and told me that I needed a new fork and headset - probably true. They also said that the cheapest fork that would be OK would be at least $350; I wound up talking them into selling me a fork that only ran $250 (I had a trip planned for as soon as I got back), but what I quickly found out was that the rest of the bike was only worth maybe $75-$120 tops. They insisted that the $250 was the only safe choice even for a beginner. Everyone I've talked to that been to RC says the shop just tried to take them to the cleaners.

Another good reason to learn how to service your own bikes. I would recommend

Big Blue Book of Bicycle Repair

http://www.amazon.com/Big-Blue-Book-Bicycle-Repair/dp/0976553007

and you missed out on earning interest on your money for that month

The bike that I ordered in the last days of April (that was supposed to be there in 3 days) just showed up for sale one Ebay by Revolution Cycles...only 3 months later. I'm guessing they would've just kept telling me 3 more days this whole time if I hadn't disputed my payment. Since it was a NOS 2003 I ordered, I know its the same bike they ordered for me, and now that its here, it's not even the size they told me it would be. SOOO HAPPY I GOT OUT OF THIS DEAL BEFORE THEY WASTED ANY OF MY TIME!

I sent another email about three weeks ago, asking for a refund check to be sent within the week. Surprise, no check in my mailbox yet, no reply to my email, nothing.

Used to go to Revolution, bad experiences...have been going to LifeCycle (18th and Pearl) these days and am quite impressed

I sent another email about three weeks ago, asking for a refund check to be sent within the week. Surprise, no check in my mailbox yet, no reply to my email, nothing.

contacted the BBB (http://bbb.org) yet?

Is there any way to get rid of these random shill posts? These are the only posts by either of these members, within the course of an hour.

Looks like somebody at Revolution Cycles learned how to use the internet. Only 1 out of 11 posts up till this morning had been positive. Then, 2 accounts are registered the same day that solely make posts acting as salesmEn for RC. Give me a break!

Oh and on the topic of RC, my current mechanic used to work for them. When I told him my story, he told me that was pretty much standard operation over there (he quit that job after only a couple months).

I reported the shill posts to the moderators yesterday. My guess is that the posts also originate from the same IP address.

I ordered a Surly Pugsley from them, as they were listed on the Surly site as Surly specialists. I have my Pugsley, and I love it, but it was not delivered on time, or with components ordered.


I would let Surly know about this.

Hi. I only joined this site in order to reply to this post. I saw this thread online and had to share my experience with Revolution Cycles in Eugene Oregon. I ordered some bikes from them which I paid in full and after a month, still nothing. I called all the time, but each time I called they always say Shane (who is the owner) is on the other line and would call me back. He never called once! So, I filed a dispute with my credit card. 2 weeks after I file a dispute he contacts me to say he will mail me my bikes! He made up this bogus story about why I never got my bikes. Never even mentioning why he never once returned any of my calls. I think he just used my money to pay his unpaid bills! Never buy anything from this shop (he sells on e-bay too). He's a total scammer and a huge waste of people's time who wait and wait for bikes they never get! I could have gotten my bikes within a week at another store! Grrrrrrrrr.

ROFL, I wouldn't count on this thread being deleted. Other than the shill posts it appears to be honest feedback regarding horrible service from a horrible bike shop. I read threads like these and consider myself very lucky to have the kind of personal service and support I enjoy from my LBS.

The other good thing about your whiny post is that it keeps the thread active. That lets it stay at the top of the list so more people can read it (and re-read it to see what is new).

Change the way you treat your customers and you won't have to read threads by people warning others to stay away from you.

A shop will have the following things: a welder and cutting torch, a large and a small vice, multiple grinding and cutting tools, and will know what framesaver is. Boutique stores are far too clean and if they have really good communication, they are not busy with what they are doing, or do not have enough to do.

Not the kind of place I trust building up a CF frame with Campy Record - might be the place to straighten my steel bike after a serious crash.

Here is a link to one of MANY sites that are warning buyers to stay away from Revolution Cycles. I really wish I had read all of these posts before I did business with this scammer. Here is the link. There are too many posts to paste them all here. Take your pick:

http://www.motoredbikes.com/search.php?searchid=681951

Looks like the link I posted won't work from here. Oh well.

Looks like the link I posted won't work from here. Oh well.

That's because you're linking to a search (Which expires) rather than an actual post or thread.

Looks like the link I posted won't work from here. Oh well.

