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Lakeside Bicycles
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.
Here are the nine top reasons our store is the best place to shop:
1. We have the right bike for you.
2. Comfort and safety are built into every bike we sell.
3. All our new bikes are assembled by professional bicycle mechanics.
4. We allow test rides, the best way to select a new machine.
5. Our experienced staff is happy to offer all the free cycling advice you need.
6. Every new bike comes with a free tune-up.
7. All our bikes are guaranteed.
8. Our bikes offer the highest quality, longest life and best resale value.
9. We carry all the best accessories to go with your new bike.
Shop Summary: I was approached in an unfriendly manner by an employee asking what I wanted. I then directed him towards the counter so I could privately ask him to kindly refund money I had put down on a bike a few months prior. He responded by stating that “we are married now, I had multiple chances to sell that bicycle and you prevented that by putting it on layaway."
I felt judged and extremely embarrassed by this comment. I stated that I was not currently in a financial position to pay the balance on the bike. He then walked to the back of the store and said he would talk to the owner. Less than 5 minutes later he returned stating that I would either have to forfeit the money I had put down on the bike or pay the balance.
About 15 minutes later, I called the store and spoke with the owner. I indicated at that time that I did not understand why I couldn't get the money back. He then responded that the money was not mine anymore and refused to give it back. I then asked if I could please be referred to some kind of written statement of the store's layaway policy. He was unable to produce any kind of formal, written layaway policy.
My third and final interaction with the store, the owner was able to produce a receipt, which stated I was not going to receive my deposit back. After all I had been through to get a simple answer to a simple question I had decided at that point it was not worth for me to ever return to a place where I felt so completely disrespected and unregarded as a customer.
Customer Service: I tell everyone I know not to go into this establishment. I've never been treated so poorly by any business. I'm amazed they stay in business with the way I was treated by one employee and the owner.
Other Comments: Do not enter this store if you want to be treated in a kind and fair manner. DO not enter this store if you value customer service and want to be treated with respect irregardless of how much you know about bicycles.
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Shop Summary: One of the few Cannondale Dealers in the Portland area which is why I went there. Upscale and a bit spendy spendy
Customer Service: Good as long as you don't have a complaint.
Other Comments: I've had work done at this shop multiple times on my Cannondale Scalpel. Usually fair to average work. Recently one of the mechanics convinced me to have him work on my magura marta hydraulic disk brakes. The brake worked reasonably well but had never been perfect (had some squishy-ness). Long story short, $40 later I had a break that stopped working within a few days of getting the bike home. When I asked for some compensation or help with the problem I had paid lakeside bicycles to create, the manager told me it was my fault for not maintenancing the break regularly before his mechanic worked on it...OK???. All I know is the brake worked before there mechanic got a hold of it and had worked for years. Now it doesn't and I'm left trying to contact magura for help with making the brake work again.
Shop Summary: I've actually been there several times over the past three years - probably 8 or 9 times. I'm a pretty high end customer so I'm not turned off by this shops "high end" attitude. I don't appreciate it, but I'm not surprised or turned off by it. But I'm sure first time buyers can be overwhelmed in this atmosphere. Definitely caters to high end customers.
This review is not of the employees, or even those that I've dealt with. In fact, several employees have been more than helpful - including the mechanic in this review. However, my short interaction with who I think is the owner made me want to take my business elsewhere, and I did.
Customer Service: Shop mechanic was helping me out with carbon assembly compound - he couldn't locate any for retail sale (high end shop with no Tacx compound for sale?), so at the suggestion of the fit specialist guy was going to give me a small bit of Tacx compound (about 3 grams worth) from his personal tub to take home in a plastic bag. Owner wasn't involved but saw mechanic putting compound in a plastic bag and asked (exclaimed!!) "What are you doing - that stuff isn't cheap!" and made the employee take the 3 grams of compound out of the bag. Owner handed mechanic some 5 gram FSA blister packs (the same ones that come with FSA seatposts), marked for individual sale at $6. Owner never spoke to me, but entire interaction with mechanic was two feet in front of me. Didn't feel like buying a non-resealable 5 gram pack for 6 bux, so I went to another bike shop, was treated with respect, and bought an 80 gram tub of Tacx compound for 15 bux (that shop had previously given me some in a plastic bag when they were out of retail tubs).
Other Comments: You do the math. Was it really worth it to make the mechanic feel stupid in front of a customer and lose a customer for $.56 (retail price!) worth of Tacx compound? I would think not, but apparently the owner thinks otherwise.
By the way, I've worked in many bike shops over the years and am a serious cyclist. Again, the mechanic, fit specialist, and others were all rather helpful, but the owner's attitude was laughable - I still can't believe he actually made the mechanic take 3 grams of compound out of the plastic bag. He didn't even acknowledge me - just went about his business. Lots of shops to choose from in PDX and I like to spread my business around town, but this experience will be my last at Lakeside.
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Shop Summary: A nice mid-sized shop that carrys a wide selection for family cycling. They have enough kids, comfort, and cruiser bikes to satisfy the general public, and carry up to mid-level MTB's; concentrating on X-country MTB's which is pretty much standard for most shops around here. If you're looking for Freeride and Downhill models this is not your shop, go to Trailhead or Fat Tire Farm instead. They shine in the road bike area carrying a wide selection of bikes with Shimano, SRAM and Campagnolo groups. For example: while River city carry's Bianchi's they don't carry the Campagnolo spec'd bikes like the 1885 Veloce while Lakeside does.
If you want A Campy spec'd bike thats not high end (i.e. Chorus or Record), this may be the only shop in the Portland area that carrys them.
Customer Service: I've no problems with their customer service. I was greeted each time I visited the shop and asked if I needed help. While not all the staff as very knowledgable they will point you to the right person if they don't know the answer.
The sales people took the time to determine my riding style, find the right bike for me, and to make sure it fit properly.
The salepeople all ride (and some race), and seemed genuinely interested in getting me on the bike I liked. A bike fit was encouraged and they were insistant that I come back with the bike for the fitting.
Like all stores, when they are busy their service will suffer somewhat.
Other Comments: I just bought a Bianchi 1885 Veloce from Lakeside. I decided on the bike after taking a few models on a test ride they suggested (as I didn't know the area well) that included smooth and rough road, as well as a short hill.
While they don't discount their bikes, they do include a bike fit with road bikes. Most other stores charge for this service. This was a full bike fit as I spent a good 1.5 to 2 hours with them while measurements where made and bike and shoes were adjusted to fit properly. When it was determined that my shoes (that I just bought from another shop) were too large, there was no pressure to buy from them. They were more than happy to let me go back to the other store and return them for the proper size.
The whole selection, purchasing, and fitting process was enjoyable and low pressure. I highly recomend this store
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