So R&A have had a good slagging off about their shop service/attitude though excellent on line, what did you expect, they are New Yorkers, rude by nature though the owners do know their shit when it comes to cycling.
Now how about Tri-Sports Arizona, possibly there biggest competitor, how do you rate their service/products???
They are my “local” tri shop, one day UPS ground and a 4 hour drive. They are among the best in customer service and responsiveness of any merchant I have dealt with. I’m not sponsored by them, but their service to me has been excellent.
TriSports is awesome. Friendly, knowledgeable, and well stocked store. I highly recommend you visit them if you’re in Tucson, or, of course, online. Some of you may have read my post a month or two ago. Two friends were in SanFran for Vineman when their bikes were stolen. They called-up TriSports and told them the story. TriSports built-up new bikes for them and had them flown-out with a TriSports rep that was going to the race and had them there before race day. Now that’s service!
I frequent TriSports.com’s shop quite a bit. Have always had great, friendly service. Has been the same since it was a small operation out of an appartment bedroom, to the small first showroom, to the monster shop that it is today.
I have had nothing but great service from them.
*Note: I was sponsored by TriSports.com previously.
I got to know TriSports when I lived in Phoenix for 9 years. It was worth the two hour drive about once a month to visit their old, tiny shop. They know their stuff, they carry a LOT of stuff in stock, and they’re a really nice family business.
Now with the opening of the HUGE retail and distribution center, it’s all just gotten even better. I moved away a few weeks after their Grand Opening in 2007. They are just as good servicing and selling to you via phone through their personal experience in triathlon and simple good-naturedness.
Now that I live in Houston and can’t visit them personally, their Online and Phone sales to me have become even more important. They will go many extra miles for you. A recent example: I couldn’t tell via their online catalog images (trust my computer monitor?) or even the manufacturer’s online images whether the colors of an $80 piece of clothing was as described. From ONE E-MAIL from me, TriSports actually went back into their massive warehouse, pulled out the very garment I was inquiring about, and e-mailed me a very explicit description from actually seeing and touching the garment. I got this all within three hours. Five weeks later I still have yet to get ANY response from the actual manufacturer.
How well did TriSports set up my dream bike from my fit coordinates–all from 1,500 miles away? Good enough that the best Texas triathlon shop, Jack & Adam’s in Austin, only made two minor–millimeter–adjustments during my custom fitting with Zane Castro. Wait, this was supposed to be about how good TriSports is… (Love the Jack & Adam’s too!)
I was impressed with TriSports when I lived in Arizona. I remain impressed from afar.
For my money, TriSports as a retailer has as good of personal service as Emilio’s Desoto Sports has as a manufacturer. And that’s the highest compliment I can give!
I seem to recall that DD thinks it’s a great place to meet women too.
-Jot
I placed my first web order with them recently, no problems… Good selection, fast turnaround, accurate accounting of items, although my order was routine so didn’t require any special attention. Shipping rates seemed a bit steep, however; it wasn’t like I was ordering wheels or a trainer.
I think you may be just a little bit biased 
How much time are you spotting me for IMAZ?
I had a rough experience with them a few years ago on a pair of Bike Shoes.Long story short is that after the mishap they went out of their way to make things right which is a great sign of good customer service. I have had good luck with them in other purchase. I try to stay local with my purchases and support local shops before online but they are better than others that I have tried.
I learned the hard way. This should be in the retailer section. This thread will be pulled (Im assuming).
How about using the Retailers link on this site to find the store and check out their star ratings. Instead of asking everyone to be the jury on a trial by internet. I heard it was the “Greatest Thing Since the Lavender Room.”
Having said that, the affiliated TriSports Racing charity puts on some nice races, and the store itself is beautiful.
LOL. There was a cute girl in there today with a Scott Plasma.
I was just in there today. It’s buy something get a free bottle of gatorade endurance drink day.
But to the OP, you can try, touch, feel and see all kinds of good stuff there from wet suits to wheels to running shoes to goggles to compression stuff to bikes etc, the staff is friendly and helpful.
They just got a new mechanic there, Sam, who used to do all the work on my bikes. He is kick ass good.
**But to the OP, you can try, touch, feel and see all kinds of good stuff there **
I’ll quote you on that. 
-Jot
Dude, when was the last time you had a working bike? Not much of a recommendation.
they are awesome online and very helpful over the phone if you have any questions. In 2008 I did a training trip to Tucson in Feb and the live service was even better, very accomodating, they helped me to figure out the best places to train based on where I was staying/offered up group options and for a non local I felt completely welcome , ver big fan of trisport!!!
A working bike is not important; only that you can say you own six of them. And ever model of wheel from both Hed and Zipp.
Chad
Totally a great shop.
I was at the Desert Classic Duathlon earlier this year. It was the second ride and first race on my new Look 596 that I built up myself. I couldn’t get the single pull rear brake lever to not rub on the morning of the race. I took the bike to the TriSports race mechanic. He couldn’t get the brake to stop rubbing either, so he pulled the brake off, took one off a spare they had (it belonged to an employee of theirs), mounted the brake on my bike and off to the races I went. I took the bike back to them after the race, they removed the brake, put mine back on and off to home I went!! Great service, very nice people and they saved my first race of the season!!!
Nice people run that company. I have bought some stuff from them over the last years (including a spinning bike for my father). Never had a problem.
I also got a set of HED Stingers serviced there in a hurry just before a race. The mechanic was extremelly nice, knowledgeable, helpful and he did a great job on those wheels. I guess that being friendly and being good at what you do is a requisite to work in that store.
Sergio
I like trisports, both the store and the people, only been there once.