Pacific Northwest - Will Gregg's Cycles last?

I love my bike but if there is one thing in this world that can make me hate cycling it's Gregg's Cycles. Since I moved to Seattle with my daughter last summer, I found myself fast becoming a regular at "seattle's oldest bike shop" because of the glowing reviews my friends had given it, however if you ask any of them if they've shopped there RECENTLY they will tell you NO, and for good reason, whatever that place may have been, it's gone so far down hill, it's fallen right off the cliff at the bottom. I have been in there 2x sometimes 3x a week, and have been since July, and I still can't go up to the bike sales floor to look at the new eyecandy without some greenhorn kid who doesn't know sora from a spatula trying to shove a Madon or a Tarmac down my throat. When I brought in my own bike for repairs one of those very same bikesalesmen looked at my baby (trek 520) and said "That bike's a piece of crap, I've had like five of those and they keep breaking." I felt like telling that chubby-butterfaced kid that Gregg's still carried trek 520's, but they must have been crap too, I mean he'd know since he worked there. Ok, so every buisness has one dumb punk, at worst maybe two, but from the bike fitter--who is doing his darndest to star on America's next hottest TV series: WHO WANT'S TO BE AMERICA'S NEXT TOP NARCISIT?--to the horribly inept clothing deparment staff who not only fail to order your correct shoe size, but also at procuring the correct brand and model you ordered; there seems to be no hope for the store. The clothing department also seems to be run telepathically, as I have come in evenings on my way home from work to find the floor deserted. It's amazing that the whole store doesn't walk out the door! After spending twenty minutes trying to find someone to help me with bib-shorts, I gave up and wandered over to the parts desk--where there was also no-one--no one to open a dressing room, no one even to PAGE for someone to open a dressing room and nearly a half an hour wasted looking, I put the shorts down and made to walk out the door and that mousey little blonde had been hiding back in the shoes out of sight, talking on her cellphone the whole time! I was furious, I would have gone to her manager and demanded answers but it's obvious that they don't need my money, otherwise they'd make it easier for me to spend it.

Which Gregg's location are you referring to?

This is Sunny1952's second post since joining in June 2008.

Just sayin'.

Thanks for pointing that out...must be referring to Gregg's Green Lake.

Gregg's-bashing is a pretty popular sport in Seattle, I guess. My experience (largely at the Bellevue store), has been 95% positive, not a bad batting average for a large, busy store. I've had a couple of not-so-good experiences. I've had 50 or 60 good experiences. They have pretty good inventory of clothes and accessories; good service department; and if you catch them on a slower day or in the evenings when they're not so busy you can get some good advice. I also have shopped at Green Lake a couple of times -- recently I bought an expensive rain jacket there (Showers Pass) because they were the first store in Seattle to get in the fall shipment of new rain gear.

FYI, I do most of my bike-shop shopping at:
- Elliott Bay
- Gregg's Bellevue
- REI downtown

Also, to support the cause, I stop into Bikeworks in the Rainier Valley when I'm riding around Lake Washington to pick up chain lube, small accessories, etc....your purchases there help support a very worthy cause.

Two other shops I like to stop in while on a ride are:
- Recycled Cycles
- FreeRange Cycles (Fremont). I think if it lived closer I would go there for service, a lot. Small shop, super friendly, super helpful.

In any case, this is one of the more entertaining Gregg's posts I've seen.

I'm sorry, it was the Greenlake location that I was refering too. It's the only one I've had experience with. I haven't been to their other locations and I don't think I will since the experience I've had with their head store up till now has been wretched. I find it ironic however, that it was a Gregg's employee that suggested bikeforums to me.

Well, belatedly, welcome to Seattle.

Are you looking for another bike shop? What part of town would be most convenient to you?

If you live close to Green Lake, have you been over to R&E Cycles? Or Recycled Cycles?

