If you were to search my old posts, you might find me bashing an LBS in my area (brooklyn) for having piss poor customer service, and probably seeing a lot of others agreeing. I'd like to recant those feelings as I went to the store today and because of the over the top great service, I walked out with a new Tri bike!
R&A cycles is very near my apartment (a 10 minute walk). They have, hands down, the most awesome collection of bikes anywhere. VERY high end stuff with prices so equally high end I can't imagine who buys them... (having said that, while I was there today I watched a German man drop +17 GRAND on the most awesome bike I've ever seen). The place is worth visiting just to drool.
I've been looking for a new Tri bike for a while. Like a year and a half or more. I actually decided last year that I wanted a Felt B12, but I procrastinated and the season escaped and at the end of the year there were none left in my size. Then this year, the search was on again, and felt is all sold out until the '11s come out in several weeks!! --by then the season will practically be over again.
So, after an OWS this morning with two training buddies, I was convinced I should give R&A another try. Grant, one of the two I was with, said he bought his QRoo there and had awesome service. Told me to ask for Felix.
So, after the swim, I checked out R&A with my wife, expecting to see some bike porn but not expecting to see any customer service. I asked for Felix, he was there was was really nice. I also was helped by two other guys, one I think named Mike, I forget the other's name (sorry!) but he was awesome too.
They talked to me about bike options, showed me some sweet rides, and then said they could build up a B12 for me, did a quick size up to make sure it was the right size, and then went to work on the Felt.
Anyway, this story is getting long, but in a nutshell, I've been pleasantly surprised with R&A. I decided not to allow past experience hinder present experience. Plus, my wife said she just wanted me to buy the damn bike so I'd stop complaining and just ride more.
Maybe they've read some of the bad press, maybe some of the people have turned over, or maybe this time was a fluke, but I left R&A with the bike I've been drooling over for the longest time, and met some cool people (also getting bike fittings) while I spent half the day there. I'll be going back!
R&A cycles is very near my apartment (a 10 minute walk). They have, hands down, the most awesome collection of bikes anywhere. VERY high end stuff with prices so equally high end I can't imagine who buys them... (having said that, while I was there today I watched a German man drop +17 GRAND on the most awesome bike I've ever seen). The place is worth visiting just to drool.
I've been looking for a new Tri bike for a while. Like a year and a half or more. I actually decided last year that I wanted a Felt B12, but I procrastinated and the season escaped and at the end of the year there were none left in my size. Then this year, the search was on again, and felt is all sold out until the '11s come out in several weeks!! --by then the season will practically be over again.
So, after an OWS this morning with two training buddies, I was convinced I should give R&A another try. Grant, one of the two I was with, said he bought his QRoo there and had awesome service. Told me to ask for Felix.
So, after the swim, I checked out R&A with my wife, expecting to see some bike porn but not expecting to see any customer service. I asked for Felix, he was there was was really nice. I also was helped by two other guys, one I think named Mike, I forget the other's name (sorry!) but he was awesome too.
They talked to me about bike options, showed me some sweet rides, and then said they could build up a B12 for me, did a quick size up to make sure it was the right size, and then went to work on the Felt.
Anyway, this story is getting long, but in a nutshell, I've been pleasantly surprised with R&A. I decided not to allow past experience hinder present experience. Plus, my wife said she just wanted me to buy the damn bike so I'd stop complaining and just ride more.
Maybe they've read some of the bad press, maybe some of the people have turned over, or maybe this time was a fluke, but I left R&A with the bike I've been drooling over for the longest time, and met some cool people (also getting bike fittings) while I spent half the day there. I'll be going back!
