Review Date
September 14, 2009

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Customer Service Rating
 5 of 5

Technical Expertise Rating
 4 of 5

I visit this shop:
Every few months

Reviewed by: synnie ,  Cross Country Rider

Shop Summary:
This was an on line sale for dt swiss wheels so I have never been to the store but if I was near them I would most certainly patronize them/ They had the best deal on the wheels I have seen anywhere else.

Customer Service:
Cullen was the service agent I dealt whith & he responded immediatley to all emails concerning the wheels A++++ Shipping was the fastest I have seen also & great shipping cost being very low.

Other Comments:
There was an added bonus with the wheels I didn't expect, wheel bags came with them. I had previously bought a set of these wheels from some other bike store paid almost 100 dollars more. more in shipping & no bags, if I only had know. Alfred E Bikes gets thumbs up from me.

Review Date
May 29, 2009

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Customer Service Rating
 4 of 5

Technical Expertise Rating
 4 of 5

I visit this shop:
Once a month

Reviewed by: laserbeams ,  Weekend Warrior

Shop Summary:
The shop is fairly small, but well organized. Most of the accessories and parts are hung on the central dividing wall, and they seem to carry most of what one would need, though not necessarily a huge selection. I did not spend much time looking at the bikes or apparel, but had a look into the shop area, and it seemed to be well equipped.

Customer Service:
The two times I have been to this shop, I have been looking for specific items to purchase, and to have a tube replaced, so I went in with the intention to spend the money to get what I needed (under $40).

My first visit was with a flat rear tire, under half an hour from closing on a busy Saturday afternoon. (Ironically, I was on my way to the shop to buy tools and a patch kit when I got the flat.) Both times upon entering the shop I was quickly greeted and asked if I needed any assistance. I was directed promptly to the items I was looking for, though was not explicitly shown all of the brands available when I was looking for a multi-tool. This was probably personal preference on the part of the salesperson.

They offered to replace my punctured tube for the price of the tube and $7 labor (I was not too keen on trying to attempt my first patch job on the sidewalk outside the store). In about 10 or 15 minutes my tube had been replaced, and they brought the wheel out to me, sans bike. Apparently the tech who had been given the job of replacing the tube didn't see the wheel being taken off the bike, so there was a good laugh about that.

Other Comments:
As far as the sale of bike parts, accessories, and tube replacement goes, I did not have any problems. I do not know how good their advice on bike selection is, but their knowledge of accessories seemed good. Everything I have bought has been quality equipment, and they didn't complain that my bike frame apparently had some dog poop on the tire and topside of the chainstay when I brought it in to have the tube replaced. I thought it was just a bit of mud, until I tried to get it off after I left the store... Oops.

I will probably visit this shop again for similar needs. If I have any serious mechanical issues, I will probably take my bike to Breakaway, where I bought it.

My ratings reflect my personal limited experience with Alfred E Bike. I admit I was somewhat apprehensive about the store (and would prefer not to deal directly with the owner) based upon the other reviews here, but it's the only one in the area that I can easily reach by bike.

Review Date
March 16, 2009

Overall Rating
 1 of 5

Customer Service Rating
 1 of 5

Technical Expertise Rating
 2 of 5

I visit this shop:
Once a month

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: atkinsbr ,  Cross Country Rider

Shop Summary:
I simply won't shop there due to personal experience.

I bought my first MTB from this shop, had a fine experience, ended up purchasing 1.5 bikes/season for the next 5 years, and eventually had the experience listed in "customer service:"

Customer Service:
Customer service from floor and shop was fine. The owner, however presented a different face. I haven't shopped there since college when I had a bike stolen during early spring in a time of my life I was racing.
I faxed a list of components hung on the frame looking for a bid, and a follow-up call (I had to call them on a "stolen bike" announcement that likely led to a $4500 insurance sale for them) led me to a discussion with the owner who revealed the bike had rolled in a couple of days ago for the purpose of pulling the cranks. I was there in 10 minutes.
Sure enough, it was my bike, but the thief was the son of a family friend of the owner. He was simply as obstructive as he could possibly be. I never recovered the bike, and lost track of the prosecution of the bike thief. I HAD TO CALL THE POLICE, AS HE REFUSED!!!

