Commuting - DC area bike shops

Well try as I might I just don't seem to be a 'maintain your own bike' kinda guy. Given the winter we just had and the fact that my bike is 8 years old with multiple thousands of miles on it I've decided to treat my it to a major overhaul in the next few weeks but am finding some fairly serious divergence in pricing.

I've been quoted prices for overhauls ranging from $80 (Bicycle Pro Shop in Georgetown - a 'commuter package') to $150 (most places are in this range) to $200 (Revolution Cycles in Georgetown - includes new cables).

Anyone in the DC metro area have a particularly good LBS they'd like to recommend or have a reaction to the prices I'm being quoted.

This shop is not far from my commute route. Bailey, the owner, is a super guy and does wonderful work:

Papillon Cycles
2809 Columbia Pike
Arlington VA 22204
703 920-9494

These people are among the handful of shops who actually "get it" with regard to bicycle commuting. They stock several lines of all-weather euro-type commuters:

Bikes@Vienna
128-A Church Street, Northwest,
Vienna, Virginia 22180
http://www.bikesatvienna.com/
703-938-8900

I have not used City Bikes in DC, but have heard good things about them. I've talked to them on the phone, and they seem very good.

All the other bike shops in the DC area are partially-to-totally clueless vis-a-vis commuting. Some of them are quite bad at repirs also.

I have Papillon Cycles do virtually all my repair work.

Paul

Spokes, Etc. on Quaker Lane in Alexandria.

www.spokesetc.com

I've had really good luck with them. Unfortunately, at this time of the year, they are quite busy. But I imagine all bike shops are.

I got my bike serviced a Bike Pro shop in Georgetown. The price was fair, the work was excellent, it was convenient (I work in downtown DC) and it was fast. Since they are a small shop they cannot store your bike indefinitely so they want to get you in and out. I called ahead of time to schedule an apointment, dropped my bike off in the morning and tooke the subway the rest of the way to work. I picked the bike up that same evening and rode it home. You can say other things about Pro shop, but I was very happy with their work. I had the strip everything off the bike, clean it and adjust the brakes, derailleur, bottom bracket etc.

I don't have too much experience with the work other shops do as I tend to do my own wrenching now.

I have heard good things about Spokes. City Bikes in Adams Morgan is more of a commuter oriented shop but I don't like the attitude of some of the people that work there - who knows, maybe that has changed.

People at Revolution Cycles are real nice as well and right next to Pro Shop.



Originally posted by brennser
Well try as I might I just don't seem to be a 'maintain your own bike' kinda guy. Given the winter we just had and the fact that my bike is 8 years old with multiple thousands of miles on it I've decided to treat my it to a major overhaul in the next few weeks but am finding some fairly serious divergence in pricing.

I've been quoted prices for overhauls ranging from $80 (Bicycle Pro Shop in Georgetown - a 'commuter package') to $150 (most places are in this range) to $200 (Revolution Cycles in Georgetown - includes new cables).

Anyone in the DC metro area have a particularly good LBS they'd like to recommend or have a reaction to the prices I'm being quoted.

thanks

I ended up going to City Bikes - I was very very impressed with the quality of the work and I think their attitude maye have changed - they were very nice and non-bike snobby (unlike, Capitol Hill Bikes for example) - they gave me a new crankshaft free because apparently my old one had been recalled - they even gave me a 10% discount because they did not have my bike ready when they said they would

I think my bike probably came out of the overhaul in better riding shape than when I bought it new.....

.....and I've brought it in a couple of times since then to have them check out various squeaks and rattles which they have also done for nothing

I second the Spokes Etc recommendation. Both the Quaker Lane and Mount Vernon location are top notch. I've had nothing but great service/customer relations with them. Also, they often have my bike ready before the completion date. They've even given advice and freebies when I asked questions about building/repairing my own bikes.

Without ranting, I'd like to suggest that you avoid Big Wheel Bikes in Old Town and Arlington. I had a horrible experience with one of the managers as well as the owner. I've never been back since and try to dissuade anyone who cares not to visit them.

I agree with all the Spokes recommendations -- in fact I bought my bike there - City Bikes manages to edge them purely on convenience - they are on my way home whereas Spokes involves dragging out the Bike rack and heading over there on a weekend

You might try REI at Bailey's crossroads. The College Park REI seems to have its act together.

Yeah, the owner of Big Wheel Bikes doesn't have the best reputation, and I got this from a mechanic who worked there for a while, a long time ago. Maybe this has changed (hope so), but it doesn't sound like it.



Originally posted by mjw16
I Without ranting, I'd like to suggest that you avoid Big Wheel Bikes in Old Town and Arlington. I had a horrible experience with one of the managers as well as the owner. I've never been back since and try to dissuade anyone who cares not to visit them.