The Bike Commuter

Hey, you guys should close at the time that you have posted. The sign says you close at 7:00, yet I was there at 6:45 and you were already closed. All I needed was a quick part. Thanks a lot.

I never went to the old location, but I think the new location is really nice. The workers were very friendly and approachable. They were helping an older couple find a comfort bike and it seemed like the couple was having a pleasant experience. The name describes their target audience, they focus on commuters. I purchased a rear rack for my bike, the price was a little more than I was expecting after looking at prices online. I was also a little disappointed that they wanted $ 20 to install it at the price they sold it to me for. Another shop I have been to recently does simple things like this free of charge. However, they have a workstation with tools available for anyone to use for free and they encouraged me to use it to install the rack myself, which I did, with minimal effort. They also have a nice selection of beers on tap, which I have never encountered at a bicycle shop before, and I think it is a great idea. It is a very inviting space and they don’t seem to mind if people want to hang around and lounge with a beer or work on their bikes at the free repair station. If I lived closer I would probably go back here just to use the free workstation. Intact one person came by while I was there for that exact reason, it is a very good station with every tool you would ever need.

Was at their old spot once, and been in their new one a handful of times. Their selection of bike tools/​lights/​panniers/​other gear is okay (and bike store prices are bike store prices), but I’m usually in their for more basic things like tubes or to get something specific done I can’t do myself. Their regular mechanic is fantastic. Dérailleur adjustment was quick and absolutely spot-​on, for a good price, and any questions I’ve had have been well-​answered.
ETA
Been back a couple more times, and they’ve been nothing but helpful, knowledgeably, and quick. Plus beer.

It’s crummy that just because they moved locations to a couple blocks away, they have to start all over with their Unilocal reviews. It looks like they had some great ones too! So, I’ll start them out with the 5stars that they deserve! And I’m sure they’ll have no trouble at all keeping it that way.
The tall guy who works here, I forget his name, is super helpful and friendly! And not in a greedy, pushy «I get paid in commission» way either. He is honest, knowledgable and helpful. And I truly hope he DOES make commission because he definitely deserves it!
My boyfriend and I decided it’s way past time that we get ourselves some bicycles. We have been depriving ourselves of fun bicycling adventures for far too long. We recently moved to Sellwood and so badly want to cruise up and down that Springwater Corridor path. I’ve walked it a few times on my way to work and it’s beautiful. So for Xmas, we decided we’re going to buy each other bicycles. Since I live only 5 blocks west of The Bike Commuter, it just made sense to go there.
The guy saw me wandering around the store looking confused and overwhelmed (because I’m a newb to the world of bicycling) so he asked me if I needed help. He didn’t swoop in on me like a hungry vulture as soon as walked in the door like every other sales person at every other bicycle shop I’ve been too has. He waited until he could tell I needed help to approach me. I happily accepted his help. I told him my situation, that I’m new to this and don’t know much about bicycles. Keep in mind that I’ve gone into MANY other bicycle stores and felt awkward and ashamed that I don’t know anything about bicycles. As we all know, Portlanders are a bit pretentious when comes to the bike-​life. If you’re not a bicyclist, you’re just not cool. He didn’t make me feel like that but I still kept apologizing for being ignorant to the whole thing. He told me not to apologize and said, «How are you going to learn if nobody takes the time to tell you?» So nice! I’m really sorry that I forgot his name. Anyway, I told him that I knew I wanted to get a gift card for a large sum so my guy can pick out his own bicycle but that I also wanted to get him set up with all the necessary accessories, like: a helmet and lock and anything else he’d need to get started. He helped me find all the stuff I needed and gave suggestions on which ones to get. I knew I could trust him because he wasn’t pushing the most expensive items, unless he honestly thought they were necessary. I asked about outer gear, like reflective jackets and vests and he said I shouldn’t buy those, as my guy would probably want to pick that kind of stuff out himself, which he was very right about! In under 30 minutes, he helped me pick out almost ALL my dude’s gifts (a helmet, cold weather gloves, a lock, lights etc…) and I only had to go to the mall once this year; that was just a quick run in&out of Macy’s for cologne!
Thank you, Bike Commuter! Thank you, guy who’s name I regretfully forgot. We’ll be back soon!
Update: we went back today to get our bicycles and had just as pleasant experience as the last. And dude’s name is Eric!