The Hub Bicycle Lounge

The crew at the Hub help provide some great advice on upgrading my bike and installing a new shock. Its not like you can let anyone touch your Krampus. They made sure of what I wanted and even mounted my tubeless setup at no charge.
While there I decided to have them look at my road bike and they recommended a drivetrain adjustment instead of pushing for a full tune up. They turned the work around in less than a day as well.
Overall I felt very comfortable in the store and with their knowledge and experience. My go to place in San Marcos for bike stuff!

I want to start this review off on a positive note. Generally, when I come into this shop, I get great service, detail explanations, and a friendly environment.
I’m somewhat new to cycling (started in August) and I’m still learning the «in’s and out’s.»
Just recently, I called the shop in search for an 18t cog for my single speed as I’m struggling with my current set up on the hills. Fortunately, they had one in stock and I told the gentlemen I would come by sometime that day to pick it up.
Now I get to the negative part of this review. I walked into the shop to grab my cog, and found the representative helping me to be a bit haughty.
I’m a guy who asks questions, I want to be sure I know what I’m doing in the case something goes wrong. Granted, changing a cog is pretty simple, but it’s the small details like reminding someone to put a little grease on the threads so it doesn’t seize. This guy, did not care about being helpful.
The gentlemen was not having my questions either (literally asked 2 before his inner demon started busting at his seams). I definitely felt my intelligence insulted, and I quote, «you just screw it in, this is as simple as it gets (said again, in a very haughty tone).»
I asked if I needed a tool, and he sold me a used tool at full price he found in a drawer in the back. I would’ve been way happier if I had gotten 10% off the damn thing at the very least. On top of it, the tool didn’t help me take off me old cog, If only he had asked to see my bike, nope, zero-​fucks-​given.
To be honest though, this was my first time interacting with this guy. Maybe he was having an off day, I don’t know — I could definitely care less about him. I want to give him the benefit of the doubt, but to be treated the way I was, he definitely should not be working with people. If he must have a job at this shop, keep him in the back away from people. If this shop ever fails, it will be because of him.

I came down from the Dallas area to help a friend who lives in San Marcos purchase a new bike. We arrived a few minutes late and realized the shop was closed. Alex noticed us peeking thru the windows and decided to open back up to help. He was friendly and bike savvy. After checking out the competition the following day, I recommended this shop because of the friendly service and knowledgeable staff. SERVICE is so VIP, especially when you purchase a bike.

I needed my road bike serviced before the weekend for a ride and every bicycle shop in Austin was a minimum of a week wait time. I stopped in to the hub randomly and the staff member said he could service my bike the same day and I didn’t even have an appointment. The crew was so friendly that I would drive to San Marcos from Austin from here on out just based on their customer service! Excellent customer service and speedy turn around time!

Poor experience. Judgmental owner/​operator.
I grew up riding bikes, and also raced for the Texas State Cycling team while attending Texas State University. It appears these guys have a great location for swindling local college students who don’t know a ton about bicycles.
Maybe things have changed, but I didn’t hear one person on the cycling team who would recommend this place when I attended school in the area. We actually made regular commutes to do business with other local shops in Kyle and Austin since they offered vastly superior service, better pricing, and seemed to care about the biking community over making large profits.
I think what really steered me and others away from this place was the elitist attitude they exuded when I went in the couples times before. It sounds like other people have had a good experience with this shop, so my assumption is that other people may be okay with paying more for inferior service. If you live in San Marcos, and convenience is more important than value and customer service, then this could be a good place to shop, so I’ll give it 2 stars for that.
I do hope things have changed with this shop, but you probably won’t find me going in for a 3^rd time, only to be disappointed and halfway humiliated again.

I took my Trek bike which I had since 2007 for tune up (never had one done) and probs with flat tire on saturday and sunday it was ready. Prices very affordable. Friendly Staff. Nice place. I got charge for 74.00 plus a new kick stand. Definitely going back for any of my bike needs. Thanks.

My wife recently participated in a triathlon in San Marcos where we met Alex, one of the store owners. His knowledge about cycling and bicycles sparked my interest and we began the process of purchasing our first road bikes. The Hub is the place to go if you’re new to the bicycle community or are looking to upgrade your current road or mountain bike. They have many options at various prices and are there to accommodate your needs not push anything on you (as I’ve experienced at other bike shops). Alex’s attention to detail and customer satisfaction is what sold me from the Start. I will continue to come all he way from San Antonio, because I know that The Hub is true to it’s customers.

You can not find a better shop anywhere. I walked in this shop showing no promise of buying anything and received endless supreme customer service. After purchasing my bike Andy has shown me the greatest patience and craftsmen ship through multiple phone calls and visits. Prices can’t be beat and the service offered here is unparalleled. Return customer most definitely.

Run by SMTX locals Alex and Andy. They are knowledgeable and friendly.
I’ve been coming here for about 5 years for all my cycling needs. I’ve bought new bikes fresh out of the box, used bikes fresh off the streets and complete top to bottom bike rebuilds from these guys and everyone has been in top notch mechanical order.
Super cheap as well. Parts, accessories, clothing and complete bikes– cheaper prices that can’t be touched by those specialty, big box, or «local» bike shops in Austin.
They also price match ANYTHING you can find on the Internet.
This place is a bicycle lounge. You’ll find random cyclist just stopping by to shoot the breeze with Alex and Andy and other cyclists. They have shop rides on Monday and Wednesday nights– a perfect way to meet some new cyclist.
Don’t be afraid– the lack of stuck up, pretentious cyclists is refreshing.
One of my top/​favorite local businesses to support!