Will they last? They've been there for 75 years so they seem to do well enough to stay in business. I have shopped there off and on since about 1980. Your experience will vary over time. It's possible to be ignored or treated with contempt at lots of bike shops, including good shops like Recycled Cycles. Just find someone who works there and ask for what you want. BTW, they have 4 register locations in that store. You don't have to wait for someone to show up at the one in the shoe area.

I would say that bike shops and audio stores seem to attract sales people that are not much interested in customer service.

It'd be nice if they had dressing rooms in 4 locations around the store, or if the kids in bike sales and service knew where the dressing room key was...or something about bibshorts, which is what I needed at the time. I have since decided that as far as bike equipment selection goes, Recycled Cycles, REI and Second Ascent are much more capable even if they are a bit more out of the way.

I have experianced the same customer service at the Green Lake store, which made me stop going to Gregg's. I have had sales people try to sell me things I did not want or ask for. Like Sunny1952 I took my beloved 1982 Bianchi San Remo in for a tune up a few years ago and was told by the guy behind the counter that it was old and I should upgrade to one of their newer bikes. That way I could "rock". What he did not realize that if I want to "rock" I take out my Softride. I love my Bianchi and use it for long rides, they need to learn what the customer is all about and screw the bs sales tatics.

They used to be the best in the area but that all changed 20 years ago when they started to expand. Now it is like walking onto a used car lot.

I took my beloved 1982 Bianchi San Remo in for a tune up a few years ago and was told by the guy behind the counter that it was old and I should upgrade to one of their newer bikes. That way I could "rock".

Gregg's may have expanded past the point where customer service and courtesy are what makes-or-breaks a shop. The experience you had with your '82 San Remo is similar to what happened when I brought my '91 Stumpjumper (no suspension) into Redmond Cycles 3 years ago. I had some kid, hot to make a sale on a multi-thousand dollar full suspension bike, think that insulting my bike was the approprate method to convince me to buy something new.
Well, I didn't go back there for almost 3 years, until I was looking for an odd part for a restoration and they were the last shop in town that I hadn't yet asked. I talked to a sales guy, and he didn't know... so he went and got one of the mechanics, who said "gimmie a minute and I'll check". He proceeded to the shop and I heard him dump out a box of old parts and start rummaging. He came back with the part I needed and said "you can have it. It's just in a box of old stuff we hardly ever use."
I guess it comes down to the size of the shop determining the level of service that's necessary to stay afloat in the market. If you're a small shop, you've got to have something that draws people there. Redmond Cycles has the boutique racer gear, Sammamish Valley Cycles has the randonneur (and now, commuter) stuff, Recycled has a lot of inexpensive good stuff, Gregg's has... Well, it's Gregg's. They have history on their side. Everyone knows about Gregg's, and it's likely to be the first shop that somebody heads to when they move up here. Even if, somewhere down the line, that person is unhappy with the level of service they're getting and they head to another shop, Gregg's gets enough "first time" business on big ticket items and walk-in convenience purchases ("I don't usually go there, but they're on my way home and I only needed a pair of brake pads") to keep them thriving.

My experience in E. Washington has been the majority of shops are kind of cold to customers until they get to know you. Granted there are a few exceptions (Two Wheel Transit in Spokane was great to deal with last week) These are also smaller shops so building a relationship with the owner and mechanics. I've got one now that has given me an old derailleur from their boneyard so I could fix one on my Gitane. The owner also looked at my 84 Gitane Tour de France and commented how much he really liked it - probably didn't hurt that he's got a 84 Gitane Kilo track bike in the shop. He was also a Peugeot dealer in the past and I'll be taking my PSV-10 in next week for them to look over.

Bottom line is once you may have to work a little harder to build that relationship with a bike shop but once you do - it's well worth it. And, yes, I have walked into shops and never gone back because of the initial impression.

I might appear biased but there are many capable, considerate staff at Greggs ready to help with any riders' needs or interests. Selection is very large and prices good. sorry to hear they've been talking down the vintage and steel, that seems in very poor form.

I personally had a bad experience at Gregg's, and to correct the problem (after they did not do anything to help) I simply never went back. Problem solved.

