Spokes & Strings

I’ve never left a bad Unilocal review before, but this dude really deserves one. I’d stopped in here once before, a few months ago, looking for a bike pump. He was kind of dismissive and said he didn’t carry any, which I thought was odd being that it was a bike shop, but I shrugged it off and got one in another part of town the next day.
Today I went in looking for a helmet. First off, he barely acknowledged that I was there, which didn’t matter at first since I was busy browsing the one helmet model he carries. When I saw that the only ones without a visor were size XXXL, I tried to get his attention to help me out for a second. He ignored me and kept working on the bike he was busy with. When I walked over to him in the back of the shop, I asked about the sizes and models he had, to which his response was «look, whatever’s on the rack.» He then went back to his bike.
Look, I get it, it’s NYC and I can appreciate a certain amount of surliness in a shopkeeper who is trying to get his job done and deliver good merchandise to patrons. This shop sucks though — the dude is a jerk and the only silver lining is that I found this out through little merchandise inquiries rather than giving this guy my bike to repair.

Over the years (10+) I have gotten multiple bikes from Spokes & Strings. They have always been solid, cool and reliable. Especially the kid bikes. The owner, Will, always knows my name and what I need. He takes the time to make sure that the bike fits our needs and then stands behind his product by providing excellent service (when we abuse the bike). The family travels across town because we trust Will and the bikes he crafts. I would recommend him to anyone who needs a bike, a repair or something special. They are the best in town!

Extremely rude and abrasive person with light colored hair and beard. Extreme hassle over a simple tire tube. If I hadn’t been late for work I would have walked out. Never again.

I custom-​built an NYC a number of years ago. I am not a bike geek but like the bespoke (pun unintended) aspect of it. People on the street tell me good things about my bike, so I know I got a good one.
Fast forward moving to another state and coming back — 4 years since I’ve been here — and a bracket on my bike broke, leaving me stranded. In my two-​mile walk, I stopped by two bike stores and neither had the piece. They both said to go to NYC Bikes, which is the same shop as Spokes and Strings. I was disappointed because it is in a different ‘hood and a PITA to get to from my current digs.
Anyway, I brought the bike, and it seems they have a quick turn-​around policy as I had my bike in a few hours (while I worked at a coffee shop down the street). Credit card machine was acting finicky so he asked me to pay cash, which I did; he asked me if I wanted a receipt, which I declined. The ride home, I noticed he adjusted the brakes and other little things that showed me he cared about me as a customer.
But, alas, 4 days later, I noticed a credit card charge — I thought it wasn’t going through? Panicking, I called and explained the situation because, after all, I had no receipt! A day later, I make the trek over there, showed them my credit card records, and received a cash refund for the overcharge.
I wouldn’t hesitate to use them again, even if it means using that damn G train.

This was my first trip to the shop and my experience was excellent.
The purpose of my visit was to check the NYC Bike models, which I purchased after test rides of the two models I was considering. The bike handled well, looked great, and fit all of my requirements which included: budget, light weight, ease of operation, low maintenance, and durability (solid/​smart construction).
Will, the owner/​salesperson I worked with, was honest, knowledgable, not pushy, and fun to engage with. He explained how he designed the bikes, the features of the bikes I was considereing, his manufacturing process, and his honest feelings regarding bike safety and rider responsibility– all very laudable and positive, while remaining quite disciplined… without losing sight of the fact that riding a bicycle in NYC is a thrill in additiion to convenient.
Will did not try to up-​sell me. Will did not makle me feel bad when I said I was not interested in certain items. Will did make me feel like my patronage was important to him, and I felt all of my needs were served in abundance and in a friendly and professional manner.
At the end of the experience, after I paid for my super awesome new bike, I felt comfortable enough to have a friendly chat with Will. One of the topics of conversation was some of the negative Unilocal reviews he received, which to my dismay almost kept me from coming in here and having an unusually solid experience. We spoke frankly, and I’m happy to say I’ve gotta side with the business owner this time.
Sorry guys, but the negative reviews did not end up being helpful. Which is a good thing, no?
If you want a super awesome bike sold by a professional, come here

2 years ago I had them custom build a bike for me. I was a new rider then and they were very helpful in getting me what I needed. Fast forward 2 years and I have come to realize what an awesome machine they built me. And an awesome price too ($ 550). I’ve been in there many times and they’ve always been nice to me.
To the people hating on this place for not working on your bike that has only one brake: You are being irresponsible! If that brake fails, its not just going to be you that’s at risk.
To all the other haters: I just don’t get it. I’m not discounting your experience, but it’s completely different from mine.

