Hilltop Bicycles New Jersey - Cranford — Local services in Cranford

I don't usually write review cuz I think there is nothing need to be mention since I m dat kind of go-pay-go person. However, I deiced to write this review to let you know what good experience you will get from them. The review is going to be very long tho...

I went to 3 bike shops before Hilltop. And dat were 3 very bad experiences tbh. I do MTB a lot but I have no idea about road bike. So I did my research before I go to a bike shop(both the shop and bike). The reason why I choose LBS is that build a good relationship with them will benefit me in the long run. Even I did my research before I go I still need to know it is the bike shop that I can really trust in the long run. So I always start the opening with " I wanna buy my first road bike, could you please help me get one?" The first shop tried to sell $3000 bike to a beginner like me and dat was the cheapest one they introduced. The second one lied to me about they have the model(which they don't) I am asking and waste me 1 hour driving time. The third one was the worst...They tried to sell a used bike as new to me. However, I did my research and notice the model they tried to sell me is 2017 model even they told me it's the newest model(The newest model is 2019) and I also noticed there were heavy scratches on the wheel and frame(both are impossible for a new bike). In general, my experience was so fking damn bad. Maybe cuz I am foreigner so they think they can rip me off? idk

Hilltop was the last one I decided to try. I was going to order my bike online if Hilltop failed me like 3 other bike shops. I am so glad they did not fail me at all. Erin was the one who helped me get my bike. Even my broken English cannot stop her help me find the right bike. I start the opening ask for help even I know which one(at that moment) I am looking for... She asked me about the reason I want a road bike and introduced cheap one for me cuz I am a beginner. I feel something different intermediately cuz it seems like she does hear and care what I said. So I told her my real budget and the brand I am looking for. Then she introduced 2 bikes which are on my "Purchase list". Things go very smoothly and happy. However, they don't have the size that I wanted so she placed a new order for me. She also spent a lot of time explaining what I will get and help me find accessories.

Well...after I went back home I suddenly regret the bike I just ordered and wanna exchange to another same price bike. So I called them to cancel my original order exchange to another bike. No problem at all. They did it for me and put a tag on a new bike which is in stock to make sure they don't sell it.

So I went to Hilltop today again and I consider I was a "trouble maker"..in fact, I feel so bad being a "trouble maker". I don't really mean to but cuz 3 very bad experiences I had...It's really hard for me to trust another bike shop dat easy cuz everything went just too smoothly...I ask them to order a new one with the same size and color cuz the 3rd bike shop experience is still hunting me. I did check the bike hang on the wall multiple times and I m sure it's new...but I just can't pass the feeling. It's hard to describe but you will understand if you have the same bad experience like me. My request is not reasonable tbh and I did not expect a positive answer from them. However, even they do not know why I insist order new one rather than get the one in stock(I didn't tell my bad experiences to them). They did it for me. Erin just called someone make sure it's OK for me to order new one even they have one in stock. And now, I am writing my first review and waiting for my new bike : )

This is my whole bike experience in Hilltop Bicycles. From what I experienced...this is the one you can trust in the long run. They are honest and helpful. They deserve more customers and business. Hope my review can help you choose the right bike shop. Btw if you see the same review on yelp...

On a recommendation I went to Hilltop, spoke to a helpful salesperson and ordered a Specialized mountain bike. At the time of the order was told that it was showing that it was in the Specialized warehouse in the US (believe Ohio) and would be in within 2 weeks. I put a deposit of 1/2 the cost and left reasonably happy. After the 2 weeks I called the shop and was told that it would take some 'deep research' into the 'backend of the system' to find specifics on delivery date and from there the excuses flowed. I called 3 times and got every incredible excuse you could imagine, After several more calls I asked that my deposit be refunded to me, which was done. I went to another bike shop, ordered the same exact bike, and got it in 3 days. The owner of the alternative shop had no idea why I had such a problem getting a bike shipped in from Specialized. I still have no idea why Hilltop gave me such a runaround. Would not waste my...

I used to go here all the time as a kid. I bought about 2 or 3 bikes from this place over the years. I went to the store over a week ago and purchased another bike, they told me it was at another location and it would be shipped to the store and it should be just a couple days. Over a week goes by, I called on Friday and they said it may be in on Saturday. No call, so I assumed it was not in. Today, I called and they said it has not even shipped to the store. It would be a few days before it ships out from Florida up to a UPS location here and then it is on UPS to deliver whenever. A couple days will have turned into almost 3-4 weeks by the time it gets to the store and put back together. I cancelled my order with this store and will not go back. They clearly tell their customers what they want to hear to make the sale, rather than being honest about how long...