Outback Bikes — Local services in Atlanta

Not sure why getting some bad reviews? I can understand if the store is busy, a new customer can become a little irritated----solution: arrive 1st thing in the morning or near closing time to get the one on one time you may need. (We checked out store for 1st time on a Friday eve right bfe closing to check out bikes and get a feel, and we came back the following morning to make purchase. Midday you have to expect there is going to be some congestion* Customers much cut them some slack--they are in a busy busy district of ATL and the store gets busy so if you are going in for the first time, choose a good time to get the personal attn you seek.

Store advice---since mabe some people are complaining of being ignored......try to develop a system where you make the prospective buyer known quickly and that you have 1 person ahead of you and then I can answer your questions? I work in a dental practice and when I let a patient know we are busy/running behind that settles them down a great deal. Edgemont (?sp) the manager of store handled us that way yesterday and it was perfectly done....he made know that he saw us, 1 min later came to us and said he had to finish a client and would be with us in 10 min:):) Mechanics dept: I would mabe suggest a signup sheet or sorts that people could jot down name and brief concern with bike??? So people are addressed in order: I do know i stood there for a few minutes without being addressed. Just give some eye contact to let person know you see them. Sylvester: Head of mechanical dpt, 25+ years experience in bikes, and i believe was a former owner of bike shops is absolutely fantastic. Very knowledgeable, very personable and knows his stuff---Einsten of bikes!!!!

They have a large selection of bikes, good size repair center, bike fitting room, apparel. Parking: enter lot on side of bldg--free parking spots attached to their blue bldg. Large parking lot in back to take bikes for a test ride---PERFECT!! (Arrive early when parking lot is vacant).

If you want to purchase bikes without having the snootiness of other bike shops, check them out. Josie, Edgemont are absolutely fantastic. They are both very personable. We explained what we wanted---and they came through. No up selling---they listened and were determined to meet our needs. After picking out our bike choices, they immediately take you to be fitted in back of store. Edgemont---has had extensive training on fitting riders to bikes(20+ years in bikes) Afterwards--he went over care of bike with polishes, etc.....we have been cycling for 6 yrs and still have much to learn, so its good to hear someone want a buyer to take care of his/her bike.

This was the best experience we have every had with bike purchasing!!! Go check them...

At first everything was fine but then fell apart at the end. The owner or whoever is on the other side of the thread( maybe Kate)has bad communication skills. With days, weeks even a month of hearing nothing before I have to reach out. On the 7th of July was TBoned by a car. Full left side impact. On the 9th I had dropped off my bike for an estimate. 3 weeks later I told them to start on repairs. On Aug 26th I received a message stating that the back wheel is has wear and tear and that there would be an additional $85 but out of pocket. This would have made total repairs apx $400. Out of work, no insurance, still paying all bills wo income, all while trying to recover as the at fault guy had the minimum so which was not enough to cover med bills let alone lost wages and no further med treatment. The lawyers only gave me $300 for repairs. Finally enough, on Oct 22nd I went to pick up the bike the tech stated that the spikes are loose. I asked if this could have happened by getting hit by a car? He said yes, something like that could cause that. I don’t have any extra money. Whatever I have is already accounted for by the bills even choosing vet bills over my own groceries. So ultimately I have been given an almost repaired bike. It’s simply bc they didn’t inspect it well enough. And when discovered they went with its regular wear and didn’t want to give me my bike back. I don’t have extra money to pay for it so they made me to sign a waiver that I refused to fix it. I wasn’t getting anymore money. That was it. $300 for a bike that would sell for just as much if not less. To try and save face they said it was regular wear and tear. I care for my bike and can tell you there was little to no loose spokes prior to the accident. My argument is that it was done by the car hitting the bike as there were no loose spokes prior. The prolonged wait, no response to simple questions, the shifting blame, and no accountability. They made a horrible event/time/place in my life even worse. I simply needed to be done with her. The lawyers at least were getting me my bake back or so I thought. I still won’t be riding for a while as they made me so nervous by signing a waiver. I should’ve gone somewhere else but wanted to support local to my side of town.

P.S. I was later told about that place and their reputation of being rude and over priced. That “ they try to pull a mechanic by getting as much $ out of you. I would recommend just about anywhere else for biking needs. However the guy with the glasses and goatee was nice enough and hope he gets his own place so as not to be affiliated...

Absolutely rude agent on call. Would leave me on silent while still on the call and not respond until I told her it was an sworks tarmac bike I was going to bring for service. Absolute class act from your shop, Out back bikes! Just cuz folks ask for an estimate in terms of time and price doesn't mean they're broke or that you're too fancy for them. Felt the heavy discrimination very deeply (maybe it's my south Asian accent and her racist tendencies but we'll never know) and will never recommend anyone from any of the social rides/group rides ever visit this shop for any work.

I had rides planned and wanted a quick fix so I was calling up asking for estimates on how long it'll take and how far they're backlogged. I spoke to about 7 shops and this was the rudest one to the point of ridicule forcing me to review it. I haven't written a review in years.

Be kind, you're a bike shop. Bike folks ride in groups. You'll be known.

Edit to reply: I was not agitated and specialized did not laugh at me or whatever this lady is stating below. She's just trying to defend my remarks calling out her discrimination.

I spoke with multiple shops and requested an estimate of time from the same phone. Everyone besides her responded and we didn't speak more than a few mins. This person just stopped talking after knowing I was asking for a quote on time and price to fix - and this was before I even got the opportunity to tell her what the issue in the bike was. She never mentioned that she was going to wait for techs to join the call or whatever. She just didn't want to hear me out, maybe it's my non-white accent.

I asked to speak to someone that would be willing to listen to the actual issues without cutting me off saying no estimates are possible without even knowing what the issue is.

My frustration was not due to the shop being busy, it was due to the discrimination and it was incredibly funny to see the lady start talking immediately once she heard what bike I had. You can't make this up. I would've just hung up assuming the network was the issue had she not responded. Yes, she recommended a mobile repair shop and thanks for that but you can definitely refine how you interact with 'customers'.

Sorry but we do not tolerate or just silently accept...