Chain Reaction Bicycles

 

1

45

Jennifer W.

Brisbane, CA

I just bought a new road bike (my first non-CL, non-beach cruiser bike purchase) from this location, and had my first ride on it today, so this review will be bathed in the afterglow of a happy ride.

I had been researching women's specific road bikes for a few months, and looked online at bikes from Craigslist (there was this one school bus yellow bike I became visually attached to) and Ebay, before stumbling across the Chain Reaction website which has a lengthy page devoted to WSD bikes. Being totally persuaded by text, I was like Ole! I must go there and see these bikes for myself.

I had narrowed my bike purchasing focus down to the Trek WSD series, either their entry level road bike or the next one up.  So, I headed down to Redwood City, only to learn the hard way that the Redwood City location is closed on Sundays.  Now you know, too.  I grew up in Los Altos, so I knew of the other location, and having gotten it in my mind that I wanted to look at bikes RIGHT THAT MINUTE, I continued down 280.

I got to the shop at 3:30, and since they closed at 5, I knew I would not have a ton of time to try out bikes.  The very nice salesguy Seth pulled out the first Trek, the entry level aluminum frame one.  I took it out for a test ride (idea test rides right out the front door, up Foothill Expy. or through twisty residential neighborhoods) and realized why road bike geeks hate aluminum.  I felt like I was riding on two flat tires, it was so bumpy.

So then back to the shop, with time running out, Seth climbs a ladder and hauls down a Trek 1600 from last year (discounted!), but alas, not enough time to do a full test ride.  I take it out around the block and am happy with the ride, but not the fit.

So, I come back Tuesday (the Los Altos shop is closed Monday) and Seth hauls the bike down again, takes my measurements again, adjusts the seat and tilts the handlebars, and I am off for another test ride.  And yippeee, I like it.

Back at the shop, Steve does a full fitting and even switches out the stem for a shorter one.  I get the new bike 10% discount on different pedals, pump, water cages, and a car rack (which they eventually spent 30 minutes after closing time to install for me).

I leave with a new bike (safely cradled by the car rack) at a great price and a positive buying experience.  Both Seth and Steve were patient and polite, and no one made me feel like I was asking dumb questions when I clearly was.

And, because of all that, I am the thrilled new owner of a super fun bike.

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11

76

Meredith S.

San Jose, CA

While this store has a great selection of bikes (hence the 3 stars), I will not be buying a bike here. When I walked in and presented myself as a newbie, I felt belittled from the start. While the staff helping me spent considerable time measuring me, they pretty much dismissed all the advice I had been given from other bike shops. Extremely cocky. It's also kinda a messy, unorganized store. If you're a pro, this is the store for you. But if you're a beginner and need someone to hold your hand through the bike buying process, go to Calmar or Summit.

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13

25

Jim P.

Mountain View, CA

Everybody has their favorite local bike shop, and this is mine. I bought my bike here, and I've been back dozens of times since. As long as you get a knowledgeable salesperson, their grasp of the bikes they sell couldn't be better. Their selection is significantly better than most other bike shops, and they're very interested in finding the right bike for the rider.

Of course, given the neighborhood, it only makes sense that Chain Reaction is the world's single largest dealer of carbon fiber Treks; where else in the US is there a bigger mecca for road biking with more disposable income?

Knocked down to four stars because the store is largely a victim of its own success. During the summer, their repair department is so overwhelmed that they won't even consider working on a bike that they didn't sell, and there's usually a week or two lead time before they'll even let you bring your bike in for service.

Similarly, at the height of the season, their inventory gets decimated simply because they're selling so many bikes that they can't build the new ones from the Trek warehouse fast enough to keep them on the floor.

If you're looking for anything other than Trek products, you'll have to look elsewhere, and you very well should compare a bunch of bikes before making a purchasing decision. But since I decided on my bike, I have been nothing but pleased with how this store has treated me as a customer.

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Elite '08

42

214

Dawn D.

San Jose, CA

I've been to this store twice in the last 6 months. The first time, I was there with my friend Jenny (she was the one shopping at the time) and we were helped by a friendly guy named Mike. (This was probably around February) He was VERY thorough about telling us about Trek bikes. We left there thinking "Wow, we learned so much!"

Fast forward to July and now I'm the one shopping for a bike.  I was helped by yet another friendly fellow named Murray (I think that was his name,  I have to double check my notes and may be have to edit this review). I took out two bikes 43cm Trek 2100 and Trek Pilot 2.1 both with 650c wheels.

