Horrible temper. Impatience. Don't know how to communicate.
I have no idea why this place has so many bad reviews. I was reluctant to go to this shop because of all of the negative reviews, but I was very pleasantly surprised by the service I received. I'm a student with no car so I ride my bike pretty much everywhere year round. When my front brake failed, I was pretty desperate to get it fixed quickly. Bikeworks was the closest bike shop that was open, so I called and took it there. While the owner Bruce wasn't interested in pleasantries or unnecessary chit-chat, he certainly was not rude to me. Nor did he bite my head off about my lack of bicycle knowledge as many reviewers reported. I dropped my bike off at about 2pm, expecting to receive a call the next day at soonest. Bruce called at 3:30 to let me know that my bike was done and that I could pick it up. He even kept the shop open for an extra 15 minutes so I could pick up my bike that afternoon. On top of that, the repair was incredibly inexpensive. I will definitely be coming back to this shop for all of my future bike-related needs.
I've known Bruce since the 1970's. Great to see he is still being his genius self.
I noticed the store was open as I went past the riding my bike. With the hours I work I never see the place open. I had today off because of Holiday. I walk in he says "where your bike?" "Just outside. ." "Can I help you with anything, are you looking for anything in specific? " "No, I've just never been here before and wanted to stop in and see what all ya got" "Are you looking for anything in specific? " "No I just wanted to check out the place. ." "Well if you're here to kill time, then you're wasting mine"
Recognize that he is an expert. You may have your ideas about what the bike needs, but don't try to argue that you are correct, because chances are, you're not. Do you argue with your doctor? If so, don't shop here.
He then stepped towards the door and wanting me to leave and so I did. Normally I am not the type to make reviews but this is the worst I'll probably be treated in an establishment in my entire life. He didn't know that I work full-time and make good money and would be interested in giving him my business in the future. To those of you defending him. Yes he may be a good person at the core, but his attitude is poor. His prices are not worth making up for his attitude. "He knows a lot" All bike store owners know a lot.
I agree with the other reviewers who commented that this is not a store which sells validation. Bruce is an expert bikesmith, with a degree in mechanical engineering from MIT. He isn't as industrious as he used to be, so his hours have been reduced and the turnaround is a bit slower. However he knows more about bicycles than anyone else in CU, by a long shot. I have owned a quality bike assembled by him for over 5 years, and have never needed any maintenance beyond monitoring tire pressure and lubricating moving parts. Many reviewers don't seem to realize that the $200 bike you got from Target or Wal-Mart has a lot more wrong with it than you may realize, and that the 'fix' people think they need is just not going to solve the fact that they are using or purchased a cheap or unmaintained bike. His estimates on costs and labour are accurate and very cheap. Many bikes he sells are 10-30% under MSRP. The labour he does will last many years.
Bikeworks is a US Store based in Urbana, Illinois. Bikeworks is located at 1103 W Main St, Urbana, IL 61801, USA.
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