Sioux River Bicycles & Fitness

Well, I really wanted to like this place, but the third time's the last. Now. This used to really be the only LBS in town until a year ago, when another place opened up. Two years ago, when I first moved here, I went in to SRB looking for a bike. It was apparent they either were marking bike up more than expected, or sell more expensive stuff, but the cheapest single speed they had at the time was about $800. I had not been riding long, and ended up spending about $300 on an entry fixed gear from online. I have been riding this bike like crazy for the last two years, and it has been a trooper. Immediately after getting the bike, I went in for some valve adapters and a lock. Their bike locks were outrageous, and the valve adapters later I found for about half price. I passed on the lock. As I started getting more experienced, I started wanting upgrades. Most came from the "other" LBS at very reasonable prices. Maybe 10% over Amazon. I'm okay with that. Fast forward to a couple weeks ago. I had a slipping cog due to lockring needing to be tightened. I go in for a spanner and leave with a tool costing me $31.94, that I wouldn't have bought if I didn't need it literally right then. On Amazon, the same tool is $22.99 with free two-day shipping. Ouch. Final deal for me was going in today for a chainring nut. The man (owner? manager?) looked at me like I was crazy and said most bikes don't have them anymore, and asked if I had an old bike...whaaaaaaat? I look around and the shop is full of three piece cranks and multispeed bikes. Chainring nuts everywhere. First thing was when he saw a sticker for the "other shop" on my bike, he said, "They don't have it?" I thought, man, do you want me to leave right now? Do you usually make people feel judged about what store they go to? Like the minute they know you don't want a $1000 bike you get the attitude every time. He then asked me to bring my bike in so he could see what I was talking about, again, whaaaaaat?? I just needed him to show me what they had so I could pick what I needed. Then the mechanic said they come in different sizes. Again, no kidding, I knew exactly what I needed, and didn't need a mechanic's help. I didn't ask for advice, or an diatribe on how rare they are, I asked if they had them. Finally, he pulls out a used bolt, and says $5. At that, I left, never to return. Again, you can get a set of five (in any color, and brand new) for $8-10 on Amazon. The verdict? I don't know what the target customer is for this shop, but the times I have been in there they have come off as rude, elitist, and way, way too expensive. If they charge $5 for a bolt and markup tools 50%, what are they giving you for a bike? My advice, google "Brookings bicycle", and click on the directions to the other shop, just like I'll be telling the new grad students that I do orientation for. Sorry guys, but I think this other shop is going to give you a run for your money, ever wonder why in a town this size someone felt a need for a new shop? I think I know...
9 years ago (01-08-2017)

I am mainly focusing for international students who arrived temporary to Brookings, SD. So this shop seems to have good products and their cheapest bicycle is over $300 (you can buy three bicycles for this price) and average is somewhere $600, the people who runs the shop, knows nothing about customer services or ethics and they are just existing in a corner of the town. If you are looking for place for repairing your bicycle, this place will not be a good place to go unless you are willing to pay extra cash, compared to the market price and willing to listen their comparison between less quality bicycles(everything not coming from their shop, I guess) and their quality bicycles. If you can check the prices in the market and the actual purpose of your purchase , you might able to save some cash rather than burning it to one costly product which only serve you to ride a mile or two per day in your student life. verdict: extremely bad and rude customer service. waste of time and money if you are looking a bicycle just to have with you for couple of years. Not good place to go for repairing a bicycle. Extremely good collection of bicycles, if you need to have something lasting more than couple of years, specially if you are a citizen. *For sure, I will never make a purchase from them.*
9 years ago (21-04-2017)

Added about $100 of additional modifications to my bike without calling to ask if it was okay. I appreciate the work, but additional charges need to be cleared with the low-on-funds college student who is paying for them.
9 years ago (29-06-2017)

Nice people. They do bike repairs. But the owner refuses to repair "cheap bikes from Walmart." His words. Expect high prices. I think they only had one kind of bike for less than $300. That was the one I got. Good bike, though.
10 years ago (02-02-2017)

Not a place to go if you want advice or to talk bikes. The owner is rude and has been very stubborn every time I've been there. Thankfully the business is changing hands. Until then I will take my questions and needs to a more helpful and customer friendly bike shop.
9 years ago (25-03-2017)