As you guys know, I am over weight and I ride an ebike.
I was at a bike shop in the SE this morning. While the manager was looking up a few things for me, I was chatting with one of the bike mechanics.
He was looking at my ebike, and mentioned that they dont do electronics repairs. I was cheerful and mentione that I had a flat tire and wanted to inquire about a wheel build with the heaviest spokes they can source.
He mentioned that my ebike frame was a strange looking frame. I mentioned that it was a Schwinn but it was probably a Currie Bike from the USA. When I said that it was with a bit of a question in my voice....
He goes " I don't know anything about ebikes, I prefer to pedal my bikes " in a tone that was very condescending.
Geez guys! I used to own a harley davidson, and I never received that kind of attitude about my bike or my weight.
Can't we all be friends?
Power in Motion
Submitted by baileysmith6 on
The Power in Motion guys in the Au Claire mall (2 st x 3 av sw ) are very helpful with ebikes.
And yet...
Submitted by scwood on
When I was in their shop to buy a front rack for my Tikit, the salesperson made some negative comments about the Tikit as a product (which they do carry in the shop). I prefer to think that maybe the guy just didn't really "get" folding bikes, rather than any genuine 'tude, but it's still a lousy strategy for making a sale.
Don't go back
Submitted by pinkrobe on
I'd find another shop. There's no sense in giving money to people who give you attitude.
Write a letter
Submitted by PedalFaster on
to the manager describing your treatment and indicate that you will be taking your business elsewhere, and don't come back no matter what they offer you. Lost business is lost business. Money talks and if that store is losing customers because of the attitude of an employee I bet they will deal with it promptly. I don't imagine bike shops are so swamped with business that they can afford to dis customers who can bring them hundreds of dollars in maintenance and specialty wheel building.
I'll put a plug in for Tuxedo Sports as somewhere to get good service and helpful advice. The guys at the shop there just like to work on bikes and don't turn me down for anything even if it is a 50 cent part or a $200 wheel.
Do you guys mind...
Submitted by tyler883 on
if I print this page out? and bring it to him.
We are not all the same
Submitted by BowCycle on
Tyler,
Sorry to hear about how you were treated. We, at Bow Cycle, have worked on many electric assist bikes and the occasional scooter. If we are not out of the way, or if you have not gotten help elsewhere, drop on by.
Bob
Good service has been my experience
Submitted by calgarygirl on
w Bow Cycle (the service dept. didn't even make fun of me when I took in my 'obviously trashed by bad decision-making' repair). Just treated me with respect and fixed what was needed. It would be worthwhile to look into this a bit more before 'painting' any bike shop with a brush...
start each day with a clean slate
another ebike plug
Submitted by ride on
Last week I met a guy who lives in Bowness and has an electric trike (I'll post pics). When I asked him where he got it, he said it came from Ontario, but "Bow Cycle helped me quite a bit with it". Just a little unprompted compliment there.
Thanks Bob.
Submitted by tyler883 on
I think I'll take you up on that offer. The bike that I brought in today is a spare bike that is officially my wife's bike. Its there for a flat, but haven't I didn't get a good sense of direction for the wheel build for my primary bike.
I think that I'd like to bring you my bike. In a recent inspection, i noticed that it has 4 spokes broken on the rear wheel after only about 500 kms. It is a custom hub that has a freewheel sprocket on both sides. I would really like to explore my options for extra heavy duty spokes and rim. I am not concerned about the weight of this wheel, so maybe something very unconventional would fit the bike?
Bob, what are the chances of adapting some dirtbike spokes to my wheel?
i went to bow cycle
Submitted by tyler883 on
yesterday, i went to bow cycle and had a very pleasant experience with a bike mechanic named Andrew. I am having my rear hub for my ebike rebuilt with "DT Swiss spokes 2.0 and a Mavic 721 downhill mtnbike rim" As the weight for an ebike wheel is not as critical, the spokes are 2mm for the entire length.n
As for the bike shop in the SE, I am going to do the manager the coutesy of providing him with some simple feedback about customer service.
I plan to fax him a copy of my $200 invoice with a comment that states that he had first opportunity to serve me but it was udermined by one of his mechanics in less than 2 seconds when he insisted on saying " I prefer to pedal my bike" with a seemingly judgemental and sarcastic tone.
Although, I might do more business with him in the future, that is still aproximately $100 per second of lost revenue for his business.
As for Bow cycle, I believe that I'll be very happy with their work and will have no hesitation bringing them my other bicycle which will be another $200 minimum
great to hear
Submitted by matt on
I'm glad to hear that you have a go-to shop that takes care of you. I too have had good experiences with Bow. I bought my full squish mtn bike there and have had it in for service with no problems and I have brought my dumpster-dive fixed gear in there for a slight adjustment that they did for free - I offered to pay and they told me not to worry about it
Unfriendly
Submitted by Jaykay65 on
Tyler 883, there are a couple of shops in the SE, so I am guessing it is the one dedicated to bikes and they do not carry other sporting goods.
