Clients reviews about Sidecountry Sports

Wow - don't even know what to say. If you like amazing, over the top (in a good way) helpful service, these are your people. I expected a local bike shop to be mostly out of our price range for a casual biker, but was surprised that they really did have something for everyone. Not only that, but really great brands for what seems like a very reasonable price. You won't find a wal-mart bike here, but what you do find will last you quite some time. We were blown away by how helpful everyone was, no judgement if your new to the sport or don't know what you're doing. No judgement when I bring in my old bike that I borked and had them fix it correctly. Really impressed with these guys - we've been here 6 years and were totally sleeping on this place - never again, customers for life. ~ Tim G

They went out of their way to spend the time with me to get the right equipment for my needs. They have technology and knowledge that I have not found anywhere else in Maine for ski boot/ski fitting. Many people claim to use technology to help with equipment selection, but they seamlessly paired the use of foot scanning, measurement and product selection to help me make the best decision for me. They schedule you for a 1.5 hour fitting process and they prioritize helping you make decisions with their years of expertise. I have not gone skiing with my new equipment yet, but I am 100% confident that they will help me resolve issues if they arise. I drove an hour and a half to get to them in Rockland based on a friend's recommendation, and I would 100% do it again. ~ Patrick H

My Tern electric cargo bike started making a terrible sound. I had lugged it all the way from Chicago for a much anticipated vacation with my dog and my daughter who both love to ride on the back. Needless to say, I was sad. I was walking down main street and saw Sidecountry Sports. They were so friggin nice and took the bike right then and told me they would call next day with an update. The next morning they they texted the bike was ready. Ryan (I think) showed me I had broken a cassette in half. He was able to find a used one in their spare parts and fixed it! Soooo happy. These guys are amazing, kind and reasonable for bike repairs. Highly recommend. ~ Abigail C

We LOVE Sidecountry Sports! They sold me my first mountain bike (Norco Storm 4) and just recently converted it to a 1X, upgraded components and tires. It is virtually a brand new bike; that is now so much more fun to ride. I enjoy biking, but don't know anything about the technology. They were able to set me up with exactly what I was looking for and completed the work quickly to get me back on the trail. They work well as a team and really know their stuff. It is obvious that they enjoy what they do at Sidecountry Sports. I highly recommend checking them out, whether you are looking into a new bike, or upgrading one you already own. You will be happy you did.😀 ~ Jessica B

Outstanding bike shop! Andrew, Harvey and the rest of the crew are top notch, knowledgeable and no pressure. When looking for an ebike for my in Waterville, the shop could care less she was there, let alone bought a bike. In turn, Andrew spent a good half hour talking to her about the bike she was interested in. We came back a few weeks later and bought her bike. For us, it is worth the drive to Rockland, 1.5 hours away and be able brouse and chat bikes and trails with such a good crew. We even had a cousin come from out of state to here for his bike. ~ Marc A

Learning to ski as adult has a collection of challenges. Having finicky feet adds to that list exponentially. This crew helped me find the right boots, and when it turned out that it was not a match made in heaven, they tried and tried again. “I don’t want your boots to be an impediment to this already hard thing you’re doing”. The boots and skis are great, but the people are really what make this business extraordinary. I couldn’t be happier that these folks know what they’re doing and teach a hundred small things to someone who doesn’t. Ten high-fives! ~ Teisha H

This place is pretty freaking great. They offer some of the better gear in the area for outdoor recreation. The service has always been outstanding and super helpful. The presentation is nice. They offer a wide variety for a small building. I would like to see them in a larger building just because they offer so much great stuff. They do some cool events as well like go to the snow bowl in Camden. If you are into biking or want to get into it, this is a prime location to get your gear and information. ~ Ryan E

Side Country Sports is hands down the best shop around! The staff is knowledgeable, friendly, and genuinely cares about helping you find exactly what you need—whether it’s bikes, skis, or gear. The atmosphere is welcoming and never pushy, and they take the time to explain products and answer questions. Their service department is top-notch as well, quick and reliable. Every visit feels like supporting a local business that truly supports its community. Highly recommend to anyone looking for quality gear and outstanding customer service! ~ Sandra M

I highly recommend Side Country Sports in Rockland, Maine. I purchased a Salsa Journeyman 650B from Side Country Sports. In the current Covid-19 situation, I communicated entirely through the website and via text and phone and then picked up the bike curbside. Andrew is very knowledgeable and the specific bike and also the various add ons are perfect for my application. Curbside pickup at the store was fast and easy, and Matt made some quick fit adjustments. Great bike shop! 👍👍👍 ~ Nick S

Wow. If you live in/around Rockland, ME and want to see what A++ customer service looks like…. just head into SideCountry Sports and watch these folks work. I had a tough ask, and Ryan and Matt went above and beyond for SEVERAL days to work with the vendor, order the right parts, install as needed, then followed up with phone calls to make sure everything wrapped up smoothly. They did not need to go to the lengths they did, but there they went, going the extra mile. Thank you gentlemen! ==Chip ~ Chip M

