Review Date
June 22, 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: YoungNastyMan ,  Downhiller

Shop Summary:
Its not huge; but when you get rid of all the rain fenders, floor pumps, and racks full of pink spandex, you don't need all that much space. They have the essentials along with some great riding gear (armor, helmets, shorts, shirts, etc) They can get the parts you need in a couple days and carry some of the things that break a lot. I couldn't find hookworms for my hardtail at 2 bikeshops but they had them at the DH Zone. You should also check out some of the bikes that are for sale or just passing through for service. You will definately start to get bike envy.

Customer Service:
Have you ever walked up to a counter and asked a technical question about dialing in your hydraulic brakes or choosing the best chain guide, and got back the deer in headlights stare or the "Let me get one of the guys in the back" reply. If you shop at a chain bicycle shop, you'll know what I'm talking about. The guys in the DownhillZone will answer your questions and will know more about what you are talking about than you do. I've been in the shop a few times to purchase something I thought I needed only to be told that I should be looking at this other part instead or that I can get it fixed without having to replace it. They saved me a buttload of money when they recommended I service my broken fork instead of ditching it. And I was ready to buy one of theirs right off the wall.

Other Comments:
Writing this review makes me want to just swing by catch up with Darren and Scott. If you want to know whats happening at Whistler or need some cool dudes to carpool and ride with, swing by and introduce yourself. These guys run a bike shop because they like to ride.

Review Date
March 18, 2007

Overall Rating
 1 of 5

Customer Service Rating
 1 of 5

Technical Expertise Rating
 5 of 5

I visit this shop:
Once a month

Reviewed by: rattpoison ,  Downhiller

Shop Summary:
ANYBODY will have a GOOD experience with any shop. I think we're smart enough to conclude that nobody opens their doors to business to pull stupid @$#% and bad attitude on people. It all comes down to policies and what happens when things don't go right. The policy I dealt with blows here.

Customer Service:
Don't get me wrong, I've had a lot of good service from these guys, but the ball was dropped. I was dealing with a compatiblity issue, and finally just ordered a whole new system for a frame. When it arrived, it did not fit. The major blow on their part was trying to convince me that band aiding the situation with spacers and shifting the entire q factor over 1cm to the left was fine. They would not take the part back or admit any wrong. I spent hundreds on the parts, and now it's a paper weight.

Other Comments:
Everybody makes mistakes, parts don't fit, it's normal in any facet of life. However, in the world of business, you NEVER band aid or shift that discrepancy to the customer. Don't assume that your customers don't know any better and that once you have cash in your hand, the problem goes away. You'll probably have a good experience with this shop, but go ahead and do yourself a favor by making sure of it by shopping at Fluid Ride.

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Review Date
February 24, 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: WaState ,  Weekend Warrior

Shop Summary:
Couldn't agree more with what people have said. While they can't afford to keep a large inventory, they can get you most anything.

Customer Service:
This is where they excel. Granted, I've spent a load of money over the years, but when someone comes in, they try and hook them up with what they need. They don't oversell or overhype, but they know what works and they try to communicate that to people.

Other Comments:
Neither Darren nor Adam are the smooth talking salesman type. They ride. They will tell you if something is junk and they'll tell you what works. There is not another shop I'd trust with my four bikes.

Review Date
October 6, 2006

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: RestlessWheels ,  Cross Country Rider

Shop Summary:
It's scary to think where I'd go for help on my stable of 4 mountain bikes if it weren't for Darren and Adam. Other shops in Seattle barely even know part names on freeride and downhill bikes, let alone how to fix them. Bellingham has the next best thing in shops, but it's 90 miles away! Plus DHZ has full respect of the industry and can get you the parts and mech you need with minimum turnaround. DHZ is also the only shop I know anywhere that will take a dead fork, like a Fox or Zoke, and turn it around in 24 hours good as new. To top it all their rates are highly competitive, they give "bro discounts" to regulars, and you know what else? When you get the bike back, it actually works right! and you don't have to take it back again.

Customer Service:
So here's a true story. I take off for vacation in Cali and am hurtling down Hell in a Bucket in Marin headlands when my DHX 5.0 (on my Intense 6.6) just goes totally flat. I try pumping it back up, nothing. Limp back to the car, call DHZ in Seattle with my tale of woe, and Darren says here's the deal. Call Fox and ask for so-and-so. Here's the number. Tell them I sent you.

So I call Fox, get so-and-so, and he says can you bring the shock in? Fox HQ are in Watsonville, just south of Santa Cruz, so it's a 55-minute drive from where I'm staying in Palo Alto. I drive down the next day, take the shock in, sit down to wait, and 20 minutes later the shock is back with full rebuild. I'm like on the floor in, um, shock. "Well, we like to do a favor for the boys at Downhill Zone when we can," the Fox guy says. "They're good people." I'm back on the Wilder Ranch trails in half an hour! Unbelievable!

So once again, the rule of the off-road is: Buy from an LBS, you may pay a little more up front but you get it back in spades on the back end, when you really need it.

Review Date
October 1, 2006

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: SkyRider ,  Weekend Warrior

Shop Summary:
There's not a better bike shop around, and I've been in them all, from Moab to Whistler to Santa Cruz to L.A. Darren and Adam can scope a problem in less time than it takes to get someone's attention at the main counter in most bike shops. For regular customers they will drop everything and get you right back on the road at no extra cost because they know the repeats are what keep them going. They'll match most prices, even the Internet dumps, and if they can't they'll tell you so and wish you luck. They deliver on promised orders and equipment, and no one sets up bikes better. So how much do I trust/like them? Last year I spent more than $10k at the Downhill Zone.

Customer Service:
They treat you like you're No. 1 as long as you return in kind.

Other Comments:
Shop local, buy local, man, shops like Downhill Zone are the only reason we get to ride something besides Trek and Specialized!