It has been about a week or two since I have had my last visit/experience with Victor at Vic''s Classic Bikes, so I have had some time to reflect upon my experience and not generate this review with as much emotion as I would have if I wrote this after my initial experience.
I first contacted Vic via telephone to see if he could do a "tune-up" on my bike, a 2009 Trek Series 4 All Terrain Bike with multiple A.M. upgrades. This is my vehicle and companion (of sorts), as I a car free individual.
After being told the type of bike and asking him if he is experienced with working with this type of bike he stated he could do so, and do so that day. I rode right over because after contacting other area bike shops I was told it would take three days for a tune-up, something I cant afford to do. No one would wait three days for an oil change on their vehicle, which is what I equated my tune-up to be - regular maintenance on my vehicle. In addition, due to such a mild winter here in Louisville my riding opportunities have increased, so I wanted to get my yearly Spring tune-up done, just a bit early. I dropped off my bike and went for coffee and errands in the immediate area and went to get my bike about an hour later and paid the man the $65 he charged for the tune. All was done and seemed to be right in the world, until I started riding my bike as I usually do.
The (first) issue occurred that evening when I was riding and when I shifted into
2nd - 7 (14th) my chain started jumping. I downshifted and went back up to 14. Same issue. "OK??" I wondered. So I continued on hoping I could make it back home. I was a couple miles from home, on a busy street, and it was night. When I shifted into 14 again I hear a SNAP! my back de-railer flew off!!! WTF!!!! I was aghast at first, then came the livid anger. I walked my bike back home the 2+ miles and waited until morning so I could take my bike back to Vic and have him explain his workmanship and "tune-up". I have never had an issue after a tune-up. The expected result, and justly so, is improved performance, not disintegration.
The next day, I tried to call Vic's and was greeted with an automated voice message stating that the recipients mailbox was full and could not receive any more messages. UGH! Annoying, but whatever, I wanted my bike restored to proper working order, so I walked my bike from Old Louisville to his shop, about a 2 mile walk, and when I arrived I saw the sign on the door said CLOSED Monday and Tuesday. UGH!! So I walked my bike back home, the 2 miles. For some reason, on Tuesday I called the shop again though the sign said Closed on Tuesdays. He answered. YAY! I explained to him what happened and he asked me to bring my bike in so he could take a look at it. I left immediately and walked my bike the 2 miles to his shop, again. Vic looked at my bike and couldn't explain the "Why" what happened, happened, but he knew I was not pleased and was going to rectify the situation. Vic replaced the broken de-railer, all be it with a lesser quality piece than what was on it originally, and replaced my chain. I stated I was concerned about other damage that had occurred due to this incident and my concern was acknowledged and presumably dealt with as he explained and showed to me what had occurred. I was happy at that point because I felt he had rectified the situation and fixed my bike properly. This notion proved to be false after I started riding my bike again. It still didn't shift properly from 14 to 15 to 16. WTF!
Since my bike is an extension of myself when I am on it, I KNOW when something is not working correctly. It's like a muscle or limb, and you know when something is strained, sprained, broken or pulled on your body, right? Well, by this time I have lost all faith in competency in Victor and his ability to work on bikes that not the classic ten speed style street bikes. The proof was in the pudding. So I took my bike to a shop further up the street and explained my experience to the guy on duty at the time and he tended to it right then and there and showed me the muriad of issues that were still in need of attention to my bike and showed the extent of the damage that had occurred due to my de-railer coming off. There were some serious issues still with the bike and its ability to perform as necessary. Gee - Thanks Vic. I do thank goodness for the guy at the other bike shop and for his expertiece of bikes and their repair. He fixed me right in a very reasonable amount of time and charged me nominally for it. So long Vic, all the best to you.
In Summary: Vic may be proficient in Old street bikes, but not in new bikes of varying/deviating nature. It is unfortunate because as a person/personality I believe Vic is a good upstanding character, I just don't believe, from my experience, that his knowledge of bike repairs; at least on my bike, is what I need or can rely on in the future. I do wish him the best though. read more