If you’re looking for the best and most honest bike shop around, this is it. I bought a bike from them that had to be shipped to me and they couldn’t have been better to work with. I was nervous buying a bike sight unseen but they were honest and patient and it just felt right and was very easy. The shipping quote ended up being less than expected and they gave that money right back to me. Shipped it asap. Came exactly as expected. Can’t say enough good things! ~ brian l

Customer service is TOP NOTCH! We found this gem based on other reviews. Matt was extremely knowledgeable and unbelievably accommodating to ensure we had the best ski boot fitting experience! With custom fit boot molding, we couldn’t ask for anything more! Hands-down the BEST retail experience! We will certainly be back for all our future ski and bike needs! Thank you Matt and Sidecountry Sports for your impeccable service! ~ Lynne L

Update: Still love this place: bought my son a new Rockhopper and had another great experience. One of the best retailers in any category I've ever shopped with. The staff is what makes this place special - everyone that I've talked to, whether on the phone or in person, has been nice, professional, and very informative. I brought my primary bike to them to have the drive-train changed and they worked with me on different options without once making me feel like I was wasting their time or not spending enough money to be important. They were patient and actively listened, and I have a much better understanding of what's going on with my bike than I did before. Another nice thing is they are very "digital friendly" - you get a quote emailed to you with a detailed breakdown of what is needed/recommended and a follow up phone call shortly after. If the person who created your quote is busy when you call back they can pull up your service order and go over it with you. They also just added the ability to pay via email or text - it's quick, easy, and secure. It's the kind of place that makes you feel good about giving them your money. ~ Jesse D

I bought new Atomic ski boots before the ski season last year. I had footbeds and fitting work done since I'm somewhat flat foot and boots never fit correctly. I skied a few days and went back for some adjustments. The boots are great. Im comfortable all day and the boots are super responsive. The guys in the shop are, professional, super knowledgeable, and got everything right. Definitely worth the time and money. Advanced East Coast skier. ~ Mark S

My husband got me new skis for my birthday that are a limited design and sold out locally. I was so sad when we got to the post office and they told us they were returned to sender (pretty much back across the other side of the country) because he’d entered the address wrong. Thankfully he reached out to them and they are working with him to send them again, Thank you!! Update: they arrived and are perfect ~ Dana L

By far the best bike shop around. Friendly, knowledgeable staff who clearly love what they do and put the customer first. They will meet you where you are, whether a beginner looking for a quality used bike or an experienced rider wanting the best available. They helped me get my bike fixed up much sooner than expected and found an excellent used bike for my daughter. So lucky to have this place in the Midcoast! ~ Rachel O

Just went in to get fitted for my first pair of ski boots. Thank you so much to Harvey and Matt for taking such good care of me. They were incredibly patient, explained how the boots should fit, and spent a lot of time making sure they were just right for me before I walked out the door. A welcoming environment and overall excellent experience. I'll be back again for anything ski-related. Highly recommend. ~ Shelby R

What a wonderful time we’ve had at Sidecountry Sports. These guys went out of their way to help us. They have been amazingly generous with their time, experience and knowledge, and they seem to truly enjoy getting us the perfect bike for what we wanted. They could easily have pushed us to the most expensive available, but they enjoyed finding us the right bike and best value, fitted precisely to our needs. Thank you for a really fun experience. ~ Dorothy M

Brian took an extensive amount of time to explain how to properly get fitted by explaining each step of the process (things to know and what to avoid), exactly what to expect by price range plus broke it out by materials, global transport, and brands. He has a passion for the industry and solid historical knowledge. Highly recommended stopping by for any advise, equipment, and solid service. Thanks, Brian! ~ Zachary G

I had an awesome experience at Sidecountry Sports - top notch customer service. Andrew helped me get setup with my first downhill ski package. From the boot fitting to the ski selection, he walked me through each step and made sure I got exactly what I needed. He was even kind enough ask the next time I was skiing and had them ready to go within the week. Highly recommend checking SCS out! ~ Ryan T

My rack failed and I lost my Specialized 29 Rock Hopper on the second day of a 6 week vacation. I searched every town we were in from Seneca Lake NY to Bar Harbot. I happened upon Side County and they had the exact XL bike I was looking for! They did not mark up their prices, they put on my new peddles at no charge, and did an excellent job! Great guys in the store also! ~ Jeff L

Matt and the crew are phenomenal. Always so patient and kind. Matt set my husband and me up in our first ski set up and we are so thankful for the guidance and time as we finished up our first trip to Sugarloaf today. They have also helped my husband out with his mountain bike and we love the summer group rides. We’re so grateful to have a great sport shop close by. ~ Jillian S

I called in a last ditch effort to find a garmin bike computer for a ride in a few days. They got it there in less than 2 days, helped me mount it, made sure I had everything I needed for the ride since I was not local, and didn’t make me feel stupid for asking questions (which has been the case at other bike shops in Maine). Just super kind and helpful people & shop! ~ Abigail W

If you need help with your bike, I highly recommend Sidecountry Sports. I don’t write reviews but I do when the service and experience are exceptional. Harvey is fantastic. He is kind and super knowledgeable. I was in a bind without an appointment (and without a functioning bike), and he got me up and riding in 30 minutes. I really appreciate you, Harvey! I’ll see you again! ~ Margaret K

Reviews from our customers