cheesed off? never heard that phrase - where do you live?

.

he lives in the early 1960s.

I will agree that you should simply avoid Playtri at all costs, not to mention the serious issues with their head coach (lets just say he might like to shorten the courses for himself:). I would also steer clear of Bicycles inc and Knobbies and Slicks. Best prices are at RBM and they are fast with ordering and or dealing with issues. My personal favorite store is Bicycles Plus as they have some great service (always done a pro job) and seem to be able to order bikes in quickly. The other store to consider is the tri shop or plano cycling and fitness.

DFW Bullet points:

Avoid: Playtri, Bicycles Inc, knobbies and slicks (lots of stories on these shops)

Depends: Plano cycling and fitness

Always: RBM, Tri shop, bicycles plus

There are going to be people out there with a negative experience from almost any store out there. There are some red flags that anyone at playtri probably should have caught. Checking torque specs is pretty basic. Not to mention when a bike comes in for a tune, the basic checklist (usually) includes a test ride. At least where I work it does. Not to mention most skilled mechanics tend to notice looseness in a bike when working on it, especially if it rattles.

In my advice you're most likely better suited to finding a local bike shop where you can build a better rapport with the staff.

So I just got into triathlon about a year ago and knew nothing about bikes except for how to ride one. Bought a road bike last July and then a tri bike from Playtri in October. They say they're the largest triathlon store in the world and they carried Quintana Roo bikes which I still think are awesome.

Anyway... during the fit I really felt folded up. I'm 6" 1 and at the time about 225. I told them I felt cramped and they told me I needed a longer stem which they happened to carry. Cool. So fast forward six months and I've done two sprints and was training for a fifty mile called Texasman. I had been riding the heck out of the bike and still felt cramped up.

So I went back to Playtri cuz I needed a wetsuit and they promised a free tuneup. I mentioned to the guy I felt cramped. He said that the aero bars were too close and he moved them out. Felt a little better.

Did the texasman and then broke my collarbone training for Austin. Cool thing is it gave me plenty of time to learn about gear ratios and bicycle maintenance in general. So I went out and got a little torque wrench and ordered a new cassette and crankset and chain. Started doing some work on the bike and pulled off the stem because I wanted to lower it a little-move a couple of spacers from below the stem to on top etc. So I pulled out the old stem they took off when I bought the bike and it was a 110 mm. They put on a 90 mm with 25 degrees of rise. The one they took off was a 7 degree. Now I'm no math major but I'm pretty sure that 110 mm is longer than 90 mm. Also the fork always flapped back and forth anytime I picked the front wheel off the ground. I found out why. They never torqued down the top cap. Also the spacers where carbon then aluminum then carbon then aluminum.

So I kind of feel like they either didn't give a crap when they fit me or they didn't know how. I also feel like they sold me a stem because I had sucker written on my forehead. Also none of the bolts had lock tight on them. So I also feel like they didn't even put the bike together correctly. Also one of the aero arms was flat on one side because they torque down the arm rest clamp too hard.

Since I had the bike to them I've met some folks and coaches though dfw tri club and that place doesn't have the best reputation. So should I be cheesed off or not? I know, long story...

Steer clear of Playtri, they are the WTC of the DFW tri community, and go to Tri Shop. If you need a good fit ask to talk to Ron Schmidt there.

I believe TriShop and NT Dynamic Bike Fit, http://dynamicbikefit.com/ have the only 2 Master Certifed Retul fitters in Dallas.

I have had at least 4 fittings from Craig over the year at NT Dynamic.

I have only checked out TriShop a few times (long ways from downtown D) but i really like their service and i know one of their coaches.

BikeMart Dallas store (aka RBM) for me has the best service dept bar none. I have bought numerous bike from them and there svc dept does alot of free work for me now and
will help me with anything i need.

I think of all the teams out there PlayTri seems to get the most angst, but that likely deserves another thread on race *tactics* we have heard they teach.

i know the fitters at tri shop, they're serious guys. Trent Nix is the guy i would first speak to there. it's his shop.

look, there is not a lot of mystery here, or shouldn't be. we have listed what are reasonable bike fit expectations. i have listed and written about the modern bike fit systems that are in use today.

you're clearly a smart and inquisitive guy, you can read these articles and this will equip you to ask the questions you should ask. ask these questions of your proposed fitter, and if your fitter does not have a fit bike, like a retul, a guru, purely custom, shimano, or exit cycling, then exit the store. he's not ready. he's not really a fitter, he just wants to be a fitter on the cheap. it's that simple.

then, compare your output with that of the typical athlete. does your output fall into a typical range? if not, then ask why. ask yourself why, ask your fitter why, and ask those on this forum why.

I've had nothing but great experiences at the Playtri in McKinney. I've heard horror stories from cyclists about ALL of the shops others have listed as the "always" go to. Point is simply that people and employees can make mistakes anywhere. I would go see Justin in McKinney and let him know what's been going on. He makes sure sh*t gets done over there and i'd bet he would make it right for you.

I've had nothing but great experiences at the Playtri in McKinney. I've heard horror stories from cyclists about ALL of the shops others have listed as the "always" go to. Point is simply that people and employees can make mistakes anywhere. I would go see Justin in McKinney and let him know what's been going on. He makes sure sh*t gets done over there and i'd bet he would make it right for you.

Odd that your account was just created today and this is your first post. However I do agree that everyone has different experiences at different shops.

Agreed on both the propaganda and the allowing it to move forward on the previous trial by internet precedents set on here.

If "tri9865" is a representative of Playtri, I would hope r hey would disclose that though.

"That is 100% ridiculous. That's the same as saying the guy who shows up on the group ride with the most expensive bike is the fastest guy there. Experience and intelligence matter more than the tool used."

you and i will just have to agree to disagree. it's more like going to a tire shop, and the guy doesn't own a tire machine to quickly replace tires on rims. yes, you can do business without a tire machine, you really just need a crowbar. but, why would a tire shop not have a tire machine?

this isn't a binary choice. you don't choose either a fitter with experience, or you choose one with the proper tools. that's really a false choice. i think in this day and age it's reasonable to expect both, and to demand both.

however, i'm willing to come in your direction if you can make your case. can you tell me how these fit tools help? and why, notwithstanding, a fitter can expect to provide a proper service without them?

randymessman wrote:

I'm guessing he hasn't met Jim @ ERO."

These acronyms are killing me. What is ero?

"this forum is absolutely incredible. This is the greatest resource I have found on multisport."

bless your heart

cheesed off? never heard that phrase - where do you live?