Bicycle repair recommendation

[scottxwl.livejournal.com]

Hullo!

I need to get my bike overhauled. I haven't ridden it in 5 years. Any recommendations for a good store in the area? It's a Cannondale.

Thanks!

Comments

[srl.livejournal.com]

Wheelworks on Elm Street is competent but is also the 50-pound gorilla of local bike shops. ATA on Mass Ave near Porter is race-oriented and may not give you great service unless your bike was fancy to start off. Bicycle Exchange on Mass Ave near Walden St is small but I have no particular experience with them. Paramount Cycles on the Powderhouse rotary is small and service-oriented. Nice guy, but perhaps not the cheapest option; still, I'd trust him with my equipment. Park Sales & Service on Somerville Ave sells a lot of BMX, more than anywhere else in the area. Broadway Bicycle School, on Broadway near Inman & Central Squares, is excellent but probably out of your way.

(Disclaimer: I work for quad cycles (http://www.quadcycles.com) in Arlington Heights, which is a fine shop but probably farther than you want to go.)

[scottxwl.livejournal.com]

Thanks a lot!

[androidqueen.livejournal.com]

paramount bicycle in powderhouse circle. they rule.

[ariwriter.livejournal.com]

...and if the other places don't work, there's always International Bike in Allston/Newton. They rock too.

[joifulgurl.livejournal.com]

i've never had a problem with ATA Cycle, and i definitely do not race, nor does every customer that goes in there. they have a wide rage of bikes & accessories, and will fix your bike in a day (in most cases, depending on how much work needs to be done). i bought a 20 year old road bike from them & had them overhaul it, and got only compliments on it, no judgement. :)

[ellf.livejournal.com]

The only place I'd ever take a bike for service is Paramount, which has been mentioned above. Tyler does outstanding work, and he's upfront and fair.

[karmaportrait.livejournal.com]

i'd say this is pretty accurate. tyler is the guy who you're thinking of at paramount. never had any service done there, but he's a "good guy". ace typically books repairs/tuneups for a few days later, i.e. bring it in wednesday and it will be done on saturday by 5pm. and of course you get a written estimate up front.

(full disclosure: i work for ace wheelworks (http://www.wheelworks.com/))

Broadway, Broadway, Broadway!

[turil.livejournal.com]

I'd echo this review, and add that Broadway is extremely service oriented, and really worth the effort to go to, especially if you want to know a little more about your bike and how it works. They not only repair bikes, but they also let you repair your own bike there with their tools, and they will teach you how to repair your bike yourself. Remember: Knowledge is power!

Broadway is also commuter bike oriented. If you want to use your bike as transportation (rather than mere recreation), then Broadway can't be beat.

[yakshaver.livejournal.com]

I've been a customer of Bicycle Exchange for close to ten years. They're a small, old-school shop, run by the owner, who's almost always there. They're friendly and helpful and have never given me any cause to complain.

[ceo]

This gets asked a lot. Could this post and the ones like it go in memories?

[ron_newman]

How do I add a post to memories?

[clevernonsense.livejournal.com]

There's at least one guy at Broadway who is such a steel snob that I'd probably not bring a Cannondale there, just to avoid any snide comments - granted, you run that risk at most of the local shops anyhow :)

I like the Bicycle Exchange pretty ok (they are cheap, also). I seem to remember that ATA sells Cannondales, which might make them worth a shot.

[antimony.livejournal.com]

Good to know -- I just took my bike to Broadway for an overhaul, but Paramount is much closer to me. Will have to check it out the next time I need work done. I've never seen them open, so I'd never talked to them.

My 0.02: good experience with one trip to Quad Cycles, will see how I like the work Broadway is doing now, several awful experiences with Wheelworks. Have only bought gear from ATA. Also, very good experiences with Cycle Loft out in Burlington, but they are a hike now that I don't work near there and mostly handle high-end stuff.