Trackstar Quality Control
06-06-07 | 02:46 PM
#51
keep it pretend
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,761
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Originally Posted by dutret
oh man I can't stop laughing at how completely devoid of originality or artistic vision you would have to be to consider this art.
It's hilariously pitiful.
It's hilariously pitiful.
that bike looked like that for all of a month before it was made into something far more street-friendly. why gripe about things you have no first-hand exposure to?
06-06-07 | 02:59 PM
#53
prolly is not probably
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,117
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From: brooklyn | NYC
Originally Posted by dutret
oh man I can't stop laughing at how completely devoid of originality or artistic vision you would have to be to consider this art.
It's hilariously pitiful.
It's hilariously pitiful.
06-06-07 | 03:00 PM
#54
keep it pretend
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,761
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by swisloc
i guess i just didn't think it was worth the time to ride my bike into manhattan to talk to them about it when i could fix them all in ten minutes at my apartment in brooklyn...anyway, the reason i didn't tell them imediately when picking up the bike is that i had to rush just to get there before they closed, and just paid the remainder on my bill and left, my mistake, i know...but still...
wait, so you're warning us that we shouldn't rush off before checking to make sure that a bike we just bought and didn't build ourselves fits us and seems tight?
or are you warning us that we should be more attentive in general when dropping 8 *whole* bills on something?
i'm so perplexed.
06-06-07 | 03:27 PM
#55
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by visitordesign
wait, so you're warning us that we shouldn't rush off before checking to make sure that a bike we just bought and didn't build ourselves fits us and seems tight?
or are you warning us that we should be more attentive in general when dropping 8 *whole* bills on something?
i'm so perplexed.
or are you warning us that we should be more attentive in general when dropping 8 *whole* bills on something?
i'm so perplexed.
a bike mechanic should assume the person buying the bike will be less aware than they are, not count on them to find the mistakes on a test ride. should i have test rode the finished bike before i left? absolutely, i realize i made a mistake, but the bottom line is that it's their responbility to check that.
i just really don't understand how the amount i paid is a factor at all.
06-06-07 | 03:57 PM
#56
****ist
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
From: Brooklyn
Bikes: nycbikes city fixed and a specialized multisport roadie
I bought my wheels at trackstar and built them myself. Patty was very nice with helping me find the correct spoke lengths and putting the spoke prep stuff on each one. They are one of the few retail shops in the city that stock Dura Ace hubs often.
Dutret is hating cause he thinks it's fun, not cause there's anything wrong with Trackstar.
Dutret is hating cause he thinks it's fun, not cause there's anything wrong with Trackstar.
06-06-07 | 04:19 PM
#57
cxmagazine dot com
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,269
Likes: 1
From: WI
Bikes: Titus road, Fort CX
Originally Posted by dutret
The real question is why didn't THEY take it for a ride or if they did why didn't THEY notice?
Really I don't understand all of this "let the business make it right before you let others know of there incompetence" BS. If a shop is sloppy a shop is sloppy...
Really I don't understand all of this "let the business make it right before you let others know of there incompetence" BS. If a shop is sloppy a shop is sloppy...
Trackstar folks are good folks from my meeting them as well as experiences relayed by friends. They have been open for some time now, and this is the first time a customer posted here about something "wrong" with their purchase from Trackstar.
If I have missed the whole "Trackstar built my bike wrong" forum, please let me know.
Also - let us know your contributions to cycling. It seems that in addition to the DQM mash-up bikes (not my thing, but who cares what is. They did this out of fun), they have sponsored a track team, helped to support local cycling as well as track events, and even held clinics at the shop.
So, what's on your resume? Angry internet guy? Wow, the collateral.
At first your approach to things here was refreshing. Now it is just Old Yeller
06-06-07 | 04:35 PM
#58
Originally Posted by pitboss
They have been open for some time now, and this is the first time a customer posted here about something "wrong" with their purchase from Trackstar.
It's pretty funny to me how the OP's rather benign post has been blown out of proportion. Basically, I took this thread to be a pretty well-intentioned head's up about Trackstar - the sort of thing you'd tell a friend who was getting a bike put together there; "Hey, they're solid folk, but they let my bike slip out the door with a badly adjusted hub - make sure you have them double check that stuff." If this thread had been about a shop in Oklahoma, there's no way it would've gone beyond a page.
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06-06-07 | 04:37 PM
#59
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 660
Likes: 0
From: away from home
Bikes: 11 track, one dualie and 3 ladies bikes.
Originally Posted by dutret
I despise the ethos of conspicuous consumption that surrounds that ****hole.
Really though this isn't about my disgust with trackstar or those associated with it but rather that I don't understand the "you can't complain till you've given them a chance to make it right" mentality of this board. If a shop does sloppy work it's good to know about it whether or not they are willing to fix their mistakes. Rational people will understand that one incident shouldn't be held against them but if every incident is suppressed there is no way to discover a trend.
