semax10

Hey, I'm looking for a good bike store in NYC. I looking to get my first bike in 10+ yrs. I'd be primarily used to get to work and around the city. I looking for a bike store with good knowledge. I'm not very knowledged on bikes and need help picking out a pick and answering my numerous questions. Can someone help me in finding a very knowledgeable bike store that would help me find the right bike not the right bike in their store that they are trying sell?

roadiejorge 

The best thing to do is research what bike you're looking to purchase, read reviews, and ask some questions here from people who have used the bikes you're interested in so when you go to a shop you're a knowledgable consumer. I like to think all shops are interested in making the customers happy but they also have to sell bikes so they're almost always going to try and make the sale. I'm certainly not trying to make them out to be dishonest, but they're going to try and get your business and set you up on the best bike in their shop which may not always be the one you want.

soundtweakers

I haven't gone to many bike shops yet, but the one I stepped my foot into was of great experience. Try Zenbikes in Chelsea https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&tab=wl
Very knowledgeable, super friendly, they also offer a free lifetime tune ups if you buy from them.

NYYankeeGirl

My friend and I both just got bikes at Bicycle Habitat in SoHo. We were both in the same boat as you. I dealt with a few people there - all of them very good, except for one. I highly recommend a guy named Matt. Was super honest about what bike would be best for you and your needs. Talked my friend out of getting a more expensive bike. They don't work on commission there and have a large selection of bikes.

B's Bikes in Greenpoint/Williamsburg Brooklyn is also good, but they have a small selection of bikes - mostly Fujis.

I've had not so great experiences at Toga and Metro on 14th Street.

AdamDZ

I like NYC Bikes on Havemeyer Street in Williamsburg. Although, they don't sell brand name bikes, they build their own bikes around their own frames and wheels, and their bikes are rock solid, very tough, meant for NYC pothole pounding. The staff is cool, down-to-earth and not pushy. The owner rides daily, he takes his daughter to a school. I see him almost every day on the WillyB bridge. This bike was built by them. They also have cruisers, MTB, road bikes.

cappuccino911

why the hell would a bike shop try to help you find a bike that they didn't have. Lets be real, I'm all about places providing good service but the truth is, while they may have gotten into the business as an extension of their hobby, it is still a business. Fortunately, there is so much overlap brand to brand that every brand practically has teh same thing they all just look a bit different but function is similar. IF you are located uptown you could check out Larry's bikes plus on 87th and 2nd and ask to speak to K.C. nice guy, straight shooter, not pushy with selling.

Stacy

Lots of good bike stores in the City. What neighborhood are you in?

jyossarian

Do a search of NYC Bikes, then decide whether you really want to deal with them. Post your neighborhood so we can target LBS suggestions.

semax10

I work in midtown and live in downtown bk...I'm willing to travel for good service.

semax10

Thanks. I'll check them out.

I know that the store is there to make business but at the same time I would like some level of care for the consumer. I have gone to a few shops around the city that I will not name. I tend to ask some very basic questions to gauge where the sales person is; maybe it's to sell me the best thing they have/know or everything they have and can special order.

BrooKona

There's an LBS around 5th and Bergen in park slope. Always helpful when I've been there, mostly trek bikes. RA Cycles on 5th ave nearby has tons of eye candy, they elicit strong opinions from people but they've been very informative and helpful.

semax10

Thanks...I'll check them out.

cappuccino911

you say that now, but you really should look for a good shop nearby for those times when something goes wrong. If you have an issue at home and your shop that does free adjustments and things like that is in manhattan, your gonna end up paying the person at the local shop to do it instead of spending an hour schlepping into the city.

I would also post here and tell us things like your age, height, weight, fitness level etc and let the people here give you some recommendations on what to look for since we are hobbiests without a financial stake in what you do. then you can go to a bike shop and sound like you know what you are talking about and have a lot less risk of a sales person trying to get over on you.

I bought my bike at larrys on 87th and 2nd and K.C. wasn't pushy at all but he did steer me in a certain direction. I went in sort of thinking i wanted an entry level Mountain bike because of my size and the fact that I would be commuting around the city to clients and wanted something to handle bad streets. I also knew i lived in 5th floor walkup so I kinda wanted a road bike to get it up and down the stairs easier. He let me take out an entry level MTB, heavy as all hell! Then he had me take out a flat bar road bike. Upright sitting positon like a MTB, at least 5-6 lbs lighter than the mtb, 28c tires so not super skinny but not super wide, and eyelets on the back of the frame if I decide that I want to put a rack on it. he also advised me to get pinhead locking skewers to replace quick releases since i'm traveling from appt to appt, time is an issue, I don't have time to take wheels off and weave multiple locks all through my bike. the skewers let me simply lock my frame up whereever I go, you need a special wrench to remove the wheel locks, stem bolt, and seat. The bike I ended up with was a giant rapid 3. It was $550. The skewers were $70, lock was $80 and helmet was $40 so all told I paid about $740+tax. very happy with the bike, it's so much faster than a mtb, handles the nyc streets fine and I'm a heavy rider too. and I lock it up without issues everywhere, I even lock it outside overnight, no problems.