TomCat Bikes, LLC — Local services in Portland

STAY CLEAR OF THIS SHOP!

This was my experience with Tom:

I left my well-cared 1987 Bridgestone road bike with Tom.  We agreed he he would build a new rear wheel (I broke a spoke and the hub while riding), replace the original brakes (with a promise the new ones would be easier for me to use), replace all of the cables, and do an 'essential service' of the bike; letting me know if he noticed anything else that might need attention.

The new brakes interfere with my existing rear rack and they don't work any better than my old brakes.  When I got home I found Tom had installed the brake pads backwards.

A velcro strap that was on the bike rack when I took the bike in was not on it when I picked it up and Tom had no idea where it was.

When I took the bike in I asked Tom if he thought I should replace either of the tires.  He looked at them and told me they looked fine.  However, WITHOUT CONSULTING ME first, he put a new tire on the new wheel.  Both A DIFFERENT TYPE AND SIZE from the original and not matching the front tire.

My original tires were Continental Gator Hardshell size 25mm tires.  He put on a Gatorskin 28mm tire.  He assured me it would be fine and that if I didn't like it, I could bring it back anytime.  I asked for the original tire and he said he didn't have it any more (although he had been working on it the day before I picked it up).

Tom built the new wheel with a rim that is completely different from the old one.  He did not ask me what I wanted and made no attempt to match the original rim style.

Instead of replacing all of my cables as agreed on, he replaced only one.

He charged me $120 for an 'essential tune up'.  He told me he adjusted the gears.  Later when I asked him what else he had done (since it didn't seem like much of anything) he yelled at me.  He also got mad when I told him I did not like the tire he put on.  He refunded me for the tire, but I still had to pay for a new one (elsewhere).

Overall this was a weird experience and after these interactions I did not trust Tom to work on my bike.  I  took my wheel to another shop to have the wheel build checked. The wheel (Tom built) was completely 'out of round' (in other words he did not build it correctly to begin with).  I paid to have the wheel fixed so that my bicycle is safe to ride.

I recommend you stay far far away from this shop if you value your personal safety, your money,...

The service here was absolutely unethical. Came in on my way to work due to a flat tire on my electric bike and he not only explained he can’t work on my bike but he literally slammed the door on me. I wasn’t rude until he basically shoved me out of the store. The employe also tried charging me 70 plus $ for work he supposedly couldn’t do and HIGHLY judged my personal bike. He also explained my tire doesn’t have a quick release for him to work on it when I clearly showed him it does! Unfortunately he wasn’t wearing a name tag and wouldn’t give me his name but I would love to review the footage and audio of this disgusting conversation. I’m assuming this place was closing soon and he just decided to be lazy and not want to take on another client. Not surprised, looked like a disrespectful portland hipster.

Nobody bullied you. Let’s see the footage, bud. I was on the phone the entire conversation. Instead of judging human’s personal items and also appearance, earn your customers trust by actually using your tools to be helpful. It’s contradicting to quote someone 64-70$ like you stated and then proceed to say the task cannot be completed. It’s clear to me you had a bad day and took it out on someone seeking utilities. Your customer even showed you how easily the repair could’ve gone but instead, you acted like a douche. Thankfully my husband didn’t have me...

Went here while I was shopping for a new bike. Had a couple friends with me to help , and maybe do some shopping also.

Service person was friendly and polite. Was just getting ready to ask how much a new model, of the one bike they seem to sell new, costs. Some sort of Surly.

Instead the owner of the store insisted that we leave, so that another customer could bring their bike inside. It is a small shop, and it was crowded. But mostly with bikes and boxes. We were there to be paying customers and instead this guy literally threw us out for no reason.

I've never really experienced anything like this before. Especially not from a bike shop.

I've been riding bikes for 30 years. My first job was in a bike shop, in Portland. I know I would never have been allowed to throw people out because I felt crowded, but I guess I'm just not as privileged as "Tom".

My two friends and I went to a couple more bike shops today. We all bought something. I bought a bike. My friends bought parts for their bikes.

But this shop won't be getting any of my money, ever.

A real shame, because I chose to support my friendly local brick and mortar shops...