The Bike Co

Discussion in 'Bike Shop Reviews' started by LBmtb, Aug 7, 2007.

  1. CeeDubb

    CeeDubb 9.8m/sec² - It's the law

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    Hearing this stuff actually saddens me. Makes me wonder if it's even worth my time to even go to the shop. A bike shop can't be all things to all riders, so it's great for the customers and great for the sport if bike shops have a great working relationship with each other.
     
  2. Kish Me

    Kish Me DH'r in a rigid 9'rs body

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    The Bike Co. definately has a different "vibe" than most other shops. I haven't purchased much from them since I bought a SC Blur in 2003. I have no complaints about their courtesy or attitude. They do speak VERY highly of themselves and their brands, and their association with the pro's. But I can't recall any negative remarks about the other shops or brands that they don't carry. However, I wouldn't dare asking the question "How's Specialized" to any non-Specialzed dealer.

    I think a visit to the shop and a conversation with the owner is a good idea.

    Haters of Sho-Air, The Warrior's, etc. probably don't know any of the members. :?:
     
  3. dwrads

    dwrads Member

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    I don't know who or what that was all about but whoever it was doesn't speak for the RADS.

    No eating people there.

    DW
     
  4. CeeDubb

    CeeDubb 9.8m/sec² - It's the law

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    One person usually isn't representative of an entire group. It started to get amusing because in the five minute encounter with him there were four things that kept getting repeated: Rads, Brian Lopes, Hans Rey, and "eat."

    BTW. I'm currently in the market for a new bike because today I found out from him that my S-Works Epic is a total piece of junk. Any suggestions? I'm the one in the front on the red crappy bike.

    [​IMG]
     
  5. UR2KLOS

    UR2KLOS Senior Member

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    Just to keep things balanced. I took my bike to the Bike Co. 6 months ago to get the brakes worked on. 2 days ago I had a phone message from Terry the manager asking if the bike was behaving and if I needed anything.

    I don't have a regular shop and no one knows me so I can evaluate the shops evenly. The Path customer service is always somewhere between fine and excellent. The Bike Co. customer service is between fine and terrible. Terry is very nice. There is a young lady and a young guy who are nice and ask what I want. Everyone else ignores me.

    As far as the quality of the work goes, I had a bad experience at the Bike Co. 2 years ago and 6 months ago they did a fine job. At the Path they always do a fine job.

    I think the problem is that the Bike Co. gets very few casual riders and people who wander in off the street and it seems like they don't really want us.

    (I love the white tires. Were can I get them and do they come in other colors?)
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 1, 2009
  6. CeeDubb

    CeeDubb 9.8m/sec² - It's the law

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    It wasn't really my intention of making this a Bike Co. complaint. It kind of turned out that way because he decided to associate himself with them and used it as a basis to deride me, my team, my place of employment and my choice of bike.

    The elitist attitude is what really started to annoy me. I sell bikes to everyone. It doesn't matter if it's an entry level bike at $350 or a fully decked out Epic at $10K. I love it that people are riding. I know many that have just as much fun and perhaps ride their Hardrock more than others that have a more expensive bike.
     
  7. Lovin

    Lovin Calmer 'n you are

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    I've been to the shop. I haven't ever purchased anything there. I think it's because I couldn't get any questions in between the "Brian Lopes" and "Hans Reys". A friend of mine had cash in hand to get a wheelset built and we just walked out.
     
  8. Shu

    Shu Active Member

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    I bought my Heckler from Kevin when he worked there....he was a good guy...also Mike (if I remember correctly) the owner has treated me good.....everyone else in the shop I can do w/o dealing w/....they have an attitude that rubs me and other people I've sent there the wrong way....not to mention the tune up's they did on my bike were less then desirable(since Kevin left)....I take my bikes else where now....
     
  9. genusmtbkr5

    genusmtbkr5 STR Moderator

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    Those were the good days. Kevin is missed and so is Tony G. Yes it was Mike who owned the shop and also treated me well. Joe and Terry are both good guys and good mechanics. Never had a bad experience there, but there is 1 employee I don't care to deal with, in store or on the trails. The guy is just bad representative of our sport, period!
     
  10. CeeDubb

    CeeDubb 9.8m/sec² - It's the law

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    Wow. The reports keep coming in to me on this guy on various fronts. And sadly, they're all consistent in describing his character. I didn't even have to mention a name and everyone already knew exactly who he was.
     
  11. mytrustysteed

    mytrustysteed Middle...the new granny

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    This is a funny thread to me. I was a long time RnR customer and a die hard Specialized fan. I have always been treated very well at the MV store (CeeDub, Terry, Tracy, John...all great customer service!) I recently decided to change up the bike and went to an Ibis, which I bought the brand new frame from a friend of mine. I took it to the Bike Co and managed to get in a few sentences of conversation in between all the Brian Lopes this and Brian Lopes that. Granted he is an amazing rider, but come on already!!!!! My kids were even laughing at them when we left. Anyway, they built up my bike pretty well, with the exception of charging me for things they did not do (put crappy tubes in my tubeless wheels with tubeless tires and charged me $12/wheel!), had my bike for a week then ordered the parts the day before they said it would be ready etc. etc etc..(I won't go on)

    Anyway, the Ibis is an INCREDIBLE bike and wouldn't trade it for the world. I just make all my purchases at Rock and Road....sorry I ever left!
     
