Northeast - Bike shops in Brooklyn, NY

Calling all Brooklynites!!

Discuss your favorite bike shop experience in the Brooklyn area :)

Roy's Sheepshead Cycles
Coney Island Ave. Btw. X & Y
Sales help: It depends who you get. Ilya (red beard) is excellent
Mechanics: At least 2, very good, knowledgable mechanics
Selection: Pretty big selection for a LBS.
Prices: Competetive
Mail order: Can't compete with the selection on other sites.

BayRidge Bicycles (http://bayridgebikes.com/)
Third Avenue & 59th Street
Pat (the owner) was a former tri-athlete herself - very informative and patient with her customers. Great mechanics and great neighborhood shop.
Price - very competitive

The best selection of course is at R&A. I have had mostly good experiences there, although I understand not everyone does. Just don't go when it is busy if you want to get help with small stuff.

R&A second (for inventory)

Dixons in park slope has been super good though. I showed up with a flat and no cash and they gave me a new tube and said, come back later and pay. I doubt I would get that many other places. and they always have those little bits that nobody else would carry. IF THEY WOULD ONLY CLEAN UP THEIR SHOP! I wish i could buy everything there, but there is not to much inventory as half the shop is random crap like a key making station?

Verrizanno bs in Bayridge is also very very helpful and has fantastic prices (5th ave and 71st st)

BayRidge Bicycles (http://bayridgebikes.com/)
Third Avenue & 59th Street
Pat (the owner) was a former tri-athlete herself - very informative and patient with her customers. Great mechanics and great neighborhood shop.
Price - very competitive

Bay Ridge Bikes is great!

They did one build for me and tuned up my other; always the best service and well worth the trip over to my home town. They also have excellent prices. Check out the Merlin in my sig for the build they did.

FYI, one of the best Cheesesteak places I have ever been to is right nearby at 4th Av and 99th.

Second vote for Verrazzano Bikes - 5th Ave. and 72nd or 73rd in Bay Ridge. Bought my Trek 5200 tere, and have gotten nothing but good service from them.

Stevesurf, what's the name of your cheesesteak place? I gotta check it out!

Stevesurf, what's the name of your cheesesteak place? I gotta check it out!

So, I only know it by sight (southbound side of 4th near 100th Street), but I believe it's Philadelphia Grille - it's take out only.

stopped by R&A cycles this afternoon. Can't understand their policy - how can one determine which bike is good for them if the customer is not even allow to test the bike out (not even on a trainer)?

stopped by R&A cycles this afternoon. Can't understand their policy - how can one determine which bike is good for them if the customer is not even allow to test the bike out (not even on a trainer)?

...and that's a great reason to try Bay Ridge Bikes!

R&A won't let you test ride a bike unless they know you are serious. They got to know me when I was looking to buy and offered me a test ride without my asking. However, when it came to the bike I ultimately bought I couldn't test it as it was a custom build. I can't blame them for not wanting to build up a bike for a test ride.

The best selection of course is at R&A. I have had mostly good experiences there, although I understand not everyone does. Just don't go when it is busy if you want to get help with small stuff.

R&A???
Where are they located?

So, I only know it by sight (southbound side of 4th near 100th Street), but I believe it's Philadelphia Grille - it's take out only.

Great, I know exactly where it is - I'm gonna check it out this week. Thanks for the tip!

R&A won't let you test ride a bike unless they know you are serious. They got to know me when I was looking to buy and offered me a test ride without my asking. However, when it came to the bike I ultimately bought I couldn't test it as it was a custom build. I can't blame them for not wanting to build up a bike for a test ride.

I think that's complete b.s. :mad: How can anyone buy a bike first before being fitted -- can't understand the logic behind that claim.

After speaking with the salesman this afternoon, I specifically asked about different bikes and he insisted that I should pick a bike first (meaning buy it first) and then R&A will customize my body geometry to the bike selected. That's like basically saying once you pay for the bike, you're stuck with it regardless of the fit/comfort. What he's implying is that any "potential" buyer should just get charged upfront before even consider a purchase.

This is not a R&A bashing thread, just had to give my two cents!

Roy's Sheepshead Cycles
Coney Island Ave. Btw. X & Y
Sales help: It depends who you get. Ilya (red beard) is excellent
Mechanics: At least 2, very good, knowledgable mechanics
Selection: Pretty big selection for a LBS.
Prices: Competetive
Mail order: Can't compete with the selection on other sites.


If you are there when the loony toons owner is there, he tends to take good care of you also. Ilya is great as well. Great selection, great prices. I don't know much about the mechanics though. I am due for a tune up, might stop by later this week.

