Bike fixes on the cheap?
August 21, 2013 5:30 PM Subscribe
What's the cheapest place in Philly that I can get a decent bike tune up done?
I live in West Philly. And I'm trying to stay on a fairly tight budget until I get work rolling again. Bought a bike on Craigslist today and need to take it in for a tune-up among a few other things. I live on the western edge of UCity, and within walking distance of there would be ideal but not necessary if another place does a good job for a great price. Thanks!
I live in West Philly. And I'm trying to stay on a fairly tight budget until I get work rolling again. Bought a bike on Craigslist today and need to take it in for a tune-up among a few other things. I live on the western edge of UCity, and within walking distance of there would be ideal but not necessary if another place does a good job for a great price. Thanks!
Also check out Via Bikes on 9th street just below South. I know that the Via does great work, but I don't know if they're less expensive than Firehouse. Plus they're in S Philly, so it's a hump.
posted by chosemerveilleux at 5:51 PM on August 21, 2013
posted by chosemerveilleux at 5:51 PM on August 21, 2013
Best answer: Firehouse (the store at 50th and Baltimore above Satellite) is probably your closest shop, and they're solid, but I've been most impressed with the service at Bicycle Therapy at 22nd and South.
That said, your cheapest option is probably taking it to one of the neighborhood bike works co-ops and learning to do your own repairs. Closest to you would be 40th and Locust. Disclaimer: I haven't made it to one of these yet, but I've known some of the regular volunteers, and they know their stuff.
posted by ActionPopulated at 6:03 PM on August 21, 2013
That said, your cheapest option is probably taking it to one of the neighborhood bike works co-ops and learning to do your own repairs. Closest to you would be 40th and Locust. Disclaimer: I haven't made it to one of these yet, but I've known some of the regular volunteers, and they know their stuff.
posted by ActionPopulated at 6:03 PM on August 21, 2013
Yeah, NBW is the best cheapest close option, and Firehouse would be the best close pay-for-service option. Keswick is also new to West Philly (40xx Locust), though they've been around in the burbs for ages, and I can't speak to their abilities.
Beyond "close":
Jonas Mendoza at Breakaway (19xx Chestnut) is a great guy and great mechanic, though I don't know if he's doing any actual wrenching anymore.
Richie Cortez used to be at Breakaway, and was at Elite before that, but he's left to open his own shop, Philadelphia Bikesmith, at 19th and Spring Garden, and he does top notch work.
I think Montana is still at Breakaway, and he's good.
My favorite local is Bicycle Revolutions, run by Fuzzy Bryan Vanarsdale, who was the lead mechanic at Bicycle Therapy for a while and then left to open his own shop. Bryan does more wheel builds now and leaves the other mechanic work for his crew, but they're great folks.
The few times I've been to Via, they've given me the hard sell, and didn't seem to be able to back it up.
posted by The Michael The at 6:55 PM on August 21, 2013
Beyond "close":
Jonas Mendoza at Breakaway (19xx Chestnut) is a great guy and great mechanic, though I don't know if he's doing any actual wrenching anymore.
Richie Cortez used to be at Breakaway, and was at Elite before that, but he's left to open his own shop, Philadelphia Bikesmith, at 19th and Spring Garden, and he does top notch work.
I think Montana is still at Breakaway, and he's good.
My favorite local is Bicycle Revolutions, run by Fuzzy Bryan Vanarsdale, who was the lead mechanic at Bicycle Therapy for a while and then left to open his own shop. Bryan does more wheel builds now and leaves the other mechanic work for his crew, but they're great folks.
The few times I've been to Via, they've given me the hard sell, and didn't seem to be able to back it up.
posted by The Michael The at 6:55 PM on August 21, 2013
I would recommend against Breakaway. I bought my bike there new and had nothing but problems with the crankset and headset that they could not fix properly. In addition to being expensive, they seemed unable to fix problems with a brand-new ride. Not confidence inspiring.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 8:36 PM on August 21, 2013
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 8:36 PM on August 21, 2013
If you want to do it yourself, you can learn how at one of your local bike collectives.
posted by aniola at 10:55 PM on August 21, 2013
posted by aniola at 10:55 PM on August 21, 2013
Here is the Neighborhood Bike Works branch in West Philly. Looks like they're open most evenings.
posted by aniola at 11:00 PM on August 21, 2013
posted by aniola at 11:00 PM on August 21, 2013
Response by poster: Thanks for the suggestions everyone. Got initial work done at Firehouse. Brake pads and a flat replacement for the price of just the flat at other places from what I've heard.
Turns out the bike I got needs a bit more work: another flat, replacing the 5-gear cassette to match the 8-gear drivetrain (it was a reconstruct - apparently a rather careless one), and general tuning up and wheel truing.
Headed over to Bike Works today and got the first bit of work done. Super cheap and I'm learning how to fix it up myself. Highly recommended for anyone else. Especially if you're on a budget or like working with tools.
posted by Flashbullzeye at 8:52 PM on August 24, 2013
Turns out the bike I got needs a bit more work: another flat, replacing the 5-gear cassette to match the 8-gear drivetrain (it was a reconstruct - apparently a rather careless one), and general tuning up and wheel truing.
Headed over to Bike Works today and got the first bit of work done. Super cheap and I'm learning how to fix it up myself. Highly recommended for anyone else. Especially if you're on a budget or like working with tools.
posted by Flashbullzeye at 8:52 PM on August 24, 2013
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by chosemerveilleux at 5:45 PM on August 21, 2013