Repairs / bikes / service / things people whisper
Questions are free. The parts usually aren't.
Here are the questions we hear most often about repairs, tune-ups, bike sales, fitting, e-bikes, appointments, pricing, turnaround times, and whether that sound is technically supposed to happen.
It almost never is.
Repairs
Something is making a noise.
Excellent. We have built a surprising amount of infrastructure around that exact situation.
Do I need an appointment for a repair?
Not always. Walk-ins are welcome for assessments, flat repairs, quick adjustments, and smaller jobs. Larger repairs may be scheduled depending on workload and parts availability.
How long does a tune-up take?
Most standard tune-ups are completed within a few business days. Spring rushes, major repairs, unusual parts, and bicycles that arrive with twenty years of emotional history can take longer.
Can you work on a bike I didn't buy here?
Absolutely. Bikes from other shops, online retailers, direct-to-consumer companies, secondhand marketplaces, family garages, and mysterious sheds are all welcome.
Will you tell me the price before doing the work?
Yes. We inspect the bicycle, explain what we found, and provide an estimate before larger work begins. If we discover something unexpected after disassembly, we contact you before adding significant work.
My bike only makes the noise when I ride it. Is that useful?
Very. Tell us when it happens: pedaling, braking, standing, climbing, turning, hitting bumps, or immediately after saying, “Watch this.” Context helps narrow things down.
Specialty service
Not broken. Just suspicious.
Fitting, wheel building, assembly, upgrades, and all the things between “fine” and “finally right.”
Do you offer bike fitting?
Yes. Fitting can address saddle height, reach, handlebar position, cleat setup, recurring discomfort, efficiency, and general “I can't explain it but this feels wrong.”
Can you install parts I already bought?
Usually. Bring the bike and the component. We'll confirm compatibility before installation. This step has prevented many beautiful boxes from becoming expensive desk decorations.
Do you build custom wheels?
Yes. Custom wheel work can include rim, hub, spoke, nipple, tension, dish, and intended-use planning, followed by proper building and truing.
Can you assemble a bike I purchased online?
Yes. New-bike assembly can include unpacking, cockpit installation, wheel installation, torque checks, brake setup, shifting adjustment, safety inspection, and final setup.
Bikes
Yes, you can sit on it first.
We strongly support checking whether the bicycle actually fits the human purchasing it.
Can I test ride a bike before buying it?
Yes, where appropriate and safe. We want you to feel the size, position, handling, and general personality of the bike before committing to it.
How do I know what bike size I need?
Height is only a starting point. Proportions, mobility, riding style, frame geometry, reach, and intended use all matter. We help narrow the size and setup before declaring victory.
Do new bikes come fully assembled?
Bikes purchased through the demo shop are professionally assembled, adjusted, inspected, and prepared for riding before pickup.
What if the bike I want isn't in stock?
Ask us. Depending on the model, size, supplier, and season, we may be able to order it or recommend something genuinely comparable rather than pointing dramatically at the next bike over.
E-bikes
Bikes, now with software.
Because apparently adjusting a derailleur was not enough excitement for one industry.
Do you service e-bikes?
We can perform many standard mechanical repairs on e-bikes, including brakes, tires, wheels, drivetrains, contact points, and general setup. Electronic diagnostics depend on the drive system and available manufacturer service access.
Can you diagnose battery or motor problems?
On supported systems, yes. Diagnostic capability varies by motor, battery, controller, firmware, manufacturer, and service platform. Contact us with the bike details first.
Do you work on conversion-kit e-bikes?
Mechanical service may be possible, but electrical support depends heavily on the kit, installation, wiring, documentation, and parts availability. We evaluate these individually.
Shop stuff
Logistics. Everybody's favorite.
Hours, storage, estimates, abandoned bicycles, and other thrilling administrative adventures.
How long can I leave my bike after the repair is finished?
Please pick it up reasonably soon after notification. Small bike shops have limited storage, and bicycles reproduce rapidly when left unattended.
Do you guarantee repair work?
We stand behind the work performed. If something related to the completed service does not seem right, contact the shop promptly so we can inspect it.
Can I get an exact estimate over the phone?
We can provide general pricing, but exact repair estimates usually require seeing the bicycle. “It makes a sound” remains difficult to invoice remotely.
What should I bring when dropping off my bike?
Bring the bicycle, any relevant keys or chargers, special accessories needed to reproduce the issue, and as much useful context as possible. You do not need to clean it until it looks new. We have seen bicycles before.
Still not answered?
Fine. Ask the extremely specific one.
Tell us what bike you have, what it is doing, when it started, and what happened immediately before it started doing that.