What do you think of Conte’s

[ian74]

@Mark Blacknell 140227 wrote:

From my 2010 Yelp review:

That covered my experience with them from the late 90s until then. Looking at their Yelp page, it doesn’t seem like anything has changed. And if you ask cyclists who have been riding in Arlington for decades, you’ll get even worse stories (and speculation), I bet.

I have lots of experiences and opinions (positive and negative) about lots of shops across the DC area, but it’s only Big Wheel Bikes that gets my open disgust.

Such a shame. The BWB in Alexandria is actually decent. At least for repairs. The manager there, Bennet is just an all around great guy and I totally trust him. He’s done quick fixes for no charge for me before, one time he gave me tools and just said, all you have to do to fix it is do this x, y, z and stood and watched while I did it.

He just loves bikes, last time I was there he was showing me his classic steel ride he just picked up and we talked for quite a while. Another time he gave me a tamale when I just popped in to chat with him.

[OneEighth]

@rcannon100 140218 wrote:

“pedaling backwards no longer stops the bike”

It does on my going-to-market single speed.

[lordofthemark]

Basically it sounds like I just need to avoid bike shops in North Arlington. Hmmm.

[ShawnoftheDread]

@lordofthemark 140253 wrote:

Basically it sounds like I just need to avoid North Arlington. Hmmm.

Fixed!

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[TwoWheelsDC]

Eh, I like FB for my road bike needs. They’ve always been friendly and helpful. I know everyone here loves Bikenetic, but after being completely ignored three straight visits, I’ve given up. The last time I was in there I, and a couple other customers, stood waiting for several minutes at the checkout counter with merchandise (a compromise selection because Bikenetic’s hardware selection can be really terrible) in hand, while the shop guys were bullshitting in the back, in clear sight. I set the merchandise on the counter and walked out, went to FB, and got the thing that I really wanted and got checked out immediately.

Obviously, experiences vary widely in this arena. Personally, I like to get my stuff and get out, so I like shops that allow me to do that. I’m not interested in places where I have to become buddies with the staff to get decent service.

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[dasgeh]

@Steve O 140239 wrote:

3) This is more of an add-on and not necessary to have a good experience, but I do appreciate shops that get involved in the community. FB in Ballston sponsors the Tuesday night rides and hosts BTWD, and that is awesome. Bicycle Space does the cool theme rides (Luau, Plaid..) Revolution Clarendon just hosted a great Taco Ride that was loads of fun. Proteus is well known for being integrated into the community over there in Merland, Green Lizard hosts FCC III, etc.

Totally agree. To add to the list: FreshBikes Arlington supports Kidical Mass Arlington (sponsors our Halloween ride every year) and BicycleSpace (and maybe the Daily Rider?) have sponsored Kidical Mass DC. Bikenetic does lots of community rides and I’m pretty sure more stuff.

And, of course, Phoenix Bikes builds community and adds to community like few other bike shops…

[jabberwocky]

I hardly ever shop in B&M shops, so I form most of my opinions on shops based on how big of a douchecanoe their shop riders are. There are a few highly regarded local shops I totally ceased visiting or recommending entirely because I was tired of being run off the trail by people in their jerseys.

On that criteria, Bikenetic gets my recommendation. Almost always a chill, polite bunch when you run into them.

[Jason]

I really wanted to go to my local bike shop for fixes and sales. Problem is, fixes take forever at nearly every bike shop in Arlington, waits can be weeks at some of the shops. As a result, Ive become my own bike mechanic. It was painful at times, but now I am glad I went through the process. As for local shops, my best experiences were actually at Freshbikes. My salesman was Jason, and he was excellent and very accommodating. Clovis is outstanding and equally accommodating. Management however, on getting wide fit shoes, to a specific specialized glove is byzantine at best. So I have to pay up front for a special order shoe? Ummm, why go to the bike shop then, I can just order online thanks. And thats what I did. Revolution was totally HORRIBLE in Clarendon, the front staff was just completely unknowledgeable and would describe products as “THATS THE BOMB.” Hmmm, less informative than an internet forum and way more annoying. NOPE! Oh another shoutout for Freshbikes, the mechanics there are super good and helpful. Easy to talk to and knowledgable.

[Toonces]

@lordofthemark 139832 wrote:

Conte’s is about to open across the street from where I work – the first bike shop in Capital Riverfront. While I intend to remain loyal to Bikenetics, having a bike shop close to work should be very helpful. I note they have existing shops in ther region – do they have a good reputation?

To answer the original post: I can’t say enough good things about the Conte’s in Virginia Square. They have provided outstanding customer service every time I have gone into the shop. I’ve been in twice with flats while out on a ride (destroyed tires) and they immediately changed out tires for me. They have been prompt with their service, very friendly and helpful, and provide regular updates on status of repairs. Their staff and mechanics are great.

