Texas - Favorite bike shop company in DFW?

For me, it's Bicycles Inc. Their new location in Hurst is AMAZING.

I know some people dog BikeMart, but I've always had good luck with the people there. Had a terrible experience with Mad Duck where they hung out a group of 8 people that they promised to SAG for on a 550 mile tour, so minus about 50 for them.

Oh, and I get a good feeling from Plano Cycling too. Just haven't made any big purchases from them....yet.

Steve

We have had really good success at RBM (the Richardson location). There are a couple of sales people we try to avoid but there are a few that we really like a lot! Usually everyone is very friendly.
I just took back a $35 seat bag that didn't work with my saddle. I brought it in and the sales guy said just to leave it on the counter and get the things I came after. I spent more time than I planned and got back to the counter to pay just as they were closing. I forgot all about the return on the bag. A couple of days later I realized what I had done. I went in and explained everything to the guy and he gave me the credit back even though it was completely my mistake. Their prices aren't as good as Performance but their selection is great. Plus, they are sponsors and SAG/mechanical support for just about every local ride it seems. That goes a long way to keeping me as a customer. I'll pay a little extra to support someone who supports me!

I haven't used that many of them. Richardson Bike Mart in Richardson is fine, wasn't too impressed with the Dallas store. I like the REI store on 635, was not as impressed with the Plano store. I've bought some items and parts from Don Johle's Bike World in Garland, and was pleased with them.

+1 for Colonels. Rick and Doug, Fort Worth, Represent!!:thumb:

(but I did buy a bike from RBM, and I think the Hoyts are gold)

Ryan

Bluebonnet for me. They have great support and have on occasion been able to get things done when I was there if I arrived on my commuter rig with a busted spoke/bent derallier even when they had some other stuff in the shop.

RBM is nice if you know what you are looking for already in either a bike or bike accessories and happen to be close or in the area. They are far enough away from me that unless I have to go to the area anyways or to pickup another bike my wife ordered I'll just order something online.

I ordered my current ride from plano because they were the only ones around that sold it. I think they just took it out of the box and put the wheels on before giving it to me because of all the issues I had at first with it. They did take care of me when I quickly broke something due to their assembly issues. From what I understand they are the place to go if you are looking at recumbents, RBM has cattrikes but don't expect them to know anything about them.

Plano is great, as is Panther City in ft worth which didn't make the list. RBM and Bike's Inc have been horrible experiences for me.

I've yet to have a positive experience at the Richardson location, but the Frisco store for RBM treated me very well this past weekend. I do wish it was closer, but the bank account is greatful it's so far away. I swore after my last visit that I would never step foot in the Richardson location again, but I know I will.

I've also had very good service at the Plano PB. It's maybe not nearly as high end as some of the others, but the staff is friendly and always willing to answer questions.

Thumbs up to Cycle Spectrum for staff as well.

It should be noted that I haven't bought a bike from any of them just yet, only accessories. Wayyyyyy too many accessories..........

I can't say that I have a favorite. I use different shops for different stuff. Since it is just a couple of blocks off my usual ride home and it is open until 9:00, I tend to use Performance Bike @ Walnut Hill more than the others.

RBM frisco. They have done more 'freebie' stuff for me than I can remember, anything from
removing ancient bottom bracket fixed cups to pressing headsets.
I've been going there since the store opened, and while I haven't purchased anything big
(bike, frame, gruppo) I'm treated as if I had. I do buy almost all my accessories and parts there.
When in the Richardson store I usually talk to Jack in service dept. as his knowledge of vintage
parts is phenomenal. And yes the Hoyts are gold.

Bought my wife's bike at Bluebonnet, David (is he still there?) was great and paid alot of attention
to my wife (who knew almost nothing about bikes at the time) and her concerns. Were they closer
I'd use them more often.

Marty

RBM frisco. They have done more 'freebie' stuff for me than I can remember, anything from
removing ancient bottom bracket fixed cups to pressing headsets.
I've been going there since the store opened, and while I haven't purchased anything big
(bike, frame, gruppo) I'm treated as if I had. I do buy almost all my accessories and parts there.
When in the Richardson store I usually talk to Jack in service dept. as his knowledge of vintage
parts is phenomenal. And yes the Hoyts are gold.

Bought my wife's bike at Bluebonnet, David (is he still there?) was great and paid alot of attention
to my wife (who knew almost nothing about bikes at the time) and her concerns. Were they closer
I'd use them more often.

Marty

The sales guy at Frisco actually talked me into a much less expensive helmet due to fitting differences. He did let me run rampant over in the stand and tool section though!

I may actually take my frame out there for head set removal and reinstallation as a part of the cosmetic surgery process. I need a cool tool table for the new repair stand and it sounds like as good of a reason to go as any......

Since I started to bicycle, B&B is the only one I've been going to. I get my bikes at Sports Authority 'cause they have a good selection and cheap but goto B&B for service.
Ernest

west village bicycles.

