Preferred bike mechanic in SF?

[Ryan Moynihan]

Hi All, curious who your preferred bike mechanic is in SF. I just bought a used bike and would like to have the frame inspected for cracks. I used to go to Mojo on Divis but they've since closed. The folks at Valencia were a bit rude IMO. Any suggestions? I live in Bernal.

Ryan

[Darrin Ward]

the sf2g list archive is full of bike shop recommendations which
admittedly is not a mechanic specific discussion.
sports basement usually comes up as a favorite.
box dog, big swingin and roaring mouse also come up as favorites.

as with most bike things, to be honest you should be able to do most
of this yourself
https://hobbybiker.com/how-to-inspect-a-bike-frame/

the material of course makes a huge difference in regards to what to do
cracks in aluminum frames basically mean the frame is done.
cracks in carbon fiber i would usually send it off to calfee.

On Tue, Jul 6, 2021 at 6:22 PM Ryan Moynihan <rmoy...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Hi All, curious who your preferred bike mechanic is in SF. I just bought a used bike and would like to have the frame inspected for cracks. I used to go to Mojo on Divis but they've since closed. The folks at Valencia were a bit rude IMO. Any suggestions? I live in Bernal.
>
> Ryan
>

> --
> http://sf2g.com
> ---
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "SF2G" group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to sf2g+uns...@googlegroups.com.
> To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/sf2g/9623d8d8-d889-4a08-972a-f7725240f1fcn%40googlegroups.com.

[Peter Colijn]

Since you live in bernal I'd suggest new wheel on Cortland. While they only sell ebikes, they service anything.

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/sf2g/CABt%2BV8zskFXEWDPGM-1By3653%3Dqd2jzr-X5pPNSv%2BNLy5kq51w%40mail.gmail.com.

[Jeffrey Tong]

Manual bikes are just one of many micro-mobility devices that complement public transit.  Considering the SF Bay Area is full of long rolling hills, electric is the way to go for daily commutes.  They are called first/last mile gap connectors.

Considering buses have one rack at front that can only accommodate 2-3 bikes regardless of passenger capacity, electric scooters and EUC (Electric Uni-Cycles) are the way to go - every passenger can carry one on board.

However, where to find an electric bike, electric scooter, and/or EUC repair shop?

Jeffrey Tong, co-founder
Colinas Costeras
Community Wildlife Habitat

"The miracle of the coastal hills is fog"
Fog = H₂O = Life

https://www.bonfire.com/store/colinas-costeras/

On Tue, Jul 6, 2021, 19:08 Darrin Ward <dmw...@gmail.com> wrote:

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/sf2g/CABt%2BV8zskFXEWDPGM-1By3653%3Dqd2jzr-X5pPNSv%2BNLy5kq51w%40mail.gmail.com.

[Jeffrey Tong]

I live in San Bruno - there is no bike shop anywhere in Northern Peninsula.  I have a folding Brompton bike.  Warm Planet bikes is good for basic tune-up or parts.  But if I need proprietary parts, I use Huckleberry Bikes across the street.  Both are on Market Street ...6th or 7th St?

I used to get there by Bart, but Bart has gotten worse over the years.  I prefer Muni now.

There is a DIY bike shop called Bike Kitchen ...I think in the Mission?  They have mentors to help if you get stuck.  I think it's by membership?  Not sure.

Good luck!

Jeffrey Tong, co-founder
Colinas Costeras
Community Wildlife Habitat

"The miracle of the coastal hills is fog"
Fog = H₂O = Life

https://www.bonfire.com/store/colinas-costeras/

On Tue, Jul 6, 2021, 18:22 Ryan Moynihan <rmoy...@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi All, curious who your preferred bike mechanic is in SF. I just bought a used bike and would like to have the frame inspected for cracks. I used to go to Mojo on Divis but they've since closed. The folks at Valencia were a bit rude IMO. Any suggestions? I live in Bernal.

Ryan

--

[R Samuel Klatchko]

Huckleberry Bikes has moved, they're now at 1255 Battery St (Levi's Plaza).

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/sf2g/CAC%2B8W37%3D3ZOVfCa4R1tBLnUAHQLkSyt3PUXTb0-uq42PyvOiFg%40mail.gmail.com.

