Review Date
February 6, 2009

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: maotsan ,  Weekend Warrior

Shop Summary:
Full service bike shop. They stock almost everything that I could want for my AM/Freeride needs.

Customer Service:
I have had great service from every employee of this shop. Top notch crew. Very helpful. When I was in the process of buying my last bike, I got a huge amount of shared experience and advice which I felt helped me to make the perfect choice.

Other Comments:
The shop guys all put in a lot of time maintaining and promoting the local trails and dj/bmx areas. They are excited about and dedicated to the sport. Because of this and their great service I'll never go to another shop.

Review Date
November 3, 2008

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Customer Service Rating
 5 of 5

Technical Expertise Rating
 4 of 5

I visit this shop:
Once a month

Reviewed by: Ty4515 ,  Cross Country Rider

Shop Summary:
I like how they have it set up, they are very organized........

Customer Service:
Really good you walk in the door and they ask if you need help

Other Comments:
I bought a bike from them, but i dont like the wheel sets on it i think they could of upgraded knowing what i do but they didnt so the rims craped out within 3 weeks.....now i need to spend more cash!

Review Date
September 7, 2008

Overall Rating
 2 of 5

Customer Service Rating
 2 of 5

Technical Expertise Rating
 3 of 5

I visit this shop:
Once a month

Reviewed by: david.bolden ,  Cross Country Rider

Shop Summary:
They have a well laid out shop with a variety of bikes and equipment.

Customer Service:
They give curtesy calls about requested work so you are informed as to the staus of your bike.

Other Comments:
I requested a service for my SID, got a phone call saying they could not fix my SID becasue of what was sugested as extensive scalling in on eleg. No optins were given at this time. I went in to see what the issue was. I did not feel it was as big an issue as they made it out to be. It was working fine prior to them taking it apart to begin with. I was then shown a fork on the floor as being comparable to what I had. I felt like I was being baited to by their fork. This of course would make room for them to buy a newer model. I directed mine to be fixed and I would assume all liability. Got another phone call stating three folks in the shop agreed not to fix it after I directed it to be. I went back in talked to a differant guy, and stated the same thing fix it. I get another phone call stating they could replece the lowers. I stated fine go ahead and order new lowers and fix it. After talking to multiple people and three weeks later I got my bike back. Also, they raised my seat up as I found this out wen I tried to go for a ride. I was not happy with my experience with the bike shop. I will not return nor recomend others to do so.

Review Date
August 2, 2007

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: unrooted ,  Cross Country Rider

Shop Summary:
I bought a bontrager frame from one of the mechanics working there a few years ago, one of the biggest reasons I bought it was because how great i felt the shop was. I have basically compared every shop to this on since. I had actually been to the store before I bought the frame, and talked with the mechs. I really wanted a good steel frame, and these guys were so cool I had to go back and buy it.

Review Date
April 2, 2007

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: endo32 ,  Cross Country Rider

Shop Summary:
Santiam Bicycle in Salem is a comprehensive bike shop that carries road, bmx and mountain bikes. Their major brands are Santa Cruz, Kona, Felt, Bianchi, Haro and Rocky Mountain (all great stuff). They are probably a little short in tandems and recumbents, but you are reading this on MTBR.com, so you probably could care less.

Customer Service:
These are really nice guys. They love bikes and they appear to be loyal to their customers (at least they have been with me). I have had good luck with their mechanics.

When my 7 year old son went to buy a bike, two guys spent over an hour with him, then steered him to a less expensive bike than he wanted because it was a better fit.

This is what I like best about Santiam: When you go into the store, the guys there seem to be able to tell if you are there to browse, or if you really need something. The sales are No Pressure. They respect the fact that I know a lot about bikes. This is something I find severely lacking in most shops.

Other Comments:
I have rated Santiam based only on its merits as a bike shop. In doing so, I have probably left out the most important thing about Troy and his boys. That would be their involvement in the community. They have been instrumental in area cycling efforts. Most notable is their assistance with the Blackrock Freeride Area. Of course, this is good for their business, but I get the strong feeling that they do it more for the love. What more can you ask?

I realize this review sounds like I am in love with this shop. Well...I guess I am. I have spent time in almost every shop in the Portland and Salem areas. I feel these guys are the best.