POSITIVE experiences with cycling-related businesses

[markhr]

condor cycles - quite possibly the best bike shop in London. Only down side is that it's a VERY popular store.
http://www.condorcycles.com/

Sheldon Brown, Harris cyclery - best website, ever.
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/

Park tools repair/tools guide - so even people like me can get instruction on bike repairs and the correct tools for the job.
http://www.parktool.com/repair/

LCC and CTC - not for profit cycling groups whose actions are as well thought out and effective as their campaigns. LCC has the lead on the monthly magazine but only by half a length.
http://www.lcc.org.uk/ http://www.ctc.org.uk/

[bikesdirect_com]

Great idea for a thread. I've had excellent experiences with:



Joe Young Wheels (outstanding custom wheel builder) http://www.youngwheels.com/

.

Let me add a big vote for Joe
he is a great guy and builds really excellent wheels

mike

[mlh122]

Performance Bike Shop Portland, Or: friendly staff, not very technical though, 1 mechanic on staff who is very busy, good prices, occaisionally great prices, and staff are nice and try hard to help.

Vancouver Cyclery, Vancouver, WA: unfriendly/unresponsive staff, good luck getting help if one of them is telling a story to another, mechanics avoid any warranty issue like plague, standoffish, don't allow test rides, oh and lies lies lies (they told us Trek stopped making a purple 05 3700 (this was in 05) but they offered have us pay for it and then they'd call us when they got one in, eta 3 weeks, while Bike Gallery lbs 10 mins away had the same bike in stock and said trek hasn't stopped making them and they get more every week!)

Bike Gallery, portland or (all of them): staff is both friendly and knowledgable, they approach you if you look lost, and leave you alone if you don't want help, prices range from kinda high to pretty good. They happily help with warranty issues even if you didn't buy the bike there, i've since bought 3 bikes from them.

nashbar: kinda slow shipping in my experience, but items arrived in good shape, good prices too, no problems

pricepoint: good prices, shipping kinda slow but quality products, no problems

ebay: prices can be waaay better than anywhere else, service and product quality are very iffy depending on the seller you use. you can either get a great price on a quickly shipped awesome item. or you can wait 2 months and have to send several emails/phone calls only to get an item that is either crucially different from the description, or in much worse condition than described. Or you can just waste your time with a fraudulent seller and hope to get your money back through paypal or your credit card company.

[Machka]

mlh122, let's keep this to POSITIVE experiences with cycling-related businesses. This is not the thread to rant about negative experiences.

[markhr]

This just goes to reinforce what I new already - Condor Cycles, quite possibly the best bike shop in London.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/tech/2007...ults/london074

