River City Bicycles

09/09/2008 Posted by BWPDX

We went to River City because they have a great reputation for their custom fits, particularly for women and that reputation is well-deserved. I cannot say enough good things about Danni and her expertise in getting the best bike for me. I am really short and have had back and neck problems from riding a bike too big for me for several years. In addition to the custom fit she worked with us to pick out the frame and components within the budget limits we set. She was always willing to listen to what it was we were looking for, let us have control over picking things out but give feedback to help us make the best decision possible, and worked with the frame maker extensively. I have been riding my new bike now for several months and I LOVE it with a passion. A great thing about the fit too is it is good for a year, so that you can go back in after riding for a while if something is bothering you. I did that, Danni was awesome and has never made me feel like we should just be done with this already, in fact I felt she is genuinely excited to know how much I like the bike! It is so worth the time and money to have a good fit. The reason I gave 4 stars instead of 5 is I have to agree with other posters here about the quality of the RC staff overall. The first time I went in the person who greeted me told me I HAD to wear bike shorts for my fit, even though that is not what I ride in, wouldn't let me borrow some but wanted me to buy some $100 shorts! Danni cleared that up right away. In general, about half the staff doesn't seem to know what they are supposed to be doing besides slacking, and have what I consider to be unacceptable customer services skills in answering questions or taking phone messages. Other staff are great. It also took a bit longer to get the bike than anticipated but I think that was mostly the manufacturers fault. There were a few instances of miscommunication or lack of information so make sure you ask lots of questions.

08/11/2008 Posted by adjuncter

So I stop by today, interested in test riding a steel frame road bike, wanting to compare the feel of steel with the aluminum bikes I've been trying out, etc. I pick out a 53cm LeMond (my comfort zone is 52-54cm), do some laps in the parking lot, and the rep tells me it's too big. "Well, it's just a 53," I say; "They're made big," he says, cutting me off. I try to get him to elaborate ("Is the top tube too high?" etc.), and he impatiently repeats "I think this bike is too big for you," with a look on his face like the one your mother uses when she's tired of justifying the house rules. THEN, he takes me inside and tries to get me interested in a 50cm aluminum frame bike. (Right after I tell him AGAIN that I want to test ride steel...Is this guy deaf, or just ignoring me?) I stand over it, just to humor him, and with the center of the handlebars practically jabbing my you-know-what, say "This is too small." "I wouldn't exactly say that," he mutters. (He muttered a lot, and in about every direction except my face.) I tell him I'll keep looking elsewhere, and he goes off to horse around with another employee, balancing a roll of tape on his head. I'm not making this up. Was this guy hired because he's the owner's nephew, or was it his hipster clothes and tattoos? I'd overlook this if it weren't for the fact that the last time I was here, I had a mountain bike that needed a new crankset. A rep (not the same one) told me they couldn't even look at it for 3 weeks since business was just so "insane" right then. I took it a few blocks away to Bike'n'Hike, where it was taken care of in about 30 minutes, and with friendly conversation to boot. Insane, indeed. With a city full of bike retailing competition, you'd think this place would try harder. If it weren't for all the PDXers who require the sense of status that comes with shopping only at stores with a large stock of elite-priced bikes and parts, this place would be 6 feet under.

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