June Bug Posted February 2, 2022 Share Posted February 2, 2022 (edited) Bicycle House: New bike shop going in on Burnet, north of the Burnet/Koenig intersection, just past Lamar Middle School. Sales, repair, bike fit and will carry Giant, Liv, Scott and BMC. Not open yet, although they'll do consults on finding a bike. James Balentine and Thomas Miller are the principals, sounds like lots of solid experience, if anyone has come across them at Jack and Adams, Mellow Johnny's or the mtn bike/bmx race scene. Bicycle House - Who we are Edited February 2, 2022 by June Bug 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AustinBike Posted February 2, 2022 Share Posted February 2, 2022 James builds the best wheels in Austin so I know where to go for wheels if I ever need them. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mack_turtle Posted February 2, 2022 Share Posted February 2, 2022 I know that James guy from somewhere. I'm not terribly familiar with everyone in the bike shop scene. where did he work before this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AustinBike Posted February 2, 2022 Share Posted February 2, 2022 He did a couple mobile bike repair trucks for the last few years 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taco Man Posted February 3, 2022 Share Posted February 3, 2022 18 hours ago, mack_turtle said: I know that James guy from somewhere. I'm not terribly familiar with everyone in the bike shop scene. where did he work before this? He started the Velofix business in Austin. Very good work done on my bikes over the years. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
June Bug Posted March 1, 2022 Author Share Posted March 1, 2022 Bicycle House is looking for a Service Specialist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmc4130 Posted March 8, 2022 Share Posted March 8, 2022 On 2/2/2022 at 7:24 AM, June Bug said: Bicycle House: New bike shop going in on Burnet, north of the Burnet/Koenig intersection, just past Lamar Middle School. Sales, repair, bike fit and will carry Giant, Liv, Scott and BMC. Not open yet, although they'll do consults on finding a bike. James Balentine and Thomas Miller are the principals, sounds like lots of solid experience, if anyone has come across them at Jack and Adams, Mellow Johnny's or the mtn bike/bmx race scene. Bicycle House - Who we are Right on. I’ll stop by. That’s my neighborhood ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AustinBike Posted March 8, 2022 Share Posted March 8, 2022 Patiently waiting for them to open. I have a pair of wheels that I need James to rebuild. Close enough that they could become my go-to shop. We are definitely spoiled in Austin with the number of good shops that we have. Friends in other cities generally talk about the *one* good shop in their town and how hard it is to get things done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAF Posted March 8, 2022 Share Posted March 8, 2022 4 hours ago, AustinBike said: Patiently waiting for them to open. I have a pair of wheels that I need James to rebuild. Close enough that they could become my go-to shop. We are definitely spoiled in Austin with the number of good shops that we have. Friends in other cities generally talk about the *one* good shop in their town and how hard it is to get things done. I spoke to James the other day - they are waiting for their Final Inspection from the City. He's optimistic about the timeline (soon), those of us who are jaded and old will be less likely to expect it to be this week or next. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taco Man Posted March 9, 2022 Share Posted March 9, 2022 21 hours ago, TAF said: they are waiting for their Final Inspection from the City. That pretty much sums it up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AntonioGG Posted March 9, 2022 Share Posted March 9, 2022 5 hours ago, Taco Man said: That pretty much sums it up. For those of you with experience, are final inspections worse than pre-construction or life & safety inspections? (I know life & safety are part of final on the BP) We are doing replacing our patio arbor with a roof, while pulling those permits, they found out the original 1983 permits (EP, MP, BP) were expired and not finalized. It turns out this is a common thing (129k currently expired permits in CoA back to the 70's). I won't get into the whole online process and customer support issues in here, but as part of this, I requested a pre-construction inspection (the system doesn't let you skip ahead, they are sequential) for the next day, and the inspector showed up at 8am the next day. Obviously they couldn't have done a pre-construction inspection, but the inspector was super helpful by giving me contacts, and the manager in charge talked to him once he got back and they got it all cleared up in a couple of hours. (I provided feedback to them on how to improve the process--or rather--to define a process for this specific type of issue and to train the customer support people on this). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AustinBike Posted March 9, 2022 Share Posted March 9, 2022 We ran into a similar issue with our last remodel. Turns out a contractor put in for a permit for some reason we do not understand. Had to get that nullified and it was a real pain. We started on a patio/screen porch project last April. Maaaaayyybbbeee it will start soon. Permits were a mess and we had an architect on top of it the whole time. Good luck on your job. