Revolution Bicycle Repair

I took my bike into Revolution Bicycle Repair to have new pedals put on my bike since I was unable to remove the old peddles myself with the tools I had. The worker was very rude to me from the beginning and began belittling me for wanting yellow pedals on my bike.
He began to pry on the peddles (without taking much care for the protection of the rest of the bike) and they still weren’t coming lose. He then started using a blow torch to «loosen them up» and he began to pry on them more until he bent the crank on the bike — «Well now the crank is fucked». He began to look for a replacement and tried to put an old crank he had laying around in the back that weren’t mismatched color and not to the quality of my current crank (My bike would have one of my original cranks, which is silver, a black crank and then a white chair wheel).
I told him I didn’t really want to put those sub-​par parts and and he told me my only other option would be to have him order a new crank and that it would cost me $ 60. I told him I wasn’t going to pay $ 60 for a new crank when he’s the one that had bent the original one. (likely because he weakened the metal with the blow torch) He began to cuss me out and telling me that I should have known it could have happened because «it’s a fucking mechanical part, idiot» and continued to belittling me for wanting new peddles on my bike for cosmetic reasons (the new peddles would also help my peddle clips fit on better).
He then told me «I’m not fixing shit» and shoved the back back at me while tossing the parts he had taken off on the ground. I had to continue to ask for all of the parts he had taken off my bike as they were still scattered around on the floor behind the counter. He gave me a handful of the parts and I asked him if that was everything and he said «No I kept all the good parts for myself off your shitty bike» He began to yell and belittle me more and I left the store and quickly as I could as I began to fear for my own safety since he was getting very aggressive.
Please do not give this guy a minute of your time or a single cent.

I have only gone to this place three times. It is a bit messy but who cares, I get really good prices on wheels and tubes, and service is really good. The only reason I don’t go to this place more often is because of moved 2 miles west and now it is not as convenient to get there.
The person who helps you gives good advice about maintaining your bike.

First time here at Revolution & I came due to a good friend’s recommendation. I’m pleased to report the recommendation was well deserved. Staff was extremely helpful, didn’t use a lot of jargon, fully explained my problem, and fixed it in a timely fashion. Exactly what I needed.

I’ve had both of my bikes fixed by James for three years now and what a gift to have such a capable and friendly place close by. Sort of a wonderful, crazy, brilliant mess of a store, but everything you need is there. James has always delivered on time, the work has been solid and lasted, and the prices are fair. He’ll sell you anything you want, but will also take the time to repair things and make them last. He provides good advice about some of those decisions. I highly recommend this place and don’t get the few bad reviews: this guy is the opposite of a profit-​driven schmuck — he’s such a mensch and a craftsman with integrity. The dog is adorable and makes the visit a pleasure.

I’ve been bringing my bikes to James for about 2 ½ years now and he’s always been great to deal with. He’s always given me a good deal on the work that needs to be done, often times fixing it for me right there and then. Much prefer coming here compared to Ferris Wheels down the street… The shop’s not open on Tuesdays which is a bummer but if you want good work done honestly for a reasonable price by a truly independant bike shop, I’d suggest giving the place a try!

Took my bike in because of chain skipping. After talking with the mechanic, I agreed to get the cassette and chain replaced per his recommendation, as well as brake pads replaced and front wheel trued. He included the cassette in the cost of his estimate, which I payed when picking it up. I specifically asked about the cassette when I picked it up because it looked dirty to me, and he pointed right to it and insisted he had replaced it.
I later noticed the chain was still skipping, and upon examining the cassette realized it had NOT been replaced. Just to confirm my perception, I took it to another bike shop where two different mechanics took a look and verified the wear on it indicated it was not a new cassette. He lied right to my face to scam me. He denied everything and insulted me when I confronted him.
You don’t need to take my word about this guy’s character. Scroll down, click the ‘other reviews’ link, and check his response to Rick B.‘s critique where he lashes out at «fucknuts,» «pussy shitheads that are too stupid to figure out what tire they need,» and says «This guys smelled like a rapist,» (yes, about his own customers) if he hasn’t deleted it by now. Can’t believe he has any business.

