Comments on: The Hub lost my bike. Again.

By: Pete

Pete — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 11:39:11 +0000

Try Hiawatha Cyclery. They're a small, locally owned shop and darn nice guys to boot.

By: DaveP

DaveP — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 09:55:32 +0000

Regarding Erik’s, my problem isn’t with them so much because they’re a chain, but because I’ve had fewer good experiences there than at smaller places. For example, at Varsity, one of the mechanics *built* recumbents, and remembered me after the first time I brought my ‘bent in. At Erik’s the one guy who worked on my ‘bent moved to another location way across town.

Hey, congrats to Erik for growing a successful business, and it doesn’t stop me from poking my nose into Erik’s when I’m looking for something, and maybe it’s just the Dinkytown location that turns over staff pretty quick, but I’d rather buy something from the same guy who’s been at Varsity just a few doors down for the past five years than some new kid Erik’s hired.

But I also do most of my own work and ride a “funny” bike. Erik has geared his shops to the masses, which is probably the better business plan, but I’m better served by a funky little place like Varsity where they might not be quite as newbie-friendly.

For bike clothing, I don’t shop locally. I buy from Col d’Lizárd (formerly Gekko Gear and in Colorado, they’re now in Vermont and just up the road from Ben & Jerry’s) http://www.coldlizard.com/ who send me things in the mail. They’ve always had good service, and I’ve gotten some swell prices by thinking ahead and hitting their fall clearance. They have a spring blowout going at the moment, too.

By: Damian

Damian — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 00:10:56 +0000

I'm a big fan of Sunrise cyclery. The shop is located between Lake and 31st at 3031 2nd Ave S, in Minneapolis. Good prices on tune-ups and maintenance Also if you are looking for a good used bike Jamie McDonald, the owner, is very knowledgeable and quite the nice guy. http://www.sunrise-cyclery.com/

By: Sarah

Sarah — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 20:24:56 +0000

I got great service at Behind Bars in NE Minneapolis. Fast turnaround. http://www.behind-bars.com/

By: taylor

taylor — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 18:06:56 +0000

I’ll stick up for the Hub. Yes, they do get pretty busy with the advent of spring bike season, but I’ve always had good luck.

First, I bought my bike there, and have come to regard it one of the best purchases I’ve ever made (right up there with my coffee bean grinder).

Because of the large amount of wear an tear that goes on with the bike, last year I broke 2 spokes on the real wheel. I dropped it off, expecting it to take a week with their busy schedule. Someone called a few days later to tell me that the spokes were fixed and they also did a total tune-up while it was there. Unexpected and much appreciated.

By: Yikes

Yikes — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 17:02:49 +0000

Grand Performance. It’s on Grand and Prior in St. Paul, but they’re awesome. They do a lot for racing and pro teams. I think 1/2 their business comes from fixing Erik the Bikeman’s mistakes. It’s locally owned, and the guys that work their are awesome- I guarantee you’ll want to hang out with them, especially on Friday nights.

By: Erica M

Erica M — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 16:50:26 +0000

Ed K has elaborated a little further. I see I need to do a better job of managing my expectations. A while back I made a point of checking out a few different local running shops while I was looking for a particular item. I need a pair of bike shorts and potentially a couple other clothing items, so it sounds like a good time to make the rounds of all your suggested bike shops and do some comparison shopping.

By: jana

jana — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 15:54:09 +0000

varsity bike shop in dinkytown. their staff doesn’t just know bikes, they love them; and (unlike erik’s) they won’t try to sell you anything you don’t need.

By: Hannah V.

Hannah V. — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 15:18:22 +0000

DaveP: Thanks for posting that link! I went out bike-browsing last night, not finding anything that met my needs and price range. Now I know a few more places to stick my head in.

We’ve always gone to Penn on Lake Street, for convenience. Always had great service from them.

By: Jim H

Jim H — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 13:58:49 +0000

I’ve had good luck in the past at Erik’s and at Nokomis Cycle.

I shop where I get good value and service for my money. If the “small guy” doesn’t treat you right, he doesn’t deserve your business.