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Bike Haven
Thinking of buying a new bicycle? One of your first choices, and not necessarily an easy one, will be where to shop. It can be a challenge because there are a myriad of stores that carry two-wheelers, from specialty retailers, to giant department stores, to backyard garage operations.
Where you buy, however, has everything to do with what you get. You see, bicycles aren't like toasters or suitcases. Bikes are shipped in boxes and they must be assembled and tuned. There are many types, too, and you should never buy until you've figured out which is right for you. Measurements and adjustments are required to ensure the frame is the correct size and that the seat and handlebars are properly positioned. And, every new bicycle will need a minor tune-up after several weeks of use.
What's more, modern road and mountain bikes can travel at high speeds and carry you over demanding terrain where the machine's materials and construction get tested. A quality two-wheeler, carefully assembled and fit to you, will be the safest, most durable and fun bicycle to ride.
For these reasons, we strongly recommend shopping at a good specialty bicycle store in our area. For instance, we hire competent salespeople and expert mechanics who'll ensure that you get the right bike and a quality machine. Look for a store that is clean, has helpful personnel, offers a good selection, and an on-site repair department.
Shop Summary: Small but they really take advantage of every square foot. They currently have Giant, Haro, Masi, Kona and Electra bikes in stock. They also deal in Serotta and Santa Cruz.
Customer Service: Knowledgeable and not looking for the quick sale. I went in there looking for a new bike ready to drop a hefty sum of money. To be honest I probably would have walked out with the first bike I took for a test ride. The staff they assessed my needs and what I was going to use the bike for and then they sized me up. They then did something that totally shocked me. They had me ride a bike that turned out to be exactly what I was looking for and 500 less then I had budgeted. I couldn't be happier with the bike. As far as I am concerned I have a LBS for life.
Other Comments: One of the things that has stayed with me is the emphasis that the staff puts on frame sizing. They had me ride several bikes of different frame size to ensure that it was sized properly. They spent a lot of time working with me and provided me with an education that other shops never did. At no time did I feel as if they were talking down to me. They are very passionate about cycling and promoting cycling in the community. They are also quick to suggest places in the area to ride either on road or off.
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Shop Summary: It's an averaged sized bike shop in an affluent town. Can't compete with Super large Specialty Shops, but that's not the market they're targeting. They target the 'elite' rider looking for brands you cannot get elsewhere. If you can get the brand at another LBS, then Garrett won't carry it. Some may look at it as a specialty niche, but I view it as anti-competitive pricing.
Shop personnel are quite knowlegeable, and friendly and truly love to ride.
Customer Service: I went there for shop service to get my road bike tuned since I was looking for a LBS I may start a relationship with (I bought my road bike at a specialty superstore 75 miles away). The service on my bike was very good, but I agree with the reviews posted that they nickel and dime you to death. I'm paying for a luxury tune up + chain + cassette on my bike ($270+), the least they can do is not tack on such minor nuances (30 cents here, 1 dollar there, etc)..and then charge extra labor for what other bike shops "include" in a tune up! I asked about this, and the owner made no attempt to discount this. Unfortunately, I do not want to start a relationship with a LBS like this...too bad cause I'm in the market for a Dual suspension MTB right now...their loss.
Other Comments: BTW - I did goto this shop FIRST when I was road bike shopping 2 years ago, but the knowledgable sales rep was nickel and diming me on a leftover Bianchi offering me "cost", but not taking into account depreciation on a 2 year bike. I guess they think they can get away with this stuff in an affluent neighborhood.......NOT!
Customer Service guys!!! Elitist pricing on specialty unique brands does not a good bike shop make...
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Shop Summary: It is a smallish bike shop, but pretty well stocked with high end bikes. It is Fair Haven, what do you expect? One of the things I can note is that I have never seen anyone else in the shop, ever, other than a few employees
Customer Service: I do my own service, so I can't comment on their quality of repairs, et. al. I will say that their prices on components are very competitive with much of what I find online. And they are a place I can go to instead of waiting for shipping. Yes, I was encouraged to get the cassette with the chain, and didn't, but in the end it needed it anyway, and got a new one at a reasonable price. I find the guys there are friendly, listen, and won't sell you anything you don't want. Best for me is it is riding distance from the house, because there are few competitors nearby. (which is a bad thing)
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Shop Summary: The shop does not strike you as impressive when you first walk in...it seems average. Definitely clean and easy to navigate through the different sections of the shop. Quite a few bikes on the floor. Mostly Giant, Kona and Scott mountain bikes. Hardtails, XC full suspension, all mountain bikes, etc... If you like your gear and accessories there is not too much of an offering here.
Customer Service: I was extremely happy with the Customer Service from the staff. I first was greeted by a roadie who was not real astute with off road biking, however; eventually worked with Garrett who was the lead mechanic and an AVID mountain biker. They definitely spent alot of time with me as I made the decision to make the leap from hardtail to full suspension. We discussed the diffences in the bike stlyes, capabilities and even how they perform in different spots on local trails we were both familiar with.
They made sure I found the optimal frame size and provided opinion, experience and specs to me as I tested several models in the parking lot out back.
They spent quite a bit of time making the right adjustments to the bike to ensure everything was to my liking, pedals, rear shock, saddle height and angle, etc... No rushing me out to get to the next customer.
Other Comments: One thing I definitely appreciated is that they did not push me into a higher price range. They were willing to order anything not on the floor and not looking for the quick sale.
I eventually purchased a 07 holdover at a reduced price and they did not try and get me into the considerably higher priced 08 version of the model I liked.
Overall rating of 4 due to the shop not having as large a selection of gear.
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Shop Summary: Sells High end road bikes, Scott, Kona, Bianchi, and is an authorized Serotta dealer (whoo hoo). Oh yea and for those Yuppies in training Kettler trikes.
Customer Service: The shop is useless to anybody other than their core road riders. The owner is a self riteous, snobish roadie who thinks hes a serious rider because he rides and sells Serotta bikes, when in fact he is laughed at by any serious rider who has been on a ride with him. If you feel like being treated in a condescending manner by someone who is full of themselves, and caters to rich snobs go see Cliff at BikeHaven. If you feel like getting a good deal go elsewhere. The shop charges for bottle racks, Kickstands, and installation costs even on new bikes.
Other Comments: The labor and tuneup prices are a joke, and god help you if you want to replace a chain, the staff will go to any lengths to sell you a cassette with your chain even if you dont need one. Their base level tuneup does not include servicing the chain, and it even costs 15 dollars more than their comptetitors who do better work. If you want to have your drivetrain degreased it will cost you an additional 64 dollars to pay for the "Privelage" of having your parts cleaned in their ultrasonic degreaser. This is a convenience for them, not you, the same results can be achieved with a little degreaser and a rag.
Basically go to this store if you feel like being treated like scum, and swindled out of your money.
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