You posted a link to search results identified by a number that is probably unique to your search session - each time you do a search the number will likely change. Other people doing the same search will likely each be given a unique number, with search results stored temporarily on the server being connected to.

I tried creating a parameterised URL for both the search.php page and also the searchResults.php page - neither worked.

A good compromise is a Google search limited to the specific site (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q="revolution+cycles"+site:motoredbikes.com).

I sent another email about three weeks ago, asking for a refund check to be sent within the week. Surprise, no check in my mailbox yet, no reply to my email, nothing.

Was your situation ever resolved?

These guys are turds, poor service, poor inventory and service is slow. I was shopping for a Salsa frame last year, went to Revolution, they had the frame hanging there, ask them what kind of deal they could make to sell that frame. Full suggested retail. No less? No, full price.

I called a shop 40 miles up the road in Corvallis, what's your price? Answer $250 off suggested retail. Anyone want to guess who sold the frame to me?? I built a beautiful bike too, but I bought all the parts at a different LBS.

Was your situation ever resolved?

Yes, but I had to use my daddy voice with them (you know, the one I use with my 7 year old), and Shane went through a song and dance about changing bookkeepers, lost information, etc. He said I had to write a letter explaining what the issue was for his bookkeeper. What? Anyways, I did finally get my refund check, and it was a good lesson in what not to do customer service-wise.

Being a small businessman, I understand that sometimes mistakes happen. With my business, I try to do the right thing to make it up to a person we screw up billing with or whatever. I don't understand what they were hoping to gain from the way they treated me.

Recently, Revolution Cycles has been flooding our Craigslist with ads for bikes at their store. After numerous flagging and post-removals, Revolution created a post titled "Stop Flagging Our Posts." Here are a few of the posts that others have posted in response:
Re: Stop Flagging Our Posting (Eugene)

Dear Revolution Cycles,
This is the result of the reputation you have earned as shop that treats their customers and employees poorly, and supports and promotes local bike theft. You made your bed, and now you have to sleep in it!

Re: Revolutions Cycles - $1 (Eugene)


F**k Revolution Cycles. Shane (owner) actually thinks he has a legitimate bike shop and deserves to be in business. This place rips off uninformed customers and makes fake sales promises. Please keep flagging and spreading the word about the poor quality and service of Revolutions.

Revolution Cycles (Eugene)

Do not do business with this place. As other cyclists will attest, the owner has been involved in numerous shady transactions . They are also over priced and their work is sub-standard. There are many honest and fair priced shops all over town. Skip revolution cycles. I plan on re-posting till I feel people get the message. Be warned!
~raleigh

But, but.... Bike Warden said it was good! You guys should stop s**tting on this amazing shop! He's the Bike Warden, that means he's right!

But, but.... Bike Warden said it was good! You guys should stop s**tting on this amazing shop! He's the Bike Warden, that means he's right!Yep, all 4 of his post. Which happen to be the only post that he has made in BikeForums.:p

While I have never been personally scorned by Revolution Cycles, my roommate was fired from the shop because of a temper tantrum that the owner threw - basically an unprovoked firing. Nevertheless, he maintains a business relationship with the owner, buying and selling used frames/bikes to the owner. While i cannot attest to any implications of promoting bike theft, i do know that a majority of the refurbished bikes the owner pushes DO come from craigslist.
I would like to add: the mechanics that work there are legit - the owner seems to be the problem. I have heard many complaints and grievances being aired not only from employees but customers as well as to this character's lack of a respectable business environment, and his lack of accountability to those customers.
This thread intrigued me because i have been shopping around for a LBS to build up a complete Surly for me, and Revolution seemed to be the ticket. Now however, I will wait until i find a shop who can provide the service but who doesn't come with such baggage - Any suggestions for shops around Eugene who will be able to build a reliable Surly?

after 5 years dealing with LBS' in Eugene, I have to agree and say that Revolution is not only the worst shop in town but downright unethical and self-serving. They quoted me times on repairs off by weeks, lost work orders, misquoted, openly and verbally bashed employees (Shane all but called for one employees head to my face), don't return e-mails or phone calls, frequently lie about availability, over charge, and on top of all of that they are just plane rude. One time I was there and a mentally handicap customer that they apparently deal with on a regular basis came in and talked for a bit, after he left the 3 employees including Shane the owner made fun of the guy and proceeded to vent to me about why the guy was so obnoxious and worthless. Not my idea of a local business or business owner!
The worst infraction came when Shane agreed to help me sell a bike through one of his friends, It was a vintage frame worth quite a lot and VERY rare. I agreed to leave it there over night so his friend could view it the next day. The buyer passed but when I went to pick up my frame it had 3 Revolution Cycles stickers on my brittle 1971 frame, needless to say I was livid and have not stepped foot inside since. After their recent spamming on CL my patience has run out and I needed to vent!

