Everysingle time I have gone in there (Richardson) it's just the same ol thing.

-Every worker is too busy to come and help you.
-Can be very expensive
-Have expensive seatposts, and the ones that have my seatpost size (27.2), it;s either 20 dollars that will break, or 129.99.
-Don't even carry a 2.35-2.7 tube.
-It takes 7+minutes trying to checkout at the front counter.
-I get lost it's so big-JK.

I find Bicycles Plus at Snider Plaza has very intelligent workers who know what they're doing, and they're very helpful. Can be busy, but they still help. Prices are pretty good. They helped tremendously when my Bruiser broke in half. (Even the Flower Mound location is helpful)

The best I have been too is Bicycles INC at Harwood in bedford:
-Decent sized area
-Lots of bikes-and have heck of some deals on a lot of bikes!
-People always come up and ask if you need help.
-Super customer service, and will call you immedietly if something is wrong and works with one fantastically.
-Needed a helmet pronto for biking last last spring, guy stayed there for the whole time finding a helmet that fit (got a big head) and one that wasn't expensive. He found one, and just took 15% off the order when at the counter on top of the sale.
-Sell lots of items on hand...EX.-Their seatpost selection is at least twice of Bike Marts.


Horay for Bikes INC

I find the RBM Dallas location to have much better customer service compared to the Richardson location. Although I usually end up at the Richardson location because their selection is better, but everytime I leave I'm allways pissed at the service, but usually buy something. Go figure.

The RBM salesmen are iffy. Once in a long while I'll get one of the older guys to help me out if I'm really interested in getting real advice. The younger guys are too involved with their egos (seems to me). The service guys at RBM are all very good and they care about their work. I have plenty of good words for them. LBS (non-chain) stores have the best sales guys, but the service can be iffy depending on the shop itself.

Speaking of LBS', Last week I had two flats. Monday evening on the way home I picked up some glass, so I used my spare. No problem I say, I'll get another one at The Bike Hub in Rowlett. WRONG!!! They are closed on Monday. Tuesday morning Ole Man Murphy strikes the second I get off the train at the West End I had a nice three mile walk to work on asteamy morning. Wife picks me up that night and off to Bike Mart we go and I get two tubes no problem.

Wednesday I notice I didnt quite get the pressure up with my Mini, as it feels like I am pulling my 9 year old daughter on rollerskates. So I go back to Bike Hub. I get there at 6:27 and they close at 6:30. Place is locked up tighter than FT Knox. Some guy comes out, after unlocking the door, and I ask If I could pick up a floor pump right quick. "nope, we are all shut down" he says. . Nice customer service!! This is the only LBS near my house and it leaves me frustrated that I would have to go to White Rock or Richardson just to get minor things for my bike. Instead of creating a loyal customer they have turned me off from them for good.

If I ever win the lottery, I am gonna set up a LBS in the Rockwall area.

Don Johle's Bike World in Garland on Broadway. Probably closer than RBM, and an LBS.

Yeah, I forgot about them. Nice small shop,though they seem more BMX oriented now. I got my first roadie from them, a Centurion Accordo way back in '89

Chris

I've had my fair share of visits to RBM only to be ignored by the sales staff, (that's both in Richardson & Dallas). I'm a commuter, riding a 25-yr-old, steel bike so I'm not going to generate much commission.

That being said, if you need wrench service, I cannot say enough about the guys at the Dallas store. They've always been super helpful, even when I'm fixing the bike myself. I've walked in there just before they close on Sunday and had them float a free tire so I could get to work the next day.

I'm also a fan of Bicycles Inc. I usually shop at the Keller store but the Bedford store is closer to my house.

If you establish a relationship with a person at said shop, your choice, the relationship should nurture future bike purchases. While I agree a shop should have a level of service to keep everyone happy (customers new and established) my best experiences have been when I do business with people i know. I still make bike purchases and get recommendations and opinions from someone I met 17 years ago in the bike business so don't have the same disappointments of others.

I have also not hesitated to express frustration when not treated as expected or anticipated as they can't fix what they don't know. Knowing and not fixing is another story...

I think I'll go to keller or bedford tomorrow and pick one up.

bad mouthing RBM?!!!!! A good mod would lock this thread! Luckily, I ain't a good mod!

And I will agree, sadly, that RBM has changed alot over the years. Used to know most of the guys there by name in the 80's and got a discount without asking. Now I feel like another face in the crowd and would get laughed at for suggesting that I deserve a break on price after shopping with them since the 70's.

I still like talking to Woody or Jack; they've never given me bad advice. Don't know that I trust anybody else there anymore.

+1 on Woody or Jack. Jack is the person I'm most likely to visit looking for vintage stuff.
That said I much prefer the Frisco RBM, small staff, friendly great service every time
I've walked in there (seems like every weekend. . .hmm might be something to that).

marty

+1 on RBM Frisco. Friendly staff and great service. I try not to go to the Richardson location for the same reason that the OP stated.

My experience with Bike Mart (Richardson location) has been mixed. The selection is the best I've seen, and it's convenient because it's only 5 miles away. The service, however, can be hit-or-miss. I'm not in the same boat as the previous poster who said he can never get service, on the contrary, I've generally had to say the usual "just looking" to browse on my own.

One day while browsing, I was in the apparel-side looking at shoes and I pick up the Shimano MT-40 just as a sales person walked over to me and flat out told me I didn't want those. First of all, I was just looking and had no intention of buying that day, and second how about asking me what my needs are (intended use, experience, budget, anything!) instead of telling me what I don't want. I have to wonder why it is on the salesfloor if they tell people out-right not to get it?