I don't go into the Greenlake store very often, but I have had great service at the Alderwood location. I've gone in for gear adjustments, broken spokes, etc., and had them fix them while I wait at very reasonable rates. While I've been waiting, the guys in the new bike section seem very knowledgeable and willing to talk bikes even after I've made it clear that I'm just looking.

Bottom line is once you may have to work a little harder to build that relationship with a bike shop but once you do - it's well worth it. And, yes, I have walked into shops and never gone back because of the initial impression.

Customers shouldn't have to work to build relationships with a LBS. If the store can't give customer service, go somewhere else where the shop works to build the relationship.

Thanks for pointing that out...must be referring to Gregg's Green Lake.

FYI, I do most of my bike-shop shopping at:
- Elliott Bay
- Gregg's Bellevue
- REI downtown

Also, to support the cause, I stop into Bikeworks in the Rainier Valley when I'm riding around Lake Washington to pick up chain lube, small accessories, etc....your purchases there help support a very worthy cause.

Two other shops I like to stop in while on a ride are:
- Recycled Cycles
- FreeRange Cycles (Fremont). I think if it lived closer I would go there for service, a lot. Small shop, super friendly, super helpful.

In any case, this is one of the more entertaining Gregg's posts I've seen.


I've been to Recycled, I do like it better there service wise, I've also gone to REI, but I haven't gone to FreeRange, BikeWorks or Elliot Bay yet. I like the sound of Bikeworks though, I'll hit it on my next weekend ride down to Seward Park.

Customers shouldn't have to work to build relationships with a LBS. If the store can't give customer service, go somewhere else where the shop works to build the relationship.

In an ideal world, this would be true. In my experience, though, all bike shops have great days, and not-so-great days. And sometimes each has a bit of a rhythm or style about it that takes some learning. Employees who appear standoffish or non-engaged may be really helpful if approached in a different way.

I give a shop two or three chances before I "give up" on it -- I'd much rather find a place I like (even with a couple of rough spots) than look for faults.

Customers shouldn't have to work to build relationships with a LBS. If the store can't give customer service, go somewhere else where the shop works to build the relationship.

+1

They want money out of my wallet they have to earn it!

It's the shop's job to teach their employees to not appear standoffish or non-engaged. In fact, it should be the shop's job to teach their employees to actually appear helpful and find different ways to approach the customer...not vice versa.

Any shop that can't figure that out doesn't deserve my money, they can take their time griping about losing sales to the internet instead.

I don't look for faults, but they just pop out at a lot of shops. I spent 2 months popping into shops before buying my bike. A bunch of them really fail to give good customer service. However, I will say that my experience with Gregg's in Lynnwood was good (after I went to the front counter to ask for help).


In an ideal world, this would be true. In my experience, though, all bike shops have great days, and not-so-great days. And sometimes each has a bit of a rhythm or style about it that takes some learning. Employees who appear standoffish or non-engaged may be really helpful if approached in a different way.

I give a shop two or three chances before I "give up" on it -- I'd much rather find a place I like (even with a couple of rough spots) than look for faults.

I don't look for faults, but they just pop out at a lot of shops. I spent 2 months popping into shops before buying my bike. A bunch of them really fail to give good customer service.

My experience if very much like yours.

When I got back into biking in 2007 after a long layoff, I spent several months planning weekend rides around visits to bike shops *all* over the Seattle area. I was "shopping for a bike shop" as much as shopping for a bike. I found a couple of shops with great reputations that I would never set foot in again, even after two or three tries....and a couple of shops that I wished I lived much closer to so I could visit more frequently. I've finally ended up giving most of my business to the three shops listed above, for reasons of convenience, operating hours, advice, and the amount of inventory they stock (hey, if it's not in stock, I can order it myself...).

I really do agree with your overall point - that bike shops should *earn* our business. However, I have some sympathy for their issues -- employee turnover; the difficulties of staffing up on sunny summer Saturdays when *everyone* wants a "quick 15-minute adjustment" on a bike they haven't ridden for 10 years; the looky-loos who want to eat up an hour of salesman time discussing the merits of ceramic bearings but never seem to buy a bike; the folks who come in to try on shoes or apparel so they can buy it cheaper on the web.

