There are two bike shops in historic Westminster a stone's throw away from each other. Whites has been there for decades and is the "mom and pop" shop compared to the other, bigger, and glossier Race Pace, which has several locations. While I've shopped and purchased from both, I think your preference depends on your personality and what you are looking for. If you want a shiny, expensive new bike, and expensive accessories and service to go with it, then Race Pace fits the bill. I needed three older bikes tuned-up and fixed at a reasonable price for occasional riding on trails, road, etc. General tune-ups are considerably less at Whites, and they will find used, but still perfectly usable, parts to repair your bike for a fraction of what it would cost to replace with all new stuff. The guys know their stuff, and will explain how stuff works and what your options are for repair. Whites doesn't try to sell you stuff you don't need or assume things need to be replaced just because they are a few years old and not the "style".
I took a bike frame that I needed the bottom bracket removed to White's. That's all. They never did take the bottom bracket out, and after two months of waiting I bought my own equipment and did it myself. Screw White's. Go to Race Pace instead. Great customer service.
I took my bike in for a shifter replacement, which they performed. After a $250 investment and weeks of waiting, the bike shifted terribly and made constant grinding sounds. I brought it back twice over the next two weeks, and they couldn't figure out what happened. Eventually they just gave up and said it's fine (it clearly wasn't.). A few months later I took it to Race Pace (right around the corner), to see if they could figure it out. They took one look at it and told me the shifter didn't match the cassette. Whites had put a 9 speed shifter on my 8 speed bike. Race Pace fixed it in two days, and it immediately worked perfectly, it was like a new bike. I then went back to Whites to explain what had happened. They said putting a 9 speed shifter on an 8 speed bike is fine (it isn't, Google it). They then apologized and said they would make amends, and call me back. That was two months ago, still haven't heard from them.
We have known the owner of Whites for about five years and have been pleased on all accounts. The employees are very welcoming and helpful. We've bought bikes new and used and have traded in a bike as well. We have been most pleasantly surprised with very low cost and sometimes free repairs and maintenance. (Our baby jogging stroller was repaired by them as well...no cost.) True family business; love to support the locals.
Great folks. I shipped a bike from my home in California to Maryland. They agreed to receive the shipment and assemble the bicycle for me; the service was great and the cost was minimal. We are loyal customers now!
The staff seems friendly, though they didn't follow through with calling me back. I think the lack of knowledge regarding something so basic shows a lack of general competence and motivation to be an effective mechanic. Don't blow the money and learn the hard way, learn from my lesson and just go to Race Pace.
White S Bicycles is a US Bicycle Store based in Westminster, Maryland. White S Bicycles is located at 10 W Main St, Westminster, MD 21157, USA.
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