I'll bump this thread w/ my $0.02. R&A offered to let me take a test ride one Sat. when it was raining so I doubt they have a no test rides policy. Might just be the salesperson. Having said that, I 2nd or 3rd Sheepshead Cycles. Way out in Bklyn, but good selection of Lemonds, Bianchis and probably Treks, and the owner will work w/ you on a price you can live with. Didn't notice if they had Specialized or Cannondale so give them a call first if that's what you're looking for.

R&A does a really good job with the fit, I wouldn't worry about that. They have enough inventory to make sure you get something that does. When I went for my bike they had one in the next size up from their size estimate, one that I thought should fit, and they convinced me otherwise, and they were right.

I guess it could depend on the amount being spent. I spent a lot. If you are buying a $500 bike they may not spend as much time. It helps to go when they aren't busy.

Ultimately, the bike I bought fit perfectly and I could ride it all day without fatigue.

And Sheepshead Cycles is another good place to go. I go to both R&A and Sheepshead. I also go to Sids on 34th a lot (near my office), and Toga on the way back from the GWB.

Didn't notice if they had Specialized or Cannondale so give them a call first if that's what you're looking for.

I bought my Specialized Sequoia there.
Not sure about Cannondale.

I bought my Specialized Sequoia there.
Not sure about Cannondale.

Great shop, Sheepshead Cycles. They do carry Cannondales now and are big on Specialized stuff.

I bought both of my bikes there. Very happy with prices and service.

Bay Ridge Bikes is great!

They did one build for me and tuned up my other; always the best service and well worth the trip over to my home town. They also have excellent prices. Check out the Merlin in my sig for the build they did.

FYI, one of the best Cheesesteak places I have ever been to is right nearby at 4th Av and 99th.

yup yup..
there great people.. they will go out of there way to make us feel like home.. they can get alot of different bikes not listed, plus can try out the stuff before buying or just sit there an chit chat..

I'll bump this thread w/ my $0.02. R&A offered to let me take a test ride one Sat. when it was raining so I doubt they have a no test rides policy. Might just be the salesperson. Having said that, I 2nd or 3rd Sheepshead Cycles. Way out in Bklyn, but good selection of Lemonds, Bianchis and probably Treks, and the owner will work w/ you on a price you can live with. Didn't notice if they had Specialized or Cannondale so give them a call first if that's what you're looking for.

Phil was the salesperson, I was told later that he may be the owner of the shop :mad:

Phil was the salesperson, I was told later that he may be the owner of the shop :mad:

Phil is the owner. He can be very tough. It is sometimes best to talk to the sales people who are not Phil.

Just picked up '08 QR Lucero

http://x7f.xanga.com/667c821a57037182886699/m140018672.jpg

Special THANKS :) to Patrice/Anthony & crew

Bay Ridge Bicycle World (http://www.bayridgebikes.com/)
8916 Third Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11209-5706
Phone: (718) 238-1118

More pics here: http://bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=386542

Mr C's Bicycle Shop
4622 7th Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11220
Phone: (718) 438-7283

The three people that run it are very knowledgeable and helpful. The prices for some of their items are a little over MSRP, but they have some amazing deals on clothing and other things. They sell mostly Cannondale and Specialized, and their selection is varied, but not as large as I've seen at some other shops. The maintenance they provide is great!

Mr C's
kind of very stuck up... people they sold me a ill fitted bike .. 2 sizes too large.. an told me it was fine...

Just picked up '08 QR Lucero

http://x7f.xanga.com/667c821a57037182886699/m140018672.jpg

Special THANKS :) to Patrice/Anthony & crew

Bay Ridge Bicycle World (http://www.bayridgebikes.com/)
8916 Third Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11209-5706
Phone: (718) 238-1118

More pics here: http://bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=386542
Nice! The race car that's a bike!
another bump for Bay Ridge Bicycle World (http://www.bayridgebikes.com/)

PS Henri if you see Anthony, tell him I need a Specialized Team Toupe Saddle Black/Red 143mm Wide :D

Steve,
i should be there this sunday.. will tell hm to order u another 1

It was terrific weather this Saturday afternoon. The temperature was in high 60s around 11-ish and I had to admit that I was a bit disappointed to hear it was going to rain all weekend. As soon I as the sun appeared, I threw the bike in the car drove myself to Prospect Park for a quick spin. Not until I was all geared up and clipped in did I realize the tires were a bit deflated. Would of noticed it a lot sooner if I had biked there the entire way (a small bike accident couple of weeks ago and I had to ask my wife to pick me up - explain later). I desperately waved down a lady on a bike asked if she had pump. She kindly stopped and said sorry but did suggest there's a bike shop just couple blocks off Coney Island Avenue. I then quickly threw my bike back in the car and began heading to the shop. On my way, there was a ExxonMobil gas station and I figured, it may just work, just $0.50 and I should be good. After 2 quarters and a few seconds later, I realize the air pump was not compatible to the valve on the bike.

