I had such a fantastic experience with Bespoke Cycles in San Francisco for my fit and custom build that I felt compelled to write a long-term review. The Bike Fit Earlier this year, I decided to get back into cycling after a long hiatus. I had been commuting on a 20-year-old steel bike, but quickly realized it was agonizing on rides longer than an hour. I worked with Ari at Bespoke to fix this. He patiently interviewed me, measured me, and used Retül pressure mapping to revolutionize my position. He modified my old bike, set me up with new shoes, and dialed in a saddle that finally worked. While the tech is impressive, Ari's instincts are sharper; I get the sense he could nail a perfect bike fit with just a tape measure and his eyes. Once I felt the difference, I wanted a new bike immediately. Ari actually urged patience. He encouraged me to ride the new fit for a few months--on my old bike, my trainer and on rental bikes--to validate the changes before we committed to a build. When i experienced back pain after some longer rides Ari realized it might not be a bike fit issue and referred to me to a bike focused physical therapist (Action Sports Medicine in Sausalito) who was able to accurately diagnose my situation and suggest exercises to remediate it, which worked! As a team they really changed my relationship to the sport. The Dream Bike The eventual build process was a true collaboration. I knew generally what I wanted, but Ari guided the specifics. I wanted a flagship machine and was willing to pay for it, but Ari consistently focused on value. He even talked me down from some unnecessary upgrades. In hindsight, his advice was always spot-on, avoiding the usual industry marketing hype. The result is a mixed-material Titanium and Carbon All-Road bike from Seven Cycles. I have two separate wheelsets (which Ari hand-built using Reserve carbon rims) to swap between road and gravel. We also collaborated on a custom scheme with Black Magic Paint in Portland, who perfectly color-matched the bottle cages and a Silca frame pump to the frame's carbon elements. The bike fits like a glove. I was out on a 6-hour ride recently and felt fresh enough to do six more. As a tinkerer, I've inspected the bike closely; the tolerances and assembly quality are flawless. Build Specs Frame: Seven Axiom (Ti/Carbon Mix) Groupset: SRAM Red AXS 2024 Fork: Parlee Gravel/Cross Fork (Custom Painted) Finishing Kit: Enve Paint: Custom by Black Magic Paint (Portland) Road Wheels: Reserve 34|37 (Hand-built by Ari) Gravel Wheels: Reserve 25|GR (Hand-built by Ari) Pump: Silca Impero (Custom Painted) Final Thoughts I noticed his computer background was Picasso's Guernica, which made sense--Ari is as much an artist as a master builder. Building this bike felt like an act of curation. Here is my advice for getting the best experience at Bespoke, which might carry over other custom builders people might work with as well: Responsiveness: Ari is incredibly responsive. He answered countless small questions during the build within hours. Don't hesitate to reach out; he makes time for you. Documentation: Keep a log. There are a hundred details in a custom build. Keeping your own notes and proactively sharing them ensures redundancy and prevents miscommunication. Collaboration: Working with Ari can be a gateway to the kind of bike building experience very few others can realize, but you are well served to be an active participant. Ari is a master, but treating this as a partnership rather than just a transaction yields the best results. Your engagement will pay off in the final product. I give Bespoke Cycles SF my highest recommendation. Ari didn't just build me a bike; he ushered in a new era of adventure in my life. read more

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After finally getting a bike plus a tune up, I let the bike sit untouched for months. With the nice weather out, I finally felt motivated to go for a ride, but when I went to put air in the tires, the front wouldn't hold. After countless online searches, Reddit threads, and YouTube videos, I looked up the closest shop and called ahead with a few questions. Ari patiently walked me through what to check over the phone, but I was still unsure of the issue and brought it in. He kindly took it in for the needed flat fix. I really appreciate how patient and helpful he was, both on the phone and in person, especially with someone who doesn't know much about bikes. Great service, very approachable, and made the whole process easy. I'll definitely be coming back next time I need anything. Hoping this is the start of getting out on my bike. read more

