A Better Cycle

They are so nice and helpful, I have no complaints whatsover.
Lots of tips on how to keep your bike safe, avoid flats, etc. while bike being worked on.
They can do this because they are a small shop. Very honest and helpful.

I love this shop, staff is always helpful and the store has a great stock of gear. Fairly priced, this is definitely one of my favorite bike shops.

One of the best experiences I have had in any type of store! Clinton was extremely knowledgeable, didn’t try and oversell (like sooooo many other places nowadays) and provided excellent service. Very friendly too!

I love this shop and the guys who run it! ;) They are knowledgeable and want the best for the Portland cycling community. They are honest mechanics and will go out of their way to find what you need. Let them help you improve your bike riding experience today!

To echo much of the sentiment here, I’d say ABC is most certainly amongst the best in Portland when it comes to repairs and service. It’s just a great local bike shop, where a novice feels as comfortable as an expert, and they’re more than willing to share their expertise. The folks at ABC I’ve seen in action are super passionate about bikes. I’ve purchased used parts at ABC and it’s been a great experience. Because they are passionate about bikes, I found them empathetic when it came to challenges, and enthusiastic when it came to first-​rate achievements. I had a binder bolt (the female end) I’d been desperately trying to extract from a Vitus frame for days. It was frustrating to say the least. I brought it in to A Better Cycle and a got a call that afternoon from the gent there telling me I could come pick it up. He’d become available late that day and was able to remove the bolt within a few minutes. Talented and helpful staff, reasonable rates, and a superb location.

This cycle shop is a unique experience with folks who are super knowledgable and kind I have had some weird karma things with bikes since I was little and they have on a chalk board written that they help you have a better relationship with your bicycle!!! And now I do… I appreciate every single person in this shop they are fast reasonable funny geeky adorable bike folks and I’m stoked to have stumbled upon them!!! Clinton, Spencer, Aaron, Miranda, Bobby and Tim (I know there are a few others I send my aloha and gratitude and my electric bike rocks with my new KICKSTAND yeah!!!

My bike rides better than ever, and I got a helmet all for a fair price. Professional and welcoming. They know what work means. Great job!

Great service/​repair, with a genuine love for bikes.
We’ve been bringing our bikes here for small and large tune-​ups/​repairs for several years now, and always get really phenomenal service. These people really love bikes and really care about your ride. I feel as if we always get more than we paid for and they are really careful to make sure we are happy with the way our bikes are riding before they hand them over. Great place!

Luckily this is in my neighborhood. Otherwise, it would be less convenient for me because…
I won’t go anywhere else for my bike repairs. Yep, this place is that good. They are honest (a HUGE plus with me), accommodating and reasonable. They can get backlogged with repairs but are sure to work with you as best they can to get your bike to you as quickly as possible even if that means working late a bit.
It really should be 4.5 stars.

After permanently loaning my bike to a good friend years ago, my heart has yearned for the cheap mobility bicycles offered. With a little sunny spring inspiration, I walked into ABC just a block away from home. A big, yet friendly, dog greeted me at the door with a hello-​sniff. After the shopkeeper (later learned was Clinton) helped a patron, he instantly asked if he could help me and the voyage began.
I explained I needed a bike to fit my awkward frame and with the small-​ish selection of used bikes inside, my eyes landed on an older Trek bike that was cleaned up and had some fresh cables installed. I was offered a helmet and a test ride, after which I knew I was riding my future trusty steed. When I came back, Clinton finished helping me find a dope new lock and a funky phresh new helmet. He was very polite and offered honest suggestions. And those are the two rarest and most appreciated qualities of a salesman. Hands down, plus I think he does repairs too.
Overall, great service. This might not be the place to find that dream bike but to take your dream (or prized, or regular, whatever) bike for repairs and service. Plus it just feels right to support your neighbors business. Thanks Clinton!

Great shop, highly recommended! My husband and I were visiting from out of town with our bikes and had a couple problems. I had to get a dérailleur adjustment, and the next day he broke a spoke. Both times the people working were super friendly and helpful, and the repairs were made quickly and for a very fair price. The owner also helped us out with some recommendations of places to ride around town.

This is by far the best bicycle shop in PDX. Clinton& his crew are genuine super heroes, they’ve elevated customer service to an art form! You’d be insane to go anywhere else with your beloved bicycle, they’ve saved my wheels (& my ass) more times in 7 years than I have room to recount here. If you depend on your bike, these are the guys for you! Thanks again, Clinton! Love you guys!

Great, speedy service, nice knowledgeable staff. I went there to have my bike put together (bought it online) and they were able to turn it around in less than 2 days. When I picked it up, I had trouble putting the bike rack on my car to get it home. The fellow who helped me (can’t remember his name) came across the street and helped me get in on there. I would definitely recommend this place to others.

