Bikes On Myrtle

I’ve had a few great experiences getting my commuter bike fixed here for both maintenance and emergencies. The mechanic is honest and thorough and my bike has always been in great condition when finished. All work has been fast and at good prices too.

The old man that runs this place is totally insane. He has barked at me in the past for various things… sure. It’s not OK but I dealt with it. I went in a while ago looking for prices on a few little scooters and when I walked in he was yelling at the top of his lungs at what I assumed was a family member. It wasn’t. He was screaming at this lady and he saw me standing there waiting to be helped. I thought when he noticed another customer watching you berate a customer you’d simmer down. Nope. I was so appalled and creepy crawly uncomfortable I just walked out. Bought a pretty darn expensive scooter somewhere else so… his loss. A friend just called to see if they were open and they don’t even have an answering machine with hours available. Nope nope nope.

Terrible, rude service. I was recently in the shop for a small purchase and politely informed the staff that I’d been given the wrong change. Their response was very hostile, basically accusing me of lying. They took the part back, shoved my money back and me, and told me never to come in the store again — all over a $ 10 discrepancy. Sheesh, this is no way to run a small, neighborhood business! I later bought the same part at Red Lantern Bicycles down the street, where I got great service and had the part installed free of charge.
Skip this bike store in favor of Red Lantern, Bicycle Habitat, 718 Cyclery, or any other of the numerous bicycle shop options in Brooklyn.

I filed the following complaint in writing to the owner, so excuse its formality. In case the owner does nothing, at least the Unilocal community knows.
The incident occurred with Russell the Bike Mechanic. When I walked in, he was with another customer who also looked displeased with Russell’s service, though I can’t speak for that customer.
After a few moments, Russell asked how he could help me. I told him I was looking for a helmet. «Well why didn’t you say so,» he asked rather sharply. I answered back, somewhat confused, «Because you were with someone else.?»
He pointed out a couple options, begrudgingly, didn’t have much to say about them, and never bothered to ask what I was looking for, specifically, in a helmet. So I asked to see one in particular. I mention it’s a gift so I didn’t know what size. To this, Russell seemed to get very agitated with me. As if not knowing the exact size was completely outrageous.
He tells me that there are «several sizes in the particular helmet I was interested in» and proceeded to berate me for the size I needed. I became quite offended at this and continued to tell him that I simply did not know. That, again, it was a gift, for a man, so an average male size would probably be just fine. This really got him. He rolled his eyes and continued to condescend me for not knowing what I was looking for. Which is confusing because isn’t that why he’s there?
Since it was clear we were never going to have a constructive customer-​employee interaction, I just wanted to pay for the helmet and get out immediately. There were other customers there at the time and I was embarrassed by the scene this was causing.
I said, I’ll take one size and if it doesn’t fit, we’ll return it. Telling him again, it’s a gift and I just want to surprise this person. This really set him off and in the same, condescending, rude manner he tells me «we do not accept exchanges or returns.» I said it’s fine, I wouldn’t want to come back anyway. He reminds me one more time of the exchange policy almost as if to get one final jab in before finally ringing me up.
While doing so, he is slamming the helmet down, sighing loudly, throwing things into the box that go with the helmet, grabbing my debit card from me, sighing again, acting quite childish really, while I, the customer, am spending good money for his terrible service.
I see there are other bicycle shops in the area, so it’s safe to say that I will not be returning to Urban Cycles. It seems rather irresponsible, when there are plenty of other options in the neighborhood, that an owner would allow a simple thing like good service ruin their business. I hope something is done about Russell and if he’s kept on staff, someone takes the time to show him how to treat people. Not only to rectify this issue, but to save others from going through the same thing.

These guys were super not cool about lending us a tool for two minutes.

These guys are great– very helpful, kind, find you the parts that you need and are very reasonable. They helped me customize my beach cruiser, when I know that most all shops in New York are only used to seeing road bikes.
Talk to Russell– he’s the man!

BEWARE — no exchanges or returns… even if you bring it back an hour later for an exchange.
Terrible customer service. I bought a scooter today for my husband, I spend $ 300+ on the scooter and accessories. It was a gift for my husband. When I brought it home, he said it was not the one he wanted. he tried to bring it back less than an hour later. I understand that it states no returns or exchanges on the receipt (which is printed AFTER purchase). I guess should have paid more attention to when I made the purchase, or at the very least asked. But if they actually had a sign, it was not very clear, and probably in fine print somewhere unnoticeable, as I saw nothing of the sort when making my purchase. I also purchased a light, which she forgot to hand off to me.
My husband returned, less than an hour after purchase in hopes to exchange it. We did not take the packaging off, or ride it. Also, we did not ask for a refund, but to simply exchange it for a bike, or something else right then and there. Literally an hour later, and they would not budge, explaining to me «policy».
I own a business, and understand and respect policies when it comes to exchanges and refunds. However as a small business owner, I am also sympathetic towards a purchase such as this, and feel it was bad business for them. I would have continued to give them business, but because they were not willing to work with me, at all, with no loss of money to them, I have to give them a one star.
I also do not like how the men handled speaking to me on the phone. He did not want to hear what I had to say, and kept cutting me off short as I spoke. They do not treat their customers with respect, nor have any good business values. This business will ultimately fail if they continue to do business in this manner.