I'm not trying to make excuses for them - the good shops figure out how to deal with all of the above and consistently deliver a good experience, but it may take a visit or two to figure out how to "catch them at their best."

How does the number of posts relate to someone needing service at a store?

To the OP. What you said was troubling. I'd seriously call the store and talk with the manager.


This is Sunny1952's second post since joining in June 2008.

Just sayin'.

At the Bellevue store, I had this same experience on my 2002 Trek 5200! It must be a marketing ploy. The bike was in nice shape. I agreed with the repair guy that the bike had many, many miles on it. And if he could find a cracked frame or something potentially dangerous about the bike, I'd reconsider. I reminded him that there were many 20yr old bikes out on the road and mine was only 5 (at the time).

Guess they make more money on the Made in Chinas than on parts and service. Like most shops, it's 'buyer beware'. Will they survive? You bet. Quite a few shops closed last year.


I took my beloved 1982 Bianchi San Remo in for a tune up a few years ago and was told by the guy behind the counter that it was old and I should upgrade to one of their newer bikes.
They used to be the best in the area but that all changed 20 years ago when they started to expand. Now it is like walking onto a used car lot.

People! There's plenty of nice neighborhood stores out there. There's no need to rag on one store. Go up the street from Gregg's to Perfect Wheels (one employee who's the owner) in Roosevelt, or to Fremont to 20/20 Cycles, or some other place like Wright Brothers that doesn't even sell bicycle, just does service on plenty of old steel bicycles.

Bottom line is once you may have to work a little harder to build that relationship with a bike shop but once you do - it's well worth it. And, yes, I have walked into shops and never gone back because of the initial impression.

This is an interesting observation. I surf and cycle and I like both surf and bike shops. Owners and staff are a different story though.

I've found the exact opposite (of Scozim's observation) to be true of surf shops where the staff (typically the owner) will act like your new best friend (even though you just met him) as you walk out the door with a new board, wetsuit, leash, and (free) wax (you're his "bro" now!). Then when you come in again to say hi and pick up some more "free" wax, you get to deal with the high school kid, and the bro' owner gives you the cold shoulder. When the wetsuit rips and you want the manufacturer to honor the warrantee, the shop owner will give you their web address (like he's helping you out) to get you in touch with them (when it's supposed to be on him to send it out for repair or replacement).

I just don't know what's worse; prima donna, narcissistic non-customer service deescribed of the bike shops in this thread, or the utterly inauthentic bro' vibe of the surf shop. They both suck. All I can say is if you know what you're looking for, then keep looking around. The thing you need out of a shop is service. Everything else can be had by mailorder, and probably for a lot less than brick and mortar retail anymore. So if the shop you're in appears to come up short on the service side, take your business down the road.

David

How does the number of posts relate to someone needing service at a store?

To the OP. What you said was troubling. I'd seriously call the store and talk with the manager.

It's not uncommon for someone to use the internet site such as BF solely to trash a business, rather than do something productive such as call the management of said business. Being that this was the OP's second posting, his rant was 50% of his contribution to this forum. 50% is a lot.

How is said bike shop going to change something that is possibly wrong if no one notifies them that there's a problem? Even bike salespeople are human. If I owned Gregg's, I'd totally ignore the internet rants and listen to the people who instead called to make a logical, level-headed complaint. The effort is about the same, and only a phone is needed.

I have shopped on and off at R+E for the past 30+ years and they remain my favorite shop. Just this past year we have purchased 2 custom singles and a tandem from them, so I guess that I should expect good service. Of the Gregg's locations, I like Bellevue the least and Alderwood the most; There's something about the "feel" of the Bellevue store that I don't like and the Alderwood people seem to be more helpful.

my tip:

Look Poorer.

I look mega-poor. Okay, maybe I am mega-poor.

but whenever I go there I get down to earth, normal-to-good customer service, and they have what I need, if not what I want.

