This is an unsolicited/shameless plug for Wheelie Fun Bikeshop in Lebanon, Ohio. I’ve recently had some work done on my bikes down there, and couldn’t be happier with the service. It is a super-friendly shop with an owner, Bob, who goes out of his way to help you. I had my P2K there for some preventative maintenance (some new grease in the BB/hubs), and he noticed my Minoura water bottle holder was loose, and wouldn’t tighten so that it didn’t rattle. He basically took the old part and refabricated it so that it worked…and I didn’t ask him to do this…he just saw it needed fixing, so he fixed it. This took a while, and while I was there, I noticed lots of people coming in who knew Bob by name, and he knew them. Obviously lots of happy, returning customers. So, if you live near Lebanon in SW Ohio, and you need an LBS to work on your bike, or you need some gear, try Wheelie Fun. They are more than fair in their pricing, and will do everything they can to make sure you are satisfied.
Bob puts a hell of alot back into the sport. They are very good people to work with.
He is starting to do some interesting stuff with building custom bikes. Not GURU or Elite quality but great price point. Frame construction is great but the finish (paint) needs a little work. Hell of a good buy for a custom frame. Carbon, steel or Au.
Yup - bought my Guru tri bike from them 3 years ago and now awaiting my Cervelo Soloist Carbon fitting on Monday eve! Good shop w/ good wrenches and a VERY loyal support with Bob doing many races, helping people train, etc. He really appreciates repeat customers (like me) and will certainly go out of the way to help. They have a nice Serotta fitter with computer program that Kyle (the tall 6’-6" or whatever pro) does a pretty good job fitting on.
BTW, his new custom line includes Ti as well - I ride with a guy who just got one of Bob,s custom polished Ti jobs and he really likes it (his “other” bike for referrence is a Colnago Dream and he previously had a Trek Madonne 5.2 - so that speaks well). The lettering and “fluff” definitely needs some work though, you’re right Mike.
i’ve been up there twice for great buckeye and bob and kyle are super nice guys. defenitely stop in if you’re in that area. it seems like a pretty decent location to train too (at least from my two short visits in august).
It is a pretty good place to train (I’m in Springboro, 10 miles from my door to Wheelie Fun). Some really good hills, especially the 10% one with the Rottweilers 2/3 of the way up to give you an extra incentive to crank up the last bit. Bout pissed myself the first time I saw those guys busting across their front yard, coming at me at full speed.
Well that pretty much describes every training ride around there I can’t believe I’m not a better sprinter in my road racing with training around there.
I did a search here on ST to see what people were saying about Wheelie Fun in Lebanon, OH (north of Cincinnati) – my BF and I just visited there this weekend when we were down in Dayton for Thanksgiving with his parents…
Wow, what great folks! Knowledge! Passion! Kind! No ego! (Hi guys - I know you are reading this and we both know you aren’t paying me to say this!) Really an exceptional trip.
I’d recommend anyone who wants to have a bike fit or built from scratch should really consider making a trip all the way to that area to visit them. Seriously. We didn’t know what to expect from the trip --we thought we were going to poke around for a few minutes – and my BF left saying that’s where he wants his next bike created.
So I’m adding to Spot’s shameless unsolicited plug with one of my own - there’s no bullsh_t or attitude in this store, just knowledge, excitement, and love of the sport(s).
Lebanon looks like a pretty town also, in case you get bored (ha!) or your S.O. doesn’t want to hang out talking tri for 2 hrs
Yup - my last road bike (SoloistC) and previous Tri bike (Guru) came from there. Great place - 3 bike shops closer to me too I was all set to head up to see Tom D. as well (no offense Tom).
Well that pretty much describes every training ride around there I can’t believe I’m not a better sprinter in my road racing with training around there.
will be interesting if you still say this after 2007. i’m just waiting for rojerio and the boys to make you a full fledge roadie. (after Kona, right? lol)
Spot–it is a good shop. i need to come up soon and get back on the horse. (yes, i’ll probably whine)
Yeah, they keep trying to convert me - but Geez, you see their riding schedule: 3:30 about every day, mornings, weekends, nights to dark, geez. Does no one work in Cincy? I’m sure I’d be a pretty good roadie too with 10 rides per week, but … Too bad I like to run so much (and loath swimming equally). Actually, I’m fine to block wind and chasing down attacks for Rob K and Rogerio. Rob K. can wind up a 42+ mph sprint after 50 miles at will. I don’t think I could hit that just trying. Rojerio just somehow smoothly manages to be “up there”, but doesn’t like chasing attacks or break-aways. I’m used to having my nose in the wind so … some good team tactics. Ponchitrain is great to draft off of as long as possible too, but usually isn’t in the front peloton on the last lap. Bald Tracy is just nuts and can do anything well when he is on
When are you going to take on Mary D. in the womens 1/2/3? She was only OH state champ and what, 4th nationally?
me take on Mary? have you forgotten that it is me you’re talking to? your friend who has the attention span of an infant?
