The Path (merged threads)

Discussion in 'Bike Shop Reviews' started by guero, Feb 18, 2007.

  1. denmother

    denmother Gone riding....

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2007
    Messages:
    11,235
    Likes Received:
    6
    Trophy Points:
    38
    Gender:
    Female
    Location:
    Riverside
    As Mr. Wizard would say "Time for this one to go home".....
     
  2. S.O.S.

    S.O.S. Elvis made me do it.

    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2008
    Messages:
    131
    Likes Received:
    8
    Trophy Points:
    18
    Occupation:
    Smut Peddler.
    Location:
    IN a house
    Four strikes and there are out. regardless of what has happend to other people i know i always give the benefit of doubt to the shop and my personal experience. I dont know if they need to lay off the weed over there or what. Over the past few months I have orderd parts several times, they fail to come in unless repeated phone calls or shop visits are made.

    This last time was the last draw. I orderd a set of shock bushings and spacers for a coil shock i had purchased from Marzocchi. It took over a month to get them in!. i had found them else where but already had them on order so I just waited. I get the call that they are finally in, so the next week i go down there and they say the dont have them, and the guy working there did not even know what they were so after showing him what they were on another bike in the shop that he works at. He said i dont know take it up with who called me and told me they were in.

    HEY DUMBY EVER HEARD OF A PHONE!!!!!! call the manager who orderd them and see if he knows. Anyways this was just the straw that broke the camels back there were several other similar situations some worse, some less.

    Also to who runs the shop if your going to have that many people in there on a sunday working, maybe a little commen courtesy and customer service would help. For some reason when you go in there if your not in the cool kid crowd or spending 10k on somthing, you might as well hang out with the friendly peeps at the dmv.

    I will not be returning to the path anytime soon nor will my friends who have also repeatedly been burned.

    I have been to the restroom after your employees have used it, and geuss what!.......yers stinks just like the rest of us.

    Fullerton can get it right, Bike alley & Jenson can get it right.

    Not out for blood or being nasty just my review of the shop the last 6 to 8 months or so. If you are treated well there go for it they have a great inventory & stuff to buy. Reapair work and service they offer is standard, not nearly as good as they make it out to be and definatly not worth the wait.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 20, 2011
  3. Lovin

    Lovin Calmer 'n you are

    Joined:
    Oct 22, 2007
    Messages:
    1,472
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    0
    "******"? Wow.

    i edited the questionable term he used.
    -guero

    The dude's pretty racist, and I think that snaps his perspective into focus.
    -Randy
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 20, 2011
  4. wraschke

    wraschke New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 26, 2009
    Messages:
    209
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Occupation:
    Student
    Location:
    Huntington beach
    So completely random but theres a young girl that works at the path that is a total babe, any one know anything about her? She's in 20s i think, Im 23 so this isnt some creep old dude crush. But seriously she's a babe.
     
  5. unclepudding

    unclepudding Fueled by Frosted Flakes

    Joined:
    Jun 2, 2010
    Messages:
    625
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    16
    Occupation:
    Derivatives Trading
    Location:
    Chicago, Il.
    Lol. Post of the day.
     
  6. 92se-r

    92se-r Active Member

    Joined:
    Oct 31, 2007
    Messages:
    2,898
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    36
    Occupation:
    Electrical Engineer
    Location:
    San Diego
    Sack up and ask her out. Let me guess, you also think nice guys finish last right? Lol. Just kidding.

     
  7. TreksterFuelex

    TreksterFuelex Next to beer, I

    Joined:
    Feb 4, 2009
    Messages:
    538
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    18
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Inside sales
    Location:
    Anaheim, CA
    So I thought I might throw my two cents out there with my latest experience. Upon a recent visit, I had a wheel set built and some minor upgrades to my drive train. An early birthday gift to myself I had a set of wheels built. I surveyed a couple of shops to get an idea of what I'd be looking at in terms of price and build time. First and foremost, the path really stood out with the simple fact that they had a sheet outlining various types of wheel builds that included pricing for not only the equipment, but the labor. Trips to the other shops I really had to outline what sort of build I was going for. I wasn't asking for anything technical to begin with, but the quotes I was getting from other shops were just outrageous. Since the path caught my attention with price I figured I'd pull the trigger and go for it.