I browse the sale floor and no one says anything to me unless I comment. I said "wow that 09 sirrus is pretty inexpensive" and they talked down about the new grip shifters... that's about it.

I know a few people that dress down to shop so they won't be bothered by sales folk, it generally works too.

It's hard to find good retail employees now because minimum wage keeps getting jacked up as fast as raises are given so every employer pays the same and nobody cares if they loose their job; the next one will pay just as much.
(Not all jobs or employees are worth or intended for "a living wage", also raising the min wage forces inflation and eats up the wage of skilled employees...end rant.)

I know a few people that dress down to shop so they won't be bothered by sales folk, it generally works too.

It's hard to find good retail employees now because minimum wage keeps getting jacked up as fast as raises are given so every employer pays the same and nobody cares if they loose their job; the next one will pay just as much.
(Not all jobs or employees are worth or intended for "a living wage", also raising the min wage forces inflation and eats up the wage of skilled employees...end rant.)

Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat?

So, someone should work 10+ hours or so a day at a job or 3, those that no one else would take, and not be able to live on it? Call it "unskilled" and be justified at paying less just so your stuff is cheaper?

:bang:

If no one will do a job(ie garbage collector) than the price goes up, it's basic supply and demand. Unless of course the money's not there to pay more for the dirty jobs because they're forced to overpay some highschool drop out, that can't even count out change correctly, for talking on their cellphone and pushing buttons on a cash register.

I guess I've had some better experiences than most at Gregg's Greenlake. I don't frequent bike shops, so I can only remember four times that I've ever been there, all within the last three years. The first time, I was looking to get my first pair of clipless pedals, and got a very well informed, helpfull person to help out. The next time, I needed to get the bottom bracket swaped from one bmx frame to another, and the shop guy was very helpfull, informing me that they didn't have any bmx bottom brackets, but he was able to recomend me a shop (revolution) that I now go to for all my bmx needs. Most recently, less than a month ago infact, I went for a cross top lever, and while they didn't have any in stock, they were able to order my size, and called me the very day they said they would have it in. Five minuetes of waiting for them to get it from the back, and I was on my way.

I've generally had very good service at my lbs (Bonney lake bicycle... of Sumner)
Most of the big stuff I buy is through my employer[REI distribution, contact center, and central bike assembly] I don't normally go by the retail stores though and thats the only way to get misc repair parts/special orders. (Online orders I can just pickup at work)

I've been an occasional customer at my Lbs since it opened some 18 years ago, the really good mechanic left sometime ago though and I do most of my own work now anyway, they may have another good one now, don really know.
Haven't been to many other shops, more of a swap meet basketcase kind of guy.

I think this only works if you are white. I get worse customer service (at many places) when I wear dickies jeans and a flannel, then when I just get off work wearing slacks and a dress shirt.


my tip:

Look Poorer.

I look mega-poor. Okay, maybe I am mega-poor.

but whenever I go there I get down to earth, normal-to-good customer service, and they have what I need, if not what I want.

I browse the sale floor and no one says anything to me unless I comment. I said "wow that 09 sirrus is pretty inexpensive" and they talked down about the new grip shifters... that's about it.

I think this only works if you are white. I get worse customer service (at many places) when I wear dickies jeans and a flannel, then when I just get off work wearing slacks and a dress shirt.

thank you for pointing out my privileged honkiness, you're right.

this probably only works if you're white and under 30.

My major beef with the Bellevue Gregg's is that they don't stock high-end bikes in smaller sizes, or at least didn't when I was looking for one. And while they carry Assos, Giordana, and Exte Ondo in men's sizes, they only have Shebeest and PI for women.

Also when my husband and I go into the shop, the salespeople tend to wait on him and ignore me.

Sammamish Valley Cycles is a good, family-owned shop, but has many of the same problems as Gregg's - high end stuff for men, not so much for women, both with respect to clothes and bikes. I had wanted to test-ride a titanium bike there, but they didn't have anything small enough. I'm not freakishly small, either; I'm 5'5", dead average for women.

