Pacific Cycling & Triathalon

Absolutely love this shop! I’ve been coming in for my cycling needs over the past year and found the entire team to be knowlegeable and friendly. Not only does the shop look awesome in a restored building but it’s got a great election of bikes, gear (running, triathlon, swim, nutrition etc). Julie has always been super friendly and willing to share knowledge and advice
I started doing group Computrainer rides at the shop and it was clear that my existing bike wasn’t fitting me. Jason worked tirelessly with me to get it where I needed it to be! The classes vastly improved my bike fitness and were a blast to do while meeting some great people.
I ended up buying a road bike earlier this year and what a treat it was to ride a bike that fits me from the start. I’m thrilled that these guys are in my «backyard.» And, they seem to volunteer at and support a ton of events which is great for the local community.

We came out to PSBR in Stamford (my original triathlon stomping grounds) from NYC on the recommendation of a friend, only returned because we figured our first (poor) experience must have been an anomaly, and almost walked out on our second unfun visit – we only stayed and went through with the sale because the same friend came to see us at the shop. Then, after two more visits to address technical issues, they were unable to properly tune the new Cervelo S3. (I have over 20 years of triathlon experience, my boyfriend has been tuning his several high-​end bikes for longer)
VISIT 1, 6÷21÷2014: (able to test only 2 bikes, incorrect information, appointment=?, long wait, push to buy)
Their website suggests «shopping by appointment,» so we made an appointment for 4pm on Saturday, June 21^st, since we were planning on buying a high-​end bicycle and knew it would be full retail price. That day, there seemed to be no record of this appointment, although Julie Gabay (her card says «President») remembered my friend mentioning that we were coming in at some point. I was debating between a tri bike and a road bike (I’ve always happily raced with a roadie and clip-​on aeros, now frowned upon, I know, but wasn’t sure a tri bike would suit the rest of my riding), and had researched a bit on the Cervelo P2 and P3 and a few road models (hadn’t shopped for a new bike since ’93 and was admittedly out of the loop on the latest anything). She pointed out the Cervelo S-​line, saying that they had tri geometry but with the road handlebar/​shifting/​brake setup (*this is incorrect*), and that my familiar clip-​on setup would be a great option. She said Jason would better be able to help us, and that he’d be right with us. Forty-​five minutes later, Jason Twedt («Director») spoke with us about options, saying that the Cervelo S-​series actually had a mixed geometry between tri and road angles (*this is incorrect*) and would be the obvious choice for me, but that I should not put aeros on it. Throughout, he was cocky, patronizing, and an unclear communicator, but seemingly knowledgeable. I got to spin a bit in the parking lot, and decided it was a good option, but wanted to see what other choices might feel like, including a P-​series model. We had to ask repeatedly before he very grudgingly let me get on a P2 in the lot, and didn’t want to let me try anything else; they seemed ready for us to make the purchase (we’re talking about bikes in the 3−4k range).
That didn’t sit right with us; we put down a refundable deposit (Julie made up the number of $ 500 on the spot) on the bike and made an appointment for the following weekend, Saturday the 28^th at 11am, and left to think, discuss, and research. Neither of us felt good about the shop but decided my friend’s recommendation indicated that surely everything would be fine the next time. In the meantime, we did our homework, and learned that plenty of experienced athletes are putting shorty aeros on the S-​series, that the S-​geometry is exactly the same as the Road-​series (not tri, not in between), contrary to what Julie and Jason told us. Some pro friends, however, agreed that it would be a good bike for my riding circumstances.
VISIT 2, 06/​28/​2014: (Unprepared for fitting, more incorrect information, poor-​to-​zero selection, condescension, lack of communication, mismarked prices, no mechanical once-​over, then poor tuning, customer’s money is no object)
So we headed back. We got double-​parked in NYC and then delayed by three accidents on the way; we called to apologize and see if they could still fit me on the bike if we arrived late, and they said it would be okay, no problem. Upon arrival, we were greeted as if we were being difficult and throwing their whole day off. Julie waved vaguely at a drawer of pedals at her feet and said that whichever would be fine – but couldn’t offer comparison info. Then, after 45+ minutes of waiting in the fitting area without word from anyone about anything, Jason appeared to work with us. «ARE YOU EXCITED!!!» (Um, yes?) He was not, however, set up for a fitting, so we waited as he left without a word for ten minutes at a time, several times, for whatever he needed (also apparently for a bike-​related call) (We understand that bike shops can be busy on weekends, but there were very few people there and the waiting was way beyond reasonable and unexplained).
We’d been keeping our mouths shut, but at this point we were just unhappy to be there and during one of his later disappearances had a conversation about cutting bait and starting again somewhere else. But Jason just then came back and finally put me on the bike. Throughout the fitting, he was more and more condescending to us both (as opposed to standard bike-​shop banter or sharing knowledge or riding experiences or people in common or anything even remotely cordial or professional). There’s so much more… at word limit… will update (In the end, Cervelo sent me elsewhere)

I worked with Julie and Jason to purchase a bicycle they had on sale. The big hurdle was I’m on the west coast. They worked with me over email and on the phone — getting me pictures of the bike, working out a deal, and shipping a nicely packed bike. Communication was excellent and they were easy to talk to.
Thank you guys for a smooth and easy transaction.

Had my new full carbon Stradelli road bike put together by Sean, he is very knowladgable and friendly. the entire staff very friendly and helpfull, they made us feel at home. he also fitted me on my bike and made sure all is good… The owner is very helpful aswell, she also invited us to a customer appreciation BBQ.
Thanks July :)
I certainly be going back there although the place is over an hr away from me…

This really is a great shop with lots of fun items to buy. The big problem is the customer service. Its terrible. The female owner has an elitist attitude and makes it difficult for rookies or newbies to feel comfortable spending the hundreds (or thousands) of dollars a triathlon dictates. She made me feel stupid for not knowing the language and the lingo, guilty for having a job and not being able to partake in their 1pm weekday training sessions, and overall not an enjoyable person. She should stick to the back room where she counts her money and let the rest of her staff handle things (which most of the male sales people were very nice and informative). I am all for supporting local brick and mortar shops; but unless she steps away from the counter — I’m headed to Amazon. I wonder if she knows what that would do to her business… worst part is she might not care!