Boston Bike Shops?

My take:

ATA: I bought my Fondriest there, but I don’t think I’d go back. They were pretty good during the sale, but they don’t stand behind their product or work. They stock the non-mass market brands (Fondriest, Willier, Colnago, &c). Definitely a racer’s shop. Others have had a different experience, so YMMV. They also have the highest prices in the world for parts and accessories.

Back Bay: Really, really pushy. Aggressive in the extreme. They used to be on Newbury, but got priced out on the rent and moved to Comm Ave a couple years ago. Typically mark stuff 150-200% over MSRP. (I mean, $2.00 for a cable stop!?!?!)

Wheelworks: Aloof at best. Hard to get waited on.

Cambridge Bicycle: Only been there once, but got waited on easily and he was helpful. Cute too.

Community Bicycle Supply: by far my favorite shop. Family owned and run since the 70s. Very, very friendly. Good prices. The only real down side is their selection of bikes isn’t all that great. Primarily Specialized, with a few others like Bianchis and the like.

My second favorite is Broadway Bike School. Very, very helpful and friendly. The don’t really have a lot of bikes, it’s mostly a repair shop, but they do have ANT Bikes and some others, plus used bikes.

You read my experience with Revolution

Harris is good, and they can find *anything* you need, but it is far away. There is no way back. There might be a bus during rush hour or something. Good BBQ next door!

International: You just can’t trust them. Keep your hand on your wallet while you’re there, and sign nothing.

REI: Great, but they only sell their own Novara brand of bikes and don’t do much in the way of repair. Great place for clothes and parts, though. Very helpful and stand behind their stuff.

I’ve had some experience with some other shops that have been working on rides and things, but havne’t been to their stores.

Addendum:

Quad Cycles is also very good. It’s also a bit far away, but it’s right off the Minuteman.

If I get another high end bike, I’ll probably go there.

I’ll have to check out Quad while I am out next week biking around in the cold weather.

There’s that odd shop at the end of th e Minuteman, that sells nearly only mountain bikes. Or it seemed that way to me. I don’t recall that they have even talked to me while I’ve been in there, but then I guess I probably stink or something. They seemed ok.

But in Boston! That’s my focus. Community was nice while I was in, but could not figure out how much replacing my campy rings would cost. I thought that odd, since I beleive they advertise Campy in the window (see I need to check on that).

I definitely want to check the Broadway shop. And will need to include the Bikes Not Bombs shop as well. I enjoyed my class there quite a bit and they are good folks.

REI: Like I said, often less attitude then the LBS and you can return anything for any reason. That said, I overheard a woman there selling a kid and his father bikes for touring and she claimed that “all the bikes are touring bikes!”…which is so far from the truth, I hardly knew what to do. I handed the folks my card when she wasn’t around and said, call me if you need some help: I tour. They never did. Of course, I am partial to REI being a Seattle, having a thing for hot gearheads who play outside, and um, I gave lectures on bike touring (which that lady would have done well to attend) for them.

I paid Cambridge to do some work on my bike, I don’t think they did. I also ordered parts from them, and had to call back for several weeks and every time it was an ordeal of “where are the parts…”. Very odd. The guys were nice enough. My single speed, the crappy beater it is, come s via them and their messenger set.

The only thing I will ever buy from Wheelworks is a new Euro team jersey. Actually, I’ll probably just go online for it. The rudest man I’ve ever encountered in a bike shop work(s)(ed) there. A terrible French guy. I put a pox on him. And of course there was the guy who would not/did not know they had Co-Motion touring bikes…Any time a customer shows up at your distant store on their bikes looking for $3000 bicycles, one should pay attention! Just a little.

I am thinking Adi’s could use more love. What is going on out there in West Roxbury? That is what I need to find out.

Re: Community. It’s is mostly a neighborhood-commuter-mountain bike shop. They do have some racers, but they’re mostly do cruisers and MTBs. I got my Specialized MTB there. They’re just really good people.

Re: REI. It really depends on who’s working. There’s a really cute redheaded guy that works in bikes during the day who’s pretty knowledgeable.

