Non-snooty bike shop needed

[valvashon]

Speaking of bikes, the recent discovery of one on the boulevard practically in front of my house has led to the Mrs. suggesting I get our old, slightly rusty and not ridden for 10+ years bikes out of the shed. We are the proud owners of a C Itoh and a Schwinn World Sport. I’m pretty handy, doing most of the car repairs around here but might need some help on how to get the bikes working again. In particular, one of my derailleur cables is broken at the head and I’m pretty sure my rims need truing. Probably some bearing packing as well, along with new 27x 1 1/4 tires all around.

What I need is a recommendation for a bike shop (anywhere in Seattle) who will be willing to help me and sell me parts for these old things and not say “the dumpster is out back; why don’t you come up front and look at something better”.

I know there must be a shop that handles us budget conscious, casual bikers (and bikers to be).

Thanks-

Val

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[Sue]

My husband has been taking his bike lately to Cycle U, which just moved to 3418 Harbor Ave. SW (near ActivSpace, Luna Park Cafe). He has a Schwinn that is definitely not a trendy nor new bike, but he’s an avid rider and they’ve helped him a lot with tune-ups, repairs, and ordering parts for it as needed. I can ask him to take a look at this thread and let you know if he has anything to add, but I don’t get the impression that they’ve been snooty to him or trying to upsell him to a “better” bike.

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[amalia]

If it can be done, Cycle U will do it, sans judgment. Best LBS ever.

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[amalia]

[Local Bike Shop]

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[datamuse]

Another chime-in for Cycle U. I bought my bike there so of course they work on it, but as other comments indicate, they’ll work on yours whether you bought it there or not. Efficient, super nice, and FAST—our bikes are always ready earlier than estimated.

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[Smythe]

I had a pretty bad experience at cycle u a while ago so I avoid them whenever advance planning is involved. I’ll still shop there in a pinch (they’re a couple of blocks from my house after all) but personally I don’t care for the “bike shop attitude” I’ve gotten from them. To be fair it was when they were at the other location by Alaska and fauntleroy, so maybe they’ve cleaned house since the move.

The most laid back, honest and all around helpful bike shop I’ve been to is Dutch Bike Co in Ballard. Anyone can be a wrench, but the folks there are incredibly welcoming, they do great work and the shop has a lot of personality. This is coming from someone who is just a guy with a bike, as opposed to a “cyclist”.. As Seattle grows its resources for cycling in town there is an increasing demand for regular folks on city bikes who aren’t looking for race gear or a lofty attitude about tech; Dutch Bike caters to that group.

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[babalou]

don’t know if they’re still there but Wright Bros. in Fremont are laid back, back in the day would actually show you how to work on your own bike; they called it a European shop due to the casual atmosphere

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