Recycle-A-Bicycle

Great shop. I know a decent amount about bikes and tuning em up so when i dropped my wife and I’s bikes off for a tune up I was expecting the usual pretentious bike shop attitude. Refreshingly there wasn’t any — we talked about what needed to be done and the quick turnaround and repair costs made this my go-​to bike shop.

Great organization, and an good place to buy a refurbished bike.

Had a really good experience here buying a used bike. They were super patient with me and answered all my newbie questions without judgement or attitude.
Susan the manager was absolutely fantastic. Best bike store in NYC.

Always knowledgeable and creative in terms of solutions. If they don’t have it, they’ll send you to another bike shop they recommend, no problem. Since I usually work on my own bikes and go in for particular issues, I normally talk with Susan, who has offered me plenty of advice, suggestions, or once-​overs. Never pushy or stuck up, this is how a bike shop should be. And it’s not out to make a profit, so when prices seem high, remember they are a non-​profit only open part-​time (so they can offer workshops) and paying rent in DUMBO.
Support your quality and friendly LBS!

The usual bike store attitude/​sneers from the fixie-​riding hipsters who work there, but the prices for repairs are relatively cheap and the work is semi-​decent. (I had them replace a rear wheel on an old junker and they luckily had a used one in stock which saved me some dough, but the woman who did the work literally spent 20 minutes noodling with the brake and it still rubbed the wheel when I left — typical). The used bike prices looked pretty inflated to me, but DUMBO is a playground for the rich now so no surprises there either. If you can get across the bridge to Bike Works do that, otherwise this is better than most of the truly awful choices in Brownstone Brooklyn.

I have gone here on a few different occasions with some minor repair questions. the past 2 times I have been there I have left dissapointed in the advice given to me. first time I went in wanting my headset replaced. I had some play in the headset and my stem and handlebars felt squishy.
I went in and asked if they could replace the headset, to which both mechanics told me that this was strange and a new headset wont fix the problem, that my steerer tube was bent and I need a new fork (on a brand new factory direct frame)
I am not new to this bike repair thing. I do most of my repairs and have built 5 or 6 complete bikes before. there are only a couple things I dont have the tools for.
Since I dont have a headset press or the tools nessecary to remove the old one, I took it to 718 cyclery and installed a new headset and have had no problems since then. no bent fork like they said.
Went back about a week later with a bike rebuild I was working on. I needed a shorter spinde for an odd sized bottom bracket. I told them and they looked at the bottom bracket with utter surprise. The same two mechanics from the last time say they have NEVER seen a bottom bracket like that and I should just scrap it and get a special conversion kit for it. they didnt open it up and try to understand what it was or even measure anything or offer any immediate solution.
I left disspointed that I couldnt get the part from them, and googled «oversized bottom bracket» to return hundreds of results telling me exactly how to fix the problem (one of them being 718 cyclery’s blog). I found out the problem with a simple google search but neither of the mechanics thought to do this with the computer right in front of them.
Both instances I went in looking for help and advice to repair my bike and left with no better grasp on the problem than I had before I entered and no solutions. all I wanted to do was give them my money to fix or buy parts for my bike and both times they turned me away saying I had bigger problems.
I wanted to support these guys for the charity aspect. But I dont feel I can trust the mechanics to give me repair advice any more than I can trust a Google search.

I came in wanting to buy a road bike.
The selection was smaller than I’d hoped/​anticipated (only 4 road bikes and maybe 6 mountain bikes), so they didn’t have the frame size I needed.
Still, the woman who helped me out was extremely friendly and helped me figure out the size I need even after discerning that she wouldn’t be able to sell me anything.
I’m disappointed I wasn’t able to buy a bike there. For me the little extra $$ would have been worth sizing help and assurance that all the parts were in good condition and working order.

By far, the best bicycle shop I’ve ever visited. The folks that work there are knowledgeable, nice, and always willing to take the time (if you want) to help you understand how to care for your ride. As an added bonus, their repairs are usually less expensive than other bike shops.
Recycle-​A-​Bicycle: I love you. Don’t ever change.

