Pacific Bicycle

07/16/08

Friendly, Helpful Shop

by tapiocasunshine at Citysearch

Pacific Bicycle on 4th street is a great, friendly place. I had just moved into the area and was searching for a LBS to take in a newly purchased (online) fixed gear to be double checked. I chose this shop because of the good reviews here on citysearch. I was not disappointed! They were very busy (it was a saturday morning) but as soon as i walked in someone who was already working on a bike told me i'd be helped in a minute. And just a minute or so later i had an employees undivided attention. He quickly and thoroughly checked everything on my bike, and explained everything he had done. I was charged a very reasonable price, especially for someone who'd never been to the shop and walked in without an appointment. I look forward to more business with this shop, i think it'll be my new go-to spot.

• Pros: Service, price
• Cons: In-store selection didn't look that large

06/08/08

Great guys, awesome inventory ... very busy on weekends

by rickmellor at Citysearch

I buy my bikes from Chain Reaction in Redwood City because I'm hooked on Treks. However, these guys are just blocks from my place so I go there anytime I need components, accessories, etc. I've gone in there with minor problems on my bike and they've helped get going again with no charge. When you have questions, they know know what they're talking about and will take the time to help you out.

The only problem, if you can call it a problem, is that they're very busy on the weekends. So if you happen to catch them during a rush you'll have to wait while they take care of everyone. In my experience they won't short change the service they give even when they're slammed so if you're patient you'll eventually get what you need. If you don't have the time to wait, just come back when things aren't so crazy.

You could say that long wait times are a bad thing but I prefer to see it as a good sign. If that many people have had a positive experience with them that they can get backed up like that ... well, just wait your turn and you'll leave a happy customer too.

• Pros: Great brands, great selection, ample inventory. Very friendly and knowledgeable.
• Cons: Can experience long waits on the weekends ... it's worth the wait though.

02/13/07

Worst bike shop I've dealt with in ten years of riding

by castrokathy at Citysearch

My partner bought a $900 bike from these guys, when we went in to shop for the bike we stood around for over an hour with only sporadic service, they would answer one question, disappear, reappear ten minutes later answer one more question, disappear and on and on until finally I had enough an grabbed a guy to take our order (the bike had to be special ordered). There were four other customers standing around waiting for help, at least one walked out. As it turns out there was a guy buying a $3,000 road bike and he was getting just plenty of attention from three different employees. Anyway, as I mentioned, the bike was special ordered. When my partner went in to pick it up, same thing, nice but too busy to focus one task and complete it. She stood around for 30 minutes trying to spend $900. Well, she got the bike home and lo and behold they didn?t build the bike to spec, two chain rings instead of three, stepped down components and a damaged (looked used) rear derailleur. I don?t know if this is incompetence or dishonesty, but I do know this is the worst bike shop I have ever dealt with. I guess all those other good reviews are employees or they bought $3,000 bikes. Spend you money somewhere else. Update: It turns out that they ordered the 2007 model rather then the 2006 model that we had come in to purchase. Obviously not dishonesty, but since we stood there looking at the 2006 catalogue, talking about the 2006 model one would think they would order the right bike. This just underscores the experience as disorganized and unfocused. They are ordering the right bike after spending a lot of time trying to convince that two chain rings would be just as good. I?m moving my rating up a notch.

• Pros: Friendly if unorganized staff, parking lot downtown
• Cons: Incompetence, disorganized, bad service