Other Comments:
Please refer to the Customer Service section and imagine yourself in my position.

Where would you (not) shop?

I'll give the shop a "2" for tech expertise.

Review Date
February 21, 2009

Overall Rating
 1 of 5

Customer Service Rating
 1 of 5

Technical Expertise Rating
 1 of 5

I visit this shop:
Once a year

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: hrdude ,  Cross Country Rider

Shop Summary:
Beware and stay away from AEbike.com (Alfred E Bike). I recently placed an online order with this compay and cancelled within 1 day. The items were not in stock and they did not ship. However, they still charged me a 15% cancellation fee! I contacted the manager Cullen and found him unreasonable to work with. Be aware they WILL charge you wether an item is shipped or not. They also charge a hefty 15% restocking fee + shipping on returns.

Review Date
June 28, 2008

Overall Rating
 1 of 5

Customer Service Rating
 1 of 5

Technical Expertise Rating
 2 of 5

I visit this shop:
Been there once

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: mikesmithmike ,  Cross Country Rider

Shop Summary:
The shop seemed to be in decent order.

Customer Service:
The customer service was the worst I have ever had in a kalamazoo business. I will not be back.

Other Comments:

I recently had a horrible experience at a local business and I have a feeling that it has happened to many citizens of Kalamazoo and the surrounding area. It is only right that I share this experience with the community so that no one else has to be discriminated against like I was.
Friday June 6th, 2008 I stopped in at Alfred E. Bike 320 E. Michigan
Kalamazoo, MI 49007 to find out how much it would cost to get a new chain and two new tubes put on my bike. The man I spoke with was approachable, but not friendly, and he said if I brought my bike in they could probably have it done in one day. I have since found out that the man I spoke with was the owner, Doug Stevenson. I brought my bike in on Tuesday June 10th, 2008 and we discussed the cost of the repairs needed. I told him I wanted a new chain mounted and I provided him with two tubes (I had purchased elsewhere) to be put on the wheels as well. I told him I did not want to spend more than $50.00 because it was an older bike and he went from being approachable to irritating after he knew I was not going to spend a fortune on my 1995 Huffy five speed. He went on to say “I just don’t understand why people bring their old bikes in for a tune ups.” I thought it was an odd comment to make when I was about to pay him to fix my bike and I should have said never mind right then, but I left the bike with him anyway. He said that the bike should be ready to go before the weekend, which didn’t make much sense to me since he had told me before it could be done in one day.
The weekend passed without a phone call from the bike shop and finally Tuesday the 17th (a whole week after I dropped it off) I called them to see if it was done. The man I spoke with said that it was not done, but that it was next in line and should be done that day or the next. He also said he would call when it was finished. Wednesday went by, then Thursday, then the weekend. On Monday June 23rd, almost two whole weeks after I dropped off my bike, I went back to the shop to see if my bike was complete. I showed an employee my slip so he could check on my bike and when he came back he was noticeably uneasy when he told me that it was not done, but that it was “next in line”. My ears got a little red I’m sure and I admit that I was upset, but I kept my cool as I told them that I wanted my bike back because I did not feel like they appreciated my business. The owner must have heard me because he stopped what he was doing and said I’ll get it for him. I thought at this point he was going to try to salvage this broken relationship, but instead he grabs my tubes, sets them in front of me, picks up my bike, two tires, two rims (that were separated from the bike) takes it all outside and drops the bike on the concrete sidewalk. At this point I am getting more upset, but still reserved. I told him in a calm, but stern voice, “This is no way to do business and if I ever need a new bike I will not be coming here.” Without ever looking me in the eye or saying a word he tossed my tires and rims on top of my bike and walked right back into the store. There was no apology or concern for if he may have damaged my bike or the rims. I then had to lug my bike and all of the parts four or five blocks to my car all the way in disbelief of what had just happened.
I strongly believe that I was mistreated solely because I was not spending enough money for them to care. I did not see any signs that stated there was a minimum charge, but if they would have told me they could not take my bike I would have said, “OK” and taken it elsewhere. I am interested to know how many people this man and his business have disrespected and discriminated against. I would like to prevent it, if possible, from happening to other citizens of Kalamazoo and it only seems fair to let others know so that they can make a choice not to be treated unjustly.