This place is between 3 – 4 stars but because everybody else giving such harsh reviews, I decided to lean towards the more positive side.
I live in the next block and even though I do prefer Bicycle Station on Park and Adelphi, the better hours and location of Bikes On Myrtle make me go there quite often and I’ve never had any problems with them. Yes, the older guy is a bit grumpy, but I guess being Finnish I’m not startled by Russian stiff lipped to-​the-​point attitude. Everyone else in the shop are quite sunny in their disposition.
So if you’re looking for a simple a bit above average place to buy bikes /​bike parts or get your bike services, don’t get startled by all the negative reviews.

This place is OK, but nothing special. I went here because they had the bike I was looking at in my size (51 cm, which is hard to find in stock) and I wanted to test ride it. In the end, I decided to get a different bike altogether. They seemed pretty wedded to those MSRP prices and kept trying to talk me up on features that I wasn’t ready to upgrade yet. All in all, I didn’t feel a strong enough connection with the employees here to want to buy my bike from them. Buying my bike elsewhere.

Stopped in yesterday to have a flat fixed. I mentioned to one of them mechanics that I was going on a longish tour. He took the opportunity to try to sell me a pair of tires that I didn’t ask for and didn’t need. When he brought my bike out to me, he and the other mechanic came out and informed me that I needed a new chain, and if I didn’t replace it, the cassette would go, too. When I protested that the bike was new, they shrugged and insisted that it was bad. I left, and went to my regular bike shop (the excellent 718 Cyclery in Park Slope) and had the guys check out the chain. They said it was fine, although dirty.
Will NEVER return to Bicycles on Myrtle, unless for an emergency flat fix, and even then, would do so if I couldn’t walk a few more blocks down to red lantern.

I come here for everything bike related. Sometimes just to talk. Service is excellent and they are a wealth of information. I guess I never got to meet the Grumpy owner. Instead, I met Russell, the mechanic (Angel) and Elle. All three are especially helpful.
These folks are passionate about their bikes. And I’m forever in there just asking questions, etc. I’m giving them four stars because they have been the most friendly bike service I’ve experienced in Brooklyn and they do great work. If there ever was a grumpy old man at this store, he’s not there anymore. I think he’s been run off.

Heed all of the negative reviews. I wish I had today! This is the closest bike shop so it made sense to pop in … never again. If you don’t want customers, why open your door to the public? After being ignored for a few minutes (there weren’t any other customers), we asked politely if they knew what tube replacement would work for my bike based on the tire size, which was neatly written down on a piece of paper. At first the owner would not respond or speak to us, and when he did his manner was uncomprehensible. He beligerently told us my tire size doesn’t exist and that he knows all the tires in the world. He treated us in such a manner that I was afraid to turn my back walking out. It was very upsetting.
Go the distance to Bespoke on Lafayette instead — I called them as soon as I went home and they were wonderful and helpful. They even called me back after we hung up with further guidance.

$ 8.50 for a tube? Nope. Never. Only went here because Bicycle Station was closed today.

You know «haunted rides» at amusement parks? This place is just like that except instead of getting scared you get robbed. The whole store is mined with people and tricks to rob you blind.
For example, they have these silly and obsolete bells in the form of rubber animals and dinosaurs down below the counter and just as high so that kids can reach and play with them, but beware! If your child plays with them they might come apart (they are extremely fragile) and if they do the horrible witch who owns the store will yell at you, accuse your child of breaking it and demand that you pay over $ 40 for it.

Took my bike today for a couple of fixings, the guy saw it and explained it needed a full tune-​up. I wasn’t ready for that just yet, so they did what I needed done. They were both very nice and got the work done with in a couple of hours. I like them and look forward to the tune-​up later on this summer. :)
Thanks guys!