Re: Cambridge. I’ve never bought anything there. I went in to check out the IRO Mark V’s. They spent some time working out how much it would cost all kitted out, but it was close to $900!?!?!?! I don’t think so.

Re: Harris. My experience yesterday at Harris just reinforces my opinion that it’s a great shop to deal with. The others should take a lesson.

Re: Bikeway Source. That’s the one at the end of the Minuteman in Bedford. They sell road bikes too, mostly Felts and Lightspeeds.

Re: Broadway. I’ve taken two classes there and plan to go back for the wheelbuilding class. I just really like the whole concept of the place. I can do most of the work on my own bike, get great advice, yet not have to buy thousands of dollars in tools.

Re: Wheelworks. I can’t say I’m surprised. Was this Belmont or Somerville? I’ve been in Belmont, but never spent any time there. I’ve been in Somerville quite often, but I usually just go in to get something specific and leave. Then again, they stock exactly the same thing that everyone else does, so there’s not much point in making a trip.

Re: West Roxbury. It’s a bedroom community. Nothing happens there but traffic accidents and mall shopping.

Rude French guy was at ACE Wheelworks.

And out there in German Corner in West Roxbury is a decent Venzuelean restaurant, Adi’s bike shop and a coffee house! All on one block. That’s a good combo in my book.

I think on Thursday, I’ll have to make the rounds of some shops. I need a new pair of gloves for Rondo season! It’ll be a decent excuse to revisit many of them and check out some new ones. I am curious about the shop in Southie.

I’m too late for the article, but I’ve had LBS experiences. I live in JP and really, really wanted to like Ferris Wheels. I had them do some work for me, but trot all the way to Belmont Wheelworks when I need someething done right and timely.

Ferris ia a grump, which can be charming. Unfortunately, I found service there slow and expensive. They never met the completion dates they set.

The main Wheelworks is big, extremely well stocked, has experienced staff for any job, charges a fair rate, and always meets its dates. Also, I never hear, “We can’t fix that,” or “We can’t get that part.”

Hi, i will be visiting Boston mid july and was hoping to buy some chris king or bontrager parts (like quick releases, seat release) and perhaps nice crankbrother’s eggbeaters and truvativ/bontrager cranks. This stuff is very expensive in Europe so i thought i could give it a try and buy it in the USA. Do you know a shop which has some of the above parts? I have just one day left for shopping but wasn’t planning on going all over the place 🙂 so i’m looking for just one shop. Okay, or perhaps two. Do you know one? Thanks!

Michiel,

I would likely try ATA for your parts and the convenience of finding it. As one of the other posters said, it is definitely a high-end racers shop, so the pricing is higher than many others but perhaps they will have everything you want in one go and it is located on Mass Ave between the Harvard and Porter Square T (subway) stops.

You might also try Community Bicycle Supply located in the South End and so also easy to walk to from the Common and downtown Boston.

Good luck and enjoy your trip to Boston! Hopefully, you’ll get to do a bit of New England cycling while you’re here.

Knox,
Thanks, i will have a look at both shops. In the meanwhile i looked at the sites of these shops and was a bit surprised how expensive these are. Perhaps my initial thought (cheap USA parts in the USA) wasn’t right. But nevertheless i will still have a look 🙂 Thanks.
And although i would love to explore the boston mountainbike trails, i’m afraid i won’t have the time. Or will some shops rent me a bike overnight so i can drive in the evening? But were could i store the bike overnight? I don’t think the hotel will be please, maybe i can rent a lock with the bike, Sorry, just me ranting 🙂
But thanks for the info!

I definitely don’t think these shops are “cheap” and based on my travels in Europe, not cheaper or significantly cheaper than bike stuff there. I think you have the power of the Euro in your favor and perhaps, depending on what state you are traveling to, different sales tax rates.

Cambridge Bicycle, also on Mass Ave, and its sister shop on Beacon will rent you a bike. I can not imagine that they would rent you a bike without a lock in Boston! I would think they would be city bikes though and not likely great for big mountain biking. Finally, all the hotels I have stayed at are happy to store my bike somewhere for me in the hotel!

Good luck on the travels.

Thanks for the info Knox!