[adamx]

@lordofthemark 139832 wrote:

Conte’s is about to open across the street from where I work – the first bike shop in Capital Riverfront. While I intend to remain loyal to Bikenetics, having a bike shop close to work should be very helpful. I note they have existing shops in ther region – do they have a good reputation?

make sure they have a FULL TIME TECH in the shop before you do anything. I wont say anything bad about the new Contes in Falls Church NOR will I say anything good. Lets just put it this way; I bought a Giant Liv for the wife in Nov and we had to take it in three times to get the shifting adjusted and it is still not right. the last time I went in I discovered the tech had returned to Richmond and they didn’t have a full time person. coincidentally? this shop is only 2-3 miles from the Fresh Bikes at Mosaic. they opened another shop down the street from the FB on Wilson and now opening a shop in DC. it is my understanding they are here to win market share back from FB. customer service and being part of the community? but, I have also heard they serve up donuts and coffee along the trail in FC where it intersects with Shreve every other Friday morning. after ‘more’ cable stretching, we’ll go back to the Contes in FC for another shifting adjustment and will probably only go back for maintenance on that bike.

[GovernorSilver]

If this is a hijack, feel free to kick my tail but…

Any recommendations for a shop that can repair internal gear hubs? The Nexus 8 has a known issue in which it will randomly shift in/out of the selected gear. I’ve done the adjustment process a couple of times myself, where you open it up a bit and line up the yellow lines, but the adjustment seems to last only a few days before the random behavior starts happening again. The behavior seems to be getting worse.

I bought my IGH bike from Papillon but I think I might need to take it to a place with greater expertise in IGH maintenance/repair – and they just did the complementary 12-month tuneup on the bike too.

[Steve O]

@GovernorSilver 140916 wrote:

If this is a hijack, feel free to kick my tail but…

Any recommendations for a shop that can repair internal gear hubs? The Nexus 8 has a known issue in which it will randomly shift in/out of the selected gear. I’ve done the adjustment process a couple of times myself, where you open it up a bit and line up the yellow lines, but the adjustment seems to last only a few days before the random behavior starts happening again. The behavior seems to be getting worse.

I bought my IGH bike from Papillon but I think I might need to take it to a place with greater expertise in IGH maintenance/repair – and they just did the complementary 12-month tuneup on the bike too.

Phuoc at the Bike Club can fix almost anything. I presume it is out of warranty. If you go, mention me and/or Boomer for better service.

[GovernorSilver]

@Steve O 140923 wrote:

Phuoc at the Bike Club can fix almost anything. I presume it is out of warranty. If you go, mention me and/or Boomer for better service.

Thanks, Steve!

The Nexus 8 hub has one more year of warranty. Just thought it was a good time to get a recommendation for an alternative repair shop in case Papillon is suddenly not an option. When I took the bike there for the tuneup, they made me show them my sales receipt before knocking the price down from $120 something to free for the tuneup – nothing like the warm treatment I’ve gotten from Proteus, where seemingly everyone who works there remembers who I am and when I bought my Renegade.

Debating whether to stick with this hub or get the “red band” version after the warranty runs out.

[Harry Meatmotor]

@GovernorSilver 140927 wrote:

Thanks, Steve!

The Nexus 8 hub has one more year of warranty. Just thought it was a good time to get a recommendation for an alternative repair shop in case Papillon is suddenly not an option. When I took the bike there for the tuneup, they made me show them my sales receipt before knocking the price down from $120 something to free for the tuneup – nothing like the warm treatment I’ve gotten from Proteus, where seemingly everyone who works there remembers who I am and when I bought my Renegade.

Debating whether to stick with this hub or get the “red band” version after the warranty runs out.

Which gear is it popping in/out of? I’ve seen these hubs get worn out coming in and out of parity/unity/1:1 drive. Unfortunately, it’s not so much about the skill of a mechanic (tho, personally I’d pass on futzing with a Nexus), it’s about the ability to get any parts for the planetaries/sun/ring gears that may need replacement.

[GovernorSilver]

@Harry Meatmotor 140954 wrote:

Which gear is it popping in/out of? I’ve seen these hubs get worn out coming in and out of parity/unity/1:1 drive. Unfortunately, it’s not so much about the skill of a mechanic (tho, personally I’d pass on futzing with a Nexus), it’s about the ability to get any parts for the planetaries/sun/ring gears that may need replacement.

It used to be the 6th speed, which started happening around the 2nd month of commuting on this bike.

Now it’s the 6th and 7th speeds that are both misbehaving.

The behavior seems to follow whatever speed I settle on as my cruising speed.

That’s why I’m pondering replacing the hub with the red-band (premium) version – it reportedly has better seals, bearings, etc. than the version that came on my Uptown 8.

[Author]

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