1. Best Value for Your Money
We do extensive research on the products we offer. That's why we are able to provide you with the highest quality product for your dollar, which saves you money. We are always on the lookout for both new and high quality products. Through our efforts, we are able to provide great price options with our product lines. We offer a "good," "better," and "best" approach to fit our customers' needs. By taking the time to research our product, we are able to provide the best value to fit every budget.
2. Test Ride Experience
This is the most important aspect of purchasing a bike, and we take pride in getting people out on a test ride. Our Test Ride Experience is far superior to anyone else's in the area. We don't limit our customers to a parking lot, we've mapped out the perfect route for our test riders to enjoy and experience what their bike has to offer and get a sense of the possibilities of where there bike can take them. What you can expect from a test ride is a sizing of the bike, brief tutorial on operation, and what to look for in the handling of the bike, such as acceleration, maneuverability, and how it feels on various road textures. Our favorite part is when the test rider comes back and they have that look of joy and excitement on their face knowing that they have just found their perfect bike.
3. Knowledgeable and Highly Trained Staff
Our staff is educated in the various products we carry as well as knowing the differences between products and their applications. Staff is also trained to provide customers with the product that will best suit their individual needs and budget. We routinely have hands on training sessions for the staff on bike builds, diagnosing, services, sizing, product, procedures, and promotions. In addition to our training sessions, the staff also utilizes vendor websites, training material and clinics to stay up to speed with the ever changing cycling industry.
4. Outstanding Customer Service
A bike shop can be intimidating, especially if you are new to the sport, or even if you're getting back into the saddle. We are here to make you feel comfortable and help you meet the goals you are looking to achieve. It doesn't matter your riding level, whether it be entry, pro, or in between. We'll treat you with respect and educate you on the product so that you have a better understanding of it and its application. We are here to answer your questions and help you understand what bike or product needs will fit your aspirations.
There are many aspects to cycling, from components, sizing, frames, accessories, and technology. All this can be very overwhelming, but we're here to take the time to show you the intended purpose of the product. There's no such thing as a "dumb question" so please feel free to ask us anything - that's why we're here. We truly care and want you to have an enjoyable experience that leads you into having a positive "spin" on cycling. When you leave The Bike Factory we want your experience to have been a happy one. We want to see you back in the store and get involved in some of the events we hold, and for your experience to be a memorable one for all the right reasons!
5. Quick Turn-Around Times
Our Service Department Manager, Alec, continually seeks out training, both hands on and off. By doing so, The Bike Factory, along with Alec, have developed procedures to ensure all bikes are serviced properly and in a timely fashion. What can you expect when you bring your bike in for service? A free diagnostic of the bike to address your concerns and any other potential issues, and will usually only take a few minutes, and in some situations we may be able to service your bike while you wait. If not, we will check the bike in, give you an estimate of cost and time when the bike will be ready (we try for a 24-hour turnaround when possible).
If we notice that there are additional problems/concerns with your bike once we get it in the stand, we will call you and let you know your options before moving forward with it. Rest assured, there are no surprises or additional costs when you come to pick up your bike. We also expedite flat tire repairs in between services to get you in and out and back on the trails in a timely manner. Also, if you have an event coming up and need your service by a certain time or date, we will do our absolute best to get you ready in time. Depending on our workload, and if this is ever the case, there may be an express service fee addded, which you will be notified of at the time of your request - no surprises!
6. Product Selection
We offer a wide range of products here at The Bike Factory, including a full line of bikes - balance, kids, juveniles, BMX, beach cruiser, comfort hybrid, sport hybrid, mountain, fat tire, road, touring, commuter, trikes, and Specialized turbo-electric bikes. We also have many accessories to choose from, and if we don't have what you are looking for in stock, we can always order it.
7. Community Involvement
We feel that it is important to do our part in giving back to the community, and have a couple programs in place to help us do so. One way is through our Junior Mechanics program, where we invite kids ages 6 through 16 to join our class which meets once a week for 4-8 weeks. Here the students learn about basic bike operation and mechanics, and work on bikes that have been donated to us. By the end of the class, the bike will have been restored and at that point the bike is donated to the Glen-Ed Pantry. We also host different Boy Scout Troops and help them with their bicycle achievement class.
8. Perks of Being TBF Customers
New Bike Purchase: Get 10% off bike accessories for the first year, lifetime basic tune-ups for original purchaser, and a free recreational fitting.
Military: 10% off purchases (excludes labor)
SIUE: 10% off purchases (excludes parts and labor)
Kids Trade-Up Program: Recieve up to $75 when trading up a TBF kids bike
Plus free installs when you purchase any of the following items from TBF: Bags, Bells/Horns, Computers, Grips, Kickstand (with the purchase of the bike), Lights, Pedals (Platform and Clipless), Racks (Bike and Auto), Saddles, Water Bottle Cage. You also get a free 30-minute tutorial on the trainer when you purchase shoes and clipless pedals from TBF.
9. Free Programs
We offer free weekly shop rides for anyone who is interested in riding with others in a supportive environment. These rides are no drop, which means no one is left behind. Once a month we have a free basic maintenance class which teaches individuals about drivetrain maintenance and flat fixes. During the winter months we also have our beyond basic class, which teaches about brake, derailleur adjustments, and wheel true. By offering these classes, it allows us time to share our knowledge of some basics with the community. As stated above, we also have our Junior Mechanics class that is offered twice a year and teaches the fundamentals of the bike to kids ages 6 through 16, as well as opportunities for the Boy Scouts to come in for their bicycle achievement class, as well as schools for field trips. Please contact us at 618-659-8706 to schedule your troop or class to come in.
10. Safety
To ensure the safety of our customers, we have incorporated a quality control program for all new bike builds and service repairs. No bike goes out the door without the service manager signing off on the completion of the bike. We have strict guidelines that we adhere to for every service and new build, including tightening all bolts at the proper torque specifications. After assembly or repair bikes are test ridden by a second party to ensure they are operating properly and all concerns have been addressed. It is our responsibility to make sure the bike is safe when it leaves TBF and we take that very seriously.