I came to the shop during the week at the end of the workday to try Bont and Lake shoes. I had friends waiting in the car, but had to wait outside in the cold for 10-15mins until Ari finished with a customer. Since this was in the middle of covid, I understand the ask to wait outside as he was there alone. My shoe fit issue is I need more room on the outside of the toe box. I tried the Bonts that were in stock, but it was a size or two too small. He suggested the Lake CX-241. This almost worked but my toe was still touching the outside of the toe box, and I know from experience after 3-4 hours of riding, a "touch" turns into discomfort. Well, Ari insisted that this shoe that would work for me even though my feet felt otherwise. Interestingly one of the shoes had a cleat installed...could he be pushing to sell a returned pair of shoes? I have never had a salesperson tell me the shoe fits/works for me for any type of shoe! To get him to stop pushing, I told him I would go to another store to try a different shoe. I thought this should suffice but then he asks (in an assertive vs curious tone) what specific shoe I was looking to try. He even said the Bonts would not work for me. Finally after a couple years I purchased a larger sized pair of Bonts (wide) that work! I also tried the newer Lake CX-242W which are even wider than the Bonts (and the CX-241) in the toe box, but when looking at the lasts, the Lakes curve inward and since my feet are straight, the outer toes are hitting the outside of the toe box. Ari appears to be very knowledgeable, but either he did not fully understand my fit issues or did not contemplate the different shapes of the lasts between Bont and Lake shoes. read more

Ari is awesome. Very knowledgeable and very kind. He put together my bike very, very thoughtfully and asked to meet me in person beforehand to get a sense of my body type. He did a fantastic job. I actually dinged my bike up in the first month of owning it. I came to him asking for advice and he fixed it for me in a week, free of charge! Can be a quirky character, but he's a bike genius. In a biking city with many options, I go to him with all my bike needs. read more

I'm a competitive rider, and I have been working with Bespoke for nearly 20 years. I've collaborated closely with Ari in all the key areas that are critical to any cyclist's success - from bike fit, to equipment and maintenance. I'm certain that no one in the space brings more experience and expertise than Ari. Not only is Ari a bike fit maestro with the latest and greatest fitting equipment, he's a world class mechanic spanning all component types (I'm a Campy guy). I always appreciate Ari's highly communicative and consultative approach, and I never leave the shop without learning something new. No matter what your level, if you're passionate and want to get the most out of your cycling experience, I highly recommend Bespoke. read more

Bespoke Cycles - Bikes Near Me - San Francisco, California

Shop owner appears to be very knowledgeable and is friendly, but lacks customer service. I waited many weeks to get an appointment to try on a pair of Lake shoes (as he is an auth'd retailer in SF and has them in stock), and when I was finally able to get in, we discussed the plan to order inserts to help with some discomfort I have been having with my feet. We agreed on a course of action and owner assured me he would order the inserts needed and I should call him back the next week to come in, get shoes, inserts put in, etc. Left super-excited. Fast forward: I followed the owner's instructions and called the next week - no response. I emailed him a few days later - still no response. It has been about 5 weeks since and I have yet to receive a response and don't suspect I ever will. Fortunately the owner didn't take a pre-payment but it would have been nice to finalize an endeavor that started about 3 months ago. C'est la vie, but we forewarned that you might come away feeling less than satisfied. If you aren't - that's great! Hope the customer service aspects can be improved upon. read more

Ari is incredible. My bike's derailleur snapped (or at least I thought it had), and I wasn't sure what the repair would cost. I emailed Ari, and he was extremely responsive. He asked me to send a few photos over, then asked me to stop by in person. After taking a look, he confirmed that the derailleur hadn't snapped but had somehow come loose, causing my chain to no longer be aligned. He fixed it on the spot for me - no charge. He then spent a few minutes giving me a really honest point of view on the type of service that he provides relative to other neighborhood shops and when it would make sense for me to visit him vs. my normal tuneup spot. Super thoughtful guy that appears to be doing really high quality work. read more

I have had two bikes from Bespoke Cycling and can only give rave reviews for the ordering, fitting and then follow-up maintenance. Absolute quality in every area of service! Specifically Ari is straight forward and efficient! I would never change the bike or the service!! read more

If I could give 10 stars, I would.... In advance of doing the Aids/Liefcycle ride from SF to LA, I booked a bike fitting with Ari @ Bespoke. I had recently got back into cycling and bought a new bike. He evaluated everything from my shoes to my posture and related my cycling performance and positioning to swimming (my go-to exercise). He refit my bike, added a saddle and adjusted my cleats. I was more comfortable in my bike over 7 days and 545 miles than I had previously been in 50-70 mile rides. Shoulder pain, stiffness, back ache, all gone. I can't recommend Ari strongly enough-he worked miracles in making adjustments that definitely improved my comfort and performance. read more

