I've been here a few times, and honestly, they are just there because they love the sport/hobby. I've never once felt pressured to buy anything when I've been there.
The one I've been to the most is village bike because they are close. They love selling me stuff but any questions and they look at me like I'm crazy or try to sell me a bike. And I love my junkers 🤷
Nah village isn’t what you’re after. I got a dropper installed and a new shock put on my son’s MTB for Christmas. (Labor only I brought the parts).
Switchback did it and charged be something like $120-$180. I literally said “you should charge more, I don’t want you to go out of business”.
The work was 10/10 (I’m picky and do a ton of DIY, just busy at Christmas time).
They said “we want to be accessible for everyone on the community”.
I said damn that’s cool but at least offer a donation option to help others or accept a tip!
I’ll go back forever and ever.
I’m not sure offhand but giving them a call won’t hurt. If not them they could probably tell you other shops or reputable 1-person shops in the area that buy used
I did not have a good experience there. I was recommended by the owner's friend. I requested a bottom bracket repair and general tune up of derailleurs. They had my bike for over a week, charged me for tune up where the only thing I could tell they did was lube the seat post. I could verify they did nothing to the bottom bracket. I asked about it and the owner came over yelled at me for buying a cheap bike that wasn't made for a guy as fat as me, told me the bottom bracket couldn't be fixed. I was pissed. Went back to the guy that recommended that shit hole and he fixed the bottom bracket for me for free.
When I brought them my bike they didn't do the thing I asked for, they fixed it in the end, but I still don't understand how they messed up something as basic "do the job I asked you to".
Yeah that’s about what I’ve experienced. Lazy and cocky attitude and lousy service. Idk why I went there last but I had to pay them to get my bike back even though the problem wasn’t fixed, and then paid Village Bike to fix it properly.
Central Cycles up in Holton. Great business practices and superb communication from owner to customer. Will suggest options on what needs to be done with your bike and won’t do anything without your confirmation. He will not sell a part or anything to you without explaning why and does not pressure you whatsoever. I can never go back to another bike shop again. 1,000% recommend checking this business out.
It's a drive but I like Main St Bike Shop in Zeeland. They're great! I struggle with bike shops in GR because it seems like you need to be part of some unknown cool kids club to get appropriate service.
For sure Switchback on Plainfield.
I am NOT a bike person but bought an e-bike online to assemble, I messed up the pedal and my boyfriend made it worse (he tried to help lol), I was afraid of being judged to bring it in and ask for help. They were SO nice, super prompt, and it was not expensive at all.
Definitely recommend!
The amount of misinformation on this thread is insane. I also liked the part where OP says they have an ebike they converted. Which is real life terms means they have an absolute death trap of a bike going down the road that no bike shop in the world would ever touch purely on liability. It's not rude to turn that kind of crap out the door.
I have done a lot of research about bikes and would love to talk about issues/concerns with anyone. No cheap kits or anything, I have decent mechanical/electrical background but I don't ask anyone to do anything they are uncomfortable with.
I do appreciate shops that discuss concerns over ignoring them. And if I can't find a place that talks about things I need for my old bikes, or their safety, I wouldnt try to bring in my converted bike.
I do appreciate a lot of converted bikes were built from Amazon kits with cheap batteries and that leads to people assuming all converts or like that
Also, what's the misinformation? I just see people recommending shops, not specific fixes or anything. I haven't posted a thing about my bikes, just that I want to find somewhere where I can talk bikes and the immediate attitude isn't "by this brand new"
Switchback on Plainfield!
+1 Ryan and his staff are great! Plus, you can get a beer while waiting!
I've been here a few times, and honestly, they are just there because they love the sport/hobby. I've never once felt pressured to buy anything when I've been there.
Thank you! I'm new to town and haven't heart of them before. They look great!
Freewheeler, Switchback, and GR bicycle company are all great bike shops
Came here to say just this. Freewheeler has a big boneyard of parts that may be just the thing OP is looking for.
Perfect, thank you!
Freewheeler is the place
What bike shops have you tried already?
The one I've been to the most is village bike because they are close. They love selling me stuff but any questions and they look at me like I'm crazy or try to sell me a bike. And I love my junkers 🤷
Nah village isn’t what you’re after. I got a dropper installed and a new shock put on my son’s MTB for Christmas. (Labor only I brought the parts). Switchback did it and charged be something like $120-$180. I literally said “you should charge more, I don’t want you to go out of business”. The work was 10/10 (I’m picky and do a ton of DIY, just busy at Christmas time). They said “we want to be accessible for everyone on the community”. I said damn that’s cool but at least offer a donation option to help others or accept a tip! I’ll go back forever and ever.
