rbent Forum - RBM Phasing Out Trikes?

Patti Five Star Member rbent member Posts: 876	RBM Phasing Out Trikes? Sep 4^th, 2009, 3:03pm I went by this morning to pick up some replacement tubes and was surprised to see what is left of the trike section crammed into one window, along with several used recumbent bicycles. They make it appear as though they want to quit selling them.
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jcsadowski Five Star Member Clown #1 Posts: 1199	Re: RBM Phasing Out Trikes? Reply #1 - Sep 4^th, 2009, 3:30pm I don't think Jimmy ever liked Recumbents of any kind.
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aikigreg Moderator recumbent ninja Posts: 3685	Re: RBM Phasing Out Trikes? Reply #2 - Sep 4^th, 2009, 4:02pm good. The complete and total lack of respect from that shop just irritated me. Might as well get good service from guys like plano and city cyclist.
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irodguy rbent member Posts: 260	Re: RBM Phasing Out Trikes? Reply #3 - Sep 4^th, 2009, 6:50pm I would agree 100%, RBM never did anything but talk me out of buying bikes from them. Their mechanics have always been nice, but sales never. I would love to see PCF pick up catrike. I told Mark at Catrike that last year when I was there. He was not terribly surprised to hear of RBM's lack of support.
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Patti

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Posts: 876

Re: RBM Phasing Out Trikes?
Reply #4 - Sep 4^th, 2009, 9:02pm

Quote from irodguy on Sep 4^th, 2009, 6:50pm:

I would agree 100%, RBM never did anything but talk me out of buying bikes from them. Their mechanics have always been nice, but sales never.

I would love to see PCF pick up catrike. I told Mark at Catrike that last year when I was there. He was not terribly surprised to hear of RBM's lack of support.

Actually, I've been treated pretty crappy by their mechanics a couple of times since I bought the trike last year. Never have taken it back for a tune up because they were so obnoxious about my asking for a derailleur adjustment when it was brand new. If they do stop selling trikes, it won't break my heart, but I hate the idea of having to drive even farther than Richardson to buy basic parts, such as the tubes I got today. I tried three other shops first, but no one had the right kind. We have a new bike shop in Oak Cliff and the guy that runs it tells me he'll be happy to order anything I need for the trike. Guess I'll just have to get better at anticipating my needs.

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kingjason

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Re: RBM Phasing Out Trikes?
Reply #5 - Sep 4^th, 2009, 9:37pm

I have actually had really good service lately at RBM. My mom was also well taken care of. There is a guy named Woody that orders their trikes that seamed very well versed on the Catrikes but who knows. However my mom has been dealing with a guy in Arlington that is a recumbent fanatic and is outstanding customer service. I can not think of his name but long haired woodstock type that works at the place on Green Oaks just south of 20. I was shocked because it is a chain store and I never would have thought they would have Rans bikes. He was funny as heck and all he used to get around town was a recumbent bike. Doesnt even own a car.

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jcsadowski Five Star Member Clown #1 Posts: 1199	Re: RBM Phasing Out Trikes? Reply #6 - Sep 4^th, 2009, 10:28pm Well.... I am on first name basis with Jack the head mechanic. If I don't get good service he will fix it.
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JimFPU Five Star Member RBENT member, retired in Tennessee. Posts: 1014	Re: RBM Phasing Out Trikes? Reply #7 - Sep 5^th, 2009, 8:19pm That probably explains the lack of anything 'bent at the Richardson store...
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Patti Five Star Member rbent member Posts: 876	Re: RBM Phasing Out Trikes? Reply #8 - Sep 6^th, 2009, 3:46pm Quote from JimFPU on Sep 5^th, 2009, 8:19pm: That probably explains the lack of anything 'bent at the Richardson store... Oh, they had plenty of bent bikes there. They were all piled into the same corner, looking more like a garage sale than a store display.
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Hull 697 rbent member Posts: 28	Re: RBM Phasing Out Trikes? Reply #9 - Sep 7^th, 2009, 1:37pm Do not complain overmuch, you might end up like San Antonio. Ride in pain or walk seems to be the motto of the bike shops there. I am distantly related to a guy who owns one of the larger bike shops there. At a family gather he seemed eager to talk to me until I said the "R" word... Count your blessings, DFW.
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goatstick

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Re: RBM Phasing Out Trikes?
Reply #10 - Sep 7^th, 2009, 3:34pm

At the older and more knowledgeable bike shops in S.A. they are starting to know better though. Would be interesting to know which one you are referring to. Three in particular would fit the bill you describe. But it's not just S.A. Most cities are still like that. Takes getting some fast people out there who can really climb to change the mindset.