    As I've been seeing with previous postings about the path, I will say the initial greet isn't anything stellar. There have been numerous occasions where I've walked into the shop and haven't gotten a soul to give me the time or day. I've certainly walked into the shop feeling like I'm not part of the club. That goes without saying that it really didn't play too much of a role in a deciding factor for me. While it doesn't affect me, I don't know that I would recommend someone going into the shop for the first time by themselves. I only say that because when my wife accompanied me to the path, she even took notice to the lack of attention we were getting. Bottom line, once you do have someone helping you out they definitely know what they're talking about. Additionally, I found them to be very patient with the barrage of questions I was firing off.

    It ended up taking a couple of days to have the wheels laced and put together. I was informed they would call me when the job was completed. Sure enough, come the completion date I got my call. At the register paying for the wheels, the gentleman was quick to inform me that I would have a complementary dial in session with the wheels within the first 30 days. Got to admit, I was totally stoked about this. I had originally forgotten to ask about this after the fact that the wheels were being built. Personally, this told me that they really do care about the work that goes into a job for a customer of theirs.

    After two weeks of riding and breaking these wheels in I headed back to the shop to have the wheels adjusted and inspected. Didn't have to say anything more than "I'm here to have the wheels looked at that you guys built for me a couple of weeks ago" to have the serviceman take the bike from me. Through our discussion I found out that the pads in the rear needed to be replaced, especially since they were the original ones that came with the bike. I was also informed that it might be in my best interest to have the brakes bled too. Now, I've never had the bike inspected since I originally purchased it back in '08. At no point did I feel like I was being up sold (good salesman). The stuff that was being brought to my attention seemed to have made perfect sense.

    In the end, I'm really glad I took their suggestions and followed through with it. Shifting has never felt so easy, and the ride has never felt so dialed in before. I can't wait to dirty the thing up. In my personal opinion, I felt as though they did a top notch job on my ride. Raul was very efficient and most certainly knowledgeable.

    The final work performed on the bike...
    entire front and rear wheel build
    rear derailleur
    rear sprocket
    on the crank, the granny and middle ring had been replaced
    chain
    rear shifter

    cog resized.jpg rear resized.jpg front resized.jpg
     
  8. proraptor

    proraptor The Bikes & Brew Crew

    Joined:
    Jul 3, 2010
    Messages:
    3,476
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    36
    Location:
    Anaheim
    I bought some xt brakes from the path day and was scared they weren't going to stop me. The guy working on customers bikes told me if they didnt work for my weight I could bring them back and they would swap them for another set of brakes....thats service right there people
     
  9. maxwell

    maxwell Dirty Stinky PATH Love

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2005
    Messages:
    3,448
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Occupation:
    CRASH TEST DUMMY $#%&*^#
    Location:
    Tustin
    Home Page:
    Good thing you're not out for blood, or getting nasty! :-k
     
  10. Revalimage

    Revalimage Active Member

    Joined:
    Feb 12, 2008
    Messages:
    4,548
    Likes Received:
    9
    Trophy Points:
    38
    Occupation:
    Entertainment Production
    Location:
    Mission Viejo
    Ya know if you bring em cookies, you're instantly 'part of the club'... ;)

    +1 on Raul - he's great!
     
  11. dudevf1

    dudevf1 New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 30, 2007
    Messages:
    557
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    SD, CA
    I can't stand the phony greetings that I get at Wal-Mart or Costco and other places like that. I know they are giving gramps a job and all and that's fine, but even at Costco I notice that the greeters are jaded by it all and just propping themselves up barely uttering a word like it's all they can do to keep from running out the door from boredom. I'd much rather shop where I am not approached until I decide that I want to talk to someone. It's nothing personal it's just business. That puts the burden on me to make contact and get attention but I am fine with that.
     
  12. S.O.S.

    S.O.S. Elvis made me do it.

    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2008
    Messages:
    131
    Likes Received:
    8
    Trophy Points:
    18
    Occupation:
    Smut Peddler.
    Location:
    IN a house
    I'n all honesty I was not. IF it came off offensive I do apologize. I tend to be rough and to the point. {so my wife says}.