This is the most professional Bike shop I've been to in all of the Bay Area. They carry some of the best quality cycling gear that isn't stocked by other shops. They're speciality is bespoke fitting whether it be on the bike or even shoes. I learned that since my feet are super wide they recommend I try Lake shoes and it changed my whole perception of a comfortable feeling cycling shoe. Highly recommend if you need extra detailed attention to your cycling needs. Ari mentioned that they also have shop rides and many custom built bikes. read more

I've had a lot of bike fits over the years and Ari is by far the best bike fitter. Ari listens to your needs/concerns and helps you adjust your bike accordingly. He makes sure you are comfortable with whatever changes he's made. For years I struggled to find a comfortable saddle. Ari was the first fitter to really listen and help me find a saddle that's perfect for me. I've been using it for the past two years and I couldn't be happier. He also made me a pair of insoles and I've never had a problem with foot pain/numbness ever since. I couldn't recommend anyone enough. read more

Bespoke is now my go-to service shop! I've lived in the city for five years, and I can't believe it took me so long to find Bespoke. The bottom bracket on my Focus was getting *really* creaky. I took it into several shops and got different answers about the type of service/part I needed. I finally decided to take my bike into Bespoke, and I'm so glad I did. Philip quickly identified the issue and replaced my bottom bracket the next day. He kept me informed during the entire process and returned my bike in mint condition. Thanks to Philip, I'm on track to ride my bike in next weekend's race. Incredible service and class-act shop for a reasonable price. read more

Brought my wheels here to support the local small biz bike shop to have my wheels trued and dished to bike spec. Told me he would get them done in a few days. Every time I called to check status his vm was full and couldn't leave message. It took 2weeks to finally pick them up and the wheels were trued. Took them home and the wheels did not fit cuz they were not dished properly as I requested. On top of that he installed my tubeless tires after I told him not to cuz I was going to replace them since they were worn out. He needs to improve his customer service and clear out his vm. And no invoice or service report of work performed was given to me. read more

A Pacific Height bike repair shop--one of the few. Owner-based and run. All work and repair are done by owner, Ari. He has no other employees, So sometimes it takes a little longer.He puts a lot of care and attention into each bike. It took a bit of time to get some specific work done but it was done well. read more

Thanks to Bespoke, I made it home safe yesterday! I got halfway up to an appointment in Pac Heights when I realized my pedals were weirdly hitching every turn. Dropped by the shop, we realized the lock nut keeping the pedal on the shaft was loose, so he grabbed a hex wrench and tightened both the pedals down. Plus advice to come back anytime if it happens again, that the shaft might have been worn down and needs a quick replacement, not a proprietary bit from the fancy "brand store". Quick, friendly, helpful, would be happy to bring my bike there for a tune-up. read more

I had the standard service yesterday. It was excellent. The bike looks and feels like new. And the staff were chatty and knowledgeable. I'll certainly be back next time I need anything. read more

Needed someone to help me with a tubeless tire/wheel issue, and Ari picked up the phone, talked me through my options, and did the same thing when I dropped off the wheel the next day. He tried to fix it for me in a couple of minutes, but it was a bigger issue. The next I picked up the tire, along with some nice conversation and advice. Can't recommend him enough, and he's doing his best to keep everyone safe during COVID by keeping the appropriate distance, and sanitizing everything. Great experience, will be back for any cycling needs! read more

I had a flat and brought my bike there and it was done in less than 15min! Customer service was awesome and price was unbelievably reasonable! I'd definitely will bring my bike back for next service! I highly recommend this place! read more

Please see David B's review - I am the friend that he is referring to. I received a bike fit from Ari that put me way too high in the saddle. This fit caused me to hurt myself over a two week period. I dealt with that painful injury for a couple of years. I ended up having to go through a very painful series of hip injections with hyaluronic acid just to salvage my racing season. A couple of months after my Bespoke fit I saw a very competent bike fitter at UC Davis sports medicine who couldn't believe the height of my saddle; the height that Ari stated was ideal for me. The UC Davis fitter said the height was ridiculously high and that it was likely the cause of my injury. This feedback and fit coming from a Cat 1 bike racer of 19 years who is known as one of the best bike fitters in Northern CA. The Bespoke shop also tried the hard sell on me for a custom bike, which I definitely did not need. Finally, I specifically asked that the shop not send me email spam. They kept on sending it so I wrote this review. I would never walk into the Bespoke shop again given my experience. read more