While I have never been personally scorned by Revolution Cycles, my roommate was fired from the shop because of a temper tantrum that the owner threw - basically an unprovoked firing. Nevertheless, he maintains a business relationship with the owner, buying and selling used frames/bikes to the owner. While i cannot attest to any implications of promoting bike theft, i do know that a majority of the refurbished bikes the owner pushes DO come from craigslist.
I would like to add: the mechanics that work there are legit - the owner seems to be the problem. I have heard many complaints and grievances being aired not only from employees but customers as well as to this character's lack of a respectable business environment, and his lack of accountability to those customers.
This thread intrigued me because i have been shopping around for a LBS to build up a complete Surly for me, and Revolution seemed to be the ticket. Now however, I will wait until i find a shop who can provide the service but who doesn't come with such baggage - Any suggestions for shops around Eugene who will be able to build a reliable Surly?I'd go to one of these three: 1. Hutch's Downtown; 2. Collins; 3. Wheel Works , talk with Bill the owner.

All of these shops will treat you right. You might get the fastest turn around with Whee Works, the other two can be pretty busy, but very, very good.

While I have never been personally scorned by Revolution Cycles, my roommate was fired from the shop because of a temper tantrum that the owner threw - basically an unprovoked firing. Nevertheless, he maintains a business relationship with the owner, buying and selling used frames/bikes to the owner. While i cannot attest to any implications of promoting bike theft, i do know that a majority of the refurbished bikes the owner pushes DO come from craigslist.
I would like to add: the mechanics that work there are legit - the owner seems to be the problem. I have heard many complaints and grievances being aired not only from employees but customers as well as to this character's lack of a respectable business environment, and his lack of accountability to those customers.
This thread intrigued me because i have been shopping around for a LBS to build up a complete Surly for me, and Revolution seemed to be the ticket. Now however, I will wait until i find a shop who can provide the service but who doesn't come with such baggage - Any suggestions for shops around Eugene who will be able to build a reliable Surly?

As you probably know, any bike shop can buy/sell Surly products, so there is no reason to favor Revolution Cycles. While I've never dealt with any of the mechs at Collin's or Hutch's, I know that Bill at Wheel Works is a very knowledgeable old-timer. While I would rather see the business go to an LBS, Guy, the Master Tech, at REI knows his way around a bicycle better than just about anyone I've met, and has built up many-a-Surly. Paul's on 5th has always provided quality mech service for me. And, while the owner - Gilad - might be obnoxious sometimes, Lifecycles does good work. They've got a young mechanic - Colin - who know how to use a wrench.

PS. What kind of Surly were you wanting to have built?

While I have never been personally scorned by Revolution Cycles, my roommate was fired from the shop because of a temper tantrum that the owner threw - basically an unprovoked firing. Nevertheless, he maintains a business relationship with the owner, buying and selling used frames/bikes to the owner. While i cannot attest to any implications of promoting bike theft, i do know that a majority of the refurbished bikes the owner pushes DO come from craigslist.
I would like to add: the mechanics that work there are legit - the owner seems to be the problem. I have heard many complaints and grievances being aired not only from employees but customers as well as to this character's lack of a respectable business environment, and his lack of accountability to those customers.
This thread intrigued me because i have been shopping around for a LBS to build up a complete Surly for me, and Revolution seemed to be the ticket. Now however, I will wait until i find a shop who can provide the service but who doesn't come with such baggage - Any suggestions for shops around Eugene who will be able to build a reliable Surly?

As stated above any of those shops will treat you just fine. But I'm partial to the 6th street Paul's and deal with Rob Craft the Manager who is in my opinion and many I know the best wheel builder in town by far. Or deal with Scott the younger guy who really knows his stuff and will go the extra mile for you. Never had one bad thing to say about them.

