Optimized Cycling Solutions

Great customer service from a shop owner who cares.
I called Mark on a Friday to ask about getting my Target-​bought Schwinn in proper working order for my 4 mile-​a-​day commute to the park and ride off Cambridge. He chatted with me for a good 15 minutes, determining what I was looking for and how he could best help. Even making sure I wear a helmet after I mentioned I bomb down some pretty large hills on my morning ride.
He said I could bring my bike by that day and even offered to wait a little past closing if I couldn’t make it by 5:00.
When I arrived, he gave me a solid rundown of my bike, how safe it was for my needs, and what we would need to do to get it road ready. Although he typically works on high-​end machines running in the four digit price range, he spoke about my $ 250 Schwinn Hybrid with respect and professionalism.
The work was done by the next afternoon and he even installed a used crank arm to replace the one that had stripped, saving me a few bucks. He could have pushed to replace the entire crank set, but he knew I didn’t want to dump any more cash into a lower end bike.
I picked it up a few days later and it is purring like a kitten.
Mark is a knowledge bike expert who wanted to make sure I was happy leaving his shop.
I was. Extremely. The way he runs Optimized Cycling Solutions is the reason I choose to support small business owners in El Dorado County like him.

Mark is a genuine guy, was a pleasure working with him. He is a perfectionist, my bike has never ridden smoother. Would highly recommend him for any work on any bicycle.

I recently acquired some used kids bicycles that were in need of repairs and needed to be «tuned up». Being new to the area, I wasn’t sure exactly where to take them so I started to call around to different bicycle shops in the area but just wasn’t feeling as though anyone really wanted my business. As though my requests to fix-​up used kids bikes were beneath them. Finally, I called Mark’s shop and Immediately knew this was my guy. His friendly, knowledgeable, and comfortable down to earth attitude had me sold.
After Mark had worked his magic on the bikes, my three sons and I went down to pick them up. As we walked into his shop, sitting there amongst his high tech equipment and high end bicycles, we saw our bikes sitting there, shining, I heard angels singing in the backround «Hallelujah»!
He worked on my kids bikes as if they were for his kids.
Mark obviously has a passion for his craft and you would be foolish to take your cycle concerns anywhere else. Call him, you’ll see!

Mark Stemmy is as honest, ethical, and talented a man that you will ever find to build you your next bicycle. He has worked with me over a period of months to make my dream of owning a custom bike come true. Over the past year and a half I have been recovering from a devastating injury to my feet. Mark has been there by my side to help me get the bike that will be best for me physically, and that is also within my budget. I live out of state so he has done it all via phone and email. I never thought I would be able to do this, but being true to his word, step by step we have gotten there and my bike is in the works. I am impressed by his attention to the smallest detail and his compassion and desire to do it right with each step.
He is the kind of person that is difficult to find in today’s business world — I have mentioned those traits throughout this review. He values the quality of his product and makes the cost very clear at the beginning, but then works to get the best quality parts out there as you begin to build your bike with him. The world of cycling at this level is new to this 68 year old, active woman, and Mark has been kind and patient as he has helped me understand the whats and whys of it all. I will not only get the bike of my dreams, but I will understand how it is made, of what materials, and how to take care of it. Our goal is to get me the bike that will last me the rest of my life, and I think that goal has been achieved. I can hardly wait to «saddle up» on my new bike. I am getting photos of the process, but can’t wait to meet «her». With a bike like this I hope to be riding 30 years from now.
This Journey has brought a new friend and cycling partner into my life and I am so very grateful. Someday soon I hope to do a customer appreciation ride with this talented, knowledgeable, encouraging guy whom I have appreciated from the moment I saw one of his bicycles.
Thank you Mark.
Kathy Poncy
Bend, OR