Some of the other reviews have me confused. I do not understand them. Let me describe my experience at Recycle-​A-​Bicycle, and perhaps you can help to put it in perspective.
I called first asking about a simple adjustment to my front brakes and asked when they closed. «7 PM», I was told. So, I made my way all three blocks from home to RaB.
Nice guy tweaked my brakes. Done in 2 minutes. I looked around and bought a few things I needed. I liked the recycle a bicycle idea and the non-​profit idea. There were three staff working and a nice Pandora playlist auto-​segueing on some old speakers.
We got to talking. Here, there, anywhere. Frozen florists in Texas. «Going To The Sun Road» in Glacier. Retiring in Paris … you know, all the usual stuff.
They handed me a handmade cigarette of what they referred to as their ‘house specialty.’ We smoked that for a while and I took out some old, reposado Tequila, that I had been carrying around. Talked and talked, then realized it was near 7 PM. They closed the shop, and just as they were shutting off the lights and locking the door, a deep ruby red, convertible Lincoln Continental pulled up with a driver and bodyguard inside.
We all piled in the back of the Lincoln and it took off. The driver stopped at Pier 1, on Old Fulton Street. I followed the RaB folks as we walked to the ferry dock and boarded a silver and black, cigarette boat. The cigarette boat had an all-​french-​speaking crew, dressed like Air France flight attendants. We sipped champagne and talked and talked. I think I recall there being some very nice cheese and grapes, but, quite frankly, I cannot say for certain if that was the case.
The cigarette boat dropped us across the East River at Pier 11 where the same ruby red Lincoln was waiting for us. The driver took us to the heliport and we boarded a large, black helicopter with dark, tinted windows. We could see the sunset as we approached Atlantic City and it was then that I realized the silver and black, cigarette boat was approaching from the open ocean.
Quite honestly, I cannot remember much of what happened the rest of the evening, though I did wake up the next morning in the Loire Valley in France with my newly repaired bicycle outside the château. It was already nearly 10 AM and I decided it was high time thatI go for a ride and find some breakfast and eau-​de-​vie.
I don’t know about some of the rest of the RaB customers, but I have no complaints.
TTFN

It is unfortunately the only bicycle shop in Dumbo and they’re horrible. Hands down the rudest, most inconsiderate, unhelpful, unfriendly neighbors one can imagine. They have the monopoly on the are and they know it, and they take advantage of it and treat the neighborhood bikers like pieces of crap. I’ve literally started talking my bike on the train one stop to East Broadway and walking it to Franks Bike Shop (which is awesome, unpretentious, inexpensive, friendly and helpful) in order to avoid going to this place which is right outside my building. That’s how dedicated I am to NOT giving them my business. I urge you to do the same. THEY SUCK. If I could give them less than one star I would.

I came in to find some inexpensive used parts for a bike I’m restoring. I left with exactly what I wanted and more. The shop wasn’t very busy and the staff was happy to help me with what I was looking for as well as answering some questions that nagging me for a while about my bike. Very friendly and very large variety of new and used parts. I will definitely frequent this shop more often. Plus, all the proceeds go to charity. Not your usual hip bike shop for sure!

I think people forget about Recycle a Bicycle’s true motives.
Although all these bikes are donations that are then reused as parts to make a newer bicycle, the prices that people pay for a bike are actually going to more than just rent. They have a plan to teach kids how to fix things and thus improve their morale and self esteem.
I didn’t think they were so snobby when I dropped off my bike. A wonder woman sized lady came out and even helped us get the bikes out of our SUV. They were really nice about it.

I tend to do my own repairs, I’ve gone to Recycle-​A-​Bicycle few times to get parts. The staff has been helpful and they have a very good inventory of weird parts.
Last month while working on my bike I broke a chain ring bolt. I was certain I would have to replace the whole chain ring because this was a rare design. As a stab in the dark I swung by Recycle-​A-​Bicycle. Long story short, after showing them what I was looking for one of mechanics dug around their shop and found an exact match. I was thrilled. Thanks.
I only wish they had more accessories, but I’m not going to tell them how to run their business.

I go here primarily because my office is in DUMBO. I drop my bike off on my lunch break and pick it up when I leave work always had a really reliable turn around time. The repairs I’ve had done have all gone well — no complaints — and I’ve always gotten great service. One time I forgot to leave my wheel key behind, they called me 15min later to remind me to bring it back — which made me feel they were really on it.
This place isn’t cheap, but they do quality work, plus they’re a non-​profit that works with kids & bikes — which is a super awesome idea.

Friendly mechanics, nice space, and reasonable bikes. Awesome that the $$ spent here goes toward a good cause! I was 100% happy with my purchase here, and had all kinds of good feelings about my purchase, from being happy that I was supporting a non-​profit and not a slimy capitalist, to the lady mechanics, and also getting a sweet bike and having nice, supportive sales people who helped and informed me without making me feel silly while testing out the bikes.
I bought a used bike and the workers were friendly and helpful. I was amazed by the amount of work they put into the bike when you purchase it. I got a really beautiful used bike, and they overhauled the whole thing and also provide a 30 day warranty (they also insisted that I come back in 30 days for a check-​up). I walked away with an amazing road bike that is perfect for me for only $ 295. I had been thinking about a new bike for a while before I made the purchase, and really feel like I got a sweet deal for NYC, and immediately enjoyed a long, beautiful bike ride the day I picked it up.
I have already recommended this spot to friends for used bikes. A feel-​good, great NYC bike resource.