A few days later I went and bought the MT-40's for about $5 more at XL Cycles (in Plano, further away from me than RBM) and am perfectly happy with them. Sure, moutain bike shoes may look a little funny on a road bike, but I'm a bike commuter and like to have something I can walk in as well - and the RBM salesperson couldn't have known this because he didn't bother to ask (or give me a chance to offer it up).

I've personally had good experiences with their mechanics with a couple minor issues that they took care of right on the spot free of charge, so no problems there for me. Although, my brother, who bought his bike at RBM brought it in to get looked at after he dumped the bike on the drivetrain in a fall, got a little different service. When he dropped the bike off, along with taking care of some cosmetic issues, he simply asked if they could make sure the RD and shifting in general was working ok. He emphasized the fact that the chain had been rubbing the FD in a gear it really shouldn't have (not cross-chained) before the fall. No problem, they said. The next day, he called to see if it was ready (several hours after they said they would call him to tell him it was ready), and he asked the guy if the RD was working ok and everything, and instead of saying something like "yes" or "no" or "let me find out", he states "I'm sure it is" and leaves it at that. It seems to be working ok now, so that may have just been his way of saying "everything that leaves this shop is in sound mechanical condition", but it did somewhat rub the wrong way...

All-in-all, I think they are a decent shop, and no one can be perfect all the time. Sometimes, though, it doesn't hurt to explore other local stores or the internet for bike needs.

I like RBM, and I am from Fort Worth. I bought my Litespeed there, and they have serviced it while I wait anytime I need it. Also, the owner's wife stayed late to help me find the perfect pair of Sidis. Awesome people, in my opinion.

Other great shops are Mad Duck (www.madducksports.com), Bikes Inc. and Colonels in Fort Worth.

I am going to put a plug in for Blue Bonnet Bikes in Lewisville on I-35E just before 407. Helpfull staff, Ben the owner has been there for 30 years. They take bikes on trade and they sponser and participate in group rides in southern Denton County as well as being big supporters of the Texas Flyers bike club. They have a kind and courteous staff and service is a top priority.

"Don Johle's Bike World in Garland on Broadway"..."though they seem more BMX oriented now."

If you look on their website, they have some bio information on Don Johle, and that's his claim to fame, so it's not surprising if the store is oriented more towards BMX. I've bought a number of items there, and they mostly had what I needed, plus they're close to my house. They're always friendly and helpful.

With RBM-Richardson and the service, I think the big item is simply how busy they are. I was in there one time, and had 6 or 8 different people ask if they could help me. And other times, I've never had anyone ask. But I've not had trouble getting help, either, nor had long checkouts. The one time I was in the Dallas store, it seemed like I was the only non-roadie in there, and therefore a non-entity.

Bike's Inc and RBM both bug the snot out of me, but I cannot deny this: they both do wonders to support cycling. maybe not in the ways I'd prefer, but they do a lot of good. As such, I support them for a few things here and there.

If what you say is true, I'd never set foot in that store again. And I'd make sure they knew it!

I've never been in RBM. I bought my bike at Bicycles Inc in Hurst or Bedford on Harwood - I never know what city I'm in over there. Like them just fine so far and I'm in there about once a week looking for something.

I had once told myself I would never darken the door of an RBM ever again after basically being flat out insulted when looking at wheels. The problem was I had a gift certificate to redeem, Lil.

I visited the Frisco store on a recommendation from Lotek and had great service. If it were closer it would be my primary LBS. I have friends in Frisco so now every time I know I'm headed over there, I drop in.

The Richardson store is the source of my earlier woes, but to be honest it's pretty hard to stay out of there. I have found Jack to be an outstanding guy and I look for him every chance I get. My last few visits have been much better than than in previous visits, but I was left scratching my head when I was unable to get a Campy skewer a couple of weeks ago.

It's also hard to argue about their support of the local cycling community. They go all out to support just about any ride or cause that pops up. Heck, I even joined Team RBM a couple of weeks ago, and I think the thermometer in he!! dropped down to around 31 degrees for at least a minute or two.

I'm on a self limited visit count right now though. With year end closeouts on new bikes, I need to stay as far from every LBS as possible.

RBM in Richardson may be the busiest bike shop in all of dallas. Anytime I go during the week or evening I get fantastic personalized service, in fact sometimes I have to shoo them away. Heck I even tell them I have no intention of buying what I'm looking at for some time and they still hang out and answer all my questions. I think they have fantastic service and I learn a ton everyime I'm in the shop. The key is don't expect that same personal service on Saturday or Sunday which is their peak time.



Chris

"If I ever win the lottery, I am gonna set up a LBS in the Rockwall area."

There IS an LBS in the Rockwall area- Rockwall Cycling, 832 Steger Towne Dr., 972-771-8297, www.rockwallcycling.com. I haven't been there, just know they were out supporting the Jackrabbit Stampede in Forney a few weeks ago.

I've been going to RBM since the "old location" in the late '70's, so yeah, I hear ya. For a few years there I was bringing friends in and Jim sold quite a few bikes to people I sent his way. Then they went thru a really bad snobby period; many many cases like mentioned above. But honestly, I think the crew they have now is the best they've had.

True, there are plenty of other good LBS's. I hit up Plano Cycling & Fitness sometimes too, and will frequently wander into random shops if I happen to be nearby and have time to kill. But RBM is closest to me, and even though I rarely need more than a tube and some energy powder, I do like to dawdle and browse.

+ a million on "when you go" is really important. Here's a tip: Saturday at 1 pm, is not a time to get low-key, great service. Try Monday at 6, or Thursday at 3. Get the idea?

The new Rockwall shop is very cool. Not as big as some, but good folks. I've only been there a couple times, but got great service each time. If it matters to you, they mostly carry Specialized, Orbea and Felt.

I've had good luck with RBM in Richardson too. But now that you guys mention it, I usually go during off hours. Might be something to that.