Tread Bike Shop — Local services in New York

I never leave google reviews but I just had to give a shout out to Danny from Tread Bike Shop. I called today because I wanted to have cleats put on some road bike shoes I received as a gift and have dual pedals installed on my bike. I have never used bike shoes except for spin classes so I am a novice when it comes to all of this. I have to admit that I have had terrible experiences in OTHER bike shops where the male employees either don't take me as a serious cyclist or kind of speak to me as though I'm clueless so I was a little hesitant to call.......

Boy was I wrong! Danny picked up when I called, answered all of my questions and assured me that they can take care of everything for me at Tread. When I got there, Danny WAS NOT looking for a sale. He asked me all of the right questions to get a better understanding of what I needed; he wanted to know me as a cyclist. He didn't just say "get these pedals". He took the time to explain the differences between the pedals, the advantages/disadvantages of road bike shoes and mountain bike shoes, how to clip out the shoes, etc.... After explaining everything to me, I realized that mountain bike shoes would be more practical for me (than road bike shoes) and I was ready to purchase a pair! Unfortunately, there weren't any in my size but I gotta tell ya, Danny checked EVERYTHING to find my size lol!

I had the pedals installed and I was so happy about what I learned today. Additionally, Danny noticed that my saddle was TOO low and wanted to see how my leg extended when I rode so he took me outside, checked me out as I rode a little and adjusted it to the right height- even put some tape so I won't forget the height. It was a MAJOR difference when I rode it after!!! It is evident that Danny is PASSIONATE about bikes, cycling and PEOPLE and it shows in the way that he interacts with customers.

Thank you Danny, for your great energy and taking your time to provide me with a wonderful shopping experience. I learned so much today and I appreciate your patience and warm approach with answering all of my questions. You actually built up my confidence- had me feeling like I could ride in the Tour de France! LOL! It is customer service like I received at Tread today that makes people come back and keeps people riding!!!! ...

I hate to leave negative reviews...but the customer service was just off and I was very uncomfortable during the experience. Words of advice...they should know better than to bring high end bikes into a non visible back room without inviting the owner, especially if they know they want to watch the work. I just sat there extremely anxious and didn't know what to do.

I brought my $2000 bikesdirect bike in for a simple repair because it was damaged during shipping, literally a sub 5 minute fix when in a stand (by an experienced mechanic). They had my bike in the back room out of sight way too long. I was extremely uncomfortable and distressed by the experience. I wasn't sure what was going on. I usually service my own bike, and know the speed that people can do work, literally minutes to do swap outs by a typical mechanic.

The shop asked me to leave the bike there a few times but I wanted to watch the work being done (first time I came they didn't have the part, ordered it and called to have me bring the bike in). When I came in they brought my bike into a non visible back room. I asked where they were going, they said they had stands on the side, I tried to peak in but couldn't see anything. I was a little nervous but thought ok they should be out soon, I don't need to see the bike every second. All of a sudden they couldn't find the part. The guy was walking to the front, to the back, all over the place.

I don't know if the mechanic I got was just a little inexperienced but my $2000 bike sat in some unknown room as beater bikes were in the front/visible stands coming and going, who knows what could have been happening.

When the mechanic finally came out he mumbled something to another mechanic...I don't know if it was paranoia but I swear I heard one of them say the words "fast swap out"...Overall they should know better, I know enough to know that the situation was odd. I would have done the work myself if the insurance didn't need proof of professional installation.

Prices were average, it's the unexpected that I wasn't happy with.

pros- they have free air and for the most part seem to have an...

Extremely disorganized, inefficient and borderline scammy. Needed to replace a bolt and bearings on my Specialized bike. Went to them because they were listed as an authorized dealer. Showed them the bike and asked if they can get all the parts needed before I drop off my bike for repair (so they wouldn't have to keep my bike for a long time). Even offered to pay for the parts in advance. They told me that they won't know what exact parts they need until they take the bike apart. (You have a certain bike model right in front of you, with certain parts that need to be replaced. Why not check whether you have the parts in stock? If you don't have them why not check with Specialized if they have them in stock before accepting a bike for repair?) A week later had to call them just to find out that they tried ordering a replacement bolt from Specialized and it was back ordered. Was told to wait 2 weeks. Called 2 weeks later and was told that the bolt was shipped and it should be arriving soon. Called again a week later, turns out the bolt was never shipped but will be shipped soon. I told them that at that point I'd rather just pick up my bike and try my luck elsewhere but was convinced to wait a few more days. On a day when it was supposed to be delivered I recived a text from Tread saying "Sorry to inform you the pivot kit never arrived so we couldn't do the bike. We are putting back together now ifyou want to come pick it up." Picked up my bike next day. They had my bike for a month. No issues we fixed. The employee (owner?) proudly stated that they lubed the bearings (the bearings that need to be replaced). Called them again a week later to see if they finally received the bolt. They said they did. I asked if I can buy it from them. The employee said it was $80. Called Specialized LIC, they ordered the same bolt for me for $40. During this entire process while they had the bike, no one from Tread contacted me to quote any price and to confirm that this price is OK with me. I genuinely don't understand how this works. Do they name any random price and expect...