ManHattan

I like Westchester Pro Bike Shop in the Bronx. They have very good prices (much better than Manhattan), and a strong in-stock selection of better mass-market brands (Specialized, Cannondale, Trek, Bianchi, Litespeed, etc.). I've bought 3 bikes there, and I've found the owner, James, to be very good to deal with -- knowledge and integrity, took time to get bikes set up and adjusted just-right. Certainly seems the best bet for anyone in Bx, Upper Manhattan, or Lower Wstchstr.

evanyc

i cast my vote for NYCVelo - friendly and helpful folks. they don't cater to track really, but they had a 17t cog for me after i had been told they were hard to get at another shop and that they could "maybe" order one... they also have a good selection of riding wear.

Romoni_63

Bay Ridge Bikes on 5th, Brooklyn

evanyc

i used to live right down the street from the tread on dykman and yeah, way ****ty service. it's basically a buncha neighborhood bmx kids who just hang out all day and don't really do anything. the owner (i think) is an alright guy who was pretty helpful when he was around, but only after i had been in several times and he started recognizing me and that i spend money on my bike. then when i started just buying parts on doing the work myself he was less helpful. i got in good with the mechanic cause he's mexican and was stoked that i had a benotto cause they are now built where he's from. he started helping me out with stuff for free when he had a chance.

visitordesign

i have to give props to trackstar. i ordered custom phils through them and thru no fault of theirs the hubs took about 3 months to find their way to the shop. then there was some confusion about rims.

ultimately, everything was taken care of patiently and professionally. the wheels were built quickly and well. none of the delays were really the shop's fault, but brad threw me a chain to match the wheels and a frame i'm having built as a "consolation prize."

no store's ever given me a prize before even if they were completely responsible for a problem or series of problems. in my book, trackstar's got class.

edit: they also sold my girlfriend a really well built wheelset complete with tubes, tires, cog and lockring after kyotoloco for next to nothing for a conversion i did for her.

i generally just get the impression that they sincerely love this facet of cycling and are excited to get people involved in it and do what they can to insure that their customers have fun. i can't say that of most bike shop employees in NYC...

na975

i dont know about that,i went in there and they ignored me

pasopia

NYC velo

THey put together a karate monkey for me last spring. Really cool guys.

nine

i know it's generic, but i have had good luck at metro bicycles (yes,the chain) at canal street (but bad service at the one on 6th ave). i also dig trackstar, while i do feel not cool enough to be in there, i have to say they have always been helpfull and fair and have the best track stock in the city. not a fan of bicycle habitat, although have had good experiences there with certain mechs, but overall kind of cruddy. of course, my favorite place is recycle a bicycle in dumbo. good people, good cause, cheap!

visitordesign

i'm never sure how to respond when i hear that businesses are condescending or apathetic. in general, i find that if i go into a store in a good mood and am friendly, it's reciprocated. if i go in and don't really care or am just approaching a shop in a utilitarian way, i generally walk out feeling ignored.

sometimes people are just dicks. sometimes people have bad days.

always hard to say...

na975

i rely on my mech skills only! but when it comes to wheels they got me by the balls.i wish someone can teach me how to lace a wheel+ true it.

visitordesign

maybe if enough people ask times up, they'll do a wheel building clinic.

rithem

THAT IS BECAUSE T-STAR (BRAD,ZACH and PATTY) EFFIN' RULES!

chrisj

My vote is for trackstar / bike works and when I stopped in King Kog in brooklyn, I felt at home with all the hot track equipment. I lust after the Colnago frame on the back wall.

ImOnCrank

king kog is the jam for bling njs parts/frames (and the colnago) and great wear and stuff. However they don't do any wrenching. It's more of a front for 4916's gear and japanese or campy parts. They do sell stuff on consignment and Gina and Jason are solid as hell. Their prices tend to be cheaper than trackstar for bling as well (sugino cranks for $15-20 less, etc).

mcatano

I tried to go to King Kog three times last week and it was closed each time. The first time was my fault, the other two were not. People in Williamsburg sleep in late.

spud

+1

ImOnCrank

Word that's true, they tend to be a little behind schedule but the 4916 gear is great. They do a Hoodie cycling jersey style with the pockets on the back and the stripes on the hood that's ubernice/convenient.

mcatano

That's just the kind of thing I would've been interested in buying, had they actually been open during their posted hours.

YellowFixedGear

I usually go to C&M bikes on 17th street between Irving and 3rd ave.
Great prices for the everday rider and he has a nice selection of Bling

YellowFixedGear

I went by King Kog this morning before I went to work and they were not open yet.. Grr.. If its slow at the shop tonight we are leaving a few min early to check the place out.. Its nice to see a shop thats open until 8pm!

EnLaCalle

ummm yeah. Not being open when you say you're going to be open is sloppy and unprofessional. And if I decide to go there one day and they're not open for no good reason, I'll never go back there again. It's unacceptable to waste someone's time like that, especially someone like mcatano who was only in town to visit for a few days.

Lame.

AfterThisNap

Times-up space on 49 houston if you don't need to buy anything and just need to wrench on your ride.

shishi

recycle a bicycle in DUMBO

Devotion

I tried to have a look at King Kog too...I took a ride over there during posted open hours and they were closed. From what I could see, it looked like your average Williamsburg boutique more than a bike shop. I'm not planning on another trip over there.
Good people at Bike Works, Trackstar and NYCVelo.

crayonsemble

i like emy but he is old and bitter;also he will rip anyone off without thinking twice.
before i got more into bikes i did some buisness with him and he sold me the most
fecked up bike ive ever had. i then saw him do it again and again to other people,
so be wary.
the nyc velo guys are nice people and it is a good shop for gear/clothing type things.
they will overcharge on labor so again be a little wary,but i mean hell their rent has to be
in the 30,000$ range.
trackstar is good in that they dont charge a arm and a leg for labor and seem to know
what they are talking about really well. other shops to avoid are bicycle habitat which is
way too expensive,and all the metro cycles are very expensive as well.
that leaves me with nyc velo if its late at night (they stay open till 9ish)
or trackstar, because i dont get over to brooklyn very often and bike works
has a early close time.