Bike Shop on Seattle's Eastside?

[KingTermite]

Hi...I just moved to the area. I live in Bellevue. I'm in the market for a new LBS here.

So far I've heard Gregg's Cycles recommended who was supposedly voted best bike shop in Seattle area and their website says they've been around 75 years.

But I want to hear some other opinions too.....what bikes shops in this area do you suggest I look at? It's not that I have any problem with Gregg's cycles (been in once and picked up some items), but it's always good to know a few good shops in case you are closer to one at some point.

What are some good LBS in the Bellevue/Redmond area?

[John H.]

Sammamish Valley Cycle in Redmond is one of the best in the area.

http://www.sammamishcycle.com/

[MillCreek]

Sammamish Valley Cycles and the REI at Redmond Town Center, both in downtown Redmond, are my other two favorite stores on the Eastside. I also go to Performance and Gregg's. The sticky wicket with Performance these days is that they are really running their inventory at minimal levels, and when I go in for a specific item, they are often out of stock. I have better luck with Performance ordering online.

[Bekologist]

Gregg's is one of the biggest independant bike shops in the country. Local, 'family run' business.

3 locations, the original Greenlake, Bellevue, Lynnwood.

they recently moved their eastside store into a spanking new storefront just down from Bellevue Square mall on Bellevue Way.

There's a nice shop on Monroe if you're ever riding the north end. Velo-city cycles, I think. on Main Street in old town Monroe.

[East Hill]

I live in Bellevue.

Whoa, KT went upscale on us :p . Where are you riding now?

East Hill

[KingTermite]

Whoa, KT went upscale on us :p . Where are you riding now?

East Hill
Really haven't hit the trails yet. Planned my first trail ride (Sammamish River Trail with a BF member in the Clydes forum).

My riding so far has just been local near my home....down to Crossroads mall, library, started commuting to work, etc...

[KingTermite]

Sammamish Valley Cycles and the REI at Redmond Town Center, both in downtown Redmond, are my other two favorite stores on the Eastside. I also go to Performance and Gregg's. The sticky wicket with Performance these days is that they are really running their inventory at minimal levels, and when I go in for a specific item, they are often out of stock. I have better luck with Performance ordering online.
Yeah...I've hit the REI at RTC a few times. Great store. I did buy some new lights (head and tail) for the bike I'm commuting on now when I was in there last weekend.


Gregg's is one of the biggest independant bike shops in the country. Local, 'family run' business.

3 locations, the original Greenlake, Bellevue, Lynnwood.

they recently moved their eastside store into a spanking new storefront just down from Bellevue Square mall on Bellevue Way.

There's a nice shop on Monroe if you're ever riding the north end. Velo-city cycles, I think. on Main Street in old town Monroe.
LOL...that's the one I went to. The one just down from Bellevue Square Mall. Nice shop....just wanted to learn about other options.

[East Hill]

Really haven't hit the trails yet. Planned my first trail ride (Sammamish River Trail with a BF member in the Clydes forum).

My riding so far has just been local near my home....down to Crossroads mall, library, started commuting to work, etc...

A few runs through Mercer Island and up and down the I-90 bridge will make you know why we love those hills here :) .

East Hill

[2wheeled]

Hey KT welcome to the NW, weren't you in Florida?

Greggs is great and go there often at the green lake location. Performance is also good although I've only been to the one in the U-dist. I don't get over to the eastside much.

[KingTermite]

Hey KT welcome to the NW, weren't you in Florida?

Greggs is great and go there often at the green lake location. Performance is also good although I've only been to the one in the U-dist. I don't get over to the eastside much.
Thanks, 2wheeled. Yes, moved here from FL about 6 weeks ago now.

Performance is good? Being the big online e-tailer, I thought they would be one to be avoided.

[M. Rhoten]

I would take the freaking bus to the Greenlake Gregg's before I'd go to the Bellevue Gregg's again. The help there were, shall we say, not the sharpest knives in the drawer.

