Bike Improve

Category:	Bicycle Store
Address:	10929 California Route 2, Los Angeles, CA 90025, USA
Phone:	+1 310-400-0363
Site:	bike-improve.com
Rating:	3.7
Working:	11AM–7PM 11AM–7PM 11AM–7PM 11AM–7PM 11AM–7PM 11AM–5PM 11AM–5PM

Location

Photos 37

Reviews 6

Jackson Cooper Gango

This was my second visit to Bike Improve. The first was not very good either, but not horrible. Im not a heavy biker. I just ride to get to work which is only a couple miles away. I have an old bike that at times requires some attention. The first visit, I just wanted to blow up my tires. They seemed very low. The salesmen/clerk behind the desk told me to pump it up to 100 psi...I found out later that the tires only recommended 90 maximum. I rode home from work the next day and the tire blew out from too much pressure. The clerk wasnt very helpful either. He seemed more interested in his biker magazine. The second visit is why Im writing this review. My crankshaft had fallen off while going to work. Not a very good way to start the day. At the end of the day, I drove my bike to Bike Improve and brought it inside. No one was around so I walked to the repair center around the corner. I stood there staring at the mechanic for a couple minutes until he seemed ready to deal with me. When he came over I described my issue and how I would possibly need to replace the crankshaft. He first told me I shouldnt have bought a cheap bike. Not very polite, but ignored it, because I know myself the bike is cheap. My next question was how much a replacement would cost. I was expecting something like $300. He response was around $100. I said I would be willing to pay up to $200 for the part and the labor. He said I could just buy a used bike for that much...obviously that would just put me back into a similar situation with an old, used crankshaft or other old part, that would quickly go out on me. Also, didnt you just tell me to not buy cheap bikes? I then asked what specifically caused this. He then blamed me for chewing inside of the crankshaft myself, when really, I think the bike was old (its from the 80s) and it was time for an upgrade. Point being, he blamed me for riding the bike...ok...not really giving me any solutions and it didnt sound like he wanted my money or my business. So at that point I just walked away and eventually got the tools and parts myself to repair it. I should have turned around and told him he was being rude, but I didnt. Hence me giving them a poor review on yelp. I will never go there again.

Louis Deliz

I went in to get a pair of speedplay zero cleats for my shoes as one of mine finally broke after a long time of useage. I normally get all my parts at Helens cycles no matter what but my cleat broke basically right at the corner of this shop. I had actually seen it but never walked into this shop. As I walked in I said hi to the gentlemen at the counter and got no response just ignored me for watever he was doing I shrugged it off. I went and grabbed the part I needed which were the cleats and I shrugged off the fact that the clips were not in the normal packaging im used to seeing so I shrugged it off walked up the the guy at the counter let him know im ready to go... He ignored me again and just kept looking down after about 5 minutes he finally looked up and began to charge me. I walked away just thinking watever people have attitudes sometimes but the customer service needs work thats for sure. I got home and installed the cleat to my shoe. I had put 67 miles on the cleats with covers on them so they were barely damaged at all. I went for a ride trying to put another bit of miles on the bike and crashed very lightly on the bike path in santa monica I have had situations like this before and the cleats are designed to let go on impact. Well the cleats I got from them tore the screws still in the nuts right out of the cleat! I have never seen this happen before ever shared with a friend and he had never heard of it before either. My deduction of this is the quality that they allow in there shop is very poor. I will never go to this shop again as the quality is freaking horrid and the pricing is ridiculous. I race and ride a high end bike and personally if im paying that much for a item I want people that are atleast happy with there job and helping you and a quality product. I will continue to keep my business at Helens and never return here again. Although I dont think the staff nor owner there could give a spit less if all there business is walking away because I can see that the service has a reputation for not giving a spit about any of there costumers.

Moses Biniashvili

Bike Improve, it is a family owned shop, with a wide variety of bikes such as road, mountain, commuting, fixes and kids bikes. One can find a high-end bikes for professional cycling, were others have a wide range of midlevel and affordable bikes. Shop also has a vast selection of accessories and clothing. Recently shop start caring shimano fit shoes with special molding oven. Costumer service is a great experience, not only you get to have attention from an owner of the shop, but he also personally takes care of any and every need your bike might have. For me it was a great experience to have a one on one conversation regarding my bicycle improvement with one of the top rated bike mechanics of 2008. His communication skills are excellent, and you always leave the shop satisfied.

A Private User

Ive been here a few times for small services (once to get a rear wheel replaced, another to put on new handlebars). Prices were always on the high side (when compared to Helens or REI), but Nirs got a smaller shop, so I guess it could be justified. He does have a good selection of great quality road bikes, and at least knows what hes talking about. I do have to mention that when I had my handlebar and break cables replaced, whomever it was that worked on the bike neglected to cut and cap the break cable ends, which was pretty unprofessional. I get the feeling that unless youve bought your bike directly from this shop, you probably wont get the best service...

Bradley Jackson

Stopped by this small shop for a part. Owner yapping on the phone while a mechanic was putting together a Diamondback behind the counter. Ask for the spacer I need. Owner didnt seem to know what I was talking about. Explained exactly what it was. Didnt know what I was talking about. Showed him the part on a bike right in front of him. His response, "I dont think you should be doing that." "Why are you telling me what I should and should not be doing? You have no knowledge of my mechanical abilities." Goes back to look for said part. Three minutes later, "I dont have that size." Waste of a quarter in the parking meter.

James Freitag

I didnt have go into the actual shop yet, but I had a really excellent experience with the owner. On a weekend evening, I was out cycling in the hills when I got a flat up on Mulholland. I was out of tubes. I immediately realized I was going to have to call for a ride when a guy in a minivan pulls up and asks if I need some help. A few minutes later, the owner of Bike Improve had installed a tube (he was a lot faster than me), and we chatted for a few minutes. He could have just driven by, but he stopped to help.