I started out at Bespoke looking for a custom bike. I paid for the full fitting and a few other items. Ari told me, flat out, I could not have the bike I'd wanted because there was a limitation in the manufacture of the bike that couldn't be extended to accommodate my size. I did some double-checking both with the manufacturer and a competing bike shop. Turns out the bike I wanted would indeed fit me and I took my business elsewhere. I can understand that fitters have different methodologies about how bikes for a non-competitive rider should be set up. I could have left it at that. A couple of months after my Bespoke experience, however, I bumped into Ari and talked to him about my eventual choice and purchase. He claimed that he had never told me the bike wouldn't fit and that he had offered to build it for me. Not true. Talented people. Definitely opinionated. Be cautious of sales techniques. Second opinions encouraged. read more

High end, custom bikes, bike fittings, and cycling clothes. Guru, Parlee, Seven, No. 22 bikes are their main brands, but I see them working on all types of rides. Check out their website for details, and give them a call w/questions. They started serving Intelligentsia Coffee for fun, and it's a really good addition! Part of their attraction is the multiple group rides they've organized. I can't make them all, but they're usually well-attended by good folk (no hammerheads). Pacific Heights location is convenient for heading to Marin over the Golden Gate Bridge... Parking can be a pain, but be patient. I've had fittings done with Ari, bought shoes/helmets/clothes from Trystan and Justin, had a few sets of wheels custom built, and they stand behind all their products. Eric is a master mechanic; solid wheel builds and quick bearing adjustment (Chris King hubs) when I've gotten a little play. One thing that bothers me when I'm there: people who come in and complain about the prices: 1) it's a local shop with knowledgeable employees there to assist you, not an internet wholesaler; 2) they don't sell crap. If you want to buy crap, go elsewhere and pay less. read more

This is the kind of shop that you need Federal Bailout dollars to have the bike of your dreams handcrafted to Lance "I don't do 'roids" Armstrong perfection. Now ever since my "back-in-the-day" Stingray, my trusty paper route 3 speed Raleigh steed, my friend's stolen Motobecan, my college era Rock Hopper, the borrowed Bianchi, and my Bridgestone MB stolen out of my garage (Thanks hoppers!) .... I've always hankered after that perfect bike. But the fixed gear, Critical Mass, Peets not Starbucks, Socialist in me just can't justify spending the GNP of Surinam on having a bike tailored to my ass. Ok I'm lying. I want a bike from this place!!! I'm willing to believe in Santa again in order to get one. I'm willing to compost! I'm willing to replace my jeans with hemp jeans. I'm going to throw down and get the last bike I'll ever need. Nice place to get not only a tailor made bike, but good advice and rock solid customer service. My car mechanic could take a lesson or two. read more

They seem to be nice guys, but after chatting with a friend I realized I'm not the only one who received a terrible bike fit from Bespoke, and therefore I think it's worth writing about. A year or two ago I went in with some minor knee pain and asked them to adjust my road bike. I'd heard good things from the Mission Cycling guys, so I figured why not? They used the laser retool system and ended up making some fairly big changes, including raising my saddle 1-2CM and moving it back quite a bit. They didn't do much in the way of checking my flexibility, but it seemed like the retool system would solve for that. Apparently not in my case. They said it would take some time to get used to the position. After 2 or 3 rides my knee pain was getting decidedly worse, and I didn't have enough confidence in Bespoke to take my bike back for a 2nd go. Therefore I decided to chalk it up as a loss of $275 and decided to take my bike to PK Cycling, where I had had success with a TT bike fitting years ago. The guys at PK Cycling were pretty surprised with how "off" my position was. They measured my flexibility, adjusted my position, checked my comfort level and power output, re-checked everything, then sent me on my way. I felt better immediately. Knee problems were all but gone right away. I had figured the Bespoke guys generally knew what they were doing, but after hearing a friend had a similar issue I'd suggest looking elsewhere for bike fittings. Hopefully my experience isn't the norm there.... read more

