There's two parts to this review, but ultimately, they deserve a 5 star rating!
I went in last week to pick up a bike that I had reserved the week prior. The website mentioned that the bicycle was to be picked up at either the Burlingame or Los Gatos store. Being the road bike enthusiast that I am, and since I am in the market for a new bicycle, I chose a bike which should have been available for a 24hr rental. However, upon arriving at the store, there was no bicycle my size. This matters greatly, as many people have stopped riding bikes because it hurts their body parts, but as kids, we just jumped onto any bike that was available. And especially, if I'm about to plop a couple thousand into a bike, it better be right! Nonetheless, I was hoping to try out a specific bike, which was unavailable. The staff was completely apologetic, however, and did what they could to offer an explanation as to why it wasn't available and how the website won't tell you where the bikes are among the three locations in the Bay Area. So part I of this review is a 1/5 since that is the lowest that I can provide. This is for the online rental process, the lack of follow up by the online reservation people as I sent multiple emails, and the lack of a bicycle.
But this is where Summit totally makes up for the mistake. Anthony and his crew were very accommodating, in fact. To make things right, they sent me home with my dream Road bicycle, something that I never imagined ever riding. Anthony gave me a quick fitting and showed me some cool features of the bike and it's components. They also have this rental to me on the house, and promised to call me when the bike that I had originally booked, would be available. I spent the next 24hrs riding this heavenly road machine, and when my legs had had enough, I brought it back the next day. Anthony and his staff where there again the next day, and were still apologetic and looking to make things right. In my eyes, everything was right at this point, but the fact that they will call me when the bike is ready, is great. 9/5 Stars!
Despite the initial issue, the staff courtesy and response was beyond my imagination. Today, Summit Bicycles definitely earned my trust and I look forward to returning to the store in Burlingame for the initial bicycle that I wanted to rent. Who knows, maybe I'll even buy my next road bike from them. The store is easy to get to, plenty of street parking, and is very clean. They sell mostly Trek bicycles and their Bontrager brand items, but you can also find some pretty other amazing brand bikes and items in stores.
9/29 - so I picked up the bike that I originally wanted to rent and came away with a beautiful Trek Domane. However, I wasn't fit for it properly and so the seat wasn't right. It was so off that at one point I had back spasms when climbing up the last major hill on my century ride. When I brought the bike back to the store, I gave Anthony and Tom my review and they both asked me what happened the day I picked up the bike. They felt bad that the experience wasn't as good as my first, so they totally went the extra step and will be giving me another day on the bike after a more proper fitting. Talk about great customer service where twice, both Tom and Anthony, saved what could have been written off as a bad experience. I do look forward to riding the bike one more time, but also to deal with Summit Bicycles in the future for a potential new bike! read more