I wanted to bring this to the attention of the forum as I think its noteworthy considering the expense of the sport and spectrum of service one can get.
I’ve been in the market for a bike case to haul my bike on trips. Looking over ST the Ironcase by Trico seemed to be the most recommended shell. While in Irvine, Ca on business yesterday I contacted Trico’s office in Pacoima, Ca. to inquire about purchasing a case and maybe picking it up to save on shipping. The staff was very helpfup but I definitely did not expect to be transferred to George the owner. What I really did not expect was, after paying for the case, George offering to deliver it to me in Irvine that day for FREE.
Seriously?
George met me later that day with a brand new Ironcase. It was very cool to meet him. He said he knows Slowman from back in the day and he talked briefly with me about Kona in the early 80’s.
Trico offered free shipping, the owner absolutely did not have to take time out of his day to drop off product with a customer on his way home from work.
I wanted to publicly say thank you to George and the folks at Trico. It was above and beyond and a level of service I don’t often see these days. George’s personal touch has made me a Trico customer for life. I would absolutely commend them to anyone here on the forum.
My Trico case has lasted longer than any of the bikes I’ve had. Since I started triathlon, I’ve owned six different bikes. They all have traveled the same way - via my Trico Ironcase that I’ve owned for 10 years. Best investment I think I’ve ever made, on any piece of gear, for as long as I’ve been riding bikes.
Well, more like bullet resistant. I’ve had mine since 1997 and the first flight it lost the little dohickeys that allow you to lock the case. Not that they were needed anyway and nowadays that would just result in the case being more likely to be opened. It has held up well and I’ve never had any bike damage or other problems. I would reccomend it without reservation.
I’ve had 4 TriAll3 cases. One was custom over-built by the owner because I kept sending their battered, cracked/patched boxes back as they could not barely survive the gorillas at the airport. Finally, I got a Trico…problem solved. Fits in a compact car so I save $$ on car rental, bullet proof, easier to move around, costs less, just superior in every way except a slight bit more tearing down of the bike to fit it in. Well worth the trade off. A better method than this though…dropping your bike off a Tri-Bike Transport location. They have everyone beat!
Agree, great to deal with.
I got a Trico off a friend used, he told me one of the large plastic snaps had come off/broke and to call Trico about buying a replacement. Not only did I not have to buy it, but they sent it for free and sent me an entire replacement kit (straps, buckles etc…) even though I had bought it used.
a little more info on the owner “george”: this is george yates, i met him first at the hawaiian ironman in 1981, the first year for us both. he went on to eventually finish as high as 7th in kona, and 7th in nice. he’s a former CAT I bike racer, and a very nice guy as you’ve pointed out. george and i split an industrial building in 1987. he moved his business, trico, out of his garage, i moved my business, quintana roo, out of my walk-in closet. we grew our businesses from there, but that’s where we were in the beginning, just george and i, before each of us had any employees.
Since I started triathlon, I’ve owned six different bikes. They all have traveled the same way - via my Trico Ironcase that I’ve owned for 10 years. Best investment I think I’ve ever made, on any piece of gear, for as long as I’ve been riding bikes.