Pacific Northwest - Rant: River City Bikes --- Portland

I went into RCB because I wanted to possibly buy a Cervelo. I asked for a test ride of the bike outside and I was quickly informed that would be a no-no --- that taking the bike outside for a ride was 'against policy' and that RCB had a specially designed 'track' upstairs to test ride bikes. I went upstairs and saw the very small testing site and I told the guy that this wasn't going to work for me. I said I have no problem leaving my ID and the entire cost of the bike in cash but he still wouldn't budge. I asked him to bring out his manager and he informed me HE was the manager. I became pissed off and won't be shopping at RCB in the future.

Wow, that's some ugly service there. I can understand there are problems with theft, but seriously... no test ride even if you leave an ID and cash? Dang!

At SVC where I bought my Cross Check they don't keep them in stock, so one of the shop guys offered me his own bike to test ride.

Something is not right here.:eek: My wife and I have test rode lots of bikes at RSB out side they’re building and have never been turned down.:ride: In fact several times they said to us “take it on the bike trail down on the water front for a good test ride”.

Go directly to Lakeside Bicycles in Lake Oswego, ask for Gordon, the owner, tell him Kevin president of Portland Velo Cycling Club sent you there.

He'll take great care of you and a test ride will be no problem.

Hope that helps.


KRhea

That is really strange, I don't go there much, but I've always received above-average service there.

Can't really make any shop recommendations, as I won't be buying a Cervelo anytime soon haha.

Good luck though!

interesting
come this tuesday I am en route to Portland to spend about 6 days before my touring buddy arrives.
I'm very intrigued with the Bicycle Scope of View in Portland...

Go directly to Lakeside Bicycles in Lake Oswego...Seconded. Lake Oswego + a shop full of road bikes usually sends off my "roadie snob" alarm (I am a out of shape Clyde who tends to get ignored in higher end establishments) but Lakeside Bikes was ultra helpful, attentive, and extremely knowledgeable. Definitely check them out...

The level of quality of service I have gotten from RCB has varied somewhat, but with the exception of one salesperson trying to upsell me, the range has gone from good to exceptional. First test rides have always been on the indoor track, but there has never been any issue with a more extensive outside ride, even one on a day when the bike was going to come back in need of a good cleaning (I ended up buying that one, and they did clean it).

Better luck with the rest of your purchasing venture, at least in the Portland area you have some choices.

I have also had excellent service from RCB, they always seems more than willing to help customers. I guess they have learned about test rides the hard way over the years, maybe screening people more carefully to avoid theft. It's a fine line, there are some very crafty thieves out there, I'd be cautious too if I was in the business of high end bikes.

There is a good Cervelo shop in Eugene, maybe try them, it's a much better place for a test ride anyway.

Hate to ask a dumb question, but is there an issue with a preferred ethnicity?

Good experience with RCB's.. Test rode several. Ended up buying 2 there. They were very accomadation about replacing some of the components. They even let me change my mind after I special ordered and had a deposit on a bike. I wouldn't discount them becasue of one bad sales representative.

That's crazy that you offered to put down the cost of the bike in CASH and they still refused.