Wow. Everyone hates this place. I don’t.
I first liked these guys back in the day (last year) when I brought in the bike I was riding for a tune-​up. The bike I was riding was a too-​small-​for-​me women’s mountain bike. And they didn’t even smirk. Points there.
Last fall, my bike was stolen. Dicks. Finally, a couple of weeks ago I paid too much money for a Trek 7000 on Craiglist, an older yet reliable model (I should have gotten another women’s mountain bike. They’re always cheaper.). After dumping a bunch of money into it at bike shop near my job in Brooklyn Heights that didn’t know what the hell they were doing, I took my bike to Ye Olde Trusty Recycle-​a– Bicycle.
Now, I know nothing about bikes, which I why it is very important for me to deal with bike mechanics who can help me and also decipher what I am saying. Because I turn into an inarticulate crazy person whilst talking about my bike/​problems. It’s a very emotional event for me.
Female Mechanic: Hi, what’s up?
Me: Uh, my bike. My bike’s all… fucked up. I… can’t ride it right.
FM: Ok, what’s wrong with it?
Me: It’s hard to ride. Really hard. The last bike shop did something weird. I don’t know why. I think the wheels weren’t trued right. Maybe. My legs stretch too much when I ride it. It takes a lot of effort for me to ride it. I want to sit up more, I think. Can you make it so I can sit up more?
FM: Well, we can try this but it’s going to cost you like $ 75.
Me: Ok.
FM: Or we can try THIS and it’ll cost you less but it may not work.
Me: Sure.
FM: So which one do you want to try?
Me: You pick. What do you think? I don’t know. I’ll do anything to sit up more on the bike. Also, please tell me I didn’t make a mistake in buying this bike. All I want to do is ride a bike again, you know? Did I make a mistake in buying this bike?
FM: Uhh…
And it worked! My bike is all awesome! I’m not all fetal riding a bike now, AND I don’t have to ride the train anymore like the regular people. Thank God.

I’ve been going to this place for a couple years since our office moved to DUMBO. Overall they are very resourceful, friendly, and have almost always sent me riding away happy.
They’re fast, reasonably priced, and would rather fix your bike up with parts they have lying around than sell you stuff you don’t need.
Recently, I came in on a Thursday needing to get a bike ready for a duathlon race that Saturday morning (never raced since we had our first son born that morning). Chris was super nice to rearrange their schedule and have it ready by Friday.
I’d been hit by a car and the shifters looked in rough shape, so I agreed to pay for a replacement set. Turns out they repaired them with cleaning and cables, saving me over $ 150. Every other bike store would’ve replaced the shifters and pocketed the money.
They’ve also been quite helpful showing how to align the back tire on my fixed gear and pull cold tires over rims.
Why not 5 stars? Well, the selection of stuff and gear is limited, but they certainly make the most of what they have.

I have been to this place twice now (becuase it’s right around the corner from me at work) and I can appreciate what the other reviewers have said about it. I wouldn’t exactly call them «snobs» because you can’t be snobby about recycled bikes. (Yes, it is ME that is the snob…)
What I can say is that I went in there the first time and got whatever it was that I got fixed, but asked the mechanic to change the brakes. He looked at my brakes and told me they were still good. I don’t know whay I didn’t argue with him, but lo and behold, about a week or two later, my brakes failed me, I got hit by a car and ended the day with twelve stitches in my knee and on crutches for the next two weeks.
Not very bike friendly, wouldn’t you say?
So I went back after I was well and mentioned my accident to the mechanic and he kind of turned away and didn’t say anything. I figured he wouldn’t, as he had some part in my accident. (Don’t get me wrong, I know I could have cahnged the brakes somewhere else, but to tell someone that is asking about fixing their BRAKES must be attended to. Period.)
I can’t say for sure if I will totally boycott this place, as bike shops are few and far between in Brooklyn, but I will definitely not let those guys tell me anything different that I know is right.

I only gave one star because I had to to write the review. This place has cocky full of themselves employees, who despite their store name and concept, have no real value for recycling anything. This place made me, the customer, feel like I was inconveniencing them. I found better [and free] help from… the Performance Bike shop– where although they sell new bikes– were encouraging and helped bring my rusty yard sale bike back to life– for a total of $ 30. Recycle a Bike = $ 200 minimum. You choose.
p. s. if you do a little research, there is a different recycle-​bike place out there that lets you just pick out all pieces that you need, [i.e. two wheels, a frame, pedals, etc.] and they put it together for you– $ 50 and you’re out the door with… literally, a recycled bike.

This place totally sucks. Never ever go here with anything positive happening in your life, b/​c they will ruin your mood. The staff is the cockiest, dirtiest, bunch of bicycle assheads who are too high and mighty to be of any service to you. We walked in just thinking it’s a cool idea to get a used, reconditioned bike, but they treated us like we were idiots and sent my girlfriend out on the verge of tears. The cheapest bike is somewhere around 200 hundred dollars, and it’s crappier than anything you’ll find on Craigslist or by that dumpster behind your apartment. Never, ever, EVER go to Recycle-​A-​Bicycle. And Do NOT donate your bike here either. There are far better organizations out there.