Dude ruined my bike and refused to fix it. Can’t wait til he goes out of business.

I bought my first track wheel set here ages ago when I was building my first bike. They were really helpful! Since then i’ve been in plenty of times for tune ups and flats and stuff like that, and have had good experiences. They even had a strange, less common part I was hunting around for on an old project (american to euro bottom bracket conversion kit). Have talked to several of the employees, including Will the owner, and they all know their stuff. Pretty down to earth — it’s a good balance to the boutique places that have been popping up.

Walked into a shop with a friend who had a flat tire. Owner scold at us for leaning our bikes on the wall and told us to leave it outside. Friend bought tube and asked if he could use a 15 mm wrench. Owner said no we do not lend out our tools for any circumstances but we can install your innertube for you for a fee. Friend declined his offer to install it for him so owner rushed us out of his store becuase we were taking up space and we are not buying anything. We laughed at how terrible and dissatisfied with the service. DO NOT GO THERE UNLESS YOU WANNA GET RIPPED OFF AND DISRESPECTED!!!

*AWFUL* customer service, and by the owner himself! As others have posted, I like supporting local businesses, but… just stay away from this place. Give someone else your money.
My mom was in town for the weekend, and we thought it would be nice to rent her a bike for the day to take to Gov’s Island. After asking for the rental, he tells us it will take about 15 minutes to get it ready. We wait… and wait… and wait… An hour later, we still don’t have our bikes, so we point out how long we’ve been waiting, and ask how much longer it will take. He starts bitching about how «you’re not spending any significant amount of money in my shop» and we’re somehow not «real customers». My mom got offended at this, and said we should get a discount for the wait, at which point he starts berating her.
Since I just wanted to get my rental and move on with my life, I said nothing and proceeded with the transaction. My mom had stepped outside and at this point the owner is going on and on and on about how because we are paying customers it doesn’t give us the right to tell him «he isn’t working hard enough» and how rude my mother is. I calmly and quietly told him that I had not appreciated the way he talked to my mom. Again, because I just wanted to get my rental and move on I stay quiet as he is going on and on.
He rang up the deposit slip. I asked him for paperwork saying that the $ 390 was just a deposit and not an actual charge, and a pen. At this point he replied with «I’d rather not rent my bike out to you».
Do not let this man ruin your Saturday.

«No, we don’t take bike rental reservations, NO, I don’t know any other bike shops around who might take a bike rental reservation. I understand it’s 3 weeks before the 5-​boro ride, and we might be out of bikes. Sorry.»
very unhelpful.

The owner is rude and a total jerk. I went in to buy a small bike pump. He tried charging me $ 30.00 even though the price tag said $ 20.00. The next time I went he refused service because I have one break on my bike. Then went on a 15 minute rampage about his beliefs on fixed gear bikes. Um, dude, I have a break. And I’m not riding fixed gear. And you’ve done service on my bike before. Asshole. I’m all about supporting local establishments, but I will not give him my business nor recommend anyone to go here. Fuck him and fuck this place.

Very rude staff. Went in to have my intertube blown up. A process which takes about 5 minutes. The first thing he said is that he would have to install front wheel brakes on my bike. I have a beach cruiser which does not go very fast, and I already have back pedal brakes on my bike. He said it is an NYC law. I checked this information and he is lying it is NOT an NYC law. The law states that you must have some sort of braking system on your bike. That is all. He also said he was full for the day. There was no one in the store and I understand if my bike needed some intense work but literally it takes five minutes. I went to a bike store in park slope before that was VERY busy yet the staff took time out of their busy schedule to fill up my intertube not problem and for free. The staff then told me to trek over to bike doctor, who just happened to be CLOSED on Wendesdays. Never going back. HORRIBLE

Have to disagree with the other reviews here. While I did not meet the owner, the staff were really helpful and courteous. They were knowledgeable about their craft and willing to answer a lot of questions from someone who was just browsing (me) for now.
The store makes custom fit bikes at reasonable prices, and while I haven’t committed to buying one (yet) the value is definitely there.

the staff are sweethearts but the owner has a terrible temper — I saw him physically menace a customer once. I like that it’s an independent neighborhood joint but wish I didn’t have misgiving about supporting the owner. I also wish there were a good alternative close by!

worst customer service i have ever experienced. super unfriendly and unhelpful.