So I go to Gerk's Alpine Hut. Really nice, down-to-earth, very competent guys. Even though their showroom floor is a fraction of the size of Gregg's or Sammamish Valley Cycles, they had in stock exactly the kind of bikes I was interested in and that fit me.

" if I want to "rock" I take out my Softride."
Seriously one of the funniest things I have EVER read! I just LOL'd all over the place, son!

Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat?

So, someone should work 10+ hours or so a day at a job or 3, those that no one else would take, and not be able to live on it? Call it "unskilled" and be justified at paying less just so your stuff is cheaper?

:bang:

FWIW, I agree with pretty much everything you typed. Just trying to balance things out.

I hear you guys. When ever I go into Gregg's Alderwood, they seem to think I am made of money, I talk lights they go straight to a $200 lightset (I paid $20 for my high intensity flashlight and bike mount). I went in for a helmet yesterday, and they had a gap between $40 and $100 that had about 4 helmets, it was the gap that I was planning to shop in.

If I go to the Alderwood REI I get better salespeople and spend most of my money there. Only yesterday they had a poor selection of helmets, and BN.com got my money.

I wish I lived closer to town as I miss R+E, Recycled Cycles and Free Range. Those are good shops. Gregg's has more stock, but much crummier employees.

Arrgggg...had to go into Gregg's Greenlake on my way to work again or turn around with a flat and bike up Ravenna to R+E. Haven't been to greggs since the end of Oct, early Nov but nothing's changed. The same chubby kid is still trash talking my bike to my face. I recently got a barely used 07' trek portland and of course he says that the bike is a piece of crap and that I should have gotten a Redline Conquest because that's what he has.

The same chubby kid is still trash talking my bike to my face. I recently got a barely used 07' trek portland and of course he says that the bike is a piece of crap and that I should have gotten a Redline Conquest because that's what he has.

That's disappointing if it's that blunt.

*especially* since Gregg's is a Trek dealer.

So, the chubby kid says, 'your pilot is a piece of crap, you should have gotten a Redline Conquest because that's what I have. '?

Srsly? Exactly like this?

Edit: People, this is Sunny1952's first post since November, when he started this thread, which was his second posting on BF's.

Edit: People, this is Sunny1952's first post since November, when he started this thread, which was his second posting on BF's.

Good reminder.

I hear you guys. When ever I go into Gregg's Alderwood, they seem to think I am made of money, I talk lights they go straight to a $200 lightset (I paid $20 for my high intensity flashlight and bike mount). ...
Here are some links of post by one of Gregg's sales people, boasting how selling $200 lights is real bicycle advocacy.

http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/chainguard/message/25771

http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/chainguard/message/25792

http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/chainguard/message/25798

http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/chainguard/message/25845

There are many more post by this sales guy, but they pretty much just repeat themselves, as you can see from these 4 examples.

So, the chubby kid says, 'your pilot is a piece of crap, you should have gotten a Redline Conquest because that's what I have. '?

Srsly? Exactly like this?

Edit: People, this is Sunny1952's first post since November, when he started this thread, which was his second posting on BF's.

Normally I just like to read what the more experienced have to say about what's new and good in the world of biking. I found the educational walk through with pictures, on how to make homemade studded tires particularly helpful. When I have something to say, I tell it like it IS.

Also Blossom if you're going to be stalking all my entries please get it right, it wasn't a pilot it IS a portland.

seriously? there's no boast in the considerate advocacy advice from that cycling group on Yahoo.

A dude from hawaii dissing a shop's light suggestions for riders in the Northwest? For those of us riding in the NW, there's a LOT of limited visibility days, and a lot of dim and grey riding.

And there's a lot of bicyclists running daytime visible, high powered LED arrays. Anyone who's riding in Seattle has seen riders with bright daytime flashers. you can see a rider running a high powered LED at the top of the curve on Dexter all the way back to the Wonder Bread plant. a distance of nearly a mile. and this stuff is BRIGHT.

