A tale of two bike shops

[Winston]

Auk wasn't trolling. He's a good guy and friend of mine.

He is a long time customer who was simply trying to defend his favorite shop's honor.

Personally I think this thread is good feedback for both shops. I have heard other experiences that have tilted the boat the other direction. I'm sure both shops do their best to make everyone happy.

Originally Posted by 2wheel_lee

It appears that Aukmal is simply trolling...

[Chaos]

Originally Posted by allison

FWIW, I think SAR's post was well thought-out. It wasn't rude or angry or pointing fingers. Just an experience he had.

Love the bike you ride!!

perhaps it was a little too well thought out. for me the "story" was a bit on the drama queen side.. just my opinion of course. i personally didn't read through the whole original post at first cuz that was the feeling that i got. The bottom line is it seemed like a review of 2 bike shops, should have just laid out the facts without the drama IMO.


none-the-less.... sorry to hear about your bad experience with the shop... I've only had 1 really bad experience with them at it was regarding my RS Totem, but I found out that it was only because of the dude that was initially "helping" me out but overall they've earned my busine$$

-Rodel

[SAR_boats]

Originally Posted by Winston

Auk wasn't trolling. He's a good guy and friend of mine.

He is a long time customer who was simply trying to defend his favorite shop's honor.

Personally I think this thread is good feedback for both shops. I have heard other experiences that have tilted the boat the other direction. I'm sure both shops do their best to make everyone happy.

He had me until he made it personal.

As negative as my experiences were there are others who have posted their positive experiences (Rob, Dell, Dean) and I respect each of them in that they stand by the shop. But I respect them even more because they left their opinions of me as a person out of it.

I sincerely hope that the final outcome of this is positive for the shop

[Kid A]

Originally Posted by Winston

Auk wasn't trolling. He's a good guy and friend of mine..

friends don't let friends troll. J/k know Auk and others are supportors of the shop (as i am) just trying to bring some levity to post.

Originally Posted by Chaos

I've only had 1 really bad experience with them at it was regarding my RS Totem, but I found out that it was only because of the dude that was initially "helping" me out but overall they've earned my busine$$
-Rodel

think what sometimes is forgotten by customers and the business alike is that one bad experience and/or one bad individual can quickly overturn a bunch of great experiences. unfortunately what this sometime means is I know who i like dealing with at certain shops including the above and wait or comeback until they have some free time to discuss what i need fixed or want to purchase.

[SAR_boats]

Originally Posted by Chaos

perhaps it was a little too well thought out. for me the "story" was a bit on the drama queen side.. just my opinion of course. i personally didn't read through the whole original post at first cuz that was the feeling that i got. The bottom line is it seemed like a review of 2 bike shops, should have just laid out the facts without the drama IMO.

-Rodel

Just trying to tell the experience factually but also make it an interesting read.

It is ironic, however, that the shop and I seem to be in the same situation of not being able to please everyone.....

[Dino Brown]

WINSTON- Not trying to get off topic. I just want to say it was an "HONOR" to be Thanked by you in my last post.

Dave Weagle.... Ska Todd... Winston...... The Holy Trinity of Iron Horse!!!! God Bless You!

Iron Horse for life!!!

*... The previous message was a public service announcement brought to you by the good people at STR. We will now send you back to your regularly scheduled discussion......

[Kid A]

Originally Posted by Dino Brown

Dave Weagle.... Ska Todd... Winston...... The Holy Trinity of Iron Horse!!!! God Bless You!

[FONT=Arial]as noteworthy Winston is to the SoCal mtb community u r still missing the real IH OG or should i say the LG as in Lou Gehrig. you get that and you can consider yourself the "luckiest man on the face of the earth, earth, earth". Yankees on a roll babay![/FONT]

[Dino Brown]

Thanks! I see "one" person reads my posts!

[spookydave]

alright, it's getting deep in here with all the hugs and kisses.

Let me get things going the right way.

"boats" vs "auk" lol

In this corner we have SAR Boats. Weighing in at an unknow poundage and was OW3Ned buy fully. But he did return and complete it one handed.

In the other corner we have Eric aka "Auk" .
He weighs in at a buck twenty five. He rides the steeps on something far from cheep.

This could be a 6 page thread bout but we know the mods will call it in under 5.




Just kidding you fockers. lol

[Padre]

Originally Posted by SAR_boats

He had me until he made it personal.

Wait.

Earlier you stated that "i've stared death in the face and never flinched."

Now, you're saying a guy who "gets personal" on the internet does make you flinch?

So, Auk's comment was more imposing than facing death? Wow. He's pretty imposing for someone that small.


As I read your lengthy and dramatic 3rd person retelling of the saga, the first thing that came to mind was.... why all the used parts? re-using a rim?(what?)

I've had at least 10 wheelsets built at the shop in question and duely received my free post-sale re-true. One time I had a 2 month old rim rebuilt on a new hub and I was told that there would be no warranty/re-true on that used rim. Were you not told likewise?

Anecdotal clarifying questions: If I pulled a fuel pump out of a parts yard vehicle, then paid you to install it...if the fuel pump failed soon after, how many billable labor hours would you spend making it work?Would you do it for free indefinately? Should you?

[Kid A]

Originally Posted by spookydave

"boats" vs "auk" lol

In this corner we have SAR Boats. Weighing in at an unknow poundage

hope doesn't come to this and have never seen either guy throw down but if it must be, my ducks are on Chris (size over quickness?)

Originally Posted by spookydave

"But he did return and complete it one handed.

Besides it was only a flesh wound

[Winger]

Originally Posted by Padre

Anecdotal clarifying questions: If I pulled a fuel pump out of a parts yard vehicle, then paid you to install it...if the fuel pump failed soon after, how many billable labor hours would you spend making it work?Would you do it for free indefinately? Should you?