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taco Man Posted March 10, 2022 Share Posted March 10, 2022 The final inspection (CO) is more cursory than anything else as by then its all closed up. Each of the inspections along the way Plumbing, Electrical, Mechanical, Life Safety are all the real ones before you can close up the drywall/ ceiling. The "Final" inspection by the Fire dept makes sure there are no obstructions, that you have all the life safety operational, the building dept makes sure you dont have any code violations. Usually both are fairly quick if youve got yourself in the right place. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAF Posted March 10, 2022 Share Posted March 10, 2022 On 3/9/2022 at 1:09 PM, AntonioGG said: I provided feedback to them on how to improve the process--or rather--to define a process for this specific type of issue and to train the customer support people on this. Ha ha! How did that go down? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AntonioGG Posted March 11, 2022 Share Posted March 11, 2022 8 hours ago, TAF said: Ha ha! How did that go down? They were receptive, and they're in a transition to a lot of online stuff where homeowners do a lot more of this instead of contractors with experience. My perception is that the system went from one where you showed up in person (and I've heard horror stories about how long you would wait) and you could hash it out in person once you got to see someone that knows what they're talking about, to now you don't get to hash it out with someone that knows what they're talking about. I think they were also receptive because I believe I sent 25 e-mails over a week as well as called about it. Neither one of us liked it. I was generally offering constructive criticism and offered my help. I imagine they largely get many angry anti-government types most of the time. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ATXZJ Posted March 11, 2022 Share Posted March 11, 2022 (edited) 11 hours ago, AntonioGG said: . I imagine they largely get many angry anti-government types most of the time. Post-covid......i couldnt imagine why😄 We had to schedule almost two months out for a title transfer, that took place in a parking lot. Oddly enough, my taxes didn't go down. You couldn't pay me enough to open a brick&mortar in Austin. Edited March 11, 2022 by ATXZJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
June Bug Posted March 22, 2022 Author Share Posted March 22, 2022 From Facebook: We’re excited, terrified, and proud to announce that Bicycle House will be opening its doors on Thursday, 3-31-2022. Schedule your service online, or swing by and say hi. We’re looking forward to sharing our vision with the Austin community. https://www.bicyclehouseatx.com 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAF Posted March 24, 2022 Share Posted March 24, 2022 I'm a little confused about how much they charge, but I will stop by and ask them. I see $100 per hour on the website -- and am hoping that is not a minimum, since they're no longer driving to my house. In other words, if it takes 30 mins to adjust my rear der, will it be $50? When attempting to schedule, the only option appears to be "2 hours @ $150", whatever that means, although it appears to include "Bike washed. Wheels trued. Shifting precise. Braking dialed. All other issues addressed." I always drop off a clean bike, so I certainly don't need to pay for that! In any case, I'll drop by and ask em before scheduling anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattlikesbikes Posted March 31, 2022 Share Posted March 31, 2022 On 3/8/2022 at 6:28 AM, AustinBike said: Patiently waiting for them to open. I have a pair of wheels that I need James to rebuild. I'm building for Velorangutan these days, but also doing side builds/repairs and am regularly in your neighborhood for pickup/drop off, if this new place doesn't work out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAF Posted March 31, 2022 Share Posted March 31, 2022 I'll give em a solid thumbs up. James took care of my bent derailleur situation on opening day for a cheap $25. The website needs tweaking, but he recommends everyone use the built-in appointment scheduler - you won't be charged the indicated $150 for two hours if the repair doesn't warrant that. Nicely remodeled interior, plus a beer fridge. If you drive in off SCB you can park behind the shop without having to venture onto Burnet Rd. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AustinBike Posted April 1, 2022 Share Posted April 1, 2022 12 hours ago, Mattlikesbikes said: I'm building for Velorangutan these days, but also doing side builds/repairs and am regularly in your neighborhood for pickup/drop off, if this new place doesn't work out. they have the bike now, will report back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAF Posted April 1, 2022 Share Posted April 1, 2022 33 minutes ago, AustinBike said: they have the bike now, will report back. Brave feller, leaving it overnight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AustinBike Posted April 1, 2022 Share Posted April 1, 2022 If something happens to it their insurance would buy me a new Chumba. It's a win-win. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taco Man Posted April 1, 2022 Share Posted April 1, 2022 19 minutes ago, AustinBike said: If something happens to it their insurance would buy me a new Chumba. It's a win-win. They kept one of mine overnight I wasnt worried. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AustinBike Posted April 1, 2022 Share Posted April 1, 2022 Yeah, if someone did a smash and grab it is unlikely that they would go after the used bikes in the back that have problems. They'll focus on the shiny new ones up front. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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