I was walking by and poked my head in because I have always wanted to check out the shop. Very little inventory, and I get that is not the focus of the business. The employee was pretentious and not friendly. I was interested in getting a retul fit, and wanted to ask some questions before I drop a few hundred bucks on something that isn't exactly an exclusive skill. All I got was a cold shoulder. I took my business elsewhere. read more

Owners that have Training in biomechanics for expert fit and a curated selection of apparel and accessories that cycle geeks dream of ... a special place read more

I had my new bike built by Eric and a full Retul fit by Ari. My bike was put together by Eric and he worked on it until I was happy with it, the Colnago brakes are really not common, and were not working very well initially. But after a few additional visits to the shop Eric figured it out. Throughout the process Eric has always been nice and super accommodating. My fit took a few hours. Ari noticed that my previous fit (quickly done in the shop where I got the previous bike) was actually not so bad. Rather than changing everything, he did minor tweaks and helped me select a saddle and new pair of shoes. Then he gave me positioning advice that I wish he had insisted more on, because those were great :) I came back to the shop for verifying my position on the bike and confirming I was doing it right; this helped tremendously with the lower back and neck pain I was previously experiencing during long rides. These position tips got me through a week of cycling in the Alps, including the climb training for it. Thanks to Ari, I enjoyed this trip much more that I would otherwise have. The brand new saddle started making noise, so Ari swapped it at no charge when he noticed. read more

This is the best bike shop in SF, and maybe the world. I am basing my claim on the following personal experiences: Retül + Fitting = Very thorough and informative. Full Custom Serotta = BOOM! My bike is crazy insane! Esoles = don't know how I lived without them. Custom wheel build = rock solid, and I beat on them. Numerous mechanical services = Stefan works with the precision of a surgeon. I'm talking major virtuosity. There's nothing he can't do. Even your bar tape will seem like it was calibrated by laser beams. If you like personal, intelligent service, these guys will redefine your definition of excellence -- and they do it all with NO ATTITUDE. Bespoke is no joke! read more

Ari rocks! I went here for a bike fitting and couldn't be happier with it. The fit, along with Ari's biking tips, have definitely improved my comfort and efficiency. It is rare you meet someone who is extremely good at their job, Ari is it. He is friendly, knowledgeable and pays close attention to details. Before my fitting, the bike and I were good friends. After the fitting, the bike and I are now one, and that's the way it's supposed to be. read more

Stef, Ari and Aaron are all great - extremely helpful and always there to answer questions. Its a great place to keep your bike in working order as well as getting help with products. The best thing I can say is that there is just no attitude or pressure they are just in it to make sure everyone has the best setup possible to enjoy their riding. The Retul fitting system is also definitely worth the experience and cost. Your body will thank you and your riding will benefit. read more

Yes, it's been said in other reviews, but it's all true. The BEST bike shop in the city. Period. I just picked up my custom Seven and it's everything I've ever wanted in a bike. Ari's fitting process is spot on. Aaron knew exactly what components would suit me best, and is extremely informative and knowledgeable. Steph is a mechanical surgeon. And they're all cool people (unlike the folks at so many other bike shops). My Seven glides up mountains, holds steady on the descends and looks oh so sharp. Best of all, zero percent pain in the shoulders and neck. Here's a full ride review after breaking it in on Mt. Tam: http://forums.roadbikereview.com/showthread.php?t=204073 I also brought in my 15 year old Bianchi in for a fitting and tune up, and it's never felt more smooth. If you're serious about cycling, you owe it to yourself to stop in and see what they're all about. read more

I have been inside this new place a couple of times looking around and harassing the guys that work there. It's not likely that I will need a custom made bike right now, but I love gadgets and gears and all that so I have made myself a loiterer in there shop. I went in today to look into getting some new pedals for my bike. Though it's not a bike I bought from them, they were happy enough to help out. I told one of the owners what I wanted and he said he would be happy to order them for me. He then also offered his opinion about what other options might be available and why they may be good for me. I was stuck. I have a good advice from a guy that I know knows his stuff, and here's a new owner of a shop in my hood. I called my buddy and asked him about the pedals the shop suggested...to make a long story longer...Ari, one of the owners took time out of his day to talk to my friend and between them they established what was best for me. On top of that, I will be getting fitted to my bike which should make life more comfortable. The fact that they took time to talk to someone they don't know to benefit me was huge. I bought the pedals, some shoes and I am afraid I see a lot more of my money going from my pockets into there's. Everything they carry is high end and if you are a bike enthusiast, this is your place!! read more