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Killer Bee

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Re: RBM Phasing Out Trikes?
Reply #11 - Sep 7^th, 2009, 5:16pm

Unfortunate to be sure, but considering it's RMB, not at all shocking. Truly, the worst customer service bike shop that I(and other Rbent members have encountered-ask Ray Torrey about his experiences there). Lies, shady business practices , & horrible customer service seems to be there motto.

There are other bike shops(Plano Cycle to begin with, but I'm sure there are others throughout the DFW area), that have excellent customer service. Plano Cycle may not be experts on recumbents, but darn if they don't try their best(and really, as customers ,that's all can ask).

I have an RBM store(in Frisco), <1 mile from my house, I would rather drive 12 miles to Plano Cycle than give RBM any of my business.

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jayg

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Re: RBM Phasing Out Trikes?
Reply #12 - Sep 7^th, 2009, 7:49pm

I purchased a trike at RBM in Richardson in 2007. The only complaint I had was they delivered it to me with a non-functioning computer. My experiences with their store on Garland Road have been almost completely positive. When I first started riding road bikes I experienced a little bit of arrogance from the sales staff. I have no complaints about their service department. A month and a half ago I took a brand new mail order recumbent in for service. They straightened both brake rotors and adjusted the derailleur and charged me nothing. I have had a number of wheels serviced there and have been suprised by the reasonableness of the charges.

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power_bent Five Star Member rbent member Posts: 632	Re: RBM Phasing Out Trikes? Reply #13 - Sep 7^th, 2009, 8:18pm I have been using Don Jol'e, in Garland at Beltline and Duckcreek. They don't have any sale as recumbent in stock, but they can get anything you want.I have seen them working on recumbent. Later Thomas J
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Stevesbent

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Re: RBM Phasing Out Trikes?
Reply #14 - Sep 7^th, 2009, 11:19pm

Quote from kingjason on Sep 4^th, 2009, 9:37pm:

However my mom has been dealing with a guy in Arlington that is a recumbent fanatic and is outstanding customer service. I can not think of his name but long haired woodstock type that works at the place on Green Oaks just south of 20. I was shocked because it is a chain store and I never would have thought they would have Rans bikes. He was funny as heck and all he used to get around town was a recumbent bike. Doesnt even own a car.

Bicycles Inc. and if I recall correctly, his name is Randy. And yes he is a recumbent fanatic Smiley

Interestingly enough until Saturday I would have rated the Bicycles Inc store in Bedford (closest to my house) as even worst than RBM.

I needed to get the headset changed out with a new one that Hostel Shoppe sent me to replace the defective one (mine was one of the bikes assembled using an off brand headset they were testing). I don't have the tools to make it easy and with the long list of hunny do's for the weekend did not have time to make any so I brought my Volae Expedition in along with the part to the Bedford store not really wanting to drive all the way to Arlington or anywhere else.

Low and behold one of the mechanics whipped out a Park Tool adapter for his stand that fit my bike and got right to it. No complaining that it was different or harder to work on or anything. Just swapped the part out quickly, did a nice job of aligning up the FSA logos so that they looked good, really a first class job and they charged the normal $20 fee that they do for any other bike.

I was pleasantly surprised and told them so.

I was also pleasantly surprised to see a range of high and low end LWB bikes on the floor (Easy Racer and Sun I believe) although they were quick to mention that the Arlington store had a much better selection (and some trikes).

I have found that REI is a great place to order parts from. They have been able to get me parts, tubes, tires etc. faster than any other shop in town and the 100% satisfaction still applies Smiley

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