Review Date
December 11, 2006

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Customer Service Rating
 4 of 5

Technical Expertise Rating
 5 of 5

I visit this shop:
Every few months

Reviewed by: TDawg ,  Cross Country Rider

Shop Summary:
Well it has been awhile since I have visited the Yellow Jersey. I went to Madison as an undergrad from 1996 to 2000 and did a great deal of XC riding while there. The Yellow Jersey is a hole in the wall bike shop, dark, dusty and inviting. They know what they are talking about and are mostly friendly, especially if you love road bikes of the rarer order... For MTBers and "lesser" road riders I found them slightly snobish but not rude. Don't go here if you want to browse the newest gadgets and the greatest parts just hitting the market. If you need some service on your trusty steed then they will fix you up. If you want to discuss the classics, quibble over campy vs dura ace, and steal vs aluminum then this is the place for you...

Customer Service:
I will preface my remarks here with two important points. 1. I have never had them do any mechanicals on my MT or road bike. (I do these myself and strongly urge everyone to learn and do the same) 2. I have never special ordered anything from them. I feel these are important to mention because they are, in my esteem, the true measures of customer service. Any idiot can ring a cash register and recite some garbage about what part you should buy or this jersey is warmer than this one... With that said they have better customer service than most bike shops but as I stated above be prepared for a slightly snobbish viewpoint if you dont fit the stereotype roadie profile.

Other Comments:
I have lived and breathed biking in 7 states (10 different cities), two coasts, the midwest and the southwest over the past 6 years. This is a good bike shop for those that want to hang out and talk to some knowledgeable people but not for those that want the newest gadgets to drool over or those that are uninitiated to the world of the skinny tire.

Review Date
December 6, 2006

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Customer Service Rating
 4 of 5

Technical Expertise Rating
 5 of 5

I visit this shop:
Every few months

Reviewed by: merckx05 ,  Weekend Warrior

Shop Summary:
The Yellow Jersey is an old school road bike shop. What does "old school" mean? Well, for starters, the store doesn't look like the inside of a Wal-Mart, the employees don't wear uniforms, and they would actually be excited to help you build a bike that isn't straight out of a box. The best way to describe the Yellow Jersey is top notch, but with an attitude. Thus, be warned, if you're looking for a clean, shiny bike shop that looks and acts just like a suburban mega-bike shop, then this isn't your place. But if you're the uncompromising type who dares to be a little different, then this is where you want to be.

Customer Service:
Like everything at the Yellow Jersey, the customer service is top notch, but with an attitude. In some sense, it's a little like the Soup Nazi from Seinfeld. If you act like a jerk, they'll be happy to treat you like a jerk. However, if you appreciate fine bikes (the shop specializes in things like Campagnolo, Waterford, Kestrel, Bianchi, Nagasawa, track bikes, etc.) then these guys will treat you like royalty. Even if you aren't a bike aficionado, if you're friendly and polite, then you'll find that the service here is better than anywhere you've ever been. In contrast, it you're rude, impatient, or just stupid, these guys will make sure you want to shop somewhere else.

Other Comments:
Andy (the owner) is one of the most knowledgeable people in the industry. He's right up there with the legends of the bike shop world, including people like Sheldon Brown of Harris Cyclery (http://sheldonbrown.com/home.html) or Peter Chisholm of Vecchio's Bicicletteria. These guys can answer any question about any bike, and they've been around long enough to know the different between a fad and a true improvement.

If you want an awesome road bike that fits like a glove and doesn't look like your neighbor's bike, the Yellow Jersey is your place.

Review Date
October 16, 2006

Overall Rating
 1 of 5

Customer Service Rating
 1 of 5

Technical Expertise Rating
 3 of 5

I visit this shop:
Once a year

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 2 votes

Reviewed by: Ry ,  Weekend Warrior

Shop Summary:
Over priced biking store on State St.

Customer Service:
Every time I walk into this store I leave saying I won't be back. Last time I was there I blew a tire doing some urban mountain biking and was standing at the desk waiting for some equipment and two employees walked right past me to help some guys who just walked in and where wondering around.

This happens when I ride my mountain bike and my road bike.

Review Date
October 8, 2006

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: specflec ,  Racer

Shop Summary:
The shop is a classic. There is stuff hanging from the walls, the ceiling and in every corner and crack. The smell of chain oil is always in the air and the floor is worn from years of feet and bike tires. The greatest thing about it is that Andy, the owner, knows where everything is, no question. And he and his staff are more than willing to dig stuff out. That is not to say that the shop is a disorganized mess. It is not. But it is an intense experience to enter door and be greeted by bike stuff everywhere. It really is what a shop should be. I know I have entered and left shops which are that sterile, clean, totally organized/put away in their place kind of shops. I want a shop that is not afraid of a little grease and has parts for my friction shifter - and won't laugh when I tell them that's what I need. They sell and promote wool jerseys for God's sake!

Customer Service:
Andy, Tim and the rest of the staff deal with you as an intelligent human being, not insulting if you are a raw beginner or act lke fawning idiots if you have won a few races. They have seen most everything in the bike world and they impart that kind of knowledge without being pretentious or not willing to explain things. They have your bike ready when they say it will be done, they are on most repairs in the amount of time it take you to explain what you think is wrong and fix stuff right. My kind of shop.

Other Comments:
I enjoy going to the Yellow Jersey for all of the above reasons but just as importantly, for the people who run it. They are genuinely nice folks - funny, hard working, knowledgeable and impart the sense that you, as a customer, are important to them. That's why they have been in the biz for so long - and show no signs of quitting real soon.