if i rode my bike as much as her my mind would turn to globby gu. it’s a different breed, these people who can do one thing so passionately, for years and years.
for you though, it’s different. you get set on a thing and that’s that, you’ll pursue it to the end and physically wear yourself out doing it.
as for those guys you’ve mentioned, they’re badasses, what can i say–they’re fast as hell. fras has some kind of alien blood, i’m convinced, and don’t even get me started on kathy…she is just turning into lightening speed and strength all of a sudden.
but you’re just like them, and i know that you know that. so you’re not fooling me mister.
all of my hard core competitiveness was spent on collegiate rowing. now i just want to have some fun and listen to the grateful dead on the car ride home. run some 1/2 marys, ride, get outside, etc.
rroof: “Yeah, they keep trying to convert me - but Geez, you see their riding schedule”
You know the real secret is not the riding schedule, but the drinking! I have reversed your approach, I have been working on my liver enzymes, and can now almost keep up with Roger… I expect the cycling ability to kick in any day now…
Looking forward to spring, and doing our sponsors proud (Hurrrrrray…3P!)
I live about 6 miles from Wheelie Fun and go in on fairly regular basis to pick up odds & ends. As far as my opinion of the shop, I’m completely schizo. One day I go in and they are super helpful and go out of their way to get you out the door with the right gear. On other days you can just walk in the shop, be the only customer in the place and they won’t say a word to you.
Visit 1 - A buddy of mine bought a bike their and highly recommended them to me when I was looking for my first road bike. He said that even if you pay full MSRP its worth it because Bob runs a great shop. So, I put my checkbook in my pocket and drive over to Lebanon thinking I’ll get a Felt from Bob. The shop wasn’t busy, but I literally walked around for at least 15 minutes and nobody said a word to me. I left and bought a Trek in Loveland.
Visit 2 - Needed some clip-on areobars so I went back to Wheelie Fun. Bob literately spent 45 min with me on my bike up on the trainer dialing in the fit without charging me anything extra. Awesome experience so I assumed the first visit must visit have been a fluke.
Visit 3 - Wanted to buy something - can’t even remember what now. There was only one guy in the shop and he was talking it up with some other customer. I patiently waited around about 10 min without any acknowledgment and then left.
Vist 4 - Took the bike in to tune up the shifting and replace a spoke. Great service, cheap, quick turnaround.
Visit 5 - Went in to buy some shoe covers. Picked them up off the rack and walked back to the service area where the employees where hanging out. Uncomfortable silence while I’m jsut standing their holding the stuff I wanted to buy. I finally ask some dude if I can check out. He doesn’t work there - just hanging out. Finally the guy he’s talking to stops and rings me up without hardly saying a word.
Its so weird. I don’t think that I look like some mutant jacka$$ when I go into the store. I think the common thread is that I’m getting crappy service when Bob’s not around.
Bottom line - they definitely seem to know their multisport stuff better than any other shop around Cincinnati and I’m going to keep going back. I just wish they’d be more consistent with the customer service.
“I think the common thread is that I’m getting crappy service when Bob’s not around.”
Bob was working on a bike when I walked in, as was the repair specialist. They were very quiet as we first walked around for about 10 minutes, although they said hello. However, with a little social engagement on our side (we made a joke), we got into a conversation which then led to a great tour of the shop and the products.
The repair specialist (Kyle?) was very quiet for most of the time I was there. He didn’t say anything to my boyfriend at all. However, when I engaged him in conversation, he really came to life and was quite amiable.
Maybe he’s just a quiet guy unless someone else makes the first conversation… or they have others who work there during the very busy summer months who have bike skills but not “hospitality” skills (there is quite a difference). I’m from the East, and I am CONSTANTLY being told by some of my Midwestern friends that many Midwesterners find “detachment” polite – and talkativeness impolite. Maybe you saw a couple of these salespeople, or came in during super-busy times when they had their minds on other things, and need ed you to say “Hi, I’d like some help” first.
Believe anyone in the retail business, if they knew you were in the market for a Felt (or any other bike) they wouldn’t have ignored you.
You can always help yourself by asking for help or saying, “Hey, when you are free…” even if it looks like ‘no one’s in the store’. There could be major repairs or orders or other business work going on that you don’t know about. There were some seriously great vibes in the store, from passionate people who love putting people on bikes – so try again, and this time ask for what you need. I’m sure it will help…
That is funny, because when I first started going to Wheelie Fun (at their old location a few years ago) - I got the same! Sometimes great - sometimes not. Of course, after 2 bikes and 20 or so triathlons I’ve done that they sponsor, they know me by name and I couldn’t sneak in there if I tried.
Kyle is especially quite is not approached, but really knows his stuff and loves what he does. Bob is NOT quiet and will talk all damn day to me if I let him He is really passionate about cycling and tris especially. One of the main wrenches is also pretty reserved (I don’t know him too well).
Since they are head and shoulders above any other bike shop for triathletes in the area, just ask, approach and get to know them. You will not be disappointed.
I can’t believe I’m not a better sprinter in my road racing with training around there.