Perfect place to test ride a bike as I saw probably a couple dozen cyclists out there, but decided to take my test rides in the residental hilly areas.  Had my bf not been with me, I might have taken the bikes out longer than 10 minutes each.

Coming off my borrowed Trek 1000 47cm bike, I felt a little smooshed together and a bit disappointed that my legs are too short to accomodate a bike with 700c wheels.  I found the Pilot 2.1 a bit more comfortable than the 2100, but in hindsight, I figure that perhaps I got used to being smooshed (am i spelling this right?) during the second ride.

At the time, I thought their pricing was really good but I came across Trek Bike store of San Jose who is currently having a sale.

So if I decide to buy a Trek, it will be all about which store can offer me the best price. More brownie points to the store who would have the physical bike (43cm) in stock.  

Random thought about Chain Reaction vs Trek bike store of San Jose pricing:

Chain Reaction: the 2100 was priced less than the Pilot 2.1
Trek bike store of San Jose:  2100 is priced higher than the Pilot 2.1.

Net net the 2100 is approximately the same price at both stores. If I were to buy the Pilot 2.1 - it's cheaper at Trek bike store of San Jose.

Decisions decisions!

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2

23

Annie H.

San Francisco, CA

Now, I am somewhat of a beginner to road cycling, and bought my neighbor's LeMond  (she is my same height and frame) to start riding around before deciding whether to spend several thousand dollars on a bike. When I asked about getting my bike fitted (and mind you, I am willing to pay, that is not an issue) he looks at me like I am not worthy and says, We are just so overwhelmed and busy we don't have time to FIT YOU ON YOUR BIKE EVER (not just today, not next week, ever - they will only fit you if you buy your bike from them). Okay? Well, their flyer right next to the cash register boasts how they go the extra mile for their customers. Not really.

So, I almost started to explain to the guy that I was planning to buy a new bike within a year but then figured, why even bother? They are definitely not interested - they're too busy.

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1

10

Jason N.

Gig Harbor, WA

I bought my first road bike from Chain Reaction. I have mixed feelings about the store as I learn more about road bikes and bike shops. First, they were very nice to me when I was test riding bikes and contemplating the purchase. Salesman Rob was great and didn't pressure me about anything. He presented information in a friendly way and was honest when he didn't know something.  Some of the other "saleskids" that I've dealt with in the shop let their inexperience show when they were tap dancing through made-up answers to my questions.  The owner Steve is very knowledgeable and nice to work with. When I bought the bike they fit me for the bike and were very good about changing out the stem twice to get a proper size for me.

When you buy a bike there, they throw in free water bottles for the life of the bike. You just bring in the old dirty ones and they give you  new ones. They also do free minor adjustments as you'd expect when you develop a relationship with a bike shop. I had a good buying experience at the shop and good maintenance experience for the most part.

That said, they are Trek zombies. If you ask the people at the shop, there is no brand better than Trek and no reason to even consider anything but a Trek bike. They're the biggest Trek dealer on the west coast I believe, so understand that in their mind the bicycle question only has one answer: Trek (and the Trek Family). I got into a few discussions with the sales people when I bought my next bike about frame quality and they wouldn't put other carbon frames (Colnago, Look, Time, Cervelo, Parlee, Calfee) up on the same pedestal as the Trek Madone. Shame that they're somewhat closed-minded. It's to their advantage business-wise to be this way though. It's up to the customer to be similarly open-minded when they walk into the store to realize that Trek is just one of many options.

Prices at the shop were mid to pricey. They have bikes on sale periodically but I was a little disappointed that the bike I bought wasn't a little bit more discounted (it was 2 model-years old but the only Klein they had in my size). Overall the relationship I had with the shop probably made up for it.

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22

273

Apollo L.

Sunnyvale, CA

Well-stocked Trek dealer at the corner of Homestead and Foothill, Chain Reaction boasts a friendly, knowledgeable staff and a massive selection of road and mountain bikes, as well as accessories.

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5

6

Michael N.

Mountain View, CA

I tried out like five other bike stores before arriving at Chain Reaction. Most of the other bike stores are located on busy streets without many options for going on a good test ride. This location has a great loop which features climbing and descending. Staff was very helpful and patient. I tried five bikes that day. Stocks mostly Trek bikes. I got my bike for a great price and it went down in price some more later and they gave me the store credit of the difference when I asked! They do a pretty good bike fit too.

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