mechanics and LBS

[lmgoldberg]

Hey guys,

About to be in the market for a new road bike and realize going to a LBS with a good mechanic is important since they assemble the bike and that is where I am likely to go back for maintenance and fixes.

Last bike I purchased was poorly assembled and the LBS I went to did a poor job on repairs/adjustments. Created additional expenses and time out of the saddle.

An another LBS — to be left unnamed — that had a great mechanic but charged me a “rush” fee if I wanted my bike back within 7-10 days. Seemed like gouging at the time.

So any advice on local shops that have particularly good reps in terms of mechanics? maybe a better way to ask is which shops have the most veteran mechanics? or where owners run a tight ship? Looking for advice from customers, not self-promotion! Interested in DC and MD mostly, although may be willing to go to close in VA.

Thanks.

Topic

[leadandsteel]

I’m sure there are many good shops and this is just a personal list of places I know will do good work. I can name some great mechanics but sometimes the shop as a whole is lacking so here is a small list in no order.

Spokes Quaker Lane. I love Ricky Funkhouser
Spokes Vienna.
Bikes@Vienna. I don’t know if they have “regular” bikes but might be one of the most honest and nice bike shops in dc.
Freshbikes Falls Church Alex
Bicycle pro shop Georgetown. Tom jackson is the man.
Spokes down in bellview is a little known gem of great mechanics that are almost never backed up.

Ask when buying a bike what the turnaround is on free tune ups most shops are same day or next day. In colorado I found that the shops with “lifetime” adjustments looked like a good deal but were neck deep in work and less likely to fix issues that took even a little effort even when paid for their time.

edit: I forgot proteus bikes and papillion in arlington. If i lived closer to proteus I’d go there twice a week.

[guga31bb]

It’s in VA, but Bikenetic is (IMO) by far the best bike shop in the area. Free lifetime tuneups (the only shop in the area I’ve found that offers this), extremely nice people, isn’t super busy like some other places (especially the Georgetown ones). Disadvantage is their somewhat limited choice in manufacturers, but maybe they’d order something for you if you asked?

[jopamora]

I’ve been going to Mike at The Bicycle Place on Brookeville Rd. for the past several months. Minor things like wheel truing and a new star fangled nut, but they’ve been good so far. Proteus in College Park is good and they post a bunch in this Forum.

[jrenaut]

I rotate between Proteus, The Bike Rack, and Bicycle Space. The Bike Rack is super convenient – they open at 8am and are less than 50 feet out of my way on my regular commute. Proteus is awesome but not at all close to where I live. All three are great shops with great mechanics.

[TwoWheelsDC]

I try to spread my money over various shops and I haven’t found many that I *won’t* shop at….except a certain igbay eelwhay ikesbay.

[jnva]

Spokes in Vienna and bikes@vienna have been very good to me, recommend both.

[off2ride]

Worked alongside Tom Jackson for a year at the Pro Shop in Gtown. Yes, he’s a good guy and very knowledgeable with bicycles esp vintage steeds. Music is also his other passion. He mainly plays bass but loves that medium all together. Tell him Francis sent you.

@leadandsteel 77552 wrote:

I’m sure there are many good shops and this is just a personal list of places I know will do good work. I can name some great mechanics but sometimes the shop as a whole is lacking so here is a small list in no order.

Spokes Quaker Lane. I love Ricky Funkhouser
Spokes Vienna.
Bikes@Vienna. I don’t know if they have “regular” bikes but might be one of the most honest and nice bike shops in dc.
Freshbikes Falls Church Alex
Bicycle pro shop Georgetown. Tom jackson is the man.
Spokes down in bellview is a little known gem of great mechanics that are almost never backed up.

Ask when buying a bike what the turnaround is on free tune ups most shops are same day or next day. In colorado I found that the shops with “lifetime” adjustments looked like a good deal but were neck deep in work and less likely to fix issues that took even a little effort even when paid for their time.

edit: I forgot proteus bikes and papillion in arlington. If i lived closer to proteus I’d go there twice a week.

[Author]

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