When Monty Young opened his new bike shop in central London just after the Second World War, rationing and national service were still in force. Britain was only just returning the factories back to the way they were before they were switched to making arms and munitions, and the capitol city of London was still strewn with bomb sites. Amid the rows of decimated houses, the idea that his new shop would evolve into one of Britain's strongest bike businesses was likely far from Young's immediate thoughts, but thankfully the economic climate since those days has changed and the business thrived.
"We are just coming up to our 60th anniversary and we are celebrating it at the Cycle Show this year," said Condor's current owner, Grant Young. "My father opened the shop in 1948 with his late brother-in-law. I've only been around in the business for 35 years. Even as a kid I remember there were only about four cycle shops in the whole of central London."
"There were a few cyclists around in the early days," continued Young, "but there was nothing like the commuting there is now-a-days. There were racing tracks at Paddington and Herne Hill so the sporting side of the business was always there but obviously it has grown over the years. The biggest growth area now is the leisure industry. In the early days the commuter had a three speed bike and wore a bowler hat."
With such a rich history, Condor naturally has become somewhat ingrained in the local culture. As such, one of the bikes on display at this year's London Cycle Show had 'Mick Jagger' printed on the top tube, but Young wanted to play down the fact that the lead singer of the Rolling Stones rode a Condor bike. "He very kindly loaned us his bike for the show. We built it for him in the seventies and it is has now been renovated. We have many, many celebrities as customers and they all enjoy cycling."
Not surprisingly, Condor's customers will see a few new things being produced for the anniversary celebrations. "Everything has been re-designed for 2008 to represent 60 years. Although we don't do a lot of frame building now in the UK, we still try to be as pro-European as we can. Everything is designed in house from the frame up and the frames are built under license from a couple of companies that we work with in Italy. We have good relationships with the factories and my production manager is out there once a week. We design our tube profiles, our frame designs, our colours, our decals and everything like that. Being a medium sized manufacturer, we can make changes to designs fairly quickly. If we get asked enough for something then we will produce it."
"We created the single-speed market about twelve years ago when no one else thought of it," continued Young: "It was really created for the London cycle couriers. Each year they asked us for something different and we changed designs and frame materials and so on. This has helped us come up with a fantastic single speed bike which has now become a cult thing. Now people are also buying single speed bikes for commuting and leisure use because it has become a trendy thing to do. We also offer customers the traditional bikes as they were made in the 60's and 70's as there is a bit of a revival there and then we are also bang up to date with the latest technology and materials."
Condor Cycles has also been heavily involved in the sport of cycling over its years and has sponsored a number of notable UK-based teams over the years. For 2008, the company will continue in that vein as the co-sponsor of the Rapha-Condor-Recycling.co.uk team. "Somewhere we have a record of many notable races have been won on our frames. Hugh Porter became world pursuit champion riding for the Condor Mackeson team in the 60's and we looked after Bradley Wiggins when he first came into the sport. This coming year is a big thing for us. We are really excited about it. The team will be to UCI standards and we will be looking to ride abroad in some big events."
To this day, Condor bicycles are still only available through extremely exclusive channels in the UK. With such a strong presence in the local market, one has to wonder why Condor hasn't expanded outwards. According to Young, "We have grown a lot in 60 years but we have always kept to a certain standard. Nearly every day someone asks why Condor doesn't open up more outlets but that's not what we are about. Believe it or not, it is not just a money making thing. It is 60 years of passion really. I would say that the bikes we build today are made to the same standards as they were fifty years ago. People think we are crazy. Some mechanics we employ think we are mad because every little detail has to be perfect before we send something out."
Nevertheless, business may still be set to boom in the near future, but not due to expansion. Condor Cycles is about to get new neighbour when the Eurostar train completes its cross channel journey at London's Kings Cross railway station next year. The newly built terminal will be a short walk away from the cycle shop in the Grays Inn Road in Clerkenwell, and it could mean that a lot of the British branded bikes might find their way to French and Belgian customers. "I only really thought of that about two weeks ago," declared Young. "We quite possibly might have an influx of new customers."

[markhr]

Powercranks - just truly GREAT customer service

http://www.powercranks.com/

[apclassic9]

I've spent over 5 years hitting up bicycle companies for free stuff for a prize table, and I have grown to like certain companies precisely because they donate and lend suppost to the MTB community:

Performancebike.com
ParkTools
Kryptonite
PyroApparel.com
Cannondale
Chris King
SierraTradingPost
Campmor

[DataJunkie]

Baileyworks.com

Excellent turnaround time and a wonderful product.

[madfiNch]

Not exactly cycling-specific, but my boyfriend and I just ordered a pair of Bern helmets from Moosejaw.
http://www.moosejaw.com/moosejaw/
His helmet was in stock, mine clearly stated that it was not in stock and would likely ship on the 16th. That was fine for me.
We placed the order and chose free shipping, which said it would take 7-12 days to get here. My boyfriend's helmet shipped on Monday and got here today (Wednesday)!! You also can get a free Bern beanie when you order a Bern helmet, which is cool. They seem to have a lot of deals going on and their website states that they do price matching.

The best part - they are hilarious! The emails, the website, even the packaging! They're just a fun website to shop on!

[Recycle]

I've received excellent customer service from these four companies.
Arkel bags http://www.arkel-od.com/index.html
Cateye lights http://cateye.com/
Saris bike racks http://www.saris.com/
Topeak bags and pumps http://www.topeak.com/2007/

[kbabin]

www.sanjuanhuts.com
www.irondonkey.com
Porcupine Shuttle Moab, UT

[oldbobcat]

NYCBikes.com was holding my order for a square-taper Italian-threaded bottom bracket for my fixie project when their internet sales person needed to take some time off. When their supplier couldn't get them the part, no one was around to advise me to change my order, so when I called to get an ETA they upgraded my crank and bottom bracket to ISIS for the same price. I love these people.

[conurejade]

Local LBS - FatCat Bicycles in Lake Worth, FL: I can't say enough good things about them. They always take the time to answer my many questions and will do whatever it takes to get the right bike for the right person.

Krieg Cycling - seat wedge bags: This is a small company that makes some really unique bags. Due to the holiday ordering rush, many of their bags show up as 'out-of-stock' on the website; but when I called, the rep went into the warehouse - found one of the bags I wanted and took my order right then. He got it shipped out immediately so I would have it in time for the arrival of my new bike .
http://www.kriegcycling.com

[HandsomeRyan]

Has anyone mentioned Aerotech Designs yet? www.aerotechdesigns.com

They manufacter basic cycling clothes. I have purchased shorts from them on 2 occasions and I am about to place another order for more shorts and a jersey. (less time laundry = more riding time)

Pros-
• Made in the USA, not sweatshops in Asia.
• High quality materials and construction. (Mine have survived several crashes and are still going strong)
• Sizes up to 5X. All people deserve to be comfortable on a bike. I respect them for making bike clothes for us well nourished folks.
• Bike shorts as low as $24 a pair! I was skeptical about the quality but it is on par with shorts costing 4x that.
• Fast shipping.
• Prompt and polite customer service.

Cons-
• Their webpage looks like it was created by a class of 3rd graders.

[StokerPoker]

Town & Country bike shop in Livonia, MI.
I've bought parts from them, but mostly misc. NOS stuff like Topeak pumps in strange neon colors (Pink, green, yellow), grunge guard deralliuer cover, Vetta front racks, used or take off grips, etc. They never complain even though I'm probably one of the hated type of customers only spending a few dollars while asking questions. I had the BB in my Trek serviced there before I had the tools to do it myself. I had the bike back the same day for less than they quoted me. they are really good people in there. I liked them so much I even sent a BF member from Ohio there when he came to buy my old Raliegh.

REI in Northville Mi.
Good service, nice people and a few of them are actually commuters. One guy was impressed with the reflective tape on my Marin when I took it in to have the rear wheel repaired and wanted to know where to get some. Once again, good turn around time on service/warranty work

[c0urt]

(lbs) coopers cycles stillwater, Ok tiny shop amazing woman
thats where i found my steel allez, and they are the ones who shipped my bikes back to me after my girlfriend and i broke up how is that for service

[conurejade]

I was just given a slightly used Giro Pneumo helmet - the only thing I needed was a new set of pads for inside. I called up Giro to find out how to purchase a set and the rep said they would send them to me for free - no questions asked. Cool!

http://www.giro.com/site/#

[MDScaper]

I have bought three bikes from Race Pace Bikes in Maryland. I have always received friendly service and the guys that work there are knowledgeable and always willing to give advice. I also buy from Nashbar and have been happy with the products and service.

[Ziemas]

Velo Orange - Extremely fast and reasonably priced international shipping.

[lisarmarshall]

Richardson Bike Mart - Richardson, TX location.

These guys got me back into cycling after I had been gone way too long (think pre-teen neighborhood strolls). They sponsor an MS150 team, offer tons of weekend rides and spin classes, and most of all -

they are letting me ride a bike that is still on lay-away, on Saturday rides. They are doing this so that when I finally have it paid off, I will be used to it and ready to take it on the Dallas - Ft. Worth MS150 in May.

Thanks RBM - especially John Sexton and Mark and Jason. And Woody. And Jeremiah too. They are all awesome.

[stevage]

St Kilda Cycles, Melbourne (australia). Spent hours helping me work out sort of bike I needed, and weren't at all fazed when I told them I was probably going to get it somewhere else. Took my crappy bike in for a $100 service, they told me it wasn't worth it, cleaned and adjusted the gears, and replaced the QR for $15. Just brilliant.

Steve

[Flying Merkel]

After 12 years of hard use, verging on abuse, my '96 Specialized Rockhopper frame started to crack at the head tube. Remebering there was a lifetime warranty, I took the bike into the local Specialized dealer, Rock 'n' Rock Road Cyclery.

Both outifts worked with me. I left with a new Hardrock frame that should work with most of my exisiting components. Putting it together this weekend.

Helps to keep the original reciept.

[Splashdown]

Ancaster Cycle in Ancaster, Ontario. Family run cycle shop that prides itself on its customer service. Shop prices are cheap, the techs work fast, and are always polite and patient. Certainly deserves the praise, these guys are awesome.

www.ancastercycle.ca

[ronfinch]

I have some carradice equipment, including an SQR block. The SQR block developed a fault so I threw almost all of it away as I was on the road and needed to repack bags etc. I emailed carradice even though it was probably out of warranty to inform them of the fault. They asked me to send the block back. I sent what I had of it left, and they sent me a replacement block free of charge. They did this entirely off their own initiative. Am glad to get a place to mention it! I have to wholeheartedly recommend carradice for their after sales care.

[Wordbiker]

Shimano USA: Had a customer purchase a bike last season, and this season the shifter appeared to be malfunctioning. Shimano sent a replacement even before receiving the other shifter, gratis.