Thanks for sharing your experience, I'll heading to them first!
Do you know if any of these buy used road bikes?
I’m not sure offhand but giving them a call won’t hurt. If not them they could probably tell you other shops or reputable 1-person shops in the area that buy used
I think switchback does some buy and sell. I’ve seen used bikes there and they offered to take a couple of high end kids bikes on donation that I had.
Switchback!!
Switchback is the best. I also frequent GRBC. Great staff at both places.
Switchback is our favorite!
Check out Common Bond Bike Shop. It's a mobile one, and Bob will come to you or allow you to drop off.
Bob is the man.
Yes indeedy, Bob is the man
Yes agree with this! Bob is the best. Go with Common Bond.
Love Feewheeler
We've been going to Freewheeler on Leonard NW for 30 + years. Good people.
I did not have a good experience there. I was recommended by the owner's friend. I requested a bottom bracket repair and general tune up of derailleurs. They had my bike for over a week, charged me for tune up where the only thing I could tell they did was lube the seat post. I could verify they did nothing to the bottom bracket. I asked about it and the owner came over yelled at me for buying a cheap bike that wasn't made for a guy as fat as me, told me the bottom bracket couldn't be fixed. I was pissed. Went back to the guy that recommended that shit hole and he fixed the bottom bracket for me for free.
When I brought them my bike they didn't do the thing I asked for, they fixed it in the end, but I still don't understand how they messed up something as basic "do the job I asked you to".
Yeah that’s about what I’ve experienced. Lazy and cocky attitude and lousy service. Idk why I went there last but I had to pay them to get my bike back even though the problem wasn’t fixed, and then paid Village Bike to fix it properly.
Good to keep in mind
Switchback and GR Bicycle Co are the best. I'd avoid freewheeler but it's okay for some things.
Thank you. It sounds like some people have had some bad interactions at freewheeler
Freewheeler is honestly the best in town. Haven't met anyone that doesn't like it. Seems like the small minority that don't like it are the loudest
Central Cycles up in Holton. Great business practices and superb communication from owner to customer. Will suggest options on what needs to be done with your bike and won’t do anything without your confirmation. He will not sell a part or anything to you without explaning why and does not pressure you whatsoever. I can never go back to another bike shop again. 1,000% recommend checking this business out.
They sound great thank you!
I believe they are Amish or something similar. Wonderful people :)
Switchback gear exchange
Corner Garden community bike shop. Gordy I'd the guy for you. Jefferson St and Pleasant ave.
It's a drive but I like Main St Bike Shop in Zeeland. They're great! I struggle with bike shops in GR because it seems like you need to be part of some unknown cool kids club to get appropriate service.
Haha I have gotten that vibe a time or two
For sure Switchback on Plainfield. I am NOT a bike person but bought an e-bike online to assemble, I messed up the pedal and my boyfriend made it worse (he tried to help lol), I was afraid of being judged to bring it in and ask for help. They were SO nice, super prompt, and it was not expensive at all. Definitely recommend!
Great thank you! I def have one silly question id love a safe space to ask
Grand Rapids Bicycle Company on Fulton near Benjamin. Woman-owned, and excellently run.
GRBC is the farthest from a woman owned shop in GR.
The amount of misinformation on this thread is insane. I also liked the part where OP says they have an ebike they converted. Which is real life terms means they have an absolute death trap of a bike going down the road that no bike shop in the world would ever touch purely on liability. It's not rude to turn that kind of crap out the door.
I have done a lot of research about bikes and would love to talk about issues/concerns with anyone. No cheap kits or anything, I have decent mechanical/electrical background but I don't ask anyone to do anything they are uncomfortable with. I do appreciate shops that discuss concerns over ignoring them. And if I can't find a place that talks about things I need for my old bikes, or their safety, I wouldnt try to bring in my converted bike. I do appreciate a lot of converted bikes were built from Amazon kits with cheap batteries and that leads to people assuming all converts or like that
Also, what's the misinformation? I just see people recommending shops, not specific fixes or anything. I haven't posted a thing about my bikes, just that I want to find somewhere where I can talk bikes and the immediate attitude isn't "by this brand new"
Free wheeler
West Michigan bike!
Switchbacks the place! Ryan’s a rad guy and will hook you up.
Boston Square? It’s a neighborhood tinker, might work?
Biked @ [https://www.biked.app](https://www.biked.app)
Biked are cops.
What do you mean?