At this point, I was a bit annoyed the fact I didn't check my tire pressure before leaving the house and refused to ever invest in a mini pump. Within a couple of blocks and there it was Brooklyn Bicycle Co. on - Coney Island and Ave C. This shop could just save myself a trip going home. I pulled up and looked around for a hose pump (the ones you see at a typical bike shop where anyone can simply stop by and pump their tires without physically step in to the store. Where’s the air hose? This is a bike shop; maybe they’ll lend me a floor pump.

I open the door and I was the only customer (meaning no one was in the shop other than the lady at the register and a mechanic in the back). I kindly asked if they had a hose where I can pump some air into my tire. There was no greeting, not even a "may I help you?" or "how it going?" Instead, she looked at me with annoyance and said she didn't have one.

Me: "Okay, do you have a spare floor pump I may borrow?"

Lady: "No, I only have ones you see in the package"

:wtf: I paused a bit, I am not going to spend $20-40 on a brand new floor pump just so I can get some air.

Me: "Well, my tires are a bit deflated and I was wondering if you can pump some air into it?"

Lady: "I'm sorry sir, we don't do that"

Me: "Is this not a bike shop, aren't you guys equipped with pumps? How do you pump air for your paying customers?

Lady: "Look, what the hell do you want me to do, physically moved the CO2 tank out to pump you tires?"

Me: "How about I pay you to pump my tires?"

Lady: "Have a nice day"

Are you kidding me? :troll: The shop was empty (almost noon at this point) and I asked in a polite manner. I walked out the shop even more :mad: and drove 4 miles back to my house and pumped the tires myself.

I still can't figure out what just happened. Was it because I didn't look like a potential customer? Even so, why would you treat people like that?

Brooklyn Bicycle Co. on 715 Coney Island Avenue: I give you TWO:thumb::thumb:UP for customer service on that sunny Saturday afternoon.

It was terrific weather this Saturday afternoon. The temperature was in high 60s around 11-ish and I had to admit that I was a bit disappointed to hear it was going to rain all weekend. As soon I as the sun appeared, I threw the bike in the car drove myself to Prospect Park for a quick spin. Not until I was all geared up and clipped in did I realize the tires were a bit deflated. Would of noticed it a lot sooner if I had biked there the entire way (a small bike accident couple of weeks ago and I had to ask my wife to pick me up - explain later). I desperately waved down a lady on a bike asked if she had pump. She kindly stopped and said sorry but did suggest there's a bike shop just couple blocks off Coney Island Avenue. I then quickly threw my bike back in the car and began heading to the shop. On my way, there was a ExxonMobil gas station and I figured, it may just work, just $0.50 and I should be good. After 2 quarters and a few seconds later, I realize the air pump was not compatible to the valve on the bike.

At this point, I was a bit annoyed the fact I didn't check my tire pressure before leaving the house and refused to ever invest in a mini pump. Within a couple of blocks and there it was Brooklyn Bicycle Co. on - Coney Island and Ave C. This shop could just save myself a trip going home. I pulled up and looked around for a hose pump (the ones you see at a typical bike shop where anyone can simply stop by and pump their tires without physically step in to the store. Where’s the air hose? This is a bike shop; maybe they’ll lend me a floor pump.

I open the door and I was the only customer (meaning no one was in the shop other than the lady at the register and a mechanic in the back). I kindly asked if they had a hose where I can pump some air into my tire. There was no greeting, not even a "may I help you?" or "how it going?" Instead, she looked at me with annoyance and said she didn't have one.

Me: "Okay, do you have a spare floor pump I may borrow?"

Lady: "No, I only have ones you see in the package"

:wtf: I paused a bit, I am not going to spend $20-40 on a brand new floor pump just so I can get some air.

Me: "Well, my tires are a bit deflated and I was wondering if you can pump some air into it?"

Lady: "I'm sorry sir, we don't do that"

Me: "Is this not a bike shop, aren't you guys equipped with pumps? How do you pump air for your paying customers?

Lady: "Look, what the hell do you want me to do, physically moved the CO2 tank out to pump you tires?"

Me: "How about I pay you to pump my tires?"

Lady: "Have a nice day"

Are you kidding me? :troll: The shop was empty (almost noon at this point) and I asked in a polite manner. I walked out the shop even more and drove 4 miles back to my house and pumped the tires myself.