I was looking for a place to replace some bike parts for cheap and do a tuneup. Time was an issue too. I called around for quotes. James’ place had the best price so I went there. He got my bike back in shape within a day and got it back to me better tuned than it’s ever been!

I should update this review. I’ve been in a couple of times since, and the customer service was better. It’s still a little disorganized but it seems like they’re working hard to employ local youth which is always a good thing when youth jobs are so hard to find in this city. I still go to Bikes Not Bombs usually, but I don’t mind stopping in at Revolution if it’s on the way.

small shop, one-​man store. The guy is cool an fun. got a sweet ride from him, in an excellent price (was totally surprised when he told me the price, was expecting it to be like a 100 – 150 $ more). while i was there people came in to buy stuff, repair their bikes, do a tune up (60 $, 2 days turn over !!!). The guy clearly knows his way arounf bike, without the attitude you get in other stores around (Ferris, bikes not bombs and etc. I would highly recommend the place.

I don’t even want to dignify this place with a real response, all I can say is UNPROFESSIONAL.

Ever since Jim at Revolution tuned-​up my boyfriend’s bike and replaced both wheels, we’ve had FOUR FLAT TIRES on the back wheel — two in the middle of long rides, rendering the bike useless and causing me to walk it home for miles.
Brought it back to him three times and he blamed the flats on running over something and charged for new tubes. The last time, Jim kept the bike for 2 weeks and never called to say it was ready.
We brought the bike to Maine and got the 4^th FLAT in 2 months, so brought the bike to a Maine repair shop that examined the wheel and told us that the rim strip Jim had used wasn’t even the right one for the bike and that it had a sharp edge that kept causing the flats! The Maine shop replaced the rim strip (NOT the tube) and we haven’t had a flat since — and have ridden the bike many miles without issue.
To add insult to injury, Jim’s girlfriend hangs out at the shop and answers the phone. Last time we called about the 3^rd flat, her snarky response was, «Learn to change a tire!» and hung-​up. Jim approaches his customers with the attitude that he’s doing you a favor by working on your bike. Do yourself a favor and take your business elsewhere!

I don’t understand some of the negative reviews of this place. In my experience the owner has always been really friendly and has the quickest turn around times for repairs compared to other JP bike shops. Ferris is overpriced and takes a week to get even the smallest repair done. Every time I have gone to revolution the owner puts my bike up on the lift and takes a look right away. I just planned on dropping my bike off with the assumption I wouldn’t see it for a week and it would cost a decent amount. Instead my bike was repaired right on the spot for under 10 bucks.

This place is pretty awesome. If you’re looking for a quick fix for something, come here. DO NOT go to Ferris or Bikes Not Bombs. I don’t think those people understand that bikes are some folks’ main way of getting around and you can’t go without your bike for a week while they take their time fixing it.
The prices are almost always lower too. I love the anti-​establishment angriness on the website. The dude here is super friendly and real, though perhaps that’s because of all the Unilocal feedback?
I do wish that they would actually be open when their website says they are. Several times I’ve gotten here at opening time and he’s no where to be found. Or is taking a long lunch break.
I don’t have simple bikes and he does get a bit exasperated with me. Totally understandable, but maybe keep the grumbles in?

The guy who runs this place is pretty awesome. I took my cheap bike to this place to get it fixed to a certain degree. On the phone he told me a tune up would be 60 dollars. When I went to the store, he said it would take a couple days. Since I bike to school, I told him I needed it as soon as possible. So instead of a tune-​up, he fixed the wheels, spokes, brakes, and my stupid handle bar for 40 bucks, but right on the spot. I came back a few days later since my pedal somehow got loose. Fixed it up right away.
Great service. Fast. Knows what he’s doing. and has cute pets there too :)

I don’t know what the eff people want out of this place! It’s perfect!
You need your bike fixed? They can do it, and they’re cheap, quick, and honest. You need a light/​helmet/​other accessory? They have a decent selection of the basics and will order whatever you need if it’s not in stock and even call you when it comes in. They have bikes for sale. And there’s usually a dog hanging out.
They have always been friendly to me when I’ve gone in, and even remembered my bike. I can only assume it’s because I treat them like real human beings. Here’s a secret for all the whiny complainers: get over yourselves and just be nice.