These guys have kept me on two good wheels for years.

The Hub provided bike support during the Livestrong Challenge. I shredded a tire during the ride. My companions booted the tire with a dollar bill and we made it to the next rest stop. The Hub not only replaced my tire, they gave me the tire, a nice Gatorskin tire. they were extremely nice and obviously very competent. They saved my ride. Thank you Hub!!!

Great service from Alex. He really knows his stuff. Got a shifting sprocket replaced and a worn rear break pad.

Cycling often reminds me of those closed and cliquish communities that can be unwelcome to newcomers. Read a few cyclist blogs and you’ll see plenty of griping about wobbly slowpokes.
All that can make a newbie like me think twice about walking into a shop full of the bike-​obsessed. But recently, a running injury had me spending a lot more time on my entry-​level Trek 7000 hybrid. So I figured what the hell and I headed to The Hub for a tune-​up of my three-​year-​old bike, which had a few issues I couldn’t seem to fix on my own.
After a rocky start — the shop didn’t open until more than an hour after the posted opening time, and I finally gave up and came back later — it was all good from there. Better than good. Five-​star good.
I’ve visited three times and Andy’s always been my guy. He gave my Trek a same-​day tune-​up so I could keep my workout schedule, and offered a fast and free fix an hour later when I noticed my brake pads rubbing against one of the rims. Even better, when I started having the same trouble with the other wheel weeks later, Andy walked me through all the necessary adjustments, explaining each step and why he was doing it. This should allow me to at least try to wrench that problem on my own next time.
Oh, and he refused payment for Trip No. 3. Eggggcellent! (Makes tiny tent with fingers.)
If I end up getting more serious about this whole business and putting in some truly long rides, I may step up to a road bike. And if I do, I’m going to Andy to be fitted with the right bike.
And by the way, in the three times I’ve visited The Hub, the other customers were all friendly and welcoming. There was zero douchery displayed. Another nice surprise here in this great little bike shop in downtown San Marcos.

These guys are awesome. I’m not a bike expert but I’m not an idiot either and every guy I talked to in the place never treated me like one. Alex fit new pedals onto a bike for me and they helped make some seat adjustments and when I was having trouble with a gear they popped it right on a stand and tested it out. I love finding local business like these, they make a town really thrive! When I’m ready to buy a bike of my own you can bet I’ll be knocking on their door.

as a local, i found this shop very true to san marcos.
the owner, alex lincoln, is extremely nice and understanding.
i walked right in, explained my situation and expectations for my bike, and he graciously let me test drive multiple bikes until i found one.
the bike didn’t come with a kickstand and i asked if it would be possible to put one on, alex’s reply was «totally! just ten bucks and a quick 5 minutes.»
i would definitely recommend this lounge for anybody! from beginning riders to experienced, this shop will exceed your expectations.

Update:
I recently bought a bike here — a 2011 Surly Karate Monkey. Andy matched the online price I found and had the bike for me within a week after I ordered it. They even let me use the shop tools to install my aftermarket suspension fork for no charge. Also, I had a loose rear hub the other day and was getting ready to go out on a ride. I brought it in and Alex was cool enough to throw it on the stand right away, tighten up the hub, clean the chain and send me on my way.
If you haven’t gone to see them yet, do it!

I have visited this bike shop a couple of times now, and it is now time for us to part ways. Over the Christmas Holidays I dropped off my Jamis Full Suspension for tune up, cleaning, cable replacement and couple spokes broken on rear. I was unaware that they were taking an entire week off for the holiday, so that was a little discouraging at first to find that out on the phone instead of in person. Then I go to pick up the bike to find out they replaced my rear rim, which was Alex DP 17 disc, with a Bontrager Maverick that has V-​brake sides also on it. The front and rear rims now DO NOT MATCH in looks! The front is low profile rim with disc only, the rear has the machined finish for V-​brakes! I did not receive a call to state they even needed to replace the rim, or what kind of rim would I like.
I am in the automotive repair industry, middle age man, professional. If I were to put a part on a customers car, not call and tell them, then just expect them to accept it when they arrived, I would be out of business.
I would have like the OPTION to replace both rims, upgrade to better quality, with great looks… didn’t happen.
Hope this helps. They are nice guys, they seem small and just starting out. I like helping local businesses, but I have to pass on future visits, as next time other components may come up missing/​replaced without my knowledge.

I think I was one of the 1^st buyers they had. I walked in they talked with me about what I wanted, didn’t push the most expensive bike on me (even tried to sell me a used one 1^st). Alex and Andy are really upstanding… don’t worry if you don’t know what you’re looking for they’ll set you straight!

I love this shop: great workmanship and prices. All the bike technicians are really friendly and passionate.
One of the owners biked with me at length to make sure my bike was adjusted properly.

The Hub is an amazing little bike shop. I guess the lounge part is because they have a dirty old couch and shop-​cat. I never bought a bike there but the people who work there are supremely friendly and prices for labor can’t be beat: seriously, a $ 200 dollar bike assemble/​disassemble in austin costs 60 – 80 bucks at The Hub, a $ 40 brake install at a shop in austin costs a mere $ 15 at The Hub. Everyone there, wants to help. The customers are a healthy mix of regular older folks and young fixie riders. They don’t have the greatest selection of parts or accessories but the welcoming atmosphere makes me always trust The Hub for all my repair needs.