Tri-A-Bike Inc.

Category:	Bicycle Repair Shop
Address:	44841 San Pablo Ave, Palm Desert, CA 92260, USA
Phone:	+1 760-340-2840
Site:	triabike.com
Rating:	3.4
Working:	10AM–6PM 10AM–6PM 10AM–6PM 10AM–6PM 10AM–6PM 10AM–6PM 12–5PM

Location

Photos 84

Reviews 6

Yasin Chaudhry

After researching road bikes on-line for two years I decided on the style, geometry, group, and price point I was comfortable with. In knowing that I may have to travel outside of the desert to make this purchase I looked up dealers for both BH and Giant in Ontario CA, a much larger city than Palm Desert, and not too far away. Before making the trip, I found two dealers a short drive from one another, and I contacted them to make sure the bikes I was interested in were available. I then discovered that Tri-A- Bike was a Giant Dealer and thought, I could support a LBS and the community and buy local. I called Tri-A-Bike to see if this $1975.00, 2013, Giant rig was in stock and, was told that it was not. I asked if they could order it and was told that they would not inventory such a "high end" bike because they may have to hold on to it for to long. I was very surprised and thought that a new 2013 carbon frame bikes <2k with a 105 group is pretty common.I pushed the sales clerk a little further, and asked "well what do you do, if people want to test ride a bike that you dont have"? His answer was, "most people know what they want before they buy it". Well, I have done quite a-bit of research on the right bike for me, but I still wouldnt buy a bike without test riding it first, and any bike shop that offers that as an excuse is pretty lame in my book. Both Palm Desert Cyclery and Velo Bum have offered to bring in bikes based on my questions, but at the time, was to uncertain as to what I wanted to ask them to do this. to my surprise I have had both shops, call me to let me know that new bikes had arrived, and if interested could come down to test ride anything in stock. I guessed that this was the norm of LBS wanting to capture your business. I guess that this is not the case with Tri-A -Bike. Bikes are commodities...local customers are assets. they should learn this.

Caitlin Misencik

I want to start by saying if I could give 0 stars I would. My friend and I decided to rent bikes for the Coachella Music Festival this past weekend. Within 5 minutes of riding the bike, the rear derailleur literally FELL OFF. I am from Boulder, CO and am an avid road cyclist and triathlete, so I knew something was not right. We called the shop immediately, and they sent out someone to switch the bike for us (which cost $50, just to drive it to us). Then, upon returning the bikes, they made us pay for the bike to fix it, and replace all of the parts. When I started to ask questions, they immediately cut me off like I had no idea what I was talking about. I told them I knew bikes very well, and nothing I did could have done this. Yet again, they interrupted me and said I "must have fallen and bent the derailleur" I tried to explain to them that I never laid the bike down or fell, and I started riding it right after leaving the shop. But they wouldnt hear it. One other thing was the guy that picked us up said that "multiple other people needed to be picked up because of this issue" and "this is the weekend they make all of their money" Overall, this bike shop took advantage of my friend and me. They clearly believed we didnt know bikes at all, and just wanted our money. They were incredibly pretentious, rude ,and unhelpful. I would never recommend this place!! I really regret trying to be "green" and renting a bike instead of buying the $60 shuttle pass (which was cheaper). DO NOT GO HERE OR RENT BIKES FOR COACHELLA FROM THIS PLACE!

Alex Bonino

I have been to this shop a couple of different times. I happen to like Schwinn bicycles, and they are a Schwinn distributor. First time, I was looking for a particular Schwinn model, and wanted to take a look at the bike first hand, and possibly buy. I waited, and waited, and wandered looking at other bikes, and waited and waited. No one seemed interested in acknowledging me, let alone greeting me. Finally, someone noticed me, said they didnt have that bike in stock, (they had NO Schwinns in stock) spent 15 minutes looking up the Schwinn distributor catalog, couldnt find my model, and finally wound up steering me towards a diffent bike. I breifly tested the bike, didint like it at all, brought it back in the store, and waited and waited again. Finally, I just left the bike in the store and walked out. More recently, I was looking for a tire repair kit, and because they are close, and foolishly stopped by to "quickly" pick up a repair kit. Same story. Employees bsing with other customers (preferred ones, evidently) Waited for 10 minutes, couldnt find a repair kit in the display area and left again. Evidently, business is so good they dont need to bother with walkins. I wont be walking in again anytime soon.

Jim Beucler

I needed the front hydraulic brake bled after my bike had been in storage for a long time. These people, who had my bike in the store, quoted me 45.00! Whoa! I took my bike to Joels Bike shop where it took them about 6 minutes to fill and bleed and my front brake and I was charged 15.00. I called Tri-a-Bike and spoke with a Victor and asked him what is it they do that is so special they charge 45.00 for a 5-10 minute job. He said "Did you just call to hassle us"? Are these arrogant, rip off artists or what? I certainly think so. Ive since found out, there are many good bike shops around and I certainly dont consider these people to be among that group. Personally, I would never set foot in their store again. NOTE: He never did tell me why they charge so much. Hmm?

A Private User

Called to see if they carried ball bearings, when I stated the exact size needed the guy was unable to tell me if they had any because he couldnt "picture it in his head." Upon arrival one guy appeared agitated and seemed to have an attitude when I inquired about the bearings. I asked about the difference between linear and standard brake cables and once again the guy came back with "what the hell is that" When I showed them which ones I was talking about on a reputable bike site he said he didnt know what that is and they dont carry that type of stuff. The other two that were working attempted to help the best they could but that one guy man he just ruined it. If youre looking for BMX parts skip this place as theyre not anywhere near as friendly or informative as Joels.

Yolkedout Maniac

Friendly customer service, good prices, & very professional. They did a great job fixing my flat tire, I only had to wait about 5 minutes, and when I decided to buy a light, the went over the different lights with me, and I got a fantastic one for only $25. They installed it for me and this is the brightest light I have ever seen in my life. You can see everything and its very powerful. When my friend went to get her gears fixed, they didnt bs her about getting a tune-up, this and that and all this other bull like at Funseekers; they simply gave her a price, a time to pick up the bike, and a receipt. It was ready the same day and they installed new grips on the handle bar for free since the old ones were sticky. Im very pleased and Im definitely coming here again.