Plano is great, as is Panther City in ft worth which didn't make the list. RBM and Bike's Inc have been horrible experiences for me.


Here's another "yea" for Panther City in FW. About 5 minutes from my office. They may be small is size, but they are HUGE in helpfulness and friendliness.......

RBM is nice and it's the shop i use as i live just a mile or so from it. but they suck when it comes to parts selection. their prices suck at times too, and don't get your bearings replaced their. they use grade 300 which suck.

Richardson Bike Mart is Great! I can always get great deals, and good service there, plus they have a great inventory!

Bikes Inc on Bowen in Pantego used to be okay, I even bought a brand new bike from them once. Then they sold me used rusty bearings one time, insisting 'thats the way they are', and telling me 'it'll be fine'. Then they moved to I20 and it was too far to ride in a reasonable amount of time. When I'm over in Fort Worth, I've started going to Fort Worth Cycling and Fitness. They are pretty helpful and cheaper than Bicycles Inc too.

west village bicycles.

love tommy to death but he really needs to hire a second guy

if I want something done right I'll go to RBM richardson

if I want to get bagged on and get an OK job for cheap I'll go to RBM dallas

RBM is expensive, even though I've bought tons of stuff from them (including several bikes and THOUSANDS of dollars worth of parts, clothes etc over the last 2 years). They don't give discounts and the 40+ sales people asking if you need help gets on my nerves after shopping for 20 minutes. Also, when I do ask questions, many times I don't get a good answer.

With that said, I've also bought 6-7 bikes from Bicycles Inc. (the Keller store), I'm known by name by most of the employees and the store manager always goes out of his way to make me happy. I get a discount on parts and accessories and I only get asked if I need help ONCE.

RBMs approach is much less personal, more bottom line "sales driven". Now I only go in to RBM when I know they have something in stock and I need it the same day.

Perfomance in fort Worth is missing and they beat everyone on price.
I take tuneup and maintenance to Bicycle inc

Richardson Bike Mart is Great! I can always get great deals, and good service there, plus they have a great inventory!

great inventory? i couldn't even find a pair of truvativ cranks there a while back.

Wow...I am VERY surprised no one said Bicycles Plus.

Does anyone have any experiences to share?

Wow...I am VERY surprised no one said Bicycles Plus.

Does anyone have any experiences to share?

I don't have anything negative to say about them, if that's what you mean. I work at Beltline & 635 so it is the closest bike shop to my office. Every time I've been there, I've gotten good service.

Wow...I am VERY surprised no one said Bicycles Plus.

Does anyone have any experiences to share?

I've been to the one in flowermound and they are nice but very race/recreation oriented. I'm a long time commuter/utility cyclist and they seem to find it odd that I ride my bike there and to work and put funny racks and bags on it that slow it down. They seemed dumbfounded when I asked why they didn't have a rack or anywhere to lockup my bike. *shrug*
I have been told their mechanics are great at working on nearly any kind of bike even recumbents.

I still alway either go to Bluebonnet or do stuff myself. They are associated with the Texas Fliers in some way which is a nice group of folks to ride and have people who are as slow and *gasp* who may actually be slower then me, of course they could just be being nice to me.

Bikes Inc. in Arlington bar none. Eddie and Mike "Crash" are very knowledgeable and very customer oriented. All the guys there do a great job.

Check out Sun & Ski Sports at Grapevine Mills. I didn't buy my Specialized Tricross there, but since have been in there a couple of times looking for accesories. Good prices compared to the bike shops I've been in. And friendly helpful, no pressure service. Bike mechanics there also. I bought a good mountain bike from them in '94.

I also picked up three items at an Academy the other day - total spent was $60. Would have been $200 at LBS.

Dallas Bike Works is great. If you are in the area, check them out. Boyd knows what he is doing.

I also like RBM in Richardson, bought my first road bike there oh, 8 years ago. A family member was sponsored by them for a while. My wife purchased her Bianchi from there. The shop guys there are fast and skilled. The selection of bikes cannot be beat anywhere. Pick just about any model in any size, and they will have one on the floor ready for you to ride. Where else can you walk in with a wallet full of money, and leave with EXACTLY what you want, without having to wait for something to come in the mail. I will say they are a bit on the pricey side, but the convenience is well worth it in my opinion.

I use Performance Bike @ Walnut Hill more than the others. But I tend to do most of my own mant and repiar unless I get lazy

The guys at Bicycle's Plus in Coppel are the nicest guys I've ever talked to.

The guys at Bicycle's Plus in Coppel are the nicest guys I've ever talked to.

It took me 2 visits before I even spoke to anyone there. They are the opposite of RBM in my opinion, where you get asked every 2 min if you need help (but that's their thing...). I have purchased gear from both stores.

That being said, there is one guy at Bicycle's Plus Coppell that is AWESOME. I forget his name, but I look for him every time.

I did switch over to REI for tubes. They have 700x25. BP only has 700x18/23 every time I am in there. I know it isn't much of a big deal, but sometimes I still feel bad about not giving them my $5!