Marblehead Cycle — Local services in Marblehead

I bought my first road bike here about 12 years ago and have had reason to go in and get things I needed over the years but have usually maintained the bike myself. This year I was having some problems with the shifters and knowing it had never been professionally gone over I brought it in.

The staff there are pretty inattentive at times especially if there are several working (strange), but generally it is OK.

When I brought my bike in, one of the staff had a quick look and said the chain was problem and it had to be replaced and because the chain needed replacing I needed a new cassette. This is after he initially told me that I needed a whole new set of shifters! The bike did not need any shifters. Money is not really a big issue, so although I felt I was being bamboozled I agreed. I was told it would take about 7-10 days. I left the bike there.

I was phoned the day before the bike was due to be picked up and told that they did not have the correct cassette and had to order this ( I wish they had done this day 1, the the staff member had taken a cassette off the wall and said it was correct on day 1)

A week later I went in to check where my bike was, another staff member told me that the part had still not come, when I asked when this might happen I was very rudely told that it would come when it came. He then turned around and starting to chat to one of the other staff.

Today I went in 4 weeks after I initially had brought the bike in (after missing a month of cycling) and said I just wanted the bike. The same staff member looked it up and said it was done, when I asked why I had not been phoned he told me my number did not work (although they had phoned me on the same number 3 weeks before).

I climb on the bike when I get out of the store and try to ride it, but whoever test rode it had not adjusted the seat back to where I had it. Unbelievable!

I am a big supporter of local and I live in downtown Salem, I do not mind paying extra to support local business but I doubt if I will go to Salem...

A few days ago I called for a price on a new rear rim. I wasn't sure what kind I needed ( freewheel or cassette) but they said they had both in stock. Yesterday I knew exactly what I needed, so I called, confirmed they had it in stock and what the price was. This moring I called and purchased the rim over the phone. He asked me to wait while he made sure they still had it in stock. It turns out they don't have silver, which they said they did, but they had black...fine. I sent someone over to pick it up, and they don't have it in stock....they can order it and blah blah blah.... Its Saturday. I need the bike on Monday. If they told me yesterday they didn't have it, I would have made other plans. This is a huge inconvenience and was totally preventable. I get that people make mistakes....I get that inventory systems aren't perfect...but over the course of 4 phone calls, 3 days, paying for the rim, and telling them someone would pick it up shortly......they never physically laid eyes on the rim ?? They couldn't have called when they discovered the problem !?!?! I bought my bike there a couple of years ago, and I will never go back after this experience. I will share this with my biking group, and tell everyone that will listen. There's 2 great shops in Beverly. Its worth the few minutes drive time to go to a competent capable shop that understands the importance of...

Becareful who you trust with your/family's bikes . I sent a bike to them for a quick repair and they gave it back with the original tire missing. Instead the kid working on my bike slapped a store tire on (that was added to our bill). When asked why, he said it was law that they have to recycle tires because the bead caused an air bubble. Regardless of the thin lies he came up with, we just wanted the tires back. We asked for the tire back but he refused. I'm sure the kid that gave such a rediculous story is enjoying the tires and whatever other parts he may have stripped from customers. With a slimy grin they freely gave us red valve stem caps (price of mtn bike tires vs stem caps, let's compare). We refused and asked for the tire again. He said no and instead he took it upon himself to put the red valve caps and the store tire on the bike anyways. I asked for the caps and tire that originally came on the bike when we dropped it off the same day. Once again the kid refused, and said "oh, too late we threw those out". They basically just rip people off and most don't...