Seeking Washington DC bike shop

[Paul Richardson]

howdy folks--

i'm new to the greater DC metro area and looking for a new bike shop with a reliable mechanic.  any leads welcome.

thanks

paul

takoma park, md.

[Tom M]

Conte's in Old Town Alexandria is great. College Park Bikes, which is closer to you, has more of a Rivendell vibe, and they worked on our first tandem. Nice folks.

Tom Milani

Alexandria, VA

[Paul Richardson]

thanks tom!

[Elisabeth Sherwood]

Since you're up in Takoma Park, Paul, I would try Proteus Bikes (in College Park). I'm not familiar with their 

current mechanics, but they have a very good reputation.

Liz Sherwood

Washington, DC

On Thursday, October 10, 2019 at 9:52:16 AM UTC-4, Paul Richardson wrote:

[WETH]

Paul,
Silver Cycles in Silver Spring and Kensington. They are closing their Kensington shop, but I was told they’d be accepting repairs at their warehouse on Brookeville Road, where the mechanics I liked in Kensington will be working. I’ll post a phone number when I get home. Their Silver Spring shop remains open, though I do not know the mechanics there as well.
All the best,
Erl
Kensington, MD

[Justin Schoop]

Paul,

Go to Proteus and ask for Buddy. Simple as that.

[Paul Richardson]

thanks all!!  this is very helpful!

[James / Analog Cycles]

Hi Paul,  it's a bit of a drive, but Baltimore Bicycle Works has good mechanics, (some of whom I have sold Rivendells to) and they get alt bikes.  As a former DC area shop owner, this is who I have directed my old customers to.  

-james / Analog Cycles / Formerly Gravel & Grind 

On Thursday, October 10, 2019 at 9:52:16 AM UTC-4, Paul Richardson wrote:

[Bob K.]

I second James’s recommendation of Baltimore Bicycle Works as an option that’s a bit further away but worth the drive. The Belvedere Square location is home to their resident Riv expert, but both spots are staffed by super knowledgeable worker-owners who will treat you right.

Bob K. in Baltimore

[Wilson Wilson]

Head over to Proteus Bicycles. They are in College Park right next to MOMs Organics Grocers. Big parking lot, quick access to bike trail, shared bike rental, and Metro access near by. I recommend watching out for Buddy.... lol. The location is a new move for them. The original space was in the factory of the bicycle brand the name comes from until a year ago. They treat people of all economies, vintage, ability, and race equally. Their bicycle genre is vast, with a strong focus on comfort, fun, utility, and community.

[Paul Richardson]

Thanks again to all who've responded.  The folks at Proteus College Park tried to convince me that friction is outmoded and old fashioned and inferior and that the only hope for my bicycle riding the way I'd like it to is to swap my Silver bar ends for a trigger shifter.  I didn't do that, but I did still let them work on my bike.  They made some minor adjustments for $20 and I'm on my way.  Things are better so far.  I hope to never need a shop again but if I do I might make the drive up to BBW.

paul

takoma park,md.

[Wilson Wilson]

Paul, who did you speak with at Proteus? Reason why I ask is that just sounds like an odd time. I would like to contact them as I recommend them first in the area as to why this would happen. I wear their jersey on my cycling adventures.

[Steven Seelig]

Golly gosh, such a hard question that should be easy.  It is all about the interactions between ownership and the mechanics.  I spoke with a local owner last week, and he seemed to think that mechanics are commodities that are interchangeable.  I happen to think not, but the fact of the matter is that the job does not pay all that well and some owners think they can have a young person with little bedside manner doing the wrenching, since it is just a commodity.

Bicycle Space downtown is no more, and that is where I ALWAYS took my bikes.  I like the owner and the mechanics were crusty and honest.  They are now just in Ivy City and I don't really know who is left.

The Bike Rack is downtown and seems to have great mechanics, but I have a palpable dislike for the owner, so I don't go there.  They seem to win awards for best bike shop each year, so worth a try.

When it comes to servicing my older bikes, the Bicycle Pro Shop always has parts in stock and very good mechanics who were nice to me.  I also had some success with the Conte's in Ballston, depending on who did the wrenching.

[Paul Richardson]

Thanks for the input Steven.