Really though this isn't about my disgust with trackstar or those associated with it but rather that I don't understand the "you can't complain till you've given them a chance to make it right" mentality of this board. If a shop does sloppy work it's good to know about it whether or not they are willing to fix their mistakes. Rational people will understand that one incident shouldn't be held against them but if every incident is suppressed there is no way to discover a trend.
It takes so much hard work, and positive energy to build anything, a shop, a brand, yet it can be cut to pieces by a third parties negative energy.
Discussing companies service online has it's place, but using the forum as a customer service sounding board, THEN acting on it, is ridiculous.
I can GUARANTEE if the said customer returned their bike to Trackstar, they would have remedied any issues immediately.
06-06-07 | 04:37 PM
#60
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
From: Ottawa
Bikes: surly steamroller and a miyata one hundred
sounds like you didnt inspect the bike when you got it. its no ones fault but your and sounds like trackstar did their job.
ps. i only read the first 3 posts.
ps. i only read the first 3 posts.
06-06-07 | 04:37 PM
#61
keep it pretend
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,761
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by swisloc
i just really don't understand how the amount i paid is a factor at all.
it's alarmist and in this case, somewhat unjustified, to scream foul to us and not first to trackstar.
06-06-07 | 05:01 PM
#62
Originally Posted by visitordesign
i'm saying, if you care that you've paid a nickel for something. the onus is on you to make certain you've gotten your nickel's worth. if you haven't, do as [165] suggested and take it up with the nickel-taker and see what they say before screaming "foul."
it's alarmist and in this case, somewhat unjustified, to scream foul to us and not first to trackstar.
it's alarmist and in this case, somewhat unjustified, to scream foul to us and not first to trackstar.
If we were tight bros (which would be fun, because you seem like a great dude), and you told me that you were going to take a bike to LBS X, and I had just gotten a bike built up there which they had given back to me with a fairly significant oversight that could lead to a wrecked hub, I would relay my experience to you in much the same way that the OP did. They gave me good service, they were friendly, they were helpful, they built me a great bike that came in under my budget, etc, but one of the hubs was poorly adjusted. You would probably say thanks and then make sure to give the bike a little bit of extra scrutiny before you walked out of the shop. You wouldn't berate me for screaming foul. What's the difference here?
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06-06-07 | 05:02 PM
#63
(((Fully Awake)))
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 5,589
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From: ~Serenading with sensous soliloquies whilst singing supple sentences that are simultaneously suppling my sonnets with serenity serendipitously.~ -Serendipper
Bikes: Guerciotti Pista-Giant Carbon-Bridgestone300- Batavus Type Champion Road Bike, Specialized Hardrock Commuter, On-One The Gimp (SS Rigid MTB/hit by a truck)- Raleigh Sports 3-speed,Gatsby Scorcher, comming soon...The Penny Farthing Highwheel!
Originally Posted by Aeroplane
"Went to Wendy's, my chicken sandwich came without mayo even though I specifically asked for mayo."
I've gone to war with Wendy's over **** like that.
PLEASE get my sandwich right, is that so hard?My bikes I've learned to build myself (with help from Sopo and this place). I'm about to build my next car, too.
For sandwiches I go see a professional, and I expect the best damnit.
06-06-07 | 05:03 PM
#64
Guest
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,242
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Originally Posted by swisloc
So... as i posted in another thread, i just had a BrassKnuckle built up by Trackstar here in NYC. This was my first experience with shop and i chose them for the build for a few reasons:
1. They had the frame in stock so they were actually able to size me on it (pretty important IMO). There are a few other shops (BikeWorks, Habitat) that deal EAI, but only custom order.
2. They offered the best value for cost of build of the three (little things like an EAI cog, color matched FSA headset were included without me even asking) and kept the cost under the price i asked them to by almost 50 bucks (build came to $760 and i told them i didn't want to go over 800)
3. They were really nice when i told them i was interested in the build, actually pretty decent costomer service the whole way through.
BUT, i've been riding the bike for a week and began to notice a bunch of things that seem to be half-***ed. such as: the stem wasn't aligned exactly with the front wheel, the front hub wasn't properly adjusted (minor play in the axel), the saddle wasn't straight, the frame wasn't clean (dirt/grease scuff marks on the seat tube).
Obviously, none of these things are major, and i've since taken care of all of them myself, but this should not happen when buying any stock bike, let alone dropping 8 bills on a build (or potentially much more). I guess this is less of a query and more of a warning.
an aside: the bike rides beautifully. anyone accusing these bikes of being too stiff needs to try one out, really smooth, Retem speaks the truth.
1. They had the frame in stock so they were actually able to size me on it (pretty important IMO). There are a few other shops (BikeWorks, Habitat) that deal EAI, but only custom order.
2. They offered the best value for cost of build of the three (little things like an EAI cog, color matched FSA headset were included without me even asking) and kept the cost under the price i asked them to by almost 50 bucks (build came to $760 and i told them i didn't want to go over 800)
3. They were really nice when i told them i was interested in the build, actually pretty decent costomer service the whole way through.
