Review Date
May 26, 2008

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Customer Service Rating
 2 of 5

Technical Expertise Rating
 4 of 5

I visit this shop:
Once a month

Visitors rate this review
1.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: spgracing ,  Cross Country Rider

Shop Summary:
The Pelham location is very convenient being open on Sundays. They have great employees although if you are not up to their usual customer standards (finance, fitness…) they tend to shy away from helping you. The service tech are the only reason I go there, they know bikes and are very helpful with whatever you need. They have a couple of good sales person that really are there to help you. The customer service there is average, but it comes with a price. I shopped for 3 weeks for a new bike at several different dealers, after several unsatisfied dealings with Cahaba Cycles I broke down and bought a bike from there because they were the only people that had the bike I wanted. After I spent over $3500 on a new bike, I noticed some less expensive bikes come stock with clipless pedals and asked if I could get a set with mine. And the owner told me no unless I wanted to buy them for $50. After some persistent questioning/negotiating, I ask if it is not worth $50 less profit (which would actually be less because that’s the retail price) for them to make me a happy loyal customer? I was told by the owner that it is her job to ensure the store is profitable and that's the most important thing to her. It not to say that they are a bad shop but their top priority is profit over customer satisfaction.questioning/negotiating and ask is it not worth $50 less profit for them to make me a happy loyal customer? I was told by the owner that it is her job to ensure the store profitable and that's the most important thing to her. In conclusion it not to say that they are a bad shop but their top priority is profit over customer satisfaction.

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Review Date
April 6, 2008

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Customer Service Rating
 5 of 5

Technical Expertise Rating
 4 of 5

I visit this shop:
Every few months

Reviewed by: pakdoc ,  Weekend Warrior

Shop Summary:
OK, there are three different stores now, one in Cahaba Heights (best), the one at Oak Mnt. open on Sundays (good) and a new one in Trussville which I haven't visited yet so this review doesn't include them.
Currently they sale Trek and their associated house brand bikes and stuff (Fisher, Bontrager etc). They also sell some Titus bikes but not for much longer. They use to sell Cannondale and still may but haven't noticed last time I visited.
I have gotten some last minute specialty stuff from the Cahaba Ht's store such as an Avid Hydraulic service kit and a metal Mavic CrossMax spoke wrench just minutes on a Sat before closing that saved Sundays ride. Thanks. They have adjusted my front derailleur for no charge on a new compact crankset they didn't sell me while I was out on a ride.
So, I give the Cahaba Ht's store a 5 out of 5 as my experience has always been good and the mechanics can handle everything I have thrown at them over the years. Occasionally, there might be a new guy or girl helping out greeting customers but they know enough to go ask someone for help if needed.
The Oak Mountain store is great because they are the only bike store in Bham open on Sunday! I had to run out and pick up a Chris King headset one Sunday to build up a new Modena and they have helped with rebuilding some bearings on my Blur one day before the Bump and Grind race(although they weren't pressed in correctly)....unfortunately they didn't keep a ProPack in stock....they quit carrying Santa Cruz bikes due to custom order problems....but I digress. They have rebuilt an XT hub while I waited...so that went well. One of their mechanics even came out to my truck and helped me install a bottom bracket for the first time on a new frame I bought elsewhere as at the time I didn't know they carried Santa Cruz.
Well, the final word is, they are good shops, Ian at the Cahaba Ht's shop makes it the best, he just gets the job done and goes out of his way to make sure you don't miss a ride. I am sure everyone else there would do the same.
Only problem, limited brands....they would be smart to start carrying Santa Cruz bikes again as well as all their Trek house brands but they have just about become a Trek house brand concept store only. Too bad. It is nice to be a rare Santa Cruz rider in the area though!

Customer Service:
So, customer service is great, mechanical tech at Oak Mnt brings them down to a 4 and overall is a 4 cause you pretty much have to buy a Trek/and company bike right now as they may not stick with other brands. Hope that changes.

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Review Date
March 2, 2008

Overall Rating
 1 of 5

Customer Service Rating
 1 of 5

Technical Expertise Rating
 1 of 5

I visit this shop:
Been there once

Visitors rate this review
1.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: 07 Prophet ,  Weekend Warrior

Shop Summary:
Cannondale Dealer HA - what a laugh! They stock no parts and absolutely will not work on a Lefty. If you want a Trek or Gary Fisher this may be the shop for you. I would guess 100 +- bikes in the showroom. Majority Trek's, 1/3 were Gary Fisher, another brand I had not heard of an only 3 bottom end C'Dale's.

Customer Service:
The first sales person I spoke with did not know what a Lefty was and did not know if they had any C'Dale's in stock. Off to a good start, eh? The next person at least knew what a Lefty was and at least went to ask the mechanic if they worked on Leftys or if they had a deal kit. The answer took nearly 30 minutes to obtian.This is when I found out that under no circumstances would they open up a Lefty and thus they see no reason to stock any seal kits.

Other Comments:
This store might be just a bit better than Dicks'. There was nothing during my first visit that has left me with any desire to go back.

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Review Date
September 16, 2007

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Customer Service Rating
 5 of 5

Technical Expertise Rating
 5 of 5

I visit this shop:
Been there once

Reviewed by: AllOver ,  Downhiller

Shop Summary:
I reserved a rental bike about a month in advance only to learn that they were going to be closed on the day I reserved the bike for. The owner actually came and met me at the shop so I could get the rental bike. The bike worked great with no mechanical faults. All the employees at the shop were nice and the store had a nice selection of bikes and parts.

Review Date
February 13, 2007

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Customer Service Rating
 5 of 5

Technical Expertise Rating
 5 of 5

I visit this shop:
Every few months

Reviewed by: corb ,  Cross Country Rider

Shop Summary:
Huge inventory of the more well-known brands, a selection of the lesser known brands too. Three good locations, with one open on Sunday. Sales folks work with you to get a good deal

Customer Service:
Excellent. The silver service plan is worth every penny. Staff is knowledgeable and courteous.

Other Comments:
I bought my C'dale from these guys and they gave me a great deal.