Why does Bike Works NYC have the most antiquated on-line ordering system ever!?
I just talked to Dave on the phone to check on an order I placed a couple of weeks ago and he was super helpful and seemed like a really nice guy so I don't want anyone to think I'm attacking their store at all, it's just frustrating and very confusing.
If anyone on here works at Bike Works, or knows someone who works at Bike Works, tell them that their store seems great but please update their on-line ordering system so those of us around the country can enjoy it too.
[End pointless post]

ask misssmercian

It's a great shop, but it is a hole in the wall, (one reason I think it is great). If you ever get to visit, you'll understand.

I've never been there, but I just ordered some components from there to be sent to me upstate. I have spoken with two people on the phone, who both have been nice and patient with me (even when I call just to ask "did the hub come in yet?"). Seems like a cool shop. Will def slide thru to check it out when I get back home to the city.

Phone orders definitely seem to be the way to go.

Bike works was the only shop I could find that actually carried frame saver. And only the second that had even heard of it. Definitely a hole-in-the-wall type place but I think that makes it friendlier.

I went to Bike Works when it was still in the E. Village before they moved to the LES something like 8 yrs ago. When it was in the E. Village, it was sharing space w/ some other bike/pedicab related businesses and not even a hole in the wall. It's actually a step up to be in it's own place. You definitely need to take a visit cuz it's absolutely nothing like your typical LBS.

BikeWorks is ten degrees of awesome, due in no small part to the people who work there. online ordering is so 2002... ring them up on the phone!

definately a hole in the wall, but it wouldn't be bikeworks otherwise. Its just a great shop with great people. They don't stock a lot of the usual things but they do have some random great things you wouldn't expect and they'll order what they don't have for you. It FEELS like a bike shop when you step in, you know people are actually working on bikes, instead of these shops that are all pristine and clean with the shop in the back... WTF, what are they worried about? dirt? grease? its a bike, get your hands dirty.

I'll definitely be sure to check it out when I make my way out to NYC early this winter.

I'm going to guess that they let you order a product that they didn't have in stock, meaning you get to wait for a long time.

The guy at Bike Works ordered some Avid SD 2.0 brakes for me years ago, took about a week to get and he installed them for me after calling me to let me know they were in. Start to finish, I dealt just w/ that one guy. I don't even remember leaving a deposit when I ordered them.

to me that place feels like visiting your uncle's basement and your uncle is a bike expert. usually it's a real feel-good experience; sometimes it gets a little awkward when you want to buy something expensive (or replace rather than fix) and they sort of call you on the fact that it's not functionally necessary. I've never ordered online from them though...

i think Dave is working on the site and that is why you have some problems.


S/F,
CEYA!

It is like your uncle's basement, and they do talk you out of crap you don't need, and they will order anything they can. If you haven't heard of Dave's book, Bike Cult, its quite good, check it out.

When I called a few days ago some woman said that they we're really backed up.
The delay really isn't my issue, the system itself is just weird.
The website too is crazy.
It has awesome information, vintage bike gallery, etc...but there is no order to anything.
All just one giant page of information.
There has to be some NYC Biker/web designer who is up to the challenge.

he is working on that.

S/F,
CEYA!

Amazing.
I can't wait.
Those vintage chain rings are beautiful.

I WILL FOLLOW UP TOMORROW WITH DAVE, IF MISS MERCIAN DOESN'T CHIME IN.

S/F,
CEYA!

oh my god sorry to miss the fun, fellas... my 'puter has been mia
am i too late? didja get bored with the thread already?

for HyperRevue:
yes dave's working on the site
yes we get backed up sometimes
yes you probably ordered something that we had to get from somewhere else
yes we'll get it sent to you as soon as we receive it

yes we are a hole in the wall. betcha can't get enough...!

I dont think you had to get it somewhere else - just the generic straight blade fork.
When I talked to Dave he had a few in hand and was helping me decide on the right steerer tube length.
I think the order just got lost in transit. Not a big deal.
Dave was super helpful and said he would try to ship it out that day, and the next day for sure.
But yeah, seems like a great shop.