Not the same. I see where you're going with it, but you can't see the internals of a fuel pump so it is clearly a buyer beware situation. If the issue was with the hub exploding then that would be his problem.

I can't think of a car part that needs tweaking like a bike wheel. Maybe the distributor? Timing belt? I guess maybe re-upholstering the front seat might be an automotive equivalent. If the stitches stretched the first time you sat in the seat, it would seem (seam...LOL) reasonable to have the craftsman take 5 minutes to tighten the threads.

The warranty shouldn't go on indefinitely, but you should be able to take a couple laps of the Fullerton Loop before the wheel starts to wobble.

[SAR_boats]

Originally Posted by Padre

Wait.

Earlier you stated that "i've stared death in the face and never flinched."

Now, you're saying a guy who "gets personal" on the internet does make you flinch?

So, Auk's comment was more imposing than facing death? Wow. He's pretty imposing for someone that small.

No. I just found it offensive and annoying that someone who doesn't know me, and to my knowledge has never met me,is passing public judgement as to my charachter and motivations.

Originally Posted by Padre

As I read your lengthy and dramatic 3rd person retelling of the saga, the first thing that came to mind was.... why all the used parts? re-using a rim?(what)

I was over budget on the build. Why throw out usable parts?

Originally Posted by Padre

I've had at least 10 wheelsets built at the shop in question and duely received my free post-sale re-true. One time I had a 2 month old rim rebuilt on a new hub and I was told that there would be no warranty/re-true on that used rim. Were you not told likewise?

No. I wasn't told likewise beforehand, otherwise I wouldn't have an issue with this.

Originally Posted by Padre

Anecdotal clarifying questions: If I pulled a fuel pump out of a parts yard vehicle, then paid you to install it...if the fuel pump failed soon after, how many billable labor hours would you spend making it work?Would you do it for free indefinately? Should you?

Not the same. A better analogy would be: If I had just replaced the valves, rockers, tappets and lifters on an existing engine, those valves would have to seat into the head. Once they did, they would require adjustment, which is factored into the original service and is covered.

As stated, it isn't like I tore up the rims and expected them to cover it. It was simply adjusting the spoke tension since the spokes and nipples had seated.

I never asked or expected the shop to cover any damage to the rim, I wouldn't even expect that from the rims that I bought from them, since that is my responsibility.

As stated, if the rims were bad, why didn't they tell me? If the rims were bad, why are they straight now thanks to Tim at Switchback?

The only thing that I expected from the shop was to stand behind their work. I never asked or expected for warranty work. I just expected them to complete the wheel build. Just like new valves seating into an old head, the spokes and nipples have to seat in the existing rim and hub. It doesn't matter whether the rim is new or old, the spoke tension has to be re-adjusted every time. The valve adjustment would be covered, as it is what happens every time you do that job. But the shop didn't cover the rest of the wheel build.

Besides, as stated, I didn't even take the wheels off-road. I just went for a 10mi easy road ride.

[Padre]

Originally Posted by SAR_boats

I was over budget on the build. Why throw out usable parts?

Because re-using wheels is not like re-using a stem. Most shops feel pretty sketchy about this since there is almost no way to know their current integrity.

Originally Posted by SAR_boats

No. I wasn't told likewise beforehand, otherwise I wouldn't have an issue with this.

That's a bummer. In all my 6 years of experience there, I can't imagine that the service manager wouldn't have offered to at least take out the hops for you. Did that not happen?

Originally Posted by Winger

The warranty shouldn't go on indefinitely, but you should be able to take a couple laps of the Fullerton Loop before the wheel starts to wobble.

What if the rims in question sucked? What if they were ghetto rims to begin with and were built poorly by a machine. Then, were ridden hard and stripped. Building a solid wheeel a second time is almost out of the question.

[Kid A]

holy Cr@p. all these automotive analogies. I don't know sh!t about car mechanics and totally confused. how about an analogy in relation to, oh i don't know maybe something my pea brain can handle like beer drinking, eating chicken wings/fish tacos, etc,

[LBmtb]

Originally Posted by Padre

Then, were ridden hard and stripped. Building a solid wheeel a second time is almost out of the question.

Not sure about how ghetto the wheels were but I'm positive Chris wasn't riding them hard - he pretty much has one usable arm

[maxwell]

Hey guy's and gal's, this has turned into a pretty big post.

I think SAR's first post was fairly written, he didn't really slam our shop to badly, (no I don't work there, but it's like a second home to me) and he gave prop's to SB for a good experience there.

He just seemed to have a bad experience, and shared it with the folks here.
As Chicky would say, "no blood, no harm, no foul".

Auk posted his opinoin, and got a little personal, but I'm sure SAR has delt with worse, and as Chicky would say, "no blood, no harm, no foul".

SAR, I've never met you, but you seem like a stand up guy. My son and I will be at the Fully ride tomorrow, please come introduce yourself. I'm the simi-old guy riding the John Deere Stinky.

Auk's a friend of mine, and a very caring person, and just stating his feelings. I can't knock him for that.

The guys at The Path (yes I'm using the name) are a great crew (like family to me), and are growing at a crazy rapid pace. I've been around since the begining, and sometimes it's hard for me to believe how much it's grown.

Mistakes happen, that's life, what are you gonna do?

I'm sure The Path will miss having you as a customer, but on the other hand, SwitchBack will welcome you with open arms.

We are lucky to have shops like these, The Path, Adrenaline, and SwitchBack in our area.

Now, let's go ride, so we can buy MORE parts!!

PS,

Winston, you missed a pretty good "Crash" Maxwell incident. I have to have MY front wheel re-tensioned, and trued.