To anyone and everyone in the Detroit area or even outside the state of Michigan, I highly recommend visiting The Continental Bike Shop in Hazel Park, MI, just outside Detroit. I recently moved to the area and not being familiar with any bike shops, I visited the Continental Bike Shop. I was extremely impressed with their customer service, inventory, professionalism and their wanting to help and assist. I have had some terrible experiences with bike shops in the past and now that I live near a bike shop in an unfamiliar area, I feel very comfortable and less stressed knowing that I am in good hands.
In addition, I recently spent two hours being fitted for my tri bike (Softride) by Mr. Grant Salter, The Continental Bike Shop manager. I have been previously fitted twice by two “high end” bike shops in Nashville, TN. Both fittings did not involve the techniques, the customer service, the professionalism, and overall great attitude that Grant Salter offered when I was fitted last week. Grant is extremely knowledgeable. He took his time and was very concerned about my physical issues (neck and back). He was patient and answered all my questions in a manner that demonstrated fantastic customer service.
I highly recommend visiting The Continental Bike Shop. I had a great experience and look forward to a great COMFORTABLE racing season.
Being another retailer here in Michigan I can also endorse Continental Bike Shop. In addition to being technically proficient, they have consistently demonstrated a commitment to the sport of bicycle racing.
If you are looking for a road bike, they are an excellent resource with proven technical skill and fine service. It is worth mentioning the shop was founded (I believe?) by none other than the late Mike Walden, USA Cycling Hall of Fame member. The lagacy of Mike Walden has been proudly carried forward by the fine guys at Continental. They are pros.
Tom, thanks for the reply. I believe you are with BikeSportMichigan, if so I have heard nothing but good things about you as well. Specifically, my friend Justin Baum has spoken to you several times over the last couple of weeks regarding a fitting. He spoke very highly of you. Being new to the area I have no idea where you are located. I would love to pop up there and introduce myself and see your shop.
Another great thing about Continental is they do Serotta, which are fine bikes. As with almost all Serotta dealers, they are experts at fitting them too. Another unique talent to the guys at Continental is their experience with track bikes. With tthe new Mike Walden Velodrome in Rochester that makes Cntinental an even greater resource.
Please note that Mr. Salter fitted for my tri bike (Softride), in my opinion, a bike that can be difficult to be fitted for, as attempted by two other “high end” bike shops in Nashville.
Please note that Mr. Salter fitted for my tri bike (Softride), in my opinion, a bike that can be difficult to be fitted for
I’m looking forward to visiting Continental now! It’ll be neat to see another shop, and HP is pretty close (relative to Dearborn, anyway).
BUT - ever the humble and gracious businessman, Tom would never mention here that he and his shop are also quite well qualified to fit Softrides. In fact I watched him performing a re-fit on a woman’s well-used Softride just this last Saturday.
And regarding the other employees at Bikesport, my wife took delivery of her new LS roadbike from the shop a couple weeks ago. She was deeply impressed with the final fit process, and the outrageously (to the point of being LOL funny to us), anal-retentive attention Mike O’Donnell paid to her bike before she could walk out with it. We crack that the young bike said to Mike, “GEEZ, Mom, it’s just a WEDDING!” Yeah, he was DOTING on it. And it’s the cheapest Ti Litespeed available - not exactly a megabuck Vortex - but a $2k Firenze. I was indeed turned off by Mike once. Once. This is an about-face, a neck-snapping 180.
So, I must give my highest regards to Tom’s shop. Perhaps it’s preaching to the choir here at ST. But BOY oh BOY I can’t wait 'til I’ve recovered from Christine’s Firenze and can really shop for a bike for myself. I’ll be bugging Mike and Tom the MOMENT our bike fund is recovered…
I have the luxury of training over one hundred fitters per year at my school. Every year there are only a few all-stars that stand out among the rest of the fitters. Grant Salter is one of those all-stars. He has the talent, expertise, personal skills and professionalism that is necessary to be one of the top in our field. I would highly recommend any athlete, newbie to professional, to get a fitting from Grant.
Many dealers come to my school, much like Dan’s, to get a diploma in hopes that the diploma alone will bring athletes through their door. Like any profession, the diploma just indicates that you have attended the course instruction and that you have passed the academic and/or hands on requirements necessary to receive the same. Becoming a bike fit professional takes practice at many skills, most of which is communication. You are lucky to have Grant in your region. He exemplifies the qualities necessary to be one of the best.
Just a thanks to Kevin Fisher and Paul Levin for the positive response.
But the people who really deserve the thanks are the people at Serotta. If it weren’t for them all this fitting stuff would still be done by trial and error and not by science.
A special thanks to Paul Levine, Christopher Kautz, and Dr. Pam Wilson. These three people were my instructors at the Serotta fit school. I feel very honored to have had the chance to study under these three extraordinary people. “not once but twice”
My main focus was on TT/Tri fittings, at Serotta and both Paul and Christopher went out of there way to answer all my ?'s and concerns, and simply educate me to becoming one of the most proficient fitters I can be. So once again thanks guys,(girls too(Pam).
I have to agree with all the posts that Continental is a quality outfit. Esp for road bike questions; hands down the best shop in the entire area. Always, always great customer service no matter what. All the employees are extremely knowledgeable and friendly. Even better that I live in Royal Oak and have only about a 5-10 minute drive to the shop.