I want to support local business so I gave the BIke Shop threes tries to impress me with their work. They failed all three times. Here are the details of my last experience with them and why I will never go back and I hope you don't either. \r
In December of 09, I spent over $2000 on a 2010 Trek 8000 (not from The Bike Shop). The bike is AWESOME and has performed perfectly over five months of intensive trail use. About two weeks ago my chain broke which is not all that unusual of an occurrence. Having the broken chain, needing new tires, and having ridden the bike hard for over five months, I felt it was time to bring my bike in for a professional checking over. Based on another biker's recommendation of a specific mechanic, my own desire to develop loyalty with a local shop, and the convenience of the Bike Shop being 5-minutes from my home, I decided to give them yet another chance. I was sold a five dollar chain which seemed odd to me considering I have a high end bike which had a different chain. I questioned whether the chain was the correct type and was assured it was OK. I really did not want a tune up at this shop but I went against my better judgment and ended up leaving my bike there for service. A couple days later I paid $215 ($100 dollars on tires), got my bike back, and immediately headed to the trails. Almost instantly I noticed my bike shifting poorly but worse, I was experiencing major chain suck (when the chain gets stuck to front cogs and gets sucked up and wrapped between front cogs and frame of bike). The bike was simply not ridable unless I pedaled like I was going for a gentle Sunday stroll. After seeing the huge scrape the chainsuck had put into my frame I was ENRAGED. I pedaled my bike softly back to my house, loaded it into in my truck, and took it back to the shop. Trying to remain calm, I explained the WHOLE situation and asked for my money back on the tune up and chain. I was told by the mechanic that he was not authorized to give refunds. The mechanic who worked on my bike and I went outside to do some test riding. The mechanic (wearing flip flops) thought the bike was riding fine. I told him that it was a mountain bike and a gingerly ride around the parking lot wouldn't tell you anything about the bike's performance. I got on the bike and within 20 seconds got the chainsuck problem. We do this a couple more times to try and figure out the problem. The mechanic can't figure out the problem. I tell him I suspect it's the low quality five dollar chain not working properly with the higher end components of my bike. I take my bike and leave thoroughly pissed. \r
Later I went back to speak with the owner. He was friendly, courteous, and apologetic which helped keep me calm. In the end, they put the old chain back on and refunded me $30. They told me that the old chain was more worn and stretched than the new chain they put on which was their reasoning for the chain suck problem. Yet, the bike is only five months old and was working perfectly up until the chain broke. I've ridden this bike hard from day one and never had a problem with chainsuck until this shop got their hands on it. From now on, I will take my bike to a shop in Dallas or Hot Springs where I know I can get TRULY professional work done. I will now fix my own bike when possible or gladly drive out of my way to get pro work done. \r
Pros: Friendly, well stocked
Cons: poor bike mechanics, poor repair jobs
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