  12. paulbschmidt

    paulbschmidt KNEEL BEFORE ZOD

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    I've been in to Bike Co a number of times. After an early bad experience, I took the time to get to know everyone working there. Additionally the guys I ride with all utilize the shop. Now its my home shop.

    I'm very big on customer service. I think its key to not only running a successful business, but the key to keeping clientele'.

    Last week...about a month or two after Terry and the boys set up and dialed in my new Yeti 575...I got a voicemail from Terry...out of the blue....just making sure I was happy and seeing how the bike was handling. Nothing more. Just wanted to make sure I liked what I was riding and that I was content.

    Thats the kind of service that will keep me sending my rig back to them.

    Everyone has their own experiences. Most of the time, because they have unrealistic expectations. Get to know the guys (and gals) in your shops. Let them get to know you and your rig. You'll find your experiences greatly improve.

    PBS
     
  13. herzalot

    herzalot Well-Known Member

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    PBS - Terry at BikeCo also called me to check how everything was working on the Yeti 303R they built up for me. Good mechanics and good people.
     
  14. duke777

    duke777 Active Member

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    Glad everything worked out for you but what do you mean unrealistic expectations? Everyone here complain that they don't answer questions and only talk about lopes......so getting a "how's going, how can I help you" and don't want to talk about brian lopes is unrealistic expectations?:?:

    Also why do I have to know them to get good service?:?:
     
  15. AKmoney

    AKmoney Member

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    I've also been called multiple times by Terry (and sometimes Ian) asking me how everything is with my Ibis. I'm not Brian Lopes and I'm not associated with the Rads; I'm just Joe Anonymous Customer and yet they still check in on me to make sure all is well with my carbon machine. I have to admit, it's a good strategy on their part because it accomplishes two things: 1) they show concern for their customer, and 2) it sometimes gets me into their shop to spend money on stuff, whether it be on a tune-up or a Lopes Link upgrade. They must have called and left me like 5 messages over the past year reminding me that the new Lopes Link was in. I finally relented...

    It sucks to hear about this one individual who's not been terribly friendly as of late.

    That being said, I live in Tustin so for most everything that doesn't specifically involve Ibis, I usually go to The Path because it's convenient for me and because Tani himself is always approachable and helpful.
     
  16. DH_Gnar

    DH_Gnar Banned

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    Hmm... so it looks like a successful formula for any shop is to call customers to check in after a few months. Seems like shady business ethics is quickly forgotten once the phone rings.
     
  17. aztec1993

    aztec1993 New Member

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    I've never purchased anything from these guys, but did stop in at one point asking about an Ibis. Terry was very helpful and continues to follow up periodically to see if I'm still interested (good salesmanship if nothing else). I subsequently called on something else (I didn't refer to our previous contact) and Terry took an unbelievable amount of time to walk me through things (Mojo vs. Blur, etc.). It was very pro-Ibis info, but better service/salesmanship than I've seen anywhere else. All this is before the sale has been made, so who knows what happens afterwards, but I wouldn't hesitate giving him my business.

    On a side note, I always bring my bikes to the Path for service even though it's 40 minutes from my house. Without getting into too many details, my last experience with them left a lot to be desired. No issue with attitude or anything, just really sloppy work...
     
  18. RideNEtime

    RideNEtime New Member

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    I'm Joe average rider. I love the Bike Co..!! With their help I have built 7 different bikes over the last 6 or 7 years. Shop overview = in stock inventory = small, customer service = slightly above average, repair service = excellent.
    It's too bad, "CeeDubb", your trail troubles got linked to the Bike Co. shop. Maybe the guy you met is just a jerk with a bad attitude and the shop owner would thank you for sharing the story with him. Call them. If it was my business name being tarnished I would like to know. Thanks
     
  19. Waldo

    Waldo Lebowski Urban Achiever

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    Not sure you can claim "Joe Average" status if you're buying a new bike every 9-12 months!
     
  20. des

    des big kahuna

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    I first went into Bike Co. years back with some bucks in my pocket to spend. It was like a frat house and i was not one of the "boys". No one would ask if I needed help etc. I was ignored. That was the last time i went in there for years. My recent experience is with Terry. Nice guy, super friendly and knowledgeable. I went in there to take a look at a pivot and he must have spent 20 minutes with me. I have warmed a bit to Bike Co and actually spent a couple of dollars in there. I let terry know about how i used to perceive the shop and that he was doing a good job with customer service. It takes months to gain a customer and one minute to lose em.
     

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