Strictly Bicycles

Reviews 4

EL

El-ad David Amir

I dislike leaving negative reviews to small businesses. However, in the case of Strictly Bicycle (SB), the service we got was so abysmal that this seems justified. We had two bikes "repaired" at SB. Bike #1. The bike had a torn tube and required a tune up. The store replaced the tube but did not bother checking the tire. As a result, fifteen minutes after leaving the store the tube was torn -- again. Apparently the tire had shards of glass in it. In the stores defense, they did replace the tire for free, but dragging the bike back fifteen minutes after leaving was annoying, as was waiting for a second repair. Following the tune up, SB recommended we replace the breaks. Three weeks later, as my wife was riding the bike, the pad that connects the break to the wheel fell off and she had to complete her ride with no front breaks. Additionally, after the tune up, the bike started making weird cracking noises. SB suggested that we do a "follow-up" tune up (for another $15) to solve this issue. Eventually, we took the bike to another store. They installed a new break and repeated most of the tune up. Bike #2. Again, we left the bike for a tune up. This time we also asked for a kickstand to be installed. When I showed up to collect the bike, the kickstand was not installed and the owner hastily installed it as I was waiting. A couple of weeks afterwards, as I was riding the bike, the kickstand fell off and almost tripped the back wheel. As an outsider it looks like the store is mostly a hub for bike hobbists who use it as a gathering point on weekends and shop for gatorade and power drinks. The store might be fine in that context. However, as two people who depend on their bicycles as a standard means of commute to work, childcare, shopping, etc., we were greatly disappointed. We felt that the technical staff is sloppy and neglectful. As a result we ended up in very unpleasant, perhaps even dangerous, situations. Having a break fall off and a kickstand roll into the wheels during a ride is inexcusable. Despite living twenty minutes ride from the store we will not be using their services again. Wed rather ride another fifteen minutes and use a business we can trust.

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A

A Private User

Im an intermediate non-competitive rider. I shopped 9 bike shops test riding bikes to find one that would handle hard packed trails and still provide a smooth ride on the road. Most shops steered me towards low end bikes that obviously did not meet my expectations. Two shops told me that no affordable bike would meet all my needs. Last year my wife and I searched long and hard for road bikes and would up purchasing at Strictly Bicycles (Pinarello- if you like road bikes and havent tried one out you have no idea what youre missing!). I always thought of Strictly Bicycles as specializing in upper-end road bikes, but I was exasperated and unwilling to settle for a trail bike that did not fit my needs so I went there to see if they could give me some insight on what to look for if nothing else. Without knowing I was a repeat customer, the staff provided me their collective knowledge on what I was asking for and after showing me several options they identified a bike in stock that met ALL of my criteria. I took a test ride and immediately bonded with the bike but the factory tires were not sufficient for my needs. It was the owners day off but he was out riding and stopped into the shop. He immediately recognized me as a repeat customer and took a significant amount of time (while he was loosing daylight) to set me up with tires and gear that would meet my needs. In the end I purchased the exact bike I was looking for. I did research after I got home and found that the bike was priced at market rate, but the level of expertise and service was definitely worth a premium which I did not pay and I know this shop to stand behind and serrvice every bike they sell. My wife and I are quickly approaching 50 and Strictly Bicycles helped us find the equipment in our price range that would enable us excel at the sport despite our age. These guys are the best!

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A

A Private User

I havent been to the new place, it looks nice, but I didnt have a great experience at their Main St location a while ago. (Correction, Ive now been to the new place, nice but seems like if you show up without wearing spandex service isnt that great. Prices werent too hot either.) Went in for an replace a component, general tune-up and to diagnose and repair a problem. When I went to pick up my bike, the replacement seemed fine. It didnt take long to realize they didnt diagnose or repair the problem. I actually found the problem in the store and the guy working on my bike quickly swapped out the part. He just grabbed a replacement and it didnt seem like he put much thought into selecting the part. It didnt match what was on the bike. It fit and its been working fine for years but it just seemed like they didnt care. As for the tune up. I had to learn how to adjust my front derailleur myself. Another time I went in to pick something up, after the person behind the counter asked questions to make sure I got what I needed, I didnt bother to check the package. Turns out it was we discussed I didnt need. On the plus side, went back right afterwards and the replaced it with no issues. Reading other reviews maybe its because I have an older, not very expensive bike. I try and support local stores as much as I can but I can figure out how to do the repairs myself and get parts cheaper online. I guess they do well enough with the hard core biking crowd and dont have to worry about the casual riders that may not have a big budget. I want to check out new store, its in a great location for them and looks nice. Not really looking to buy anything as I just bought some upgrades, gear and clothing online from REI. Other local shops seem about the same pricewise from what I remember. With the REI opening soon in Paramus, maybe their attitudes and pricing will change.

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BL

Blair Blackwell

Do not shop at this store!!! I visited this shop on two occasions and not one representative ever said one word to me. So on the first occasion it was the weekend and it was busy. So I thought to myself OK Ill give them some time... My roommate and I literally stood around for over 45 minutes perusing the selection and purposefully seeming very interested in making a purchase. Because guess what? My roommate intended on buying a bike that day! So this went on for 45 minutes and we finally gave up and left. We were not acknowledged. A few weeks later against my better judgement I returned. This time I was looking to get sized for a bike. Now on this day (Monday) the place was completely dead. 4 employees and 1 customer not including me. So I figure cool Ill definitely get service this time, boy was I mistaken. I was not acknowledged when entered and walked in past three employees. Again I made sure to seem very interested in buying a bike (feeling the weight sitting on them etc.) One employee was helping the guy that was already in there and the other three were doing absolutely nothing. This went on for about 20 minutes and again I gave up. What really irritated me was that on the way out one of the guys was chatting it up with what seemed to be his buddy that arrived while I was there. They were standing in the doorway. I walked right up behind them and made sure my presence was known. I expected him to slide over but nope he just kept on chatting. "Dude! Youre in a doorway!" So finally I said excuse me and he managed to move like 5 inches to the right. I basically had to turn sideways and squeeze out between them. Again during all of this time on both visits I was never acknowledged once. I highly recommend not visiting this bike shop...

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