Originally Posted by tomb
yeah, the guy who runs the place is kinda sorta ok, but can also be a dick. i have built 2 bikes, getting most things from here as i wanted to support them as a small lbs, but even after all the time and money i spent there, dave isn't really that helpful, nor friendly. even tho i'd always been cool and patient. they pretty much ruined a profile bottom bracket cup that was binding, they really didn't know what to do, nor did they really have the correct tool to get it done right. dave ended up whacking the spindle so hard it shot the bearing out the other side. I took it home and managed to reset the whole thing with a homemade press, which is exactly what i didnt want to do in the first place as the cup is aluminum. so now it just binds less and the cup is all f-d up looking.
i would never go back. i can appreciate being busy and absentminded and slow, but you could at least not be so irritable. still havent found a place i really like in the city, even after 9 years. i though bikeworks was it for a while.
-t
I have to put in my 2 cents on this place as I had a rather unpleasant experience there-- actually, the most unpleasant NYC shop experience to date.
I have a converted Schwinn traveler fix that I dearly love, and after running from shop to shop in search of a compatible stem, I went to them. They weren't busy at all that day, just me and another guy in the shop. I was also looking for a holder-bracket for my U-lock.
The guy behind the counter (young, tall, glasses) practically yawned when he saw me. He pointed me towards a couple used stems that would fit -- I really wanted a road stem but exasperated I shelled out a little bit for a MTB stem that was at least long enough for me. Then I bought some VERY overprice bar tape. I then asked him about the holders for the U locks, and he produced a large box with about 40 of them of all different sizes. He said "Look in here and you might find something you can use." Fine, great... until no more than 3 minutes later he sharply spat "You know, you can't just spend all day here going through those." JESUS-- pardon me for walking in and giving you my money-- god forbid I should leave a satisfied customer after finding something that would enable me to spend more. I left very shaken by his rudeness--- he also told me it would be hopeless finding replacement handlebars for my bike.
If you ask me, this attitude from a store that is praised (or praises ITSELF) for being amenable to those who ride bikes a little left of center is puzzling; shouldn't they be the ones who are supportive of trying to find parts for the fixed gear rider? It always bugs me when people at little stores that aren't busy treat you like **** if you ONLY spend 20 dollars-- and are friendly the whole time, as I was. I had read about Bike Works for ages on the internet and was really enthused to check it out-- only to be very disappointed.
The new Trackstar place on 1st st. and 2nd Ave. looks promising; they slapped a new track cog on my bike for not too much and the guys are nice, if a little elitist. For non track-specific stuff, Bicycle Heaven on 62nd btwn 1st/2nd is GREAT, friendly without being pushy or obsequious-- just real, nice bike guys. Toga's nice for accessories, although I can see being pressured if you came in for a bike.
The guys at Bicycle Renaissance on 80/Columbus are a mixed bunch; they do good shop work. Beware, though: their 'free' air hose is only a good thing if you have Schrader valves or an adapter on you. The ****head actually made me BUY one to use the pump yesterday-- and I was riding my bosses bike (that hadn't had air in 2 years)-- because MY bike was sitting IN THEIR SHOP.
Whew. I feel better already. I hope this helps.