I like the Kirkland branch of the Montlake Bicycle Shop, partly because it's good, and partly because it's conveniently close to my house.

[markjenn]

Greggs in Bellevue. Don't get me started....

I liked the old Gregg's in Bellevue, but the new upscale store near Bellevue Square really has some problems.

Getting into their private parking lot is virtually impossible unless you're heading S on Bellevue Way. If the lot is full (which you can't tell if it is until you drive in), you have to negotiate a u-turn in their tiny walled-in parking lot to get back out. The limited street parking in the area is a good hike away.

Once inside, there's two flights of slipperly concrete stairs to climb to get from the garage level up to sales level and parts/service is yet another two flights further up. If you have a bike, the stairs are especially treacherous, so you either have to lock it to the tiny rack they have in the garage (totally out of sight from the store levels), or use the elevator which is one of those really slow ones like they have in chain hotels.

Despite the huge store, parts/service has almost nothing on display, so you get in line at the service counter for most needs. They seemed badly understaffed. Every time I've been there, they've had a single person working the parts/service counter who can easily spend 15+ minutes writing a service order or advising a customer on something. Customers get so frustrated they end up walking back into the service area to waylay a mechanic to help them. I was in there today to get a stupid handlebar plug and after waiting nearly twenty minutes, I gave up. On two other occasions, I've gotten poor service and/or bad advice that had me walking out with parts that didn't fit my bike.

It looks like they invested a fortune in this fancy new bicycle palace, but if they don't figure out how to serve customers better, they're going to be taking a bath. After a few bad experiences, I avoid the place like the plague and go to REI or Performance. Neither are great, but at least they have most stuff on display, so you find what you need and head for the nearest cash register.

- Mark

[Daveyboy]

I have no expience with the Bellevue Gregg's. However, the folks at the new(er) Gregg's in Alderwood are very helpful. I had an issue with my FSA crank where the chain would not stay in anythng but the small chainring. They had an FSA rep out the next day, who happened to have a new and improved chainring that solved the problem (at no charge.) If that's not service I don't know what is.

[EffSizzle]

I've lived on the eastside my entire 34 years and I've always been pleased with Redmond Cycle on Redmond Way. Very helpful and lots and lots of stuff on display.

I live on the Sammamish Plateau now and I've been pleasently surprised by Pacific Bicycle Company. I went in there once before a ride just after my pump broke and asked to borrow the pump. He jumped from behind the counter and said, "I got it." Now that's service. Great selection, fair prices.

I'm surprised that nobody has mentioned the Alpine Hut on Redmond Way. Knowledgeable staff, great products. Parking can kind of be iffy though.

[KingTermite]

Sammamish Valley Cycles and the REI at Redmond Town Center
So far these are my favorite two as well, but I still have some to check out. REI is good for basic stuff, I was pretty impressed with Sammamish when I went in.

[East Hill]

I've lived on the eastside my entire 34 years and I've always been pleased with Redmond Cycle on Redmond Way. Very helpful and lots and lots of stuff on display.


Welcome to Bike Forums, EffSizzle!

I need to check out some of the eastside shops (after I check out the ones in Tacoma, that is).

East Hill

[KingTermite]

I've lived on the eastside my entire 34 years and I've always been pleased with Redmond Cycle on Redmond Way. Very helpful and lots and lots of stuff on display.

I live on the Sammamish Plateau now and I've been pleasently surprised by Pacific Bicycle Company. I went in there once before a ride just after my pump broke and asked to borrow the pump. He jumped from behind the counter and said, "I got it." Now that's service. Great selection, fair prices.

I'm surprised that nobody has mentioned the Alpine Hut on Redmond Way. Knowledgeable staff, great products. Parking can kind of be iffy though.
I managed to get over and check out Redmond cycle and Alpine Hut over the weekend. Both were very good.

Redmond Cycle didn't have much in selection of what I was looking for, but a guy was going all through catalogs to try to help me. He wasn't able to find it, but was trying hard. I give him good kudos for that.

