Experience with Local Bike Shops Bought by Trek
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Experience with Local Bike Shops Bought by Trek
Over the years I've found "go to" bike shops that were reliable and knowledgeable and stuck with them for years. Invariably the owners retire and usually the bike shop just shuts down.
For the past 5 years or so Race Pace (several locations in Baltimore/Columbia MD) has been my go to shop. The owner Alex was hands on, did a lot of biking and valued customer service over milking out the last few pennies on everything. Prices weren't cheap, but quality and service was always high.
Alex is retiring and Trek is buying the Race Pace chain. Not necessarily a bad thing - Trek bought one I used occasionally in Northern VA and no degradation in service
How have other's experience been after Trek bought a local shop you frequented?
For the past 5 years or so Race Pace (several locations in Baltimore/Columbia MD) has been my go to shop. The owner Alex was hands on, did a lot of biking and valued customer service over milking out the last few pennies on everything. Prices weren't cheap, but quality and service was always high.
Alex is retiring and Trek is buying the Race Pace chain. Not necessarily a bad thing - Trek bought one I used occasionally in Northern VA and no degradation in service
How have other's experience been after Trek bought a local shop you frequented?
#2
Senior Member
Much the same as Specialized owned outlets. Less selection on the shelves if it is not company branded or sub-branded stuff. You get locked into their ecosystem. Unfortunate for the companies out there that make really good products and get no representation in local stores. This gives internet shopping more legs.
#3
LBKA (formerly punkncat)
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Jawja
Posts: 4,299
Bikes: Spec Roubaix SL4, GT Traffic 1.0
Mentioned: 17 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2208 Post(s)
Liked 960 Times
in
686 Posts
We have two Trek shops in the area that have very professional and knowledgeable employees. Both of them are well stocked so long as you like Trek bikes and Bontrager accys.
#4
Senior Member
Be a maverick. An iconoclast. Buy the bike at a Trek store, and get all your accessories at a Specialized store. Or vice-versa.
Likes For Reflector Guy:
Likes For prj71:
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Nor-Cal
Posts: 3,767
Bikes: lots
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1958 Post(s)
Liked 2,932 Times
in
1,489 Posts
The shop that I worked at was a great local type shop. There were 2, the one in SF was the classiest shop in the city for years. The previous owner designed the Serotta fit cycle w/ Ben. QBP has an annual award in his honor. After he passed away the shop was still well run and did fine. After Trek took over ownership this slowly went downhill. Many Employees quit, a few were fired for not meeting 'performance expectations'. The store in Marin has so few employees now it is only open 5 days a week. Last year was their biggest $ year ever, but if you were open you were selling a ton. Some Trek shops are good, some aren't, just like everything else. I found them wayyyyyyy too corporate and moved on.
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Eastern VA
Posts: 1,738
Bikes: 2022 Fuel EX 8, 2021 Domane SL6, Black Beta (Nashbar frame), 2004 Trek 1000C for the trainer
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 276 Post(s)
Liked 461 Times
in
270 Posts
What! Race Pace to be Trek stores. I have only been in the Bmore store a few time but it has that upgraded old shop feel.
But being serious in the Tidewater Va area the HDK shops became bikebeat then the owner retired and now they are Trek stores. The only issue is it’s all Trek stuff. But the primary people stayed. Like above it’s the people. Your area the Bike Doctor chain sells Trek and other bikes. Each store stands alone so I don’t see them changing any time soon. I was afraid the Trek line may get yanked but they don’t seem to worry.
But being serious in the Tidewater Va area the HDK shops became bikebeat then the owner retired and now they are Trek stores. The only issue is it’s all Trek stuff. But the primary people stayed. Like above it’s the people. Your area the Bike Doctor chain sells Trek and other bikes. Each store stands alone so I don’t see them changing any time soon. I was afraid the Trek line may get yanked but they don’t seem to worry.
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Martinsburg WV Area
Posts: 1,704
Bikes: State 4130 Custom, Giant Trance 29
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 422 Post(s)
Liked 183 Times
in
123 Posts
Interesting, does that mean Race Pace is going to stop selling the other brands they currently sell?
Would be kind of a bummer, but then again, possible more opportunities for other shops to pull in more bikes....maybe.
Would be kind of a bummer, but then again, possible more opportunities for other shops to pull in more bikes....maybe.
#9
Shawn of the Dead
Join Date: Apr 2021
Posts: 578
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 277 Post(s)
Liked 449 Times
in
216 Posts
I have only ever been in a Trek store once. When I bought my Domane. Seemed OK if you are into the brand. I like Trek and I do like the odds of a factory store having good support for the brand they sell as well as a good source for satisfaction through corporate if the corporate store messes up. Hope I never have to test that.