I still can't figure out what just happened. Was it because I didn't look like a potential customer? Even so, why would you treat people like that?

Brooklyn Bicycle Co. on 715 Coney Island Avenue: I give you TWO:thumb::thumb:UP for customer service on that sunny Saturday afternoon.

I got the same "service" last year in that store.
My rear tire was low, had to ride to back to Sheepshead Bay and my presta adapter was missing from my pouch.
I walked in and asked if I could get some air. The guy tells me his compressor is broke.
I said don't you have a manual pump I could use. The guy looks at me like I'm speaking another language and tells me he can't help me.
I found a gas station who happened to have a presta adapter (one worker was a cyclist) and I got my tire filled.

I thought it was just me ( i look like a dangerous 60 year old) or maybe the guy was babysitting the store while the owner was out.
But now I see that it's just store policy to be a**holes to people who need help.
I guess there's a reason why the shop is always empty.

Haha, that store is notorious. They used to have like 6 or so huge, angry pitbulls hanging out behind the counter in their old location (by Cortelyou Rd.). It smelled like it looked.

Someone I know got quite ripped off in that store, and others I've seen have had similar luck. They sold me a presta-shrader converter that didn't work, and one time I walked in there to get a lock for my Fuji and the lady looks over at me like I just warped in from hyperspace and asks "For THAT bike??"

It's always a bit entertaining to hear others' experiences in there.

I got the same "service" last year in that store.
My rear tire was low, had to ride to back to Sheepshead Bay and my presta adapter was missing from my pouch.
I walked in and asked if I could get some air. The guy tells me his compressor is broke.
I said don't you have a manual pump I could use. The guy looks at me like I'm speaking another language and tells me he can't help me.
I found a gas station who happened to have a presta adapter (one worker was a cyclist) and I got my tire filled.

I thought it was just me ( i look like a dangerous 60 year old) or maybe the guy was babysitting the store while the owner was out.
But now I see that it's just store policy to be a**holes to people who need help.
I guess there's a reason why the shop is always empty.

This is funny stuff...I moved to the hood about 5 months ago, and was pretty excited to see a bike shop that I could walk to. I swung by one afternoon with my 7 month old in the carriage, with a grocery list of parts I wanted for various projects. It would've amounted to a nice chunk of change. Keep in mind that the place is deserted.

So, I walk in with the carriage, and from the back of the shop (it's a good, long distance from the front door to the counter), I hear a shrill voice barking some kind of order to me. I politely say "Pardon?", and this lovely person says "You gotta leave the carriage by the door- - I gotta be able to get bikes out from behind the counter"

"But, my baby's in the carriage"

"Leave it by the door!"

I think about the logic of this for a moment- if this person is waiting on me, how can she also be moving bikes around? It's also a pretty large space- a baby carriage is about half the length of your average bike. I decide that I don't appreciate being spoken to like an 8th grader without a bathroom pass, so I take my baby and wallet out the door, bidding the owner lady a nice day.

Continued success to Brooklyn Bicycle Co.!


On the other hand, I can recommend Recycle a Bicycle- friendly, helpful, knowledgeable staff, and tolerant of bottom feeders like me.

it's a damn SHAME - Bklyn Bicycles Co. is not taking the advantage of being the closest shop in proximity to Prospect Park :rolleyes:

it's a damn SHAME - Bklyn Bicycles Co. is not taking the advantage of being the closest shop in proximity to Prospect Park :rolleyes:

My thoughts exactly!
What's their story?
No brains, no interest???

I've only been in Brooklyn Bicycles once myself even though I live nearby. I didn't get any warm and fuzzy feeling from them either. There was Ace Cycles on Cortelyou that was there for a long time that I did like, but they closed a while ago already. I think one of the workers tried to make a go of it in a small space on Rugby but didn't last.

Wow...
I am just astounded by this "record store clerk" attitude that is SO prevalent among NYC bike shop staff...
The only good experience(s) I have ever had were @ Bicycle Habitat... and even they have been ****heads at times.

Christ sakes, I just dont understand it... Seems like working at a bike shop would be a pretty good gig for those who dig bikes.
And just from a business perspective... Having a retail shop where people just walk right in the front door deliver themselves to you to do business... seems like it should be a little more appreciated as we all can jump online anytime and get much better deals than any of our LBS's.

If my LBS's wasnt staffed with a bunch of elitist peckerheads, it would become a little community hub of cyclists ALL BY ITSELF. As it is, I only ever go there if it is IMPOSSIBLE to go anywhere else, and when I do I have to mentally prepare myself for the ordeal.

