Park Slope bike store called out in Time Out

R & A Bikes is for bike snobs only. If you don't own a bike that costs over $1000 you just are not their type of consumer.

They can tell if you bring your bike into the store.

They will always get the high-end business because other bike stores don't cater to bike snobs as much as R & A.

I ended up buying a bike this week from Gotham bikes in the city. But I went to Dixon's first and they were very nice and helpful. But because I was super hard to fit (very short woman wanting a non-road bike) they only had one bike I could even sit on to try. But I will definitely be going there for in-the-nabe repairs and what not.

I've heard nothing but bad about R&A - especially if you aren't a super-serious high end rider.

I found Dixon's a bit hard to navigate--kinda dark and cluttered. R&A does definitely have a niche (weekend warriors in spandex who buy bikes as status items to show off in Prospect Park, I'm looking at you) and have never given me outright attitude, but the last time I was there someone followed me around the store as if I were stealing.

Does anyone know what the deal with the store on 7th in South Slope is? They're almost never open.

The thing with R&A is they have exclusives on a ton of high end models. So because they have a lock they figure where are Slopeheads gonna go to get their Cassati, Pinarello, Isaac & so on. I hear they do a great mail order biz as well.

I tried Verazzano. I test rode a few Sevens. Three models in two hours. Each model kept losing the chain and needed the gears tightened. I was not amused. Finally, I went to Mike on Vanderbilt and got a Land Shark. It's Bling Bling all the babay!

Hello All,

I have never posted here before, but I would just like to add to the many comments about R&A and what kind of douche bags they really are. I live above them and they "mysteriously" lost my package-which they accepted on my behalf without my permission-after having it for over 4 days without even notifying me they had it. It was food that my mother sent me (that she purchased on the internet) so I had to do some investigating (per my mom) about where it went. When I went in there, they kept changing their story and saying that they "thought they saw it around somewhere" but couldnt find it. Im convinced they ate it, since I never picked up it (but didnt know it was there since they NEVER told me). My mom ended up re-ordering it so it wasnt a big deal in the end.

They also just put in brand new wood floors (although the condition of my apartment and hallways are a wreck) and decided that it would be too troublesome to do during the day (and have to close the precious bike shop), so they worked overnight. I live on the third floor and until 2 in the morning all I could hear was loud banging and power tools. Not only that, but they were so loud that I could hear all of the guys screaming and yelling and carrying on. My roomate went down there and they were total assholes about it. The only reason they stopped was because we went down there to complain. They didnt even ask if we would mind all of the noise in the middle of the night, and then were really rude when they were confronted.

AND FINALLY, just after the wood floors were put in, they had to do some plumbing work in the shop. They shut my water off THREE DAYS in a row without notifying me, even though I went down there to ask them to let me know in advance so I could plan around the water being out. Not only that, but on the third day, they only turned the cold water back on. I went down there before they closed to make sure I would have hot water (I had to be up really early for work) and they assured me it would be on before they left-and of course-it wasnt. So they left my fucking hot water off and didnt really seem to give a shit about it. I had to go back into the store 24 hours later to get them to turn it back on (because apparently it was really difficult-they did it in a matter of 2 mins). Then last night, I went to turn on my sink and there was NO HOT WATER-AGAIN! Its 3 pm and they JUST turned it on since I complained over and over again because they kept telling me it was on.

Sorry for the negativity, but these guys really suck. My landlord is the father of the gentleman who runs R&A and I feel bad because he is so old and the bike shop just walks all over him. He was fuming when he found out what happened with my water. They just dont listen to him. Everytime I have to go in there, they are total dicks. I would never send anybody there for any reason.

:x

Subject: Bike Store Blues

Not only does it seem that R&A has a terrible reputation, but this bike shop used to be down the avenue, and the owners skipped out and didn't pay their last couple months rent.

A business built on bad customer service, and unethical behavior as a business, does not deserve to stay in business.

I guess deserve has nothing to do with it.

http://www.ahs.uwaterloo.ca/~tdglover/New Bike Seat I.JPG

Subject: Re: Bike Store Blues

joncane wrote: [quote=charlesbklyn]Not only does it seem that R&A has a terrible reputation, but this bike shop used to be down the avenue, and the owners skipped out and didn't pay their last couple months rent.

When was that?

Charles? Any response? When exactly was it that R&A skipped out on their rent? They've been in the current location for at least 20 years, probably longer, and they own the building. Are you sure they did as you said?

BTW, i have bought multiple bikes from both shops and understand why each has a loyal following, as well as why each has its detractors. No need for hyperbole or misinformation.

I'm Mr C's all the way. Carlos is the Man.

Subject: R&A

The family owns a lot of real estate on 5th avenue -- you can tell by the color of the buildings (blue paint). The guys who run the bike shop are children and grandchildren of the owners of the real estate. My sense is that they are:
1. Bike snobs, as mentioned by others. I bought a $850 bike there and got really crappy service, because I was not buying a carbon fiber racer.
2. Waiting to cash in on the real estate they will inherit. The buildings are clearly not being invested in, and it is a shame.

I bought a bike there and am sorry I did. I agree that they are a-holes!

I love the little bike shop on 7th Ave in the South Slope -- On the Move, I think. They are very nice and not snobby. I have no idea if it's a good bike shop for serious cyclists, but if you just want a bike to ride around the park, or your bike is making a weird noise and you can't figure out what's wrong, they will help you without making you feel stupid.

Subject: R&A-hole

WOW!
I geuss they've ALWAYS had a terrible 'tude at R&A. Ten years ago, I needed a rack for the back of my bike. Dixon's didn't have one compatible with my bike and very graciously sent me to their competition (didn't know the place on 5av then)
Those jerks did have the proper thing, but insisted that I had to bring my bike in to have THEM install it (extra charge, of course) because I "wouldn't be able to figure it out myself" WTF?!
I never went back there and, by the way, it was a piece of cake. I've never been exactly sure if he was just squeezing me for a few extra bucks or if he was just a misogynistic SOB. Probably both.

Subject: r&a

one time i went in there w/ my wife to get a replacement seat that had been stolen.

the hispanic guy who helped us was wearing man-dals and had the grossest fungus-infected toes. he also warned my wife that 'you shouldn't be riding this bike without your papi around'

lol..it was a tricked out rocky mtn bike..