If you don’t have tattoos, stink of a booze hang over, and a «I’m so cool cause I’m a college drop out» attitude you should skip these jerks.
The main guy (with the missing teeth: has THE MOST arrogant attitude I’ve ever seen. Answers in one word grunts. In the middle of talking about my repair some little B-​girl groupie comes in, you know the type. Skanky, lots of berets, 3-​layers of different colored roots — you could actually see the germs crawling all over her and I swear to God there where fleas playing volleyball on the back of her neck!
Anyway Mr Toofy-​Grin drops me like a bad habit nd goes over to this chick and leaves me standing there while they coo and flutter.
Mating habits of the dead and dying. My skin still crawls!
I left and he didn’t even notice.
DO NOT GO TO THIS PLACE. IF YOU DO, MAKE SURE YOU’VE HAD YOUR SHOTS!
Less than helpful; hostile.
And the irony? I built and repaired bikes for 5 years back in the 80’s. I know the gearhead culture, believe me, these guys aren’t «bike guys» they are assholes.
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I’ve brought two of my road bikes here for minor adjustments repairs (e.g., fix broken spoke) and for bigger repairs (replacing the bottom bracket). Each time the repair was done very quickly. Two experiences stood out: (1) I had a repaired spoke break the day after it was fixed so I went back and he replaced it for no charge, (2) my front dérailleur was stuck and he looked at, tried to loosen it, and then recommended that I soak it in degreaser… and he didn’t charge me for his time AND his recommendation worked.
The prices are very reasonable when compared to other bike shops in the area and the service is quick and professional. The atmosphere is definitely more laid back than a place like Landry’s, but the mechanics know their stuff.

Fast, friendly, and inexpensive. Today, I brought in two bikes in need of some minor repairs. I didn’t have cash with me, and the credit card machine was broken, so after fixing my first bike, the guy let me ride it to an ATM. By the time I had returned, he’d fixes the second one too. At no extra charge, he then did some extra repairs that weren’t strictly necessary.
The total bill? Just $ 15, or roughly half of what I would gave been charged elsewhere.

I took my bike here because I needed a new chain and tubing. Not a hard job I know, but I am clueless and busy so I decided it was best to have a professional do it.
Everyone here was very nice, and it was very laid back. The guy didn’t make me feel like an idiot for not changing the tubing myself which I appreciated! I get very nervous about these thing. He finished it in about 10 minutes while I waited. I thought the prices were really fair ($ 15 for labor + the cost of parts), and I just really like the shop!
I will be back if I ever need anything taken care of again.

I went here first in Feb ’10 for some reflective velcro bands. the staff member’s attitude was, let’s say, not friendly. I picked up the merchandise fine though.
My second trip was in April ’10 for a helmet. A different staff member helped me and did a better job of making me feel welcome and valuable. I wanted a white helmet and since they had none in stock that same staff member checked online for one to be shipped and ordered it for me. He gave me the date it would arrive and took my name and number, telling me I’d get a call in 5 days when it arrives. 1 day after it should have arrived and having received no call I called them and was told that they sold my helmet and I should have put a deposit down for it (though I was NEVER asked to do this when I ordered it). Not only did I get this wonderfully snide and ultimately unhelpful comment but I was also not offered an apology or re-​order offer, just a dial tone.
They get two stars instead of one because two out of three employees I had contact with made me feel unwelcome but one gave me decent service (despite neglecting to follow through on the store’s deposit policy).