Alpine Hut had a very nice homey feel to it. I ended up scheduling a tune-up appointment with them for tomorrow (taking bike in tonight). I also bought a saddle from them while I was in there.

[East Hill]

I also bought a saddle from them while I was in there.

What's the saddle selection like? I was THIS close to going and checking out the Bothell Bike shop yesterday, but did not have a chance to go in. Next time.

East Hill

[KingTermite]

What's the saddle selection like? I was THIS close to going and checking out the Bothell Bike shop yesterday, but did not have a chance to go in. Next time.

East Hill
There were not many saddles (but more than many places I've seen), but the one I was replacing was a bit hard to find and one they had matched well. It was for my Trek navigator (comfort bike) which needs a bigger saddle. I've been having trouble finding saddles wide enough and long enough to match the one on there now.

That being said....I'm not quite sure I liked this one and Redmond Cycles also had the "exact" match for it. I chose the one at Alpine Hut because it seemed a nicer material, but once I got it home, I realized it was actually a bit smaller. It worked 'ok', but not quite as good as the original size. So when I go over tonight, I may see if I can return it.

[East Hill]

I think I will have to make a determined effort to visit more bicycle shops. I can see a road trip on the BG trail in the near future :) .

Anyone have a route mapped for hitting the maximum number of LBSs in Puget Sound in one day?

East Hill

[KingTermite]

Anyone have a route mapped for hitting the maximum number of LBSs in Puget Sound in one day?

East HillThat would be a fun ride. :)

[East Hill]

Yeah--could be a wee bit expensive by the time I'm done though. I would have to bring along the bike with the trailer, too :D .

East Hill

[KingTermite]

I would have to bring along the bike with the trailer, too :D .
:roflmao:

[CerveloNW]

I have had great luck lately with Triumph Multisport in Leschi. They are a triathalon store, but sell a lot of high end road gear. I got my Zipp 404s there and was really happy with their service and professional approach. Gregg's is good for kid's and starter bikes, but I don't trust them to work on nicer gear (I have had a few bad experiences). Montlake Bicycle (Kirkland) and Redmond Cycle are tied for my second favorites. Even though Triumph has the best gear - and probably the most talented athletes working at the store - they seem to put out way less 'tude than the 19 year old fixie hipsters that tend to work at many of the other shops around here.

[East Hill]

Can I get to Triumph easily from the BG trail? I can tell I'm going to have to do some planning.

East Hill

[EffSizzle]

I just got back from a 40 miler and I stopped at Gerk's Alpine Hut on Redmond Way in downtown Redmond. I must say that the guy there was so helpful that I already know next year when I buy my first road bike I'm buying it from them. Wonderful!!!

[CerveloNW]

Can I get to Triumph easily from the BG trail? I can tell I'm going to have to do some planning.

East Hill
It's in Seattle, but if you are coming from the Eastside the easiest route is across the I-90 bridge and then north on Lake Washington Boulevard. It is about a 20 minute ride from downtown Bellevue. If you want a good shop near the Burke, I forgot to mention both TiCycles and Recycled Cyles - both good shops too.

[East Hill]

Thanks! I am definitely going to have to do a mapmyride thing here.

hehehe

Perhaps I'll put it up as a public route!

East Hill

[ollo_ollo]

Not on the East Side but just a short trip across the floating bridge is Recycled Cycles on Boat Street near the UW & Montlake bridge/ship canal. Not as much used stuff as in years past but still worth checking out. I have had some great finds on used parts & bikes there. Don

[smxbob]

I would never use Gregg's. Not only do they have horrible service they will actually do damage to your bike and, of course, deny it! It's happened to me and several people I know.

If you have a warranty problem it can take weeks if not months. I had to call Trek myself and then push Gregg's service mgr to do something.

They make their money off of uneducated newbies. They don't sell many hi-end bikes.

[Bekologist]

bullcrapple.

[FlowerBlossom]

Troll!!!

