Kinetic Systems

I have never experienced such great customer service. This is my 3^rd bicycle shop purchase in MI, and no one has ever took the time to really see how a bike fit until I came here. Louise was extremely helpful and gave me a ton of information. She was very pleasant on the phone before I came out, and really took the time with me when I arrived. You have a customer for life! Thanks again!

Thanks Jeff, Anne and the whole crew at Kinetic Systems for getting me on the right bike at a great price!
Danny Bologna

Nice people — helped me and my son get a lightly-​used but very dusty mountain bike back on the road after it sat dormant for years — didn’t charge for some light adjustments and cutting down the seat post to size. Helpful in giving advice about buying a helmet and gloves, too, and didn’t try to sell us things we didn’t need. Expect to pay full-​blown retail on accessories, with pricing like any small independent shop. Lot of higher-​end bikes and not a great deal of new ones suitable for beginning hobbyists, but that’s the well-​heeled market the shop is in. A nice little shop, pleased to have them in our area.

It was time for me to upgrade this year. I had decided on a cyclocross bike as most of my riding is converted trails and dirt roads, and I was tired of pushing the weight and fat tires of my mountain bike. I’m 55 and could afford a decent bike, and wanted something that I could push hard for 10 miles or take it easier for 30 plus.
As many do, I did a lot of internet searching and reading to narrow down my choices. I visited most every bike shop within 15 miles of Rochester. Even paid $ 250 for a professional fitting to help figure out sizing.
After 6 or 7 shops I went to Kinetic and talked with Jeff the owner. Jeff, by his own admission, can be a little arrogant, yet he has 40 years or so of experience racing, coaching, riding, and fitting bikes to back it up. We talked a lot about what I was looking for, and he put my on a couple of bikes on the rollers to check for fit and riding style. When I visited once when he wasn’t there I spent considerable time with one of his employees (Matt?), and was very satisfied with the knowledge he possessed.
They were always supportive of me taking my time and demoing the bikes. While I had my mind set on a couple of different Salsa models Jeff suggested the Foundry Auger cyclocross bike, and suggested taking a demo ride at the «Demo day» out at Island Lake demo days. Well worth the time. .. the bikes I had set my eyes on just weren’t right, and the Auger was everything I needed and wanted.
Problem was, Jeff didn’t have the size and model in stock. Tried the larger frame and it was a no go. At his risk, he placed an order for the Auger in a 53 cm frame, knowing he was stuck with it if I walked (there were concerns that the 55 was too big, and 53 too small.) Bike came in and fit great. They had me come out for an hour to fit it specifically to me, and threw on some bling that I had bought.
At no time did I feel pressured or obligated at Kinetic. These people live, eat, and breath bikes. They are not perfect, but who is. I felt like I got good service and will go back if I decide I’m in the market for another bike. Also will be going back for the 1 month free «tune-​up» even though I’m 2 months late; I am confident they will still provide the service.
Jeff will be honest and straightforward; he’s not the kind of guy to tell you what you want to hear, he’ll tell you what he believes is correct. I believe he understood me better than a lot of the other shops. (I really tire of young guys trying to sell me what THEY like, same with ski shops!) Even though he is friendly he’s not trying to make friends, he’s trying to get it right. I’m not sure it’s the best shop for kid’s bikes, but again that’s not what I was trying to buy. If you want a decent bike, and are half-​way serious about the sport, or even hard-​core, they are a good shop to check out.

I’ve given this shop many, many chances, as I’ve heard their team is top-​notch. However, it just seems to be full of a bunch of pompous jerks who get more joy out of comparing their bike to yours instead of… ya know… riding said bike.
On one visit, I stopped in to ask about a road bike I had researched. I was looking to spend about $ 1,500, but the employee that was «helping» me simply suggested that I spend about $ 2,000 if I was «actually serious about racing.»
Another visit became annoying when I picked up one of my bikes for a tune-​up to find that they had routed the brake cable through my RoadID bracelet. I keep it around my top tube so I don’t forget to wear it while riding. Now it’s stuck on that bike until I decide to remove that cable. They were going to charge me for another tune-​up just to free the bracelet. That’s incredibly annoying, as it must have taken some focus to route the cable housing through the one part of the ID that rendered it un-​removable.
The last straw, for me, was when I stopped in after lunch at The Union with my girlfriend to sign up for their Fall Back 40. My girlfriend told the employee (and, I think, owner) that she was interested in getting into racing as well. He made a few comments about her maybe looking into a comfort bike. She said she was more interested in something she could race with. He insisted that she’d be happier with a hybrid of some sort.
Thanks, but no thanks, pal. If we’d wanted your patronizing sexism we would’ve asked for it. We’ve since taken our business to KLM in Rochester. Nice people who are willing to sell me what I want, when I want it, will always get my business.