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Eastern VA
Posts: 1,738
Bikes: 2022 Fuel EX 8, 2021 Domane SL6, Black Beta (Nashbar frame), 2004 Trek 1000C for the trainer
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 276 Post(s)
Liked 461 Times
in
270 Posts
That’s what happened to our shops. Took a year or so for the transition. With limited supply now may not take as long.
Likes For biker128pedal:
#11
Clark W. Griswold
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: ,location, location
Posts: 13,830
Bikes: Foundry Chilkoot Ti W/Ultegra Di2, Salsa Timberjack Ti, Cinelli Mash Work RandoCross Fun Time Machine, 1x9 XT Parts Hybrid, Co-Motion Cascadia, Specialized Langster, Phil Wood Apple VeloXS Frame (w/DA 7400), R+M Supercharger2 Rohloff, Habanero Ti 26
Mentioned: 56 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4463 Post(s)
Liked 4,130 Times
in
2,760 Posts
One of the local chains in my area got bought out by Trek and we got a lot of employees from their shop to our shop and some of them have been quite awesome! However the shops are not as nice anymore.
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2020
Posts: 2,352
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 681 Post(s)
Liked 949 Times
in
556 Posts
we have one close that retained all the original people and it has been great with really great service. they can always fix our bosch powered tandem and they are less then a mile way so we can push it there. the only trek bike I have bought is their smallest one for our granddaughter as the cheap bike she had she could not peddle it.
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Denver area (Ken Caryl Valley)
Posts: 1,803
Bikes: 2022 Moots RCS, 2014 BMC SLR01 DA Mech, 2020 Santa Cruz Stigmata, Ibis Ripmo, Trek Top Fuel, Specialized Levo SL, Norco Bigfoot VLT
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 464 Post(s)
Liked 182 Times
in
118 Posts
Hard to small owners to give their employees the pay and benefits Trek can. Usually, their shops are bland and just like a big Specialized store. They kinda suck. Big Ring Cycles (Golden Colorado) was just bought by Trek, sadly. I got quite a bit of stuff from them. Unless I buy another Trek fatbike, I'll probably never go again. They used to sell BMC and another couple of brands but I can't see them continuing that. Reminds me..I need to get my $500 deposit back from them.
#14
Heft On Wheels
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: South Dakota
Posts: 3,123
Bikes: Specialized,Cannondale,Argon 18
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 887 Post(s)
Liked 560 Times
in
346 Posts
We had one go to shop in town, was awesome. Mech were great, sales people were awesome. Sold 6 or so different brands. Owner sold out to a bigger well known chain that is a Specialized dealer. Now all Spec stuff and not much other. Shop is not nearly the same on the service side as it used to be. Not saying its a bad store at all but just not as good as it was.
More of a corporate feel, I like local feel. I won't shop their anymore. I would rather buy online than shop at this store. I hit my two other local shops only if they have what I am looking for then online I go.
But like everywhere else big business wins without massive local support.
More of a corporate feel, I like local feel. I won't shop their anymore. I would rather buy online than shop at this store. I hit my two other local shops only if they have what I am looking for then online I go.
But like everywhere else big business wins without massive local support.
#15
On Your Left
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Long Island, New York, USA
Posts: 8,373
Bikes: Trek Emonda SLR, Sram eTap, Zipp 303
Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3004 Post(s)
Liked 2,434 Times
in
1,187 Posts
I rode into a new Trek stock 2 years ago.After talking to one of the salespersons they suggested I look at an Emonda. I then pointed out my bike IS an Emonda SLR.
I guess they didn't recognize it without the screaming TREK logos.
Maybe the manager has experience, but the sales person did not.
I guess they didn't recognize it without the screaming TREK logos.
Maybe the manager has experience, but the sales person did not.
#16
Senior Member
I prefer shops which offer a variety of bikes. Trek have taken over a few bike shops here in Tokyo, which annoys me a bit. I became something of a Trek “hater” after Trek threw Greg Lemond under the bus when he dared mention that Trek’s Golden Goose, Lance Armstrong, might have been doping. Of course Greg was telling the truth, but that didn’t stop Lance from “convincing” Trek to stop distributing Lemond bicycles, and destroying a good brand. And when the truth finally came out, I never heard that Trek apologized to Greg (now the only American Tour winner) or tried to make things right after destroying a multi-million dollar company. Trek’s rise to popularity was built upon the Armstrong lie, and I won’t do business with them.
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 22,998
Bikes: old ones
Mentioned: 305 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 26478 Post(s)
Liked 10,444 Times
in
7,246 Posts
.
...the one here that flipped was City Bicycle, which had been a local shop since before I moved here. So almost forever.