[FlowerBlossom]

I can only suggest Gregg's or REI, because those are the only ones I know are on the eastside that I used myself in Seattle. Gregg's has always been helpful and had parts and knew what to look for and offered and explained the options, without being patronizing.

This is important. I have been patronized by all 3 shops in downtown Olympia. I have the luxury of working in Seattle, so I can and do take my business to Seattle now (until the new bike shop in Oly opens...I'll give them a try).

Gregg's carries (carried) shoes that fit my feet, and explained to me the difference between the shoes I bought (Specialized) and ones that other had recommended (Sidi), which didn't fit me. Happy feet, happy toes, Happy FlowerBlossom.

[gregski]

(until the new bike shop in Oly opens...I'll give them a try).

What, and where, is the new bike shop in Oly? Seems all the shops in Oly are lacking in some way. As far as customer service goes, Bike Tech on 4th Ave. East has always been helpful. Since I work up north, for most parts and items that I don't buy online, I stop at Performance in Tacoma. But you had better go in there with a clear mission in mind. Almost every employee I have met there seems to have the attitude that you are to blame for their career choice.

[FlowerBlossom]

http://www.theolympian.com/business/story/127997.html

Bike Tech sucks. They were probably the worse of the 3, in terms of being condescending.


Oh dear, you just got me started.

I had a chronic bike seat post problem. It kept slipping. But, it would take a couple days. I took the bike into several shops over the years, all of them diagnosed it as not tightening the bolt tight enough. Hmph.

Bike Tech also first diagnosed the problem as my not tightening the seat post bolt enough. Grrrrrrrrrr. After trying to loosen the bolt, they admitted that maybe the tightening wasn't the problem. So, they blamed it on my inferior (brand) allen wrench. Seriously. The allen wrench was the problem. Grrrrrrrrrrr.

And, what's worse was the guy who helped me was supposedly the local Trek guru, having sold and worked on Trek's for years. He claimed that he remembered my bike.

Now, add to this, when Bike Tech dude tightened down on the bolt, he ended up crushing the brake cable holder that sits between the two pieces of the bolt, creating yet another jam that prevented the seat post from staying put.

Granted, it's a bit difficult to diagnose because you can tighten down on the bolt and crush the brake cable holder and when you try to twist the seat (post) it won't budge. But, slowly, over time, you lose height. And, I TOLD THEM THIS. And, they basically said, don't worry your pretty little head about this because I've been working on Treks for umpteen years and I used the right brand of allen wrench. And he assured me that he tightened it very hard. He assured me it was fixed. And, the seat post slipped with about 2 days of riding, the usual time it takes when some mechanic tries to think they can tighten it tigter than me.

And, this was about 3 years ago, so I've softened a bit on what actually happened.

In hindsight, what he failed to remember about this bike is that there's no groove in the frame to accommodate the notch that is found on the inside of the seat post bolts you can buy today. That notch is enough to prevent sufficient tightening (necessary because of the design--remember the brake cable holder). But, I didn't know this at the time. And, in hindsight, you'd think if he was claiming to be a Trek guru and had ump-teen years experience working on Treks, and was using this fact as proof that he knew what he was going, he would have known this detail. Nope.

FWIW, a female mechanic figured this out, only last summer. She did it by studying the situation, listening to me, asking me more questions, discussing it further with the other mechanic, and ta-daaa, figured it out. That was just last summer; I have had this problem for over 20 years...occurring more frequently in the past few years because seat post bolts don't come w/o notches anymore. She fixed it, by filing the notch off the bolt, but, getting the brake cable holder in the right place was a bit tricky. Until then, all I ever got was "you aren't tightening it tight enough".

After having yet another macho bike mechanic squish the brake cable holder just this past spring, and I lost seat height, I finally took it to Elliot Bay Bikes. A Seattle shop. A bike builder. They listened, gave me a couple options, we chose one, and then he came up with a 3rd and wisked my bike to the back room. Because they are bike builders, they had the machinery to cut into the seat tube and make more space for the cable hanger...no more tight squeezes (forgive the pun).

