Inconsistency

I used to know how to ride a bike when I was a kid, but somehow I just never got a chance to ride since elementary school and had forgotten how. After re-learning it a couple months ago, I am completely hooked. The bike I am riding now is my boyfriend’s BMX. It’s a great bike overall but I wish it’s not single speed. Going uphill is a pain.

I researched and read a ton of reviews on all the bike shops in Brooklyn and the city. I went to most of them, but the sad part is I still haven’t found a bike. It’s hard to find a decent bike shop in this town. Usually they will try to sell you something very expensive and completely ignore you when you tell them your budget.

Here is a list of all the shops I checked out and thoughts:

Frank’s Bike Shop (Yelp Profile)
This place got really good reviews on Yelp a while ago but things had since changed. The place had gotten 5-stars consistently all the way up to May 2008 and has been dropping ever since. See Yelp details below:

It’s hard to get to since there isn’t any subway close by. I first went on a Saturday afternoon and the place was packed. I waited quite a while and had to fight for someone to help me out. Yelpers mentioned the great advice they got from Frank and other staff members. I didn’t get much advice and they only recommended one bike. However, I have to say, they were really honest folks. Of all the bike shops I went to, they recommended the cheapest bike and it is pretty much what I asked for.

The one they recommended is the Giant Cypress ST. I tried on a Small but I felt that the bike was too big. They keep saying if I go smaller it will be a children’s bike. But believe me, I had seen adult bikes with smaller tires or frame that makes it look more manageable. They then agreed to put together an XS for me the following day but it’s still too big.

Anyhow, I have a good experience here. Although I didn’t get much attention, at least they are honest folks.

Bicycle Habitat (Yelp Profile)
I went there a couple times and had mostly bad experiences. I was looking at an expensive bike when a salesperson first approached me. I then told him my beginner’s needs and budget and he had lost all interest in serving me.

I went back the second time and met this woman who had horrible attitude. The upside is she just grabbed another staff Mat to help us and he turned out to be great. He was very patient and spend time to listen to what I want. But then we had to leave before buying a bike.

The next day I called again and was hoping to ask Mat about these 2 bikes I had been thinking about. He was off that day and I ended up talking to this woman who picked up the phone. She got horrible attitude as well(probably the same woman). She told me they happened to be setting up one of the bikes I am interested in and told me to drop by end of day. I called around 4:30 just to make sure the bike had been set up. She told me they don’t have time today in the worst attitude. I was really looking forward to it and was hoping to purchase something before the holiday ends. I asked if they can just help me out and have it set up but she just flat out refuse. What a fucking bitch.

Final Verdict: Really depends on the salesperson. Don’t get the woman. I think she has short hair.  Also call for availability.  Availabilities shown on their website is not accurate.

Dixon’s Bike Shop (Yelp Profile)
Avoid these guys, even for repairs.

We dropped off our bikes for them to repair for a week and they never touched it until the day we were there.

What happened was we arrived to pick up our bikes (which they promised it will be ready 3 days ago). We sat and waited for 45 minutes. At first we just thought they were busy. I can see the back of the store clearly from where I sat. After about 15 minutes, we saw them with our bikes and I was getting ready to leave. We then saw them do all these repairs on it and had realized they didn’t touch them until then!

As for purchasing a bike, they won’t let you take it outside and try. They just let you sit and go up and down the store. It will work if the store is empty, but the store is always crammed with people or bikes which makes it impossible for anyone to try out a bike.

Avoid!

14^th Street Bicycle (Yelp Profile)
I got a good vibe from this store. They showed me a couple bikes and had listened closely to what I want. The bikes they recommended isn’t as cheap as what Frank had recommended, but the staff were nice and attentive. I saw the Cypress ST there and they were selling for about 20 to 30 bucks more expensive than Frank’s.

These are the other bike stores I want to try out:
Sid’s Bike Shop
Trek’s Bicycle Store of Brooklyn
6^th Avenue Bicycles – I called and talked to this guy who is super helpful and nice
Brooklyn Heights Bike Shoppe

In conclusion, I was really close to buying a bike from Bicycle Habitat but their horrible attitude turned me off. I never thought it will be this hard to find a decent bike shop in the city.

Technorati Tags: bike, bicycle, shop, new york, city, bicycle habitat, frank, frank’s, 14, 14th, street, dixon’s bike shop, brooklyn