Just saw on Facebook, Tri Lab closing its Santa Monica location end of April. Will still have a Redondo Beach (or south bay) location. Amazing to me, the tri population on the westside/santa monica is huge, bigger than the south bay likely, but can’t support a local store?
They also have an internet e-tail presence. I know it’s hard to compete with the net, but surprised that they are closing after just a couple years presence
Is this Chris who did Cozumel in December?
TriLab Santa Monica has been the absolute worst store I have gone to for service next to Sports Authority or the like for triathlon products. I literally would have to tell them about products that they carried (that’s not a brag… that is just sad). I called once and asked about getting my Trek SC serviced and they told me they “didn’t want to do it”. Yes, I’m sure the wiring is a little worse than say a P3 but really? It’s a Tri bike… that’s your bread and butter. Figure it out. I would also go in and ask for specific products from companies that they carried and I would get the “we can order that in”… great. When? Can I pay now? Will I pick it up? None of the above… they would just get to it and when it arrives, it arrives… I’d have to just keep coming back until it was in the store.
I could go on for a very long time but I think that will suffice. Also, with all of that said, I have never once heard a bad thing about the Redondo store. In fact, I have heard such great things about one mechanic there (who works on Trek bikes), that I’m considering driving the 30 some miles to get my bike serviced there once to try him out.
All in all… good riddance. And I hope they have a going out of business sale (yes, I realize the company is not going out of business).
Ooooooo and since it’s been a subject here before… Gordon Ramsey… he knows TriLab botched his fit when he got his bike for Kona… he moved onto a better company in Santa Monica (Cynergy Cycles) and they definitely did all the right stuff for him (and Cynergy is not where I typically shop).
No, different Chris
Bummer to hear about the service there, although frankly it isn’t something I have not heard before about the SM store. I’ve had some good service in Redondo, and frankly some bad. I actually take my bikes to my local bike shop, since I have a very good and trusted mechanic there (shout out to Sprockets 
) And I get my fit from Jim at ERO
Maybe they thought they could survive with that population despite service issues? who knows…
But they are having a clearance sale so may want to pop in 
I’ll definitely make a quick appearance for some DeSoto gear and fins and bolt.
My only experience with Redondo was wandering around the store for nearly 20-30 minutes on a Sunday and never once being asked if I need help.
I’ll definitely make a quick appearance for some DeSoto gear and fins and bolt.
My only experience with Redondo was wandering around the store for nearly 20-30 minutes on a Sunday and never once being asked if I need help.
I’ve had that experience in both stores, but a few times in redondo. About the only person that ever really made me feel welcome was Lloyd, the owner.
I’ll definitely make a quick appearance for some DeSoto gear and fins and bolt.
My only experience with Redondo was wandering around the store for nearly 20-30 minutes on a Sunday and never once being asked if I need help.
I’ve had that experience in both stores, but a few times in redondo. About the only person that ever really made me feel welcome was Lloyd, the owner.
Well, considering Helens has really upped their service and now will order me anything I want… Top to Top has literally every shoe I’d ever want to try… and you can buy swimming products anywhere… I’m good without setting foot in that door.
Also… I’m really waiting for someone to finally put an Endurance House in Sherman Oaks or Calabasas where it’s affordable… it’s a smart business model for the location and those stores are amazing for everyone… not just triathletes.
They do the one thing that TriLab did not understand… they have next to 0 bike inventory.
I’ll definitely make a quick appearance for some DeSoto gear and fins and bolt.
My only experience with Redondo was wandering around the store for nearly 20-30 minutes on a Sunday and never once being asked if I need help.
Really?
the dudes pester the shit out of you in the Redondo store (been several times). All good folks - btw. I say that in a playful way.
They have treated me well and it was nice to have a big tri store that carried sizes that other stores would have to order.
I hope thier employes find new work easily.
Has anyone been by to see if thier sale is worth the drive?
this has been my experience as well, so i was surprised to see the posts on bad experiences. i’ve bought a variety of things there over the years, and had my bike worked on many times, and by different mechanics. i ended up satisfied and my bike worked, so i guess that’s a big part of why i stayed with them.
peggy
I’ve never had bad service at the Santa Monica location until today.
I went in to look at the Litespeed T7s they have in and the sales guy’s response to all of my questions was “I don’t know”.
I decided to come back when someone was there who knew something about the bikes, and picked out some sale merchandise.
I then stood at the register for what seemed like forever while the guy at the register ignored me.
i put the stuff back and left.
That’s a new experience for me. The staff there have always been super knowledgeable and attentive.