THEY listened. THEY believed me. They said, "this is badly designed". They did not say, "you have the wrong brand of allen wrench".

:)

[gregski]

Wow FB, sorry to hear of your troubles with Bike Tech. I know how one bad experience can set your opinion in stone. Granted I do most of my own maintenance and repairs, so I don't have too much experience with them doing work on my bike. I usually come here, or other forums, to get my info. But every time I have gone there with questions, they have been fairly helpful, and usually right on. I will, however, look forward to Old Town Bicycle opening. I wonder if their wrenches ride nothing but mountain bikes and are covered in tattoos and piercings, with attitudes to match. That gets old fast.

[CliftonGK1]

I go to REI for accessory things like lights and reflecty tape when I see they're on sale. Same thing with Performance; I'll go there for clothes when there's a good sale. Not for expert service and repair.

I haven't been to Gerk's Alpine Hut, but I've heard good things from many friends.

I didn't like Redmond Cycle because they were standoff-ish about working on my very old beater commuter bike. (In general the shop seemed to cater to the high-end carbon crowd, not the 17 year old steel beater gang.) I'm sure they're a good shop, but I caught some 'tude when I went in and I never went back.

My favourite is Sammamish Valley Cycles. The reason they won me over is because of Synth (one of their wrenches, and the best wheel guy I've met.) He's done some awesome work to save me having to buy a new wheel, and in keeping my wheels in proper working order. He does a lot of tandem and touring wheels, so taking care of a clyde's wheels is second nature.

[FlowerBlossom]

gregski, as long as they listen, don't patronize, and otherwise respect, everyone, they can have as much attitude and tats piercings as they want. Time will tell!

[Layback]

I'm surprised that nobody has mentioned the Alpine Hut on Redmond Way. Knowledgeable staff, great products. Parking can kind of be iffy though.

I agree. Gerk, Venny, Ryler and the rest of the crew there rock. I travel from Snohomish to see them b/c they know me by name and are always helpful. Good selection and great closeout prices too!

[MillCreek]

Noting that there are several posters in this thread in my neck of the woods, I can also speak highly of the two Bicycle Centers: one in downtown Everett and one right by me in Mill Creek. The downtown Everett shop is somewhat larger, but both of them offer great service departments and a wide range of accessories. They carry more Trek and Specialized bikes than other brands.

[CliftonGK1]

*bump*

I may have been harsh with my previous statements about Redmond Cycle. I did sorta get the bum's rush first time I went there.
I went back today, searching for a cable anchor bolt for a 1991 105sc rear derailleur. No other shop had such a thing. Only 2 other shops even looked through their parts boxes. The wrench at Redmond came out with a bolt, but it was not right. I described what I needed, and he disappeared in back. I could hear lots of rooting around in what sounded like a bathtub full of old parts. He came back with the bolt I needed, and said "It was in our old parts bin. You can have it for free."
I may not go there on a regular basis because they don't carry a lot of things outside the lightweight carbon fibre racing realm, but when I need weird fiddley-bits, I know where to check first.

[East Hill]

Thanks CliftonGK1, that's good to have you update your original assessment.

East Hill

[87Ranger]

New to this Forum and thought I would add my two cents on bike shop recommendations. I couldn't help but see that most everyone likes the big boys..Greggs, REI. How about the smaller shops? There are a number of great small bike shops that do great work and I believe have better gear or can get you better gear. Velo on Capital Hill and Pedal Dynamics in Greenwood both are smaller shops that have folks that know the industry and know how to tune.

[BengeBoy]

I ran across "Veloce Velo" in Issaquah on the web. According to their website they just opened; they are on front street in Issaquah. They feature Specialized, Bianchi, Pinarello, Colnago in road bikes. Anyone been there?

www.velocevelo.com.

[EffSizzle]

I just picked up my first road bike from Pacific Bicycle Company on the Sammamish Plateau. Wonderful people, incredible service, great products, fair prices. I'm a customer for life.