NYC and bicyclists in general are more evolved than this and deserve better...

Any multisport shops in Brooklyn? Specifically looking for a shop that has wetsuits and the only shops I know around the area are R&A and JackRabbit Sports.

http://www.sbrshop.com/

They have a tank in the store where you can try the suits on.

another bump for Bay Ridge Bicycle World (http://www.bayridgebikes.com)
...fixed clickity click bottom bracket faster than I could drink my grande americana...

these guys are good

Any multisport shops in Brooklyn? Specifically looking for a shop that has wetsuits and the only shops I know around the area are R&A and JackRabbit Sports.

There's always Paragon, Bway & 18th. They carry all sports and brands.

I've been getting majority of my accessories from Paragon by Union Square. SBR is also nice but it's all the way midtown Central Park. Anyone ever been to Slope Sports in Bklyn? Is that more of a running store than multi (triathlon specific)?

Another bump for Bay Ridge. I went to get a set of plain jane platform pedals. They were a bit more expensive than prices online, but they installed them for free, took care of a clunking noise (bottom bracket) for nearly free, and cleaned/lubed up my chain.

Too bad I can't afford any of the nice bikes they had on the rack. :(

I've been getting majority of my accessories from Paragon by Union Square. SBR is also nice but it's all the way midtown Central Park. Anyone ever been to Slope Sports in Bklyn? Is that more of a running store than multi (triathlon specific)?

Paragon Sports usually has what you need but they're a ripoff imo.

Doesn't Jack Rabbit on W. 14th sell tri stuff?

Avoid Mr C Cycle in Sunset Park, they're pretty stuck up as someone had mentioned and one lady that works there doesn't seem to know much of anything.

I like R&A on 5th Ave in the Slope. I make sure to do my research before I go there and walk in with a clear idea of what I want because you never know who you are going to get to help you. The knowledge levels vary heavily between salespeople (from none at all to knowledgable). I'm starting to figure it out but it seems like there are always different people there working. I ride at Prospect Park every day and you can't beat the convenience. Prices are a little high but overall a good shop to hit up for your everyday bike needs.

Paragon Sports usually has what you need but they're a ripoff imo.

I guess that's their point. They ALWAYS have what you need, and usually a large variety of it too. They've got to charge accordingly to keep that much inventory around. And they do have sales sometimes.

What's this store up to these days? A few months ago I saw about 10 stationary spin bike set up for classes and after a few weeks they all disappeared.

I've had mostly positive experiences at b's on driggs in greenpoint. With the exception of one of their staff members, everyone is helpful and they stand behind their work.

Also had a good experience recently at Affinity on Grand in Williamsburg. Went to about 5 shops and they were the only ones who sold a double walled 27" wheelset.

Really cannot stand the shop on Grand,close to the water in wburg. They charged my brother $5 to use a wrench when he asked to borrow one after saying "Do I come to your apartment and ask you if I can sleep with your wife?" who wants that sort of experience?

Yeah, that guy on Grand is a real peckerhead.

I do all my own repairs and upgrades on my bike, but I brought in a rim cause I had a broken spoke on the freewheel side of the rim and dont have the tool to get the freewheel off...
He said that the rim was "a piece of crap" and that I should replace it. The rim IS crap (heavy), but in good shape and barely used... I said "for one broken spoke im definitely not going to buy a new rim"

Then, he took a closer look at the hub and was able to tell me the exact model of bicycle it came off of.
I was totally impressed by that, but pissed that he was trying to very loudly make me feel funny for having a cheap bike in front of other people in the store. If I was more sensitive about that sort of thing, it would have been really humiliating and harsh actually. He does do good work, and I still prefer him to the attitude I get @ NYC bikes on Havermeyer.

I think I have said it before, but I simply cannot believe the attitude of these people. I think you could REALLY do good business here in NYC if you had competent nice people in your shop.

As for loaning tools... Im on his side about that. I have a recording studio, and if people came by and asked to borrow microphones I would say no, or charge them to use.
His business is repairing bikes.

Some ***hole bashed the front deraileur out of wack while the bike was chained up as I shopped along 5th Ave. I didn't even notice it until my chain caught on it and snapped. HUGE BUMMER.

Closest shop was R&A. I was expecting the worst, but the guy who helped me was really nice and the mechanic fixed up the FD and replaced the chain quickly even though the shop was busy. My only complaint is that the shimano chain they charged me with was way, way expensive.

They definitely cater to the high end and their stock reflected that. Prices also seemed inflated, even by retail standards.

Relatively positive experience. Not sure if I'd want to pay their tag prices, but their mechanic did a fine job.