Contacted Phillip when my Campy EPS system wouldn't charge. He was able to quickly diagnose the issue (my own charger was faulty), contacted Campy to get a replacement under warranty, and made sure the rest of my bike was in great shape before returning it. Can't say enough good things about this experience, will be coming back here for my bike maintenance needs. read more

Everytime I have to go to other shops in a pinch for parts, I feel like punching myself. When it comes down to repairs or tuneups, the only place I'll take my bike to is Bespoke Cycles. This shop is definitely a trek from where I'm at, but everything else about this shop makes me want to bring them as much business as I can. The guys at the shop are straight-up, and are a great bunch. You get personalized, friendly service. If you want a tune-up that'll make your bicycle feel brand new, let this shop handle it. read more

These guys just moved into my neighborhood. I thought they were going to be kinda snotty because they have such high end bikes but they were actually really nice. I only bought some tubes from them think they were going to be like $20 each but they were only $7 which is really a good price. Since they were so nice about something so trivial, I'll bring in my bike for a tune up and see how that goes, but for now I'm happy to have them so close. read more

I came into the shop today looking for a pair of road cycling shoes. From the moment I walked in the associate who was available was so friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. I tried on 5 different pairs of shoes and I didn't walk out with any of them - yes, I would have, but my unusually long narrow feet was too big for the sizes in stock. I felt terrible but I thought writing this shop a good review was the least I could do. I believe the gentleman who assisted me was Philip. Philip, thank you for all you help today! Highly recommend this place for all your cycling needs. High-end gear and equipment with an awesome staff. read more

I purchased a bike from another store..... see my next review. Suffice it to say I was sold the wrong bike, and for four years it never performed as I would have liked my $2000 mountain bike to do. It had been serviced several times and still no help. I had just taken it to two different shops both of which had costly recommendations (Over $400) and could get to it "In a week or so". I was referred to Bespoke who told me bring it in and we will take a look at it. One hour later and $71 the bike was working GREAT. Stephan the tech actually took it outside the store and had a little spin. No more problems. I unreservedly recommend Bespoke to anyone with a bike problem, or a problem bike. Cheers, Big E read more

This is the best bicycle shop in existence - or at least the best I have ever found. I am fortunate enough to have gone through the entire process at Bespoke - interview, fitting, and custom bike delivery - and I can say with total honesty it was the finest retail experience I have ever had. Ari started with my "old" bike as the basis for the fitting and through motion capture, computer analysis, and old-fashioned expertise slowly adjusted my position. Through the carefully crafted interview process he learned about the way I ride and what I wanted from the bike (responsiveness, handling, feel) and incorporated that information not just into the geometry, but into the tube diameters as well. Every detail was covered. The final product is not only the most incredible machine I have ever owned - it allowed me out-of-the-box to comfortably push two gears larger over the same roads as the outgoing bike. And I haven't even started on the quality of the service..... I do not think I'll ever let anyone else wrench on my bikes. The attention to detail and care for my machine from Stefan and Aaron rivals my own; let me tell you, this is impossible to find in a bike shop. Even if it's a little out of your way this is the place to get your work done. I cannot recommend Bespoke highly enough. I now bonk with a smile on face. read more

Ok, these guys are the best! This is the old crew from "City Cycle" and I wouldn't go to another shop in San Francisco for anything! They know how to fit, they know how to wrench. read more

The best bike shop in town period! Everything said bellow is true, including the fact we all want one of those bikes with a pricetag capable of outpacing any of our heartrate monitors... or our wife's/mom's if they had one! Stef is super skilled, Ari is the ace of fitting and Aaron knows what he's talking about: everything human powered two wheels. Now I'm a legitimate customer, properly fitted (yet not rolling fully custom) I hope this message will not be unfairly flagged and deleted like it's been the case a few months ago when I suppose some other bikeshop of the city got tired of the unanimous 5stars Bespoke had received and attempted e-represals! The only down... I wish I still lived in Noevalley, 1 block from the shop ;-) read more

Thanks for your assistance with my pedals today. And for the helpful advice!