"I'm looking to overhaul my bike for the season. I called the shop which I'd intended to use (which shall remain nameless, pending a conversation I plan to have with the owner) and received a ""clueless"" reception (and cut-off) from the person at the end of the phone.
Any recommendations for competent, scrupulous service for cycling enthusiasts (as opposed to commuters?)
Thanks,
Isaac"
Overhaul Shop Recommendations?
Sun, 03/07/2004 - 12:04pm
Sun, 03/07/2004 - 5:34pm
#1
zoltan at sids bike shop is great (nm)
Sun, 03/07/2004 - 8:14pm
#2
Yeah I like to take my bike to Zoltan at SIDs also.
Mon, 03/08/2004 - 9:01am
#3
Zoltan gets my vote, too
In general, Sid's gives good customer service, and specifically, Zoltan is a terrific mechanic. Needless to say, if you don't make an advance appointment and you show up on a Saturday in season, you'll get a little less personal attention because the shop will be very busy. If you can go in on a weekday (I think Thursdays they're open late) they'll have more time to spend with you.
Mon, 03/08/2004 - 2:45pm
#4
Kudos to Bicycle Workshop, thumbs DOWN on Zoltan
Sorry, Zoltan said that I HAD to get a new rear cluster when I got a new chain. That is not necessarily true, and my cluster is just fine with a new chain (from another bike shop).
When Jon Dindas was at Sid's, that was my place. Can't recommend it now -- it's just a good shop, not great. Right now, I give kudos to Bicycle Workshop -- see posts below
Sun, 03/07/2004 - 7:52pm
#5
enthusiasts?
I would say that commuters are probably more enthusiastic about cycling than the weekend warriors :)
Mon, 03/08/2004 - 10:04am
#6
Yeah ... you
just do it yourself. Get the tools you need and then start taking everything apart. Clean everything that needs to be cleaned. Degrease everything that needs to be degreased. Regrease what needs to be regreased. Replace parts that need to be replaced and then put it back together. simple as that. It's just a bike, not a human brain or anything.
Tue, 03/09/2004 - 6:51am
#7
commuting
Isaac,
The most important thing you can do with a bicycle is ride it to work.
-d
Wed, 03/10/2004 - 9:39am
#8
Agreed
"Frequency is more important than intensity. (Ideally both!)
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/03/10/health/10OBES.html
Death Rate From Obesity Gains Fast on Smoking
""people do not need to shake up their lives to lose weight, but can take small steps like walking to work sometimes or taking the stairs instead of the elevator"
Sun, 03/07/2004 - 3:33pm
#9
overhaul
Irv and I use Conrad's. Ask for John.
Sun, 03/07/2004 - 4:01pm
#10
toga
i've had very good service there...
Sun, 03/07/2004 - 4:01pm
#11
toga
i've had very good service there...
Sun, 03/07/2004 - 7:07pm
#12
Bike Shop near Columbia??
I am new to NYC and would like to find a place near Columbia that can be relied on to help me care for my 3 bikes....All recommendations are appreciated.
Mon, 03/08/2004 - 7:19am
#13
Champion at Amsterdam and 103 (nm)
Mon, 03/08/2004 - 11:32am
#14
more
The closest shop is New York Cyclist on w110 and CPW. Nothing fancy, get all your basic bike needs met. Landon runs a small shop but he’s not always open (212) 864-4449. It’s real convenient for CU kids on a tight budget.
Next is Metro on 96th and Bway.
Further south if you like shops with attitude and racing teams, Renaissance at Columbus and w82nd?, Toga at 65th and West End Ave.
Thu, 03/11/2004 - 8:04am
#15
Not a Perfect World
Let's face it, there is no bike shop in the Metropolitan area that doesn't have people who praise it as well as people who despise it.
The former first lady and I have a great relationship with the crew at Bicycle Renaissance. We particularly recommend Stevan (rhymes with Evan)who spent several hours with me letting me try different saddles on a bike I didn't even buy there and who has gone out of his way for us in other ways many times. Also, their top repair guy Steve is a real wizard and will always go the extra mile.
Fri, 03/12/2004 - 4:48pm
#16
while there are certainly caring individuals at all stores, i have found conrad's to be the most consistently helpful and competent shop. sure the prices are somewhat higher, but in my experience you get what you pay for. more importantly, john has steered me away from some of my flights of technological fancy (you really don't need a carbon crank...). he even tried to dissuade from purchasing a new bike from him (we'll figure out a way of improving the fit on your current bike) until i overrode his opinion. and the repair work has been phenomenal. a little out of the way, to be sure, but now that i am away from NYC, i miss that shop all the more.
Sat, 03/20/2004 - 7:20pm
#17
Sid's Did a Great Job
"I just had my road bike completed overhauled by Zoltan at Sid's and he did an outstanding job. The bicycle came back like new. In addition, he did a couple unasked for ""detail"" things like rerouting my monitor's wiring."
