Does anyone have any experience with this bike shop?
So here is my experience. Just moved to the Philly area in May. Took me a few weeks to get adjusted and then ventured out onto the roads. After a few rides (one longer one) I decided to get the bike (2004 Cervelo One) tuned up and checked out as it was just not riding well. The local shops near me in Exton didn’t really look like they would help a tri-geek like me so I searched and found High Road Cycles.
Now, I took the bike in and asked for a tune up. I was told 2 weeks. 2 weeks seems a little long for a tune up to me, but due to my mechanical ability being zero, and the fact that I could work on some core and running instead, I thought why not. They said that apparently the head mechanic from the shop down the street left and so they picked up a lot of business lately. They also boasted that they have the best mechanic in the area and I would be taken care of. They guy I was talking to (can’t remember his name) was really friendly and commented on my Powercranks and how I would be riding much better if I keep riding them in the area. He also gave me a map of the roads in Philly on where and where not to ride.
Fast forward 2 weeks, and I drop by to get the bike. BTW…I asked them if it was ready earlier to call cause I would like it sooner. They did call on Friday night at 6:40pm and said I could pick it up that day, they were open till 7. Didn’t matter since I got home late on Friday, but thought that was a bit strange. Anyways, It was around 4pm on Saturday (yesterday) when I was able to get to the shop to pick up the bike. They were busy, but I got my bike and they really didn’t say too much. Didn’t want to go over anything about the bike. So I just paid for the tune up, grabbed some tubes and CO2 and left.
Now…I’m up nice and early today, and I head out to the Sckukill (sp) Trail for a nice 3’ish hour ride. I noticed the bike did ride better, but was making some different noises. One section from Valley Forge for about 2 miles seemed really bumpy to me and I even stopped to check if I got a flat. But then after a few more miles it seemed to be smoother and I rode on. Anyways, right at about 1:30 into my ride, I was in aero position going about 22mph and BANG, my right crank fell off. I managed to keep control of the bike and thankfully no one was around me. Stopped and picked up the crank and noticed the cap was missing. Took a walk around and could not find it. Rode back about a mile but didn’t see it at all. So I just road cautiously back to Valley Forge (about 11 miles) and called it a day. All the time just watching my right foot to make sure the crank didn’t come off again, and also looking for the cap.
I’m taking the bike back today with my regular cranks, as I need to keep riding for my training for IM WI. Unfortuneately, I don’t have a second bike. I will e-mail Frank about getting a replacement part. But I just feel like I was duped by this bike shop a bit. 2 weeks for a backlog of tune-ups and then I get 1.5hrs of riding on my cranks. I’m thinking they don’t see them that often so they may not have re-installed them properly. I did offer them the key and instructions when I dropped the bike off, but was told they have everything they need to get them on and off again. I’m really disappointed with my experience, and also that I will lose more time without the cranks. I was hoping to use them for the majority of my riding this summer, and now who knows.
I would take the bike back to them and get them to do two things. One, refund you for the maintenance and two let them know that you are very unhappy with the service (length of time) as well as your bike falling apart one ride after a service. Then haul your a$$ over to a better bike shop and get the work done there. Two weeks is a bit long if you ask me. Keswick Cycle in Cherry hill turns bikes around in about 2-3 days even when it’s busy. Also, you look like you are close enough to Cadence in Manyunk. Go there. They have a great mechanic and they cater to Triathlon…
Good luck…
Also take a look on the home page of this web site. Dan posted up an article on Philly area bike shops.
High Roads is listed here but you may possibly want to choose another based on your experience and patience level. A crank arm falling off when riding tops my list of things that would guarantee me not going back for repeat business…
I have had nothing but good experience at Highroads in Wayne. I have been doing buisness there for 3 years. When you go back I am sure they will make things right for you.
Seeing as I was the original wrench to put the cranks on, more than a few years ago (with no problems whatsoever I hope), I’d be very interested in finding out what they did wrong. Pretty had to screw up installing a crank on Shimano splines and if the cap fell off altogether it likely would mean (to me anyway) that said bolt was not tightened up properly and probably neither was the cap. Depending on which crank arm maybe the reverse threads of the cap confused them. Either way it’s enough to freak you out for a good long while and in no way reflects the quality of PCs but says volumes about the bike shop (or at the very least the mechanic). Wonder if they might even still have the cap at the shop. I hope you’re able to get her back up and running and cimit (time for a name change now anyway don’t you think…expat works for me…lol). Be sure to mention the ordeal to the bike shop and let them know how ticked you are…if they don’t refund you completely for the work be sure you at least get another end cap covered (as well as any other potential damages caused by their error).
I have dealt with High Road for a few years and have purchased 3 tri bikes from them. However, my experience with their service dept was not good. I will spare you the details but they took a long time for minor repairs/tune ups & they could never solve anything I couldn’t figure out myself. All in all, I like the guys but their mechanical skills are questionable. I don’t know if this is too far for you, but BikeSport in Trappe (near Collegeville) is great. They are not a tri shop but they they really know their wrenches and how to manage a schedule.
PM me if you want some suggestions for riding routes. I know of a great route going out towards Amish country. I live in the 'burbs (near Pottstown) but ride anywhere from the city to Reading.
Never heard from the shop all day yesterday, but went by after work. The original guy that I dealt with on my first visit was there and was pleasant. Without asking too many details, just said he would go get my bike. Although I don’t think he knew what had happened over the weekend cause I could hear him talking with someone in the back and explaining the situation.
Bike was given back with the original cranks on. He asked me if I wanted them to hang onto the cranks until the replacement part came in. I figured that they wanted to make things right, and so I am giving them that opportunity. They stated that it should be about a week for the part to arrive, although I had PM’d Frank here to let him know what had happened and I personally think he was more positive than the shop. Anyways…not slamming them, just making an observation.
Thanks for the input, and I will be sending some of you some messages for the routes. I like that Scuhkyll (sp) trail, but probably should find some routes with some hills for IM WI.
“One section from Valley Forge for about 2 miles seemed really bumpy to me and I even stopped to check if I got a flat. But then after a few more miles it seemed to be smoother and I rode on.”
No matter how many times I ride through that section I have the same thought! There are just these barely visible frost-heave type things that are the perfectly wrong distance apart.