Summit Bike & Ski

I like summit. Its a good shop with good people. I just had to comment on the tool that is peter f. What a s%#t stick!

The only TRUE bike shop in Bozeman. Sure we have other places that sell bikes; but they’re not the same caliber as Summit. As someone who owns a folding bike it’s great to have a shop that can work on them, cut custom sized spokes, etc. The customer service is solid; but make sure you know what you want to ask/​look at before you head there to shop. It’s not a huge space and not a fancy bike showroom.

I don’t think I have ever been this let down by a business than I have by Summit. I wouldn’t classify Summit as a bike and ski shop, but more like a giant vending machine where you put in time and money and receive disappointment and high blood pressure.
Being a hobbyist bike mechanic myself, I require a lot of parts and tools and I thought that instead of buying from REI or ACE, i would get my parts from a smaller store and be all local and stuff. My first warning sign that this was the wrong shop to go to was apparent when I bought a bike trailer from them for a long trip I was going to take on my old ’78 Sakai Ringo. The trailer, however, was designed for newer bike with narrower dropouts and I wasn’t about to spend a thousand dollars on a new Kona or something. Whatever, I thought that there must be a workaround solution and the knowledgeable and friendly staff of this bicycle shoppe would know how to solve it. Wrong, they just blundered a patronizing explanation that I already figured out and was pointed in the direction of a new bike. «Why don’t we just stack washers on the insides of the quick release lever and nut?» I say. «Hurr Derp Herp Durr Derp» the mechanic drools. After my solution fixed the problem, i couldn’t stop thinking that I should have worked there instead of that guy.
The second reason of just how pants-​on-​head retarded Summit is is how many goddamn times they lose my special orders. Ill go in to check on the status of my order that should have come in the week before and they will just scratch their heads and say «sorry, we blah blah blah blah excuses excuses.» I don’t get it, I saw them take my order the first time, HOW DO YOU LOSE IT?! Or another favorite story of mine is when I got a call from them about an order of mine that arrived when I was eating at Naked Noodle (which is about 50 meters away). What good luck, I though– wrong again. When I got there, it took 2 people about 15 minutes to find the damn order that they called about 5 minutes earlier. «But I just saw it» whined the two as they wandered around the shop, apparently blinded by their own idiocy. Maybe its not all their fault though, the store is just an absolute mess all of the time.
Though by far my favorite incident was when I was in the shop for something or other and I asked the assistance of a mechanic about what brake would fit my bike. He came over to help me out, but the entire time, one of the other mechanics would tell me from across the room «Hey man, we are really busy right now, I don’t know if we can help you.» And I just got so incredibly frustrated. One guy telling me that its too busy to help me, while another is clearly helping me. Eventually I just told that guy off, who proceeded to say «I don’t have to take any of your shit. Lets go out back and ill kick your ass, punk» Im not even joking. This bike mechanic wanted to fight me at work. For a second I had to remind myself that this was a full grown man and not a highschooler. Needless to say I was very threatened and was a second away from calling the cops because it really did seem this guy was going to take a swing at me. I should have never stepped into that place again, so I guess that makes me the idiot for thinking that I should give Summit a fourth chance.
Its not all bad, though. I suppose its cool that Summit is one of the only seller of tele skis around in the winter, but then, stated best by friend, «No one cares that you tele.» And I suppose its interesting that they have a section for vintage and used parts, thought that only is useful provided you have never heard of the Bike Kitchen or E-​bay. They sell some quality bike brands that you don’t really see around the other stores, and they have a good selection of parts. Though these things are just a drop of pleasantness in a bucket of vomit. And would it kill them to smile once in a while? Is it an unwritten rule that you have to be miserable and cold to your customers? Its like being a mechanic makes you too cool to be a human-​being and you must act as aloof and pretentious as possible (though to be fair, thats EVERY mechanic in this town).
Summit Bike and Ski, there is no middle finger big enough to express how I feel about you.

I took in my bike to get more gears and some maintenance and steve was super helpful and knowledgable about making recommendations without being pushy at all. He fixed up my miyata and it rides incredibly smooth! (new freewheel, maintenance, and fenders) Plus, they did the repairs rather quickly!

prices are very good. have an amazing fall sale where everything is %50 off. the staff are very friendly and helpful. not the BEST selection on everything BUT they make up for it with more unique offerings like the yuba mundo, burley cargo trailers, etc.