New to the bay area, Half Moon Bay to be exact. Looking for a friendly bike shop to call home and help with various builds. Who's got the best service department? Who do you trust with your race bikes? I'm an experienced mechanic, but don't own every tool.

Good if not great shops in the city American Cyclery on Stanyan is great and friendly, but all the shops around here do a great job.

VeloTech in downtown Palo Alto! It's run by two guys who are very knowledgeable and give great customer service. It's the only place I go, even though I never bought a bike from them (they are into expensive high-end Italian stuff). Stay away from Palo Alto Bicycle Shop, the service staff over there are a bunch of ******bags.

It's over the hill for you but Summit Cycles in Burlingame has been treating me pretty well. Roaring Mouse Cycles & Valencia Cyclery in the city are equally fantastic.

I would think there would be a good shop in HMB or Pacifica.

Welcome to Half Moon Bay! It's where I live too. Cycling heaven here.

Unfortunately, I don't have many good words to say about the only bike shop in HMB - Bike Works. I avoid them as much as I can.

Chain Reaction in Redwood City is very good. Big shop, lots of staff, very deep cycling expertise - https://www.chainreaction.com/.

PS: Let me know if you need help with routes and such.

If you want one of the best in the Bay as your title list, then you should check into these guys:

https://www.bespokecyclessf.com/

I am personally a fan of the four Mikes Bikes locations I have been too (Berkeley, Sausalito, San Rafael, and the new Walnut Creek location). Walnut Creek is the only one I have real service department experience with, and it has been great thusfar. I never expect a 20 minute repair (I only go in when I need it done FAST, and my boss doesn't have time as he has all the tools), but I always get a very fast repair. I snapped my rear derailleur one time, got a ride there, and they fixed it in the time it took my to go to the Peets down the street (new rear der and chain and spoke tensioning), and they gave me a discount without me asking. If the ones in the south bay are run the same, can't hurt to check them out!

I've had great experiences at the Mike's Bikes in Palo Alto as well. They've done a few small repairs free of charge and never seemed hesitant or annoyed to answer questions or explain what they are doing. Sales guys there have been nice and helpful as well. I went there after getting attitude at Palo Alto Bicycles and haven't had reason to try anywhere else.

Good experiences with Bicycle Outfitter in Los Altos (right along Fremont parallel to Foothill).

I must second this recommendation. They've been nothing but polite, friendly, and helpful. Their service department does get backed up in the high season, though.

I'll third it. Dave Prion is head mechanic is great!

- SteveE

Yeah, cheers to Dave. He's also the manager there, I think. Not sure if I should say this, but just about all service I've needed there, I've gotten for free - even a free bike fit (but he didn't have to do much as the fit was already 80% dialed in). I have, however, spent a small fortune in there on accessories and a bike

Montano Velo in Oakland.