Re: [CR] Disappointing Cyclart experience

(Example: Events)

Date: Tue, 18 May 2010 13:57:45 -0400
From: "John Betmanis" <johnb@oxford.net>
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
References: <1274202916.4bf2cb2400a43@webmail.b2b2c.ca>
In-Reply-To: <1274202916.4bf2cb2400a43@webmail.b2b2c.ca>
Subject: Re: [CR] Disappointing Cyclart experience


Why not try Velocolour in Toronto?

http://www.velocolour.com/

-- John Betmanis Woodstock, Ontario Canada

On 18/05/2010 1:15 PM, paul.ozzello@b2b2c.ca wrote:
>
> I sent my 1985 Bianchi Veloce to Cyclart for repair. It's a middle of the road
> model that doesn't have much monetary value, but it was my first real bike and
> I won a number of races with it when I was a kid; so it has a great deal of
> sentimental value. The top tube has a minor dent from a collision I had with a
> car 25 years ago that I've wanted to have repaired ever since. A number of
> people recommended Cyclart so I emailed Jim Cunningham.
>
> I told him what I wanted done, remove the dent, keep the existing paint, and
> touch up some of the larger eyesores. He said that was a pretty basic repair
> and suggested I send it to him for an estimate. When I eventually got the
> estimate, it was for a dent repair and a cheap powder coat. I called Jim and
> explained to him how keeping the original paint was very important to me, that
> I didn't mind if it didn't come out perfect.
>
> You could tell from the conversation he didn't want to be bothered, going on
> about how his painters/artists wouldn't find much motivation from such a job,
> that there was little satisfaction or gratification to be had from such a
> project. After I told him how much the bike meant to me, he appeared to
> understand and accepted to give me a quote for the work requested. Several few
> weeks later, Jim obviously changed his mind; I got a mail from Susan with the
> original estimate (dent removal plus re-finish).
>
> I contacted Cyclart once again asking for a quote for a complete CycleTique
> treatment for the frame realizing it would be costly. Apparently, Cyclart has
> no interest in doing the work and offered to send me back the frame as is.
>
> Were my expectations too high? I was willing to spend considerably more than
> what the bike was worth for a simple frame repair and explained it to them long
> before I ever sent them the frame. I wrongly assumed Cyclart would understand
> the passion emotion and history that an owner can have with a particular bike;
> what a disappointment.
>
> Could someone recommend a shop that would do such a repair?

>

>

> Paul Ozzello

>

> Montreal Canada