...
I would like to add: the mechanics that work there are legit - the owner seems to be the problem. ...
This thread intrigued me because i have been shopping around for a LBS to build up a complete Surly for me, and Revolution seemed to be the ticket. Now however, I will wait until i find a shop who can provide the service but who doesn't come with such baggage - Any suggestions ...If your roommate is a mechanic, why not pay him to do your build?

Alright folks. Enough is enough, you have said your bit. Now let's move on. These forums are very one-sided and although I find some of them to be productive, they are extremely self serving. If you need to vent to us about our shop do so appropriately, instead of sitting in the quiet comforts of home and venting come tell me to my face at the shop. I assure you that the level of service you will receive at Revolution is the best you can pay for either auto or bicycle.
We do know how to say "NO" and are in a position to help those who want to know, not assume that their machine is working properly and use tools, knowledge and experience in combined industries, not just bike or auto, but aviation also. For that type of experience you would certainly pay more than other shops while getting more also. If you don't realize that you are getting more, then let us show you how you are.
Also let's welcome new employees Casey from Collins cycle shop and possibly Paul Adkins from Bike Friday! These boys know their stuff and will be assisting you build your dream machine. Farran will be answering most calls and is picking up the game quickly, although he has been an automotive tech for 10 years. As well as Stuart, who comes to us from Lane Parts Machine Shop to handle all of your rebuilds gas and diesel, as well as motorcycle overhauls. Drop in and check out his current projects 1) Toyota 2LT full rebuild and install into 96 Toyota Tacoma 2) Full restoration on BMW WWII motorcycle w/sidecar. A very rare 2 wheel drive model.
Cheers.
Oh- PS keep tabs on us for the Ninkasi Brew Ha Ha event this season. It will prove to fun for all.

Why didn't you identify yourself when you first contributed to this thread?

I think it's kind of sneaky to come on to protest the direction of this thread and not identify yourself. Then later you come on and admit you are with the business.

There are all kinds of businesses who come onto BF, say who they are, and respond to criticism. You could have done the same.

(By the way, you didn't really answer any of the criticism mentioned above. Are you really spamming the local Craiglist? Do you really put your stickers on vintage bikes that people drop off for service? And on and on...)

I'm definitely sticking with Hutch's, Wheel Works and Bicycle Way of Life for my needs. With the people he mentions as new employees he has gone from BAD to WORSE! For sure, I won't be shopping at Revolution with that line up, not that I would anyway.

BTW Warden, thanks for keeping this thread at the top of PNW forum, as a businessman you're kind of a moron aren't you :-) but I think that's the point of the thread anyway, so I guess it's legit. I can see why he wanted to work for you, birds of a feather.

Dude! If Shifty thinks your junk, than I believe him.
Velocity

I'm highly amused by the shop owner, who not only revived the thread but did so in a defensive and anti-customer-service-oriented fashion, thus supporting the points of the folks who were posting here. People really don't change, I guess.

It looks like these guys are trying to pull the same trick on their Google reviews that they did on this page (impersonating customers and talking about how great their shop is). Within the past 2 weeks about 20 5-star reviews have been posted (it is the only review by everyone of the reviewers) bringing their customer review rating from 3 up to 5 stars. These reviews also feature phrases that our beloved BikeWarden used in his posts above ("Then look no further than Revolution Cycles"). Ahh...these guys just never quit.

These forums are very one-sided and although I find some of them to be productive, they are extremely self serving.

I'd guess it takes one to know one.

and possibly Paul Adkins from Bike Friday

actually, AFAIK, Paul is now working for Pauls Bicycle Way of Life (as well as maintaining his time with Greater Eugene Area Riders [GEARS]).

All of Bike Warden's post have been deleted.

This is exactly what I'm going through right now with several retailers. Customer service has taken a back seat to more margins and greed as far as I'm concerned. I have a list of retailers and manufacturers I will never, never, ever, ever buy from again due to thier lack of GOOD customer service. This list is getting bigger and bigger every MONTH!
You would think with the slummin economy, retailers would be more humble, polite or do what ever to make the customer happy. Sadly, this is not the case.

"Retailers and service providers take note, read Customers for Life by Carl Sewell"

from the looks of it these guys went out of business. I ride by there on my way to work and there are for lease signs all over the store and an eviction notice. All of their bikes were still inside last time i checked also.

from the looks of it these guys went out of business. I ride by there on my way to work and there are for lease signs all over the store and an eviction notice. All of their bikes were still inside last time i checked also.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?615404-Revolution-Cycles-in-Eugene-has-been-shut-down%21