BUT, i've been riding the bike for a week and began to notice a bunch of things that seem to be half-***ed. such as: the stem wasn't aligned exactly with the front wheel, the front hub wasn't properly adjusted (minor play in the axel), the saddle wasn't straight, the frame wasn't clean (dirt/grease scuff marks on the seat tube).
Obviously, none of these things are major, and i've since taken care of all of them myself, but this should not happen when buying any stock bike, let alone dropping 8 bills on a build (or potentially much more). I guess this is less of a query and more of a warning.
an aside: the bike rides beautifully. anyone accusing these bikes of being too stiff needs to try one out, really smooth, Retem speaks the truth.
Like any new bike , you ride awhile and take back for minor adjustments.
S/F,
CEYA!
06-06-07 | 05:11 PM
#65
Originally Posted by ahayter
sounds like you didnt inspect the bike when you got it. its no ones fault but your and sounds like trackstar did their job.
ps. i only read the first 3 posts.
ps. i only read the first 3 posts.
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06-06-07 | 05:21 PM
#66
Originally Posted by Ceya
Like any new bike , you ride awhile and take back for minor adjustments.
S/F,
CEYA!
S/F,
CEYA!
06-06-07 | 07:30 PM
#67
thomas masini lives
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,495
Likes: 1
From: i aint dh no mo'
Originally Posted by mcatano
"Hey, they're solid folk, but they let my bike slip out the door with a badly adjusted hub - make sure you have them double check that stuff."
though it is somewhat unclear to me if any problems besides the hub actually existed
as usual im loving the dutret
lol
anyway
awesome thread guys
keep rocking
06-06-07 | 09:14 PM
#69
Senior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
being that i have worked and managed a shop for sometime, i can see that a bike could leave the shop with a misadjusted hub, crooked stem, etc... sometimes it is very difficult to have every bike perfect when dealing with noob/jr mechs/emplyees. i would love to have the time to check every new bike and every repair that goes out the door, but i cant split in two. although, at my shop there is absolutely no way a custom build would leave mis-adjusted, but i could see a stock bike outta the box leaving with a minor problem.
but, the OP stated he noticed the problems throughout a week, a brand new properly adjusted hub can come out of adjustment in a week. id rather have a hub leave adjusted that may need re-adj in a month, than have the bearings binding! competent shops offer maintence service to new bikes, to catch this type of problem.
curious, what kind of hub is it?
but, the OP stated he noticed the problems throughout a week, a brand new properly adjusted hub can come out of adjustment in a week. id rather have a hub leave adjusted that may need re-adj in a month, than have the bearings binding! competent shops offer maintence service to new bikes, to catch this type of problem.
curious, what kind of hub is it?
06-06-07 | 09:40 PM
#70
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,891
Likes: 0
From: New York
Bikes: Makino (have the parts; not yet built), EAI Barekuckle, Unknown Japanese fixed conversion, Centurion Dave Scott Ironman road bike (frame), Secret project bike, 2007 Trek Madone 5.2, Cannondale Caad3 mountain bike
Hello group. I'm a new bike shop employee. And I make mistakes.
Sometimes people at other shops make mistakes, too. And they're not necessarily new, either.
A stem and saddle that aren't exactly straight and some grease on a seat tube aren't a big deal. The wheel is a bigger issue, especially if they built it themselves, but in my opinion none of those things are worth making a post about.
Sometimes people at other shops make mistakes, too. And they're not necessarily new, either.
A stem and saddle that aren't exactly straight and some grease on a seat tube aren't a big deal. The wheel is a bigger issue, especially if they built it themselves, but in my opinion none of those things are worth making a post about.
06-06-07 | 10:39 PM
#71
huaraches es amor
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 466
Likes: 0
From: Long Beach, CA EEUU
Bikes: n+1
It's very easy for new hubs to loosen after a weeks worth of riding.
After building a set of Suzue Discos and riding em for a few days I noticed the rear hub loosened.
It may or may have not been their fault.
Just a thought.
After building a set of Suzue Discos and riding em for a few days I noticed the rear hub loosened.
It may or may have not been their fault.
Just a thought.
06-06-07 | 10:56 PM
#72
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 160
Likes: 0
From: Brooklyn
Bikes: White IRO Angus
What is the point of bothering to argue w/ a troll from GA who has likely never even seen NYC and definitely has never been to Trackstar. The guy is just trolling as usual. Fact is, Trackstar does good work and Dutret is talking out of his ass per the norm.
A slightly off saddle and stem?! Boo hoo. That **** should be adjusted by the rider anyhow. The loose hub ... well that sucks, but **** happens and pretty hard to condem a shop simply because of one incident ... well unless you are Dutret.
A slightly off saddle and stem?! Boo hoo. That **** should be adjusted by the rider anyhow. The loose hub ... well that sucks, but **** happens and pretty hard to condem a shop simply because of one incident ... well unless you are Dutret.