[Dave Wang]

I recently got into an accident when a SUV took a left and cut me off. I'm fine, but I'm not so sure about my Trek full carbon bike. Any suggestions on where to take it for inspection? I read somewhere a long time ago that you can't go by its exterior surface condition?

thanks,

Dave

[Ken MacInnis]

Calfee. Anyone local that’s any good would just be sending it there. These days, though, I’d just replace it if you can - frames are cheap now, if you can find one. 

https://calfeedesign.com/carbon-repair/

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/sf2g/fbd616d6-8fe1-4376-8d70-1b9ebfbdb54cn%40googlegroups.com.

--

Ken MacInnis - kcm at clueful dot org - http://www.clueful.org/

[Bob Ippolito]

There’s a Trek shop in SoMa on Brannan now, you could try there

On Sat, Jul 10, 2021 at 15:16 Dave Wang <wangi...@gmail.com> wrote:

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/sf2g/fbd616d6-8fe1-4376-8d70-1b9ebfbdb54cn%40googlegroups.com.

[Christine Windsor]

I second The New Wheel on Cortland. I've had them assess a non-ebike frame that was attacked while locked. All the mechanics are pretty good there. 

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/sf2g/CACwMPm8YBxO5ssmc4fm6qS6Ak1yvbkGAvGuiPbK6Jgzm8tTxxg%40mail.gmail.com.

[Ryan Moynihan]

I did end up stopping by the New Wheel. Staff was very friendly but due to the summer demand they are only working on e-bikes!

Decided to give Big Swingin' Cycles a call (even though it's a bit of jaunt for me). They were able to look at my bike that day, checked out the frame, bled and installed new pads for the disc breaks, fixed some chain noise, had it back within 24hrs. I also did a bike fit with them, nothing very technical (though there was a more expensive video option) but I'm pretty happy with the results. Would highly recommend!

Ryan

[Jason Thorpe]

> On Jul 29, 2021, at 10:34 AM, Ryan Moynihan <rmoy...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Decided to give Big Swingin' Cycles a call (even though it's a bit of jaunt for me). They were able to look at my bike that day, checked out the frame, bled and installed new pads for the disc breaks, fixed some chain noise, had it back within 24hrs. I also did a bike fit with them, nothing very technical (though there was a more expensive video option) but I'm pretty happy with the results. Would highly recommend!

Big Swingin’ Cycles is a solid shop — I’ve bought 2 bikes from them. Brian and his crew are top shelf.

-- thorpej

[Chris Ryan]

Ah, good to know about TNW! (They offer service memberships for the ebike they sell, so I expect they feel obliged to make sure they can provide service to them.)

Also filing the rec re Big Swinging…I’ve been taking my bikes over to Uri at Swell, who does a great job, but it’s always nice to have a backup!

> On Jul 29, 2021, at 4:12 PM, Jason Thorpe <thor...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> 

> --
> http://sf2g.com
> ---
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "SF2G" group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to sf2g+uns...@googlegroups.com.

> To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/sf2g/FA5160E7-8B08-429A-A840-0519C1B8E38E%40gmail.com.

[Janice Tan]

Sorry they were busy but +1 on New Wheel - great service and staff

[Ryan Moynihan]

Yeah, the dude I talked to was very nice. Seemed to pain him that he couldn’t help me out haha. We still chatted for like 10 mins and he recommended a couple of other places in the mission.  I may try to utilize them in the winter when it’s less busy.

Ryan

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/sf2g/fc9baa0b-8c4c-4b1f-97a7-5c5c821fc381n%40googlegroups.com.

[scott :)]

I gave big swinging cycles a try (Van Ness@vallejo)

Happy customer.

Appt via phone only - easy

Shop open on time - solid

Repairs - honest & fair price

Perceived knowledge - high

Communication - good / verbose

Sarcasm - comedic

Would return - yes

Timely - repairs done same day as stated

Estimated price - the original stated repairs as quoted, they did  sell me additional parts but explanation was acceptable

Negatives - distance far from my place but worth it.

Would give new wheel a try but they said won't service bikes not sold from new wheel

[A]

I haven’t had any luck with this in the city or South Bay since the pandemic. The people at Valencia can get overwhelmed with the number of customers to staff since they are on the main bicycle freeway and I think they have had also had to deal with a lot of theft which creates that vibe…if you shop on the other side regularly there for bikes/accessories they get to know you though.

I actually drive with my bike all the way north to Mill Valley Cycleworks on Miller Ave. (they might have resold or renamed themselves during the pandemic?) They have fixed multiple bikes for years for me and done it right every time and it’s always a huge peace of mind when descending down a mountain, with no guardrail, when a fox runs right out right in front of you…

You can also get all of your shoes and luggage (all kinds) fixed right there at Tony’s place and make a day out of it. 

Tutto il rosa della vita!