I’ve been here a few times. The woman who works here is very sweet and helpful. I went in for a lock, then later for lights, then for a tune up and dealt with her each time. After my tune up, she told me to bring the bike back in if I was having any problems (they replaced a brake cable).
After about three days, the same brake goes out again, so I decide to take the bike back that weekend to have them check it out again. And then things took a turn for the worse.
The old man who I guess owns the place is, by far, the most aggressive and condescending person I’ve ever encountered in a place of business. He has a heavy accent, so I thought I must be misunderstanding him when after hearing a summary of my tune up/​brake experience he told me «tough. that’s life,» and turned away.
«No, no,» I thought, «he must have said ‘Oof, come inside.» Oh, how I was mistaken.
After watching him yell at a customer for asking to borrow a tire lever to fix her flat («I don’t come over to your house and use your toothbrush! you buy your own damn tools»), he again approached me with a «what now!?»
I repeated my story, said that my brakes weren’t working and I wanted them to take a look. The rest of the conversation went like this:
Him: «Do you shower every day?»
Me: «I’m…sorry?»
Him: «Do you» *pretends to wash armpits* «shower every day?»
Me: «…yes?»
Him: «THEN YOU WASH YOUR BIKE WHEELS EVERY DAY!»
Me: «No…my brakes. The cable you put in, it’s not working. It’s been a week since I had it tuned up.»
Him: «I TOLD YOU WHY THEY AREN’T WORKING! YOU SHOWER EVERY DAY, YOU WASH YOUR BIKE WHEELS EVERY DAY!»
Me: «Are you kidding me?»
Him: «You don’t come in and get free work! You take care of your bike and maybe you have brakes!»
Flabbergasted, I leave with him still yelling at me. I called back today and spoke to the nice lady, but I think it’s her father so when I told her the story, she just said she was sorry and to bring my bike back. Don’t go here.
Or do. But at least video tape it next time.

One of the mechanics is really great. He fixed my tire, then gave the wheels and brakes a little tune up just to be nice. I really appreciated that. He also apologized when the owner was mean to me.
The owner is incredibly rude. He got within 5 inches of my face with his chest puffed up and told me loudly to back up away from the fix-​it area. There was no one in the shop and I was 5 feet from the nice guy fixing my bike. Really guy? So obnoxious.
I will never go back there because the experience was horrible. Stay away from this place! The owners are crazy!

The only reason I am giving this place more than one star is because I’ve actually had a pretty positive experience with one of their mechanics. I can’t remember what his name is, but he’s fixed a couple of bikes for me and been very honest and helpful.
The reason I’d otherwise give it one star is due to the incredibly rude and obnoxious owner/​manager.
I dropped my bike off yesterday for a tune up and received a call from the friendly mechanic regarding the status of my bike. He mentioned that it needed a few things replaced and I informed him I was literally around the corner and would stop by to talk to him about my bike. I enter the store to see him working on my bike in the back. While walking towards him, I wave to get his attention and head towards the area where my bike was being worked on. I was then physically blocked by the manager/​owner who was preventing me from getting to my bike. He said absolutely nothing. I realize English isn’t his native language, but he would neither listen to my explanation nor would he say single word to me. He simply stood in front of me and glared at me until the mechanic informed him that he had wanted me to come back there to look at my bike.
While I understand customers aren’t supposed to go into that area under normal circumstances, he didn’t have to be so damn rude. I really also appreciated that after handing him my debit card for $ 90+ in repairs and a $ 40 lock he flips the card around and holds it in front of my face. Doesn’t say a goddamn thing. Just holds it there. Glaring at me. I ask him what’s wrong repeatedly. He says nothing. A minute or two goes by. Puzzled, I then ask him if it has anything to do with my faded signature on the back (this is a common occurrence on well worn debit cards) and he tells me he needs my ID and that my card might be fake.
What an asshole. Go to Bicycle Station not to this place. Or maybe the mechanics will wise up and lock this douche in the back room during business hours. It would probably give them a big boost in business.

Basically, «Never go to this bike shop.»
My son’s tire needed to be fixed, and his seat lowered. Sounds pretty straight forward & simple. Right?
The business owner yelled at me, called me names, and told me to leave. He was screaming so loud, that I never really understood what he said or what he was so upset about.
Highlights from the owners screaming — SEE BELOW.
— «An animal understands more than you.»
— «Get out! Get out! What do you want again???»
— «Can’t you see that I am not open! Get out!»
[Note: His door was open, bikes on the side walk, worker repairing bike, and it was 11 am]
Honestly, maybe this person is insane. It felt like a surreal movie, and I was on candid camera (but I wasn’t).
Never got my son’s bike fixed. That was a shame, but he took it like a little trooper. Like I said, «Never go to this bike shop (re: Bikes on Myrtle).»

Minna, we must not be reviewing the same place, because this shop has not been there for 20 years. A couple years ago, this place was «Healthy Body Vitamin Shop.»
I’ve visited most of the bike shops in Brooklyn, and Bikes on Myrtle doesn’t rank high on my list of good experiences. I was with a friend who was new to cycling, and I brought her and her bike in for a small part. It took a few minutes before we were acknowledged by the staff (the store was dead) and when we finally were offered service by the mechanic, he gave us a bunch of attitude.
What she needed was a saddle clamp for a railed saddle. I asked the mechanic if they had one in stock and he said no, only for mountain bikes. I then asked if he could order it, or if he had some coming in and he gave me an inconclusive response that basically amounted to «I don’t know.»
We left the store abruptly, with the large number of great bike shops in Brooklyn, I don’t think it is worth giving this place a second chance.
Maybe this guy does great repairs, I don’t know, but the customer service wasn’t what I expect from a LBS. A simple smile, some eye contact, and a positive attitude is what will bring me back to a shop, and Bikes on Myrtle lacked those three components.