Review Date
January 14, 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

Reviewed by: Dave in Tucson ,  Cross Country Rider

Shop Summary:
The shop itself is a typical bike shop stocked with low to upper mid-range quality bikes, and has a clean and professional business appearance.

Customer Service:
Customer service is awful, I don't know how else to describe it. I brought my vintage Colnago in there for a simple shifter repair. No phone calls were made until a couple weeks later when I called them. I had to call them, they would not call me.

I was lied to about Campy parts that were not "in stock" to repair the shifter. I know this because I followed up and found that such parts cannot be purchased seperately. I was lied to about rust that on the frame where there was none. Almost 5-weeks later I called them to find out that I can pick up my bike. 5-weeks for a shifter repair? I find that a little excessive.

When I went to pick up the bike, the rear brake cable was jury-rigged with electrical tie straps instead of running it through the top tube where a Teflon guide connects front and rear access holes. The paint was scrapped away all around the rear access point and a hole was punched through the top of the frame and through the Teflon guide. The mechanic did not realize the cable needed to be pulled through the frame instead of pushed, and he did irreparable damage to the frame as a result. Again, no phone calls, just a ruined frame when I returned.

Other Comments:
I wrote a letter to the store owner describing what had happened. I backed it up with pictures that clearly illustrated the damage that was done. The response was a he-said she-said phone conversation despite documented proof of what the mechanic did. The owner offered to touch up the paint saying he was taking full responsibility for what had happened.

The mechanic lied to the owner just like he lied to me. I'm sure he will continue to lie to everyone else to disguise his incompetence. The owner sleeps well at night thinking that he takes responsibility by calling his customers a bunch of liars. I'm sorry Mr. store owner, life doesn't work that way.

Review Date
September 22, 2006

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Customer Service Rating
 5 of 5

Technical Expertise Rating
 5 of 5

I visit this shop:
Once a month

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: wurensh ,  Cross Country Rider

Shop Summary:
This northern-most shop in the Tucson area is extremely close to Catalina State Park and the 50-Year Trail, not to mention the closest shop to the 24 Hours in teh Old Pueblo venue. Well stocked, and supports a variety of riding styles from road to Mtb, entry-level to all-out high dollar. If they don't have it, they can get it. Always clean and friendly. Even though I primary use hte Oracle/Rancho Visto shop, their satellite on Ina/Shannon has provided similar experience.

Customer Service:
They're great. They make a point of coming up to you when you walk in the door... even if that means that Chris or Frank comes out from working on a bike in the back. I also lead the near-by school Mtb Club (Which OVB sponsors/supports - see below), and I speak with *several* kids who go in to purchase bikes - they all have come back with glowing comments - 100%. They'll take the time to fit a bike properly. Repairs are spot-on... I've never had to return a bike for follow-up. Bottom line - they work to gain a customer - not to just make a sale.

Other Comments:
Probably the best thing I can say about Paul, and all the others at OVB is that they are extremely supportive of our school club - the assistance they give me and the kids is first rate - whether it's Chris and Melissa coming out to spend a few hours running safety checks at some of our events to working with the kids in outfitting them with bikes and equipment or working with me to keep the school club outfitted with bikes, tools, equipment - etc... They've been instrumental in helping to foster a love of bikes for the next generation. The grade? A+ in my book... Thanks!