Saving my 500th review for a business I'm really excited about.
I attended a Yelp Virtual Event a few weeks ago that was hosted by Seattle Ebikes, and it really got me excited about the prospect of buying one. I'd been thinking I'd take the plunge, but that really motivated me to finally do it. At that event, they showed the Tern bikes, and though I thought I'd end up with an Electra Townie (they're freaking adorable), Tern really stoked my interest. That folding handlebar? Neat.
I visited a shop in the suburbs but they only had one Tern model, and not the one I was interested in. They didn't have a lot of ebikes, period. I'd originally been hesitant to visit FSFC because it's appointment only; I was excited RIGHT NOW, but also I didn't want to waste someone's time if I got cold feet. But after the experience at the other shop, I thought I needed to give this place a try, especially since it seemed clear that they allow test rides. If I was going to spend this much on a bike, I wasn't going to do so without any idea if it would work for me.
I found Elsbeth to be fantastic to work with. She explained a lot of stuff about the bike to me, features like the handlebar folding and adjustment and optional stuff like the bags and whatnot. She let me take one out to try it around the block a few times, and didn't accompany me, which was a surprise--but I appreciated her level of trust. I was there for 30-45 minutes that first time, probably, and with the information she gave me I did a bit more looking into the bikes to make my decision. I had really, REALLY wanted the GSD because it comes in pink, and the HSD didn't come in the colors I like. But in the end I chose the HSD both for the price and the level of bike--I don't need so much space for cargo or passengers, and the weight difference was major, too.
Though one of the features I wanted--dual-sided kickstand--is backordered, my bike didn't take long at all to get here. I got an email within two weeks saying it was ready for pickup. Again, at my appointment, Elsbeth was super patient and generous with her time (and dare I say, Cool? Terrible pun, but I still love it). She showed me how to use the pannier bags, unlocking the battery, where to charge on and off, I practiced how to maneuver the handlebars, and more... she even went over *very* basic bike-riding stuff when I asked questions about that (it may have been college that I last rode a bike). I was able to look at a few helmets as well, and ended up returning the next day to pick one up. (The helmet is super cool by the way--fits perfectly and has a ponytail holder which is great for folks like me with long hair!)
I'm so, so glad that I ended up coming here to buy my bike; I can't believe I almost missed out on this fantastic business and experience. Elsbeth is knowledgeable, incredibly generous with her time, not at all pushy or giving you the hard sell on a bike, laid back--I mean, cool is really the perfect word to describe her. She made me wish she was my friend, and felt like one just helping you figure out what is right for you. The customer service is extraordinary. The bikes they carry are awesome and varied, both in brand and style. The shop is inclusive, and Elsbeth non-judgmental, which I really appreciated; it's one of the things that's been holding me back since an experience at another shop years ago. In looking at helmets we talked about how the perspective of women in the design process of the helmet made it so much more useful for us! I'm so glad that I was able to support a local, small, woman-owned business in making this purchase, and I'd recommend visiting Four Star Family Cyclery without hesitation to anyone looking for an ebike or a cargo bike. I promise you won't be sorry. read more