| rev:text
| - **Abridged version:**
No nonsense store. They get the job done and know their stuff. It's not a Macy's where every single person who works there greets you. ;) This place also has a Retül bike fitting service.
**Long-winded, aka, RaDragon version:**
I needed to have my stock Specialized MTB receive some TLC. Found Broken Spokes on a random search and read the reviews: Hmmm.. not so great. Saw a Groupon deal (50% off their "Advanced Tuneup" service) and went for it... Might as well roll the dice since it was a great deal. (Get it? Dice? I'm in Vegas? Hehe. ;))
Anyway, I went at the start of the week (late morning), and knowing that I wouldn't be greeted upon entering (didn't mind), I walked my bike towards the back of the store. There was only one other customer there and it was at the tail end of their conversation. I was polite, smiled, and told the dude I needed my bike maintained and had a Groupon deal. I handed him the Groupon print out, and he handed me a service slip/form to write my info. After filling it out, I also mentioned that I will need new rim tapes/liners -- "Liners?" he clarified; "Oh, yes, liners, I responded, and explained that I noticed they were worn after I switched out slick tires back to the knobby ones. He said "ok", made a note of it on the slip and then handed me the top part. I asked him for a rough estimate on when I could pick up my bike and he said "Wednesday" (i.e., 2 days after I would drop it off), and mentioned that I would get a call when it was ready.
Fast forward to the next day (Tuesday afternoon) and my mobile rings -- it's Broken Spokes and my bike's ready! Went to the shop with my receipt and handed it to the man at the register (different guy). He was already like, "Oh, he's getting your bike at the back." He also asked me if I had already submitted my Groupon print out, I said yes, and then paid my bill. Out comes the dude from the day before with my bike; he confirmed that he had replaced the rim liners and also said he had to change a top part of my front brake (where the cable meets the cradle) because it was rusted; he casually asked if the bike's been used somewhere close to the coast, and I was like, "How'd you know?" (Duh -- I still had the "UC Cyclery - La Jolla" sticker on the frame. xD)
After this transaction, I asked how much it would cost to have a bike assembled from scratch, and he gave me the pricing for a full build (i.e., parts still in boxes), and partial build.
Overall, I had a pleasant experience. Didn't feel slighted, nor ignored; then again, I was the only customer there. On the day I dropped of my bike, I did linger to look around the shop (they had a bargain bin -- I had to check it out) and during this time, a couple came in inquiring about their MTB rentals; another man handed them a flyer and that was it. They may lack "bubbly customer service," but I didn't feel like they were cold or unwelcoming either.
I'll come back here to have my road bike built (once all the parts have arrived) and possibly consider the Retul fitting service.
p.s., I test drove the bike later on, and it was great! I can ride it without holding the handlebars again (not that I would on the trails, of course). ;)
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