Helens Cycles Santa Monica?

tlittlefield · #1 04-15-2011, 01:10 PM

Anyone ever done business with them?

What was your experience like?

Behruz · #2 04-15-2011, 01:24 PM

It's a pretty good shop. Things are expensive and priced at MSRP but that is kind of par for the course at local shops. Occasionally they have some really good deals on bikes though, and they have a pretty big selection of high end stuff, both road and mountain. The mechanics in the back are damn good and generally friendly--good follow up support if you have issues.

Grade: B+

vqdriver · #3 04-15-2011, 01:33 PM

+1 to the above. That pretty much summarizes it. I'll just add that they have a spot upstairs dedicated to fitting which is nice.

kgreene10 · #4 04-15-2011, 01:35 PM

I am an occasional customer when in LA. I have had good experiences there and the staff is knowledgeable, plus they are involved in the local racing scene. I have also had good experiences at Cynergy a few blocks away. On a trip to LA one time, my seatpost cracked the day before a big ride. One of the guys at Cynergy actually loaned me his personal post for the weekend. Super-cool. He got it back with a six pack of microbrew.

SoCalSteve · #5 04-15-2011, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Behruz

It's a pretty good shop. Things are expensive and priced at MSRP but that is kind of par for the course at local shops. Occasionally they have some really good deals on bikes though, and they have a pretty big selection of high end stuff, both road and mountain. The mechanics in the back are damn good and generally friendly--good follow up support if you have issues.

Grade: B+

I've been doing business with them for 10+ years. Wilbur is a GREAT wheel builder and they have a huge selection of bikes...Probably the biggest Cannondale dealer in the world (at least they were at one point).

But, they are a big, busy, corporate bike store (I think they have about 5 stores around LA now, including I. Martin) and because of that, you lose the "mom and pop" feel.

Maybe because I have been such a long term customer or maybe they will do this for anyone. I was having a freehub issue on a Reynolds carbon wheelset at the start of a long ride...went there before hours and they let me in, replaced the freehub on the spot and didn't charge me an arm and a leg to do the swap. Pretty cool service.

I guess the best recommendation is word of mouth and when someone asks me about buying a new bike for the first time, this is where I point them.

Good luck!

false_Aest · #6 04-15-2011, 04:35 PM

I was with SoCalSteve on that ride. He tells the truth. I was amazed their willingness to help.

I prefer the feel of Cynergy a bit more than Helens but that wasn't your question.

Walk up the stairs at Helens and check out the high end stuff.

Don't bother with the Helens in Marina Del Rey (on Lincoln).

They own iMartin... the mechanic there has apparently wrenched for Merckx and Lance. The gf will start a new job there on Monday. iMartin doesn't have as much drool worthy stuff and isn't as pretty but its still a solid shop.