Based on my experience, if it is the same one, where, because I don't fit the "pro-bike" model with my physique, I was ignored. I looked at several bikes and tried to ask some questions, but felt that I was just taking the staff away from their "other tasks." It was late fall (almost Halloween) last year, there were no other customers in the store. A quick peak into the back and I could not see a back-up of bikes in for repair.
After buying my bike at another store, I went back to the SE store with a friend and because he rode semi-professionally in his younger days and still rides alot these days he was treated like royalty. My friend supports Bow City for his major purchases and repairs, but because of his residence near the SE store he buys his small "consumable" items (tubes, tape etc.) at this store.
I have had great experiences at all the stores that I have been in, except this one.
Dunno if they do eBikes, but...
Submitted by crazycga on
I don't know if The Bike Shop downtown on 11th works on eBikes or not, but they are really good people too. I took my piece of s*** bike in there to get a repair, and they didn't even laugh at it... :D Seriously, they're good people down there, and they're pretty darn quick. I've never had a problem with service there like I have in other places. (Except Bow Cycle, of course...)
I'll vouch for Campiogne,
Submitted by swade on
I'll vouch for Campiogne, Bow Cycle and the Bike Shop. All have done great stuff over the years on my ebike contraptions without blinking an eye.
I usually take the ebike in the back door durring off-peak hours as a matter of courtesy. I wouldn't want to offend any sales people trying to sell high end expensive road bikes that go slower than my 200.00 bike (plus the ebike components of course).
Almost ditto
Submitted by wwotl on
I'll add a "yes" for Bow Cycle. I get the same great service at Bow whether I bring in my cheapy, bottom of the line Kona or my pricy Specialized S-Works cross bike.
Never had service done at Campiogne, but have bought a few things there. Very helpful folks there.
The Bike Shop, however, is one I'll never go back to. They've had several chances at my business and I've yet to deal with anyone there that doesn't have an elitist and unhelpful attitude...
Weight... schmeight...
Submitted by wwotl on
Or however you spell that... :)
I see a few regular cyclists and runners on my daily commute who are on the pretty heavy side. Years ago, when I was a young bike-snob, I probably would have rolled my eyes at the "cyclist wannabes". Now, however, it impresses the heck out of me when I see them out there every day. I know how tiring it is for me on my daily rides, and I'm on the thinner side of scrawny.
If an ebike gets you out there enjoying the ride and keeping you healthy, who cares what the bike snobs - on the paths or in the stores - think. Kudos to you, and keep at it!
Thanks
Submitted by tyler883 on
I see the ebike as an outlet for exercise, hobby, and an affordable substitute for my interest in electric cars. My optimistic dream is to join the ranks of people that commute year round, so naturally the ebike seems to make this dream more plausible.
In fact, even if I gain enough strength and health to totally phase out the ebike from my recreational rides while camping, I can still see alot of practicality to it during my work week. Simply put, it has many admirable qualities that my truck doesn't.
I guess when it comes down to it, I don't socialize with any cycling crowd, so it doesn't matter what they have to say about me...but I am having a hard time dealing with the flack over my ebike. I suppose it is just as much my problem if I can't accept other people's views on ebikes.
e-bikes are coming....
Submitted by critninja on
....whether "cyclists" are ready for them or not.
i think e-bikes have the potential to get a huge number of people on bikes who, in the past, would have never considered them as an option for transportation. honestly, these bikes could be the next big "bike boom" like road bikes in the lance years, MTB's in the 90's, or road bikes in the 70's. the technology is improving quickly and seems to be getting more affordable. couple that with increased eco-awareness, baby boomers hoping to stay mobile/fit forever, and rising energy prices - you get the picture.
when my new cargo bike comes in, i am going to install an electric assist for it (front wheel) and jump right into the e-bike revolution. i hope it will allow me to extend my range significantly and carry bigger loads.
i say, more power (sorry, had to!)to those who love their ebike. at the end of the day, its another pair of pedals going 'round and 'round!
Ebikes outsold "City" bikes
Submitted by Frankie on
In the Netherlands that is. Last spring for the first time. Typical user is somewhat older and needs a bit of a push. We're talking about thousands and thousands of bikes. I would welcome that here too. Each e-bike is one less car, less emissions, less noise, less parking. Despite that I would not want to be seen on one until I blow a fuse, head-gasket or my knees...
is possible you could upload
Submitted by M100 on
is possible you could upload a pic on your ebike on this forum? is this a crystalyte motor? what sorta batteries?
shop attitude
Submitted by matt on
shops that give attitude drive me nuts, when you find one that treats you right - stick with it.
I've had good luck at Bow and Ridley's. I've had a lot of attitude while shopping at Eurotech - it's the closest shop to my house but I don't go there anymore.
That said, you can get poor service almost anywhere. go into Holt Renfrew with a grubby t-shirt and jeans and you'll probably get attitude there too. I don't want to seem mean, quite the opposite - shops should treat everyone with respect - unfortunately asking a shop tech to fix a flat makes you seem like a bit of a Fred/punter/whatever the current hip disparaging term is these days. It's too bad it is that way but if you want to be regarded as a somewhat serious cyclist, you may want to learn to fix a flat.