The Bike Fit @ The Bicycle Dr.

Ken's back on two wheels again after Friday's drive and scheduled bike fit at the Bicycle Dr. in Dousman, Wis.

The Bicycle Dr. has a great trailside location, setup next to the Glacial Drumlin Trail, a 52-mile trail connecting Cottage Grove to the Fox River Sanctuary in Waukesha, Wis. Official DNR map here.

The shop had a fun yet relaxed feel to it and friendly staff. Some bike people drive me nuts, but the guys I met at The Bicycle Dr. were funny, smart and ready to help.

A man with Edward Cullen-ish hair (Joe) helped Ken with the fit. I sat on a picnic table outside enjoying one of Wisconsin's recently rare perfect afternoons.

A wide mix of riders rode past on the trail in front of me:

• three 10-year old girls on bikes too big for them and no helmets (buy a helmet!),
• several couples riding comfort or road bikes,
• several lonely riders pushing 18 mph,
• two black Great Danes and their owners pushing a baby stroller.

Multiple groups stopped in for a snack or drink at Doc's Cafe & Energy Bar.

The Bicycle Dr hosts two weekly group rides:
- Drop the Doc ride, 40 miles at fast pace, show up at 8 a.m. Saturdays
- Wednight night ride, 28 miles, A & B pace leaving at 6 & 6:10.

We're very pleased with the Bicycle Dr.'s service, responsiveness and topnotch manner.

For more on bike fit read my favorite bikefit articles:
Bikesport Michigan's Kama Sutra of Bike Positions
active.com's 3 Principles of a Successful Bike Fit.

Questions for you:

- Describe your ideal bikeshop salesperson.

- What's most important to you in a bike store person?

photo credits: photos taken by me during our fun date @ the bike shop! More pics of Ken & the bike to come.

The Bicycle Dr.'s Cure

Last week (Friday), my husband Ken learned his baby (S22 FELT bicycle) was unrideable (crack in the rear seat-stay). Crushing news given his big race Ford Ironman Coeur d'Alene was in 45 days...

We were referred to the Bicycle Dr, a FELT dealer in Dousman, Wis. Ken called the shop and drove 45 miles the next morning to see what his options were. Kevin, from the Bicycle Dr., emailed the warranty claim that day (Saturday) and called FELT Monday morning.

We were in pre-race serious problem panic mode Wednesday night with no new information. Frames and bikes take a minimum five days to ship, then time to assemble and then time to fit. And it's busy season for bike shops in Wisconsin. Ken's pre-race taper was nearing too.

Thursday late afternoon I got another phone call. Our options:

• FELT shipped the Bicycle Dr. a S32 frame to arrive around May 19th.
• FELT would give Ken a discount on a B16 complete bike or a discount on a B12 frame, either option about $1,900.

Ken made a second trip to the Bicycle Dr. Thursday night to check out the B12 and B16. And he called the Bicycle Dr.'s owner Friday morning to get his opinion. Ken's going with the factory frame option, which surprised the Bicycle Dr.

Ken's very pleased with the Bicycle Dr's service. They've given Ken multiple options at many levels all during their busiest sales time. When Ken asked about upgrading parts, the Bicycle Dr didn't push parts Ken didn't need, which during a panic period, would have been easy to do.
They were sensitive to Ken's timeline & to getting him the best fit & option during this high-stress situation. I think we'll be driving over again next week for Ken's fit.

We're happy to receive the new frame from FELT & thankful they mailed it immediately.

I'm thanking God Ken didn't crash his bike riding a broken frame!!

http://ironmakeover.blogspot.com/2009/05/crack-in-our-plans-45-days-from-race.html

A Crack in Our Plans--45 Days from Race Morning

Last Friday I got a call from my husband I wasn't expecting. Ken had taken his baby (his S22 FELT bicycle ) in for service at Williamson Bicycle Works & Fitness in Madison, Wis.



In addition to needing a regular pre-race tune-up, he asked them to investigate a noise he'd heard. He'd called the bike guy before coming in and he and Ken thought it could be bottom bracket related. There was also something about a hub and the bike needed a new back tire. All issues we could handle/afford paying for. All great things to wrap up before a big event.



Later that day Ken went back to pick up his baby and instead won the pre-race "don't want to hear it" lottery.



Ken's bike frame is cracked.

• That makes it unrideable.
• That makes it worthless.
• And Ken's big event, Ford Ironman Coeur d'Alene, is 45 days away.

Williamson Bicycles was wonderful, supportive & understanding. They charged Ken for some parts, that's it. But Williamson Bicycles is no longer a FELT dealer, so they referred Ken to the Bicycle Dr., a FELT dealer in Dousman, Wis.

Ken called the Bicycle Dr and drove there the next morning to see what his options were. We'd taken photos of the crack Friday night & I scanned a copy of his original receipt so we had backup.

A bike mechanic named Kevin at Bicycle Dr. took in the situation and the FELT salesrep was on site. Things in our favor:

• Ken is the original owner.
• Ken bought the bike from a FELT dealer.
• Ken loved and cared for his bike like a baby.
• We have the original dated receipt.
• All FELT frames have a lifetime warranty.

Things that get tricky:

• time
• time
• time

Kevin e-mailed the warranty claim on Saturday and called FELT Monday morning. Monday evening Kevin told Ken we'd know more by Wednesday. The FELT salesrep was going to check on frames, upgrades and discounts Tuesday.

It's Wednesday night and we have no new information. We're very close to panic mode. Frames and bikes take minimum five days to ship, then time to assemble and then fit. And the days/weeks continue to race by as Ironman CdA nears.

Questions for You:
- What's your most stressful pre-race situation? How did you handle it?
- How would you handle it if you were Ken?

photo: Ken's poor S22. The crack is on the rear seat stay.