Bonifide suggestions as to the value and utility from daytime visible running lights are pretty widespread in the Northwest. A lot of riders use them., they are VERY visible, and reduce crossing conflicts from vehicle turnouts or the potential left cross.

Gregg's selling or suggesting the Minewt X2 when a cyclist is asking about a 'see the road' light is pretty fair and evenhanded, actually. The Minewt USB at 100 bucks is not as bright and doesn't flash. A 150 lumen, flashing, compact & lightweight lighting system as an aid to both cyclists' individual safety and the emphasis bikes running lights adds to our visibility as a class of road users is nothing outrageous.

I recommend running LEDs during the day wether a bicyclist is running a 25 dollar Cateye or a high powered Minewt X2 or beyond. I would suggest either, depending on what a rider is looking for in their light array.

To those recommending REI- REI charges 210 for the same light Greggs charges 199 for.

there's no boast in sugggesting bright daytime visible LEDS as an aid to safety. John Duggan, locally esteemed bike lawyer, recommends them and has written an article about their value and utility.

Normally I just like to read what the more experienced have to say about what's new and good in the world of biking. I found the educational walk through with pictures, on how to make homemade studded tires particularly helpful. When I have something to say, I tell it like it IS.

Also Blossom if you're going to be stalking all my entries please get it right, it wasn't a pilot it IS a portland.


I stand corrected. Portland it is.

I'm not the only one stalking them; BengeBoy has done a good job of responding to them too. Now, your turn. I responded to BengeBoy's post. It's not hard to seem like you're being stalked if most of your posts are in one thread.

Finally, I should have mentioned this earlier. I've gone to Gregg's Greenlake several times in the past year, have always had excellent help, especially in the parts dept (where they sell tubes) but also with shoes. No one, of any age or gender or complexion, has ever tried to tell me that I need or should get anything. It's always been about what I am looking for and what they have or can order.

To those recommending REI- REI charges 210 for the same light Greggs charges 199 for.

I shop at both Gregg's and REI. One advantage of REI is that if you're a member you'll get an 8% or 9% rebate each year, which in general changes their prices from a little higher than others to a little lower than others. Also, I always check out the sales racks at REI, which sometimes can be pretty attractive (though the clearance racks at Gregg's also produce some good deals). Finally, the return policy at REI is basically a lifetime guarantee, and in my experience they honor it cheerfully.

... you can see a rider running a high powered LED at the top of the curve on Dexter all the way back to the Wonder Bread plant. a distance of nearly a mile. and this stuff is BRIGHT.

...they are VERY visible, and reduce crossing conflicts from vehicle turnouts or the potential left cross.
Well, if you need a $200 head light for daytime use, that can be seen a mile away to prevent "crossing conflicts from vehicle turnouts or the potential left cross"; you must be riding about 120 mph to cover that mile distance in like 30 seconds to create the conflict.:lol:

Maybe a less expensive light, that could can be seen for two blocks would suffice for those of us only capable of riding at 10-30 mph.

...and when a rider also needs a nightime see the road light, cbhi, a high powered light array with a concurrent advantage to daytime visibility is warranted. And 1 mile visibility isn't needed, it's what is noticed. The sooner a motorist notices a rider the better regardless. I suggest plenty of 25 dollar lights to consumers, and recommend they run them day or night as well. You think I'm in cahoots with the disposable battery suppliers? :rolleyes:

..unless you ride the NW and our dark, rainy days with what seems like everpresent twilight, stop dissing light suggestions from shops here in the Northwest.

Having once seen a fella wandering around the REI bike shop at the flagship store, looking for help, with a new helmet on backwards and no sales staff helping correct his fitting error, suggest there's always the potential for spotty service in most any retail establishment.

...unless you ride the NW and our dark, rainy days with what seems like everpresent twilight, stop dissing light suggestions from shops here in the Northwest.



I have to agree with Bek on this--I feel safer with a light on no matter what time of day when it's winter or fall here.

Our days are grey and overcast, and it's easy for a rider to not be spotted unless he/she is lit up like a Christmas tree.

East Hill