Review Date
April 25, 2008

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: Gabe ,  Cross Country Rider

Shop Summary:
Little shop with can do attitude.

Customer Service:
Blackmountain Bicycles refused to continue working on my MTB front wheel. According to the mechanic the wheel is done;can no longer be rescued and afterwards offered me to just buy one of their pre made cheap wheels. I kept thinking about my 9mm DT-Swiss hub so I said no thanks and took the wheel home. I went to MTBR.com and saw Mike's shop with bunch of good reviews. So I decided to bring the wheel to him. He looked at it and tried to fiddle with it on truing stand and told me he can work on it overnight. I was astound by his friendliness and knowledge about bicycles. Rarely you would see a shop like this nowadays. I'm glad that I didn't have to spend more money and that I found a shop that I can bring my bike to.

Review Date
February 20, 2008

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Customer Service Rating
 5 of 5

Technical Expertise Rating
 5 of 5

I visit this shop:
Once a month

Reviewed by: sandmangts ,  Cross Country Rider

Shop Summary:
Mike can get you anything you need. He has a small selection but his prices are suprisingly competitive. He is the best when it comes to quick fixes and parts.

Customer Service:
Absolutely the best in San Diego. Mike never tries to upsell me. He gives me honest recommendations on components based on experience. He has talked me out buying new stuff saying just fix the old stuff. He rebuilt my Reba and it is like a new fork. He showed me how I had installed my cranks wrong and took me in the back and showed me how to install them right. I have been doing business with him for a few years. No other mechanic is allowed to touch my bike. Every time I bring it to him when it comes back everything is working perfect!

Other Comments:
Mike is the greatest. I wish there was a rating higher than 5 because he blows all the other shops away.

Review Date
January 25, 2008

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: Anogar ,  Weekend Warrior

Shop Summary:
I just took my Trek 5200 into North of the Border for an overhaul and a few new parts. He had surprisingly excellent deals on the saddle / post, actually the same price as those super cheap online stores, and then he would only do as much service as I needed.

I actually literally tried to talk him into doing more than I needed (yay for ignorance on my part) and his reaction was to just explain to me what it was that I needed, what I didn't, and to give me a very reasonable deal.

Customer Service:
Friendly as they come, he was happy to walk me through what I needed and why. Awesome shop. He had great recommendations on components, and was very knowledgeable.

Other Comments:
I'll never go anywhere in the county.

Review Date
October 4, 2007

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Customer Service Rating
 5 of 5

Technical Expertise Rating
 5 of 5

I visit this shop:
Once a week

Reviewed by: Dmacnumber4 ,  Weekend Warrior

Shop Summary:
This is a great shop. I bought a KHS AM 2000 from Mike last September. Very pleased with the bike and the service at North of The Border. Very honest with what works and what doesn't. I like that. Mike hasn't sent me in the wrong direction yet on several purchases.Great atmosphere to this shop,it has that small town feel.It isn't just about the money with this shop.Mike cares about his customers.

Customer Service:
Great service,never had a problem with any repairs that have been done on my bike.You feel like your the only customer he has.No run arounds about the products or the repair sevice.

Review Date
September 18, 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: lazybeaner ,  Weekend Warrior

Shop Summary:
Tiny shop with a limited amount of items on hand. But that is fine, cause Mike is by far the best mechanic i have ever used. Do your self a favor and go in and have him repair your bike next time, you'll see why he gets all 5 stars.

Customer Service:
Mike is a great guy, and is doing an amazing job for a one man shop.

Other Comments:
I should go back and lower every other bike shop i have reviewed, Mike has raised the bar. This is the only bike shop i will take my Nomad to.