I've only been inside the Trek store that replaced it once, and didn't return. It seemed pretty empty in comparison to the old City shop.
I know at least a couple of people who took jobs there, after it flipped Trek, but I was never really friendly with either of them. I guess it's better than an empty storefront, which is what a lot of the local bike shops have become here. Even the old Performance store is still empty, up on Howe Ave.
It's not like anyone earns a lot of money from my spending on new bikes and repairs, so I'm not complaining.
...the one here that flipped was City Bicycle, which had been a local shop since before I moved here. So almost forever.
I've only been inside the Trek store that replaced it once, and didn't return. It seemed pretty empty in comparison to the old City shop.
I know at least a couple of people who took jobs there, after it flipped Trek, but I was never really friendly with either of them. I guess it's better than an empty storefront, which is what a lot of the local bike shops have become here. Even the old Performance store is still empty, up on Howe Ave.
It's not like anyone earns a lot of money from my spending on new bikes and repairs, so I'm not complaining.
#18
Member
Much the same as Specialized owned outlets. Less selection on the shelves if it is not company branded or sub-branded stuff. You get locked into their ecosystem. Unfortunate for the companies out there that make really good products and get no representation in local stores. This gives internet shopping more legs.
Yes, there is less selection on the shelves, but stores can often order what is desired. There is a local Trek shop that took over a Bike Line. I wanted to replace a fork on a Gary Fisher hybrid and they ordered what I needed directly from Surley or from QBP with no problem or mark-up. I've also ordered and received other non Bontrager parts and accessories. Maybe they can't get everything, but sometimes you just need to ask for what you want.
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 3,490
Mentioned: 33 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 891 Post(s)
Liked 2,324 Times
in
1,301 Posts
The Trek shop here is OK. The staff is friendly and I have bought stuff there. For most of my stuff I go to the independent shops that cater to us vintage bike guys. I did stop a couple of weeks ago because Trek is close to my shop , I was looking for toe straps . The young employee did not know what toe straps were! I guess I aged out of the store.
#20
Senior Member
GlennR, can any person with little experience in "Trek World" identify that bike with a simple glance? Looks like every other all black carbon bike out there. I've been in the bike biz since 81 and was not able to ID the thing either.
#21
Should Be More Popular
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Malvern, PA (20 miles West of Philly)
Posts: 43,185
Bikes: 1986 Alpine (steel road bike), 2009 Ti Habenero, 2013 Specialized Roubaix
Mentioned: 561 Post(s)
Tagged: 2 Thread(s)
Quoted: 22711 Post(s)
Liked 9,070 Times
in
4,213 Posts
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Martinsburg WV Area
Posts: 1,704
Bikes: State 4130 Custom, Giant Trance 29
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 422 Post(s)
Liked 183 Times
in
123 Posts
Just an FYI if anyone is interested. Checked out Race Pace's web site. It appears they have many bikes in stock and shockingly, discounted all bikes. Granted only 5%, but still!
https://www.racepacebicycles.com/
https://www.racepacebicycles.com/
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Baltimore, MD
Posts: 5,560
Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2589 Post(s)
Liked 3,109 Times
in
1,768 Posts
I rode into a new Trek stock 2 years ago.After talking to one of the salespersons they suggested I look at an Emonda. I then pointed out my bike IS an Emonda SLR.
I guess they didn't recognize it without the screaming TREK logos.
Maybe the manager has experience, but the sales person did not.
I guess they didn't recognize it without the screaming TREK logos.
Maybe the manager has experience, but the sales person did not.
#24
Full Member
Join Date: May 2009
Location: WI
Posts: 262
Bikes: 2010 Bob Brown Cycles tandem, 2019 Co-Mo Carrera tandem, 1980 Richardson tandem, 2014 Cervelo R3, 2018 Specialized Roubaix, 1985 Bianchi Campione, 1983 Trek 720, 2020 Trek Fuel EX8, 2021 Salsa Mukluk
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 72 Post(s)
Liked 116 Times
in
70 Posts
A new Trek store opened in our area about three or four years ago. I would stop by every once in a while to say "hi" and to check out some new bikes, but every time I stopped in I was greeted by new employees. For whatever reason the place had a rather high turnover of employees, so I quit going there.
#25
On Your Left
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Long Island, New York, USA
Posts: 8,373
Bikes: Trek Emonda SLR, Sram eTap, Zipp 303
Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3004 Post(s)
Liked 2,434 Times
in
1,187 Posts
Still, it was easily recognizable that it had Sram Red eTap so a closer look should of been warranted before trying to sell me something.
BTW, I stopped in to use the bathroom and fill my water bottle... not buy a bicycle.
Likes For GlennR: