Originally Posted by
tFUnK
I wanted to swap a new fork with a longer steerer onto my bike. I needed a crown race replacement, cut steerer, star nut install, and some extra spacers to take up the taller steerer on the new fork. I told them that I just wanted these things done; the guy at Cycle Pro acted like I didn't know what I was talking about and insisted that I leave the whole bike instead of just the forks, and wanted to charge me for a fork changeover for $35. I didn't really need the whole changeover but I didn't mind paying a few bucks extra if it meant my bike would be ready the next day. They said the bike will be ready within 24 hours so I left. I called back the next day and they said the bike was ready but they did not put in the star nut when I got there. They then went back and put in the star nut but my bike was still not rideable as they did not have enough spacers and told me to go to performance. Maybe I didn't communicate my needs clearly, maybe they didn't do anything "wrong", but I found them largely unhelpful and unattentive to my needs, and I likely would not go back unless I double-flat near their shop or something.
The problem with small bike shops is that the mechanic portion of the business has to put a priority to their work. New bike customers are attended to first. Then comes emergencies. Then everything else. The more complex stuff requires a bit more thought and concentration and the mechanic cannot be distracted. Sometimes a 24 hour turn around cannot be met.