    Like I said before there were alot of other let downs when it came to standard bike repair that i didnt have time to do myself, that were done wrong and I know everyone makes mistakes, but when you go to pickup your stuff and you its not what you asked for, & then they tell you they are back loged so it will be another 2weeks. It doesnt make the customer to happy.

    Cheers and happy trails all.
     
  13. rodgerdodger

    rodgerdodger Member

    Joined:
    Apr 17, 2010
    Messages:
    689
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    16
    Location:
    Irvine
    the path staff

    here you go, get your stalk on...
     
  14. Racer X

    Racer X Member

    Joined:
    Apr 2, 2011
    Messages:
    406
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    16
  15. b3rnard

    b3rnard Member

    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2009
    Messages:
    794
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    16
    Location:
    Northridge (SFV)
    The Path to the rescue once more. Been looking for Hope 15 QR end caps like a mad man for the last hour, I found a few shops on-line that listed them on their site but none of them really had it in-stock.

    I called the Path, and Jeff hooked me up w/ a set. Easy over the phone transaction!

    Thanks Jeff.
     
  16. TREE

    TREE New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 25, 2010
    Messages:
    675
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    Las Flores
    Just made a service appointment for next week. Will be my first time taking the bike to the path for service other than wheel repair. Hoping the tune up service is top notch and the bike gets dialed in.
     
  17. BigTex

    BigTex Member

    Joined:
    Mar 15, 2010
    Messages:
    410
    Likes Received:
    16
    Trophy Points:
    18
    Occupation:
    writer/photographer
    Location:
    Ladera Ranch
    The Path initially got my business because within a couple minutes of walking in, I was asked if I needed any help, unlike some other LBSs in South County, where I appear to be invisible. Not only did I get questions answered, they were very patient with this noob who didn't know what the hell he was looking for. A couple visits later as I've narrowed things down and am just trying to get the sizing right, a little personal assistance from Tani was a great help.

    Flash forward a year from first walking in. I broke a RD cable two days before the Rwanda ride. With that looming and never having done a cable before, i called them. "Sure, I think I can work that in." Not only did he replace the cable while I waited, he tightened a few things, adjusted brakes and helped re-seat my front axle that was just a hair wobbly. All in record time and a price that I just couldn't believe - I was expecting double or triple what I paid.

    There are other LBSs that I would rate highly based on my limited experience, but they're far away from me. I hit Surf City when they opened their new location in Costa Mesa and found some very helpful people. Ditto Fullerton Bikes - I really appreciate them opening up their shop for the maintenance clinics. It's awesome and I hope it brings them a lot of money when they do ( I know I spent a few bucks in there that night).

    The Path is still a bit of a drive, but it's worth it, especially since the bike shops near me (both part of local chains) can't seem to see me until I'm at the register with my wallet out.
     
  18. shosan

    shosan New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 26, 2010
    Messages:
    18
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Really disappointed with the path

    ...and it is too bad cause they have great stock and selection and it is a local place. But after having friend's bikes literally FALL APART on the trail after they worked on it, and then waiting over a month for them to order and reorder the correct parts to fix it, and after having them blow some recent work on my rig, I will not be going back. Anyone have a suggestion for a local shop with decent mechanics? I don't know if they are hiring kids who have no experience, or if they don't check their work, or what, but it is really annoying.
     
  19. Padre

    Padre New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 22, 2006
    Messages:
    1,017
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Occupation:
    Inhuman Resources
    Location:
    Ladera Ranch, CA
    So the mechanic sawed the frame aaaaalmost in half before he sent it out the door, eh?

    Your friends bike was doomed no matter what.

    I have a hard time believing the shop is culpable for your friends bike.

    Define the work they blew on your rig.

    The Path IS the local shop with decent mechanics that are trustworthy.
     
  20. shosan

    shosan New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 26, 2010
    Messages:
    18
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    How about installing completely wrong size bolts for my friend's suspension linkage, then doing routine disc brake maintenance and then not tightening down the bolts so that the whole thing came loose on the trail..and that was after his suspension came completely undone ont he trail cause they installed the wrong parts. then they ordered the wrong parts. and he has waited a month to get his bike back now.. so, no, they didn't saw his bike in half as funny as that may sound.
     

Share This Page

Help keep STR alive, please click the donation button below