This rating is about their service. We came in about 15 min before closing to check out the used bikes available. They had about 5 and seemed reasonably priced. Having no knowledge about bicycles, I asked an employee if he can help me get fitted. Granted, he did what he could do with the available 5 bikes. The shop is small, they seem more focused on selling parts and fixing bikes. There’s a big bench area for those working on their own bike.
He gave really really useful tips on how a bike should fit and recommendations on the sizing and brands. He encouraged us to test ride bikes for a couple hours and to take prospective bikes to another bike shop for a second opinion. He gave me information on the price range for new vs used bikes. He also listed a few bike shops worth checking out. Finding a quality bike that we’re happy with and taking our time to so was more important to him than making a sale. Despite staying past closing, he took his time talking to us and it never seemed like he was in a rush to close.
I didn’t end up buying anything, looks like I’ll be searching for bikes built for kids half my age. :/

This is one of the best bike shops I’ve ever been in. I just needed my tube replaced and after being treated like an idiot at a prior shop, I came here with my flat tire and was super pleased with how friendly and quick the service was! You can tell these guys really like their job. As my bike was being fixed I watched the other mechanics treat the other customers just as well. They also have a lot of really cool used parts. Next time I need something for my bike I’m totally coming here again.

I didn’t even make it into the shop, that’s how bad the experience was. I just need new tires and a tune-​up, and unfamiliar with the shops in Portland, decided to call around to see what is required as far as needing to make an appointment, or to just drop in. I found this place via Unilocal,and trusted the solid 5-​star rating!
I called, and I swear, the woman that answered the phone must have been having the worst Monday of all mankind. She was rude, condescending, and when I made sure I understood what she was telling me, she had the audacity to sound exasperated. It wasn’t that difficult to take my business elsewhere, I don’t even care if it costs me an extra buck. River City Bicycles actually sounded excited to help me, and even though they’re backed up 2 weeks (a good sign that people like to go there for service!), they have my business. Perhaps ABC can find someone a little less cantankerous to answer the phones, I was actually looking forward to doing my bike business here, and thanks to her, will not. Ever.

By far the best experience I have ever had at a bike shop. I went in to check on the shape of my old bike, as it hadn’t been fixed by anyone but me in the last few years, and I really don’t know what I’m doing. Miranda (sp) assisted me and she could not have been kinder. My bike was in pretty bad shape and she took the time to go over what my bike would need to be fixed up and some options on a new bike. I wound up getting a special order bike and Miranda custom fitted it to my needs. I walked over with nothing but a jacket (and a wife and a baby and a stroller) to pick up my bike so they even let be borrow a lock to take the bike out. I am so thankful and will be giving them all my business and recommendations I can.

If they’re busy I imagine its hard for them to keep up with every customer demand, but they seemed to try their hardest with the resources allowed.
EDIT (3÷18÷14) Just had a dude say since I had a small dent in my wheel that I needed to toss it and start new, or «IF you can find a used one, IF that is!» I went around the corner to another bike store an got a second opinion. They fixed my wheel for cheaper than ABC would of (if ABC dude ended up fixing it instead of trying to sell me a new wheel I didnt want). If things sounds more painful than they seem, get a second opinion. Dont trust every pretentious bike nerd. I had a good and bad experience at ABC.
Also the ABC scoffed at the price of my bike and said that it was painfully cheap (not good enough to his standards).

I just got back from ABC, literally, and find myself compelled to write a review. I’ve been living in Portland for several months now and only just bought a bicycle (fair-​weather cyclist?).
A few days ago I bought a bike that I had found via Craigslist. I thought it was a great deal but I’m not all that knowledgable about bicycles and I only decided to purchase it after the shop owner assured me that I could test it out for two weeks and return it with no questions asked if it wasn’t up to my standards. This is where ABC comes in.
I’ve been riding the bike for several days and was in dire need of some portage. After some searching online I found a rear cargo rack that I thought could support a pannier or two and ABC showed up as a local dealer. A quick call confirmed that they had it in stock and off I went.
I was greeted by a friendly employee named Clinton, who not only helped me install the rack (actually, he directed me to buy another one as the one I had found was incompatible with my vintage 70’s road bike) but thoroughly inspected my bike after I explained the circumstances under which I bought it. Luckily, everything is in order and it appears that I did in fact get quite a good deal on the bike.
Clinton patiently answered my novice questions and really made me feel at ease with my new mode of transportation. Seriously one of the best experiences I’ve ever had in a shop – any shop that is, not just a bike shop. I will certainly be back for other bike needs. Thanks!

Our journey to, «A Better Cycle,» began months ago when we started raising money for a tandem bike through the Rush-​Miller Foundation. Our daughter, Sofia, is completely blind and has wanted to ride a real bike with the family for years. When our goal was achieved the bike was ordered and shipped to ABC.
Arriving at the shop we were greeted by a very cool cat named Clinton. He was extremely knowledgeable, friendly and overall good guy. Sizing the bike, making recommendations on helmets, pumps, bike etiquette, etc. The amount of time and detail spent on us as customers did NOT go unnoticed. We felt valued and were pleased with the experience.
Upon leaving the shop I asked Clinton if it would be ok to take a picture with him, Sofia and the tandem. He said he would be delighted to.
Whatever Clinton is making @ ABC it is not enough.